Flachau is a small town about an hour’s drive south of Salzburg. But as small as it is, there’s a lot to do in and around it. Thanks to its central location inSalzburg Land, it’s considered a good place to stay for trips from a single base across the whole Salzburg region. Many of the high mountains surrounding Flachau are part of the huge ski area called Ski Amadé (Ski Amade). Thanks to its location next to the ski resort, Flachau is popular with ski lovers, but don’t worry, there are plenty of fun attractions in the area in summer too.
Where to Stay in Flachau
This is a village located next to one of the best ski resorts in Europe, but there’s plenty to do here in summer too, and its location more or less in the center of Salzburg Land makes it excellent for trips from a single base. We recommend Almdorf Almlust, which is perfect for ski-loving families! Another excellent place for families, with comfortable apartments at a good price and a range of activities for kids, is Sonnberg Ferienanlage. And for spa lovers: Alpin Life Resort Lürzerhof, which also offers all-inclusive packages where you’ll be fed practically around the clock.
Recommended Hotels in Flachau
Enjoy The Alps: an apartment hotel offering a seasonal outdoor pool, spa and wellness facilities including a sauna and spa center, free bikes and a terrace. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge, a seating area with a sofa bed, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine and a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries.
Harmls Aparthotel: an apartment hotel with a spa area. The spa area includes a sauna, steam bath, infrared cabin, gym and massage bench. The apartment hotel has a large outdoor area with badminton and tennis courts, a trampoline, a campfire spot with a barbecue hut, a large area with play facilities for kids and free bike rental.
Familienhotel Felsenhof: a 4-star hotel with a 300 m² spa with an indoor pool, an outdoor pool and a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. In the winter months you can take the ski bus directly from the hotel to the ski lifts. There are also options for cross-country skiing and winter hiking.
What to Do in Flachau and the Surrounding Area
There truly are endless things to experience and places to explore here; these are the main ones you mustn’t miss:
What to Do in Flachau
The town has a nice amusement park for kids, a mountain coaster (Rodelbahn Lucky Flitzer), and a unique attraction that I’d only come across in New Zealand until now, where you’re rolled down a hill inside a giant ball! In addition, many people come to the area to visit the famous and huge Amadé spa, which has both calm, relaxing areas for adults and water slides for kids. What more do you need? Oh! Good thing you asked! In nearby Wagrain you’ll find a water fun park for kids called Wasserwelt Wagrain, with outdoor and indoor pools, slides and play facilities, as well as saunas for adults.
The Hallein Salt Mines
The mines are less than an hour’s drive from Flachau. If a salt mine sounds boring to you, know that the tour of the huge mine, whose tunnels run for dozens of kilometers, also includes a ride on an underground train, sliding down wooden slides and even a boat ride on an underground lake! But don’t worry, the tour is suitable for grown-ups and kids alike.
The Werfen Ice Cave
The cave is right on the way between Salzburg and Flachau, about a 20-minute drive from Flachau. It’s the largest ice cave in the world and a sight like nothing you’ve seen before! It’s about 40 kilometers long, but only the first kilometer is open to visitors, and it’s also the only one with ice, so you’re not missing anything. To reach the cave you go up by cable car, and to see it you must join a guided tour. The temperature in the cave is always around 0°C (32°F), so dress accordingly, even in summer. It’s simply an attraction you mustn’t miss!
If you’re interested in a private tour, click here.
Hohenwerfen Castle
is located very close to the ice cave, and it was first built over 1,000 years ago, in the 11th century. The castle has a range of activities for kids and adults, from admiring its rooms with their antique furniture, the bell tower, fun competitions the whole family can take part in, performances by actors recreating the Middle Ages, and also a show of trained birds of prey. You reach the castle by funicular, or on foot with a walk of about 15 minutes.
More About Austria on the Site
More articles to help you plan your holiday in Salzburg Land
- Indulgent Spa Hotels in Austria
- Salzburg Land: The Travel Guide: Attractions and Recommended Places to Stay
- A Family Itinerary in the Salzburg Region (9 Days)
- A Couple’s Itinerary in Salzburg Land, Austria
Have you been to Flachau? We’d love you to share your experience in the comments.
