Rattenberg is a quaint Medieval city located in the Austrian Alps between Innsbruck and Salzburg.
I totally recommend that you travel and discover Rattenberg for yourself!
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🗺️ Where is Rattenberg?
Rattenberg is a city located next to the large river Inn, in the alpine region of Tyrol in Austria.
On the maps, you will find the smallest city of Austria, Rattenberg, right next to Kramsach, on the way between Innsbruck and Kufstein.
📍 Why you should visit?
The city of Rattenberg is a charming medieval city, which is, however, the size of a village with its 400 inhabitants.
The place is famous worldwide for its glass and rich history.
The city was founded as a fortress city in the 14th hundred by the then emperor, the great Maximillian the 1st.
👁️ Things to do
The quaint medieval city is authentic and has quite some things to offer.
I totally recommend exploring Rattenberg on a sunny afternoon.
Here are some of the things that you can do there.
Stroll through the old town
The best part of Rattenberg is to stroll around the city center.
The city is small and quaint and perfect for a relaxed afternoon hang out with the family.
Small shops selling handmade local things, besides glass, adorn the roads.
I got lost in the “Genusswelt” which is a food lover’s dream!
You can purchase local food specialties such as cheese, Speck, honey, wild game meat, and much more.
Visit the Augustin and Handicraft Museum
The Augustine museum is a former abbey where they display religious items from all over the country.
You can get to the Augustine museum by entering from the front city gate and taking in a side pathway near the well.
The handicraft museum is located on the other hand of the city.
You can experience the way local homes were set up, with original furniture pieces from the last centuries.
It gives you a chance to take a peek at the life and culture of locals back then.
Explore the Kisslinger Crystal Glass shop and show place
Glass has a long tradition in Rattenberg.
You will notice countless small glass handicraft boutiques along the pedestrian walk path.
The largest of all is the Kisslinger Crystal glasshouse with its countless glass-filled rooms.
In the Kisslinger Crystal world, you get to learn too how glass is made, so it’s kind of a mini-museum and totally worth visiting, especially with kids.
Some of the most precious glasses worth checking out and buying are drinking glasses, jugs and Christmas tree ornaments.
Go up to the Castle Ruins
The main pedestrian walk leads to smaller, narrow side passages, which I totally recommend you take your time in discovering.
One of these passages leads to an elevator and a stone staircase that will take you to the castle ruins or the so-called “Schlossruine” or “Burgruine”.
From there you can have a wonderful view of the Inn river, the old city, and the mountain landscape.
Discover the chapel in the cave and the church
One of these famous, almost hidden, side passages lead to a surprising cave chapel and the Rattenberg church.
In the church, check out the glasswork of the candle room window and admire the baroque decoration of the 500-year-old church (which initially was gothic).
🏰 Day Trips
Here are some other interesting places to visit which you can reach by hiring a cycle for a day or by getting there by car.
- Kramsach Tirolean Farm Museum – open air with original relocated farms)
- Kramsach Museums Cemetery – they had humor back then
- Brixlegg Tyrolean Mining and Metallurgy Museum
- Tiefenbachklamm – natural gorge to explore on a hike
- Alpbach valley
✨ Events
The hot and cold season has both a special kind of alluring atmosphere.
In spring try to get to the Medieval feast, which is a regular yearly thing in April or May.
If you are planning to visit Rattenberg in December, then you shouldn’t miss the Christmas market.
It’s known as one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe (better than the large city Christmas markets hands down).
The whole summer long, you can experience the castle play, the hunchback of Notre Dame (but it’s in German!)
🚗 Getting there
Rattenberg makes a great day trip from Innsbruck, Salzburg, and smaller Tourist places such as Kufstein and St.Johann in Tirol.
You can hire a car or take the train from all major cities to get to Rattenberg.
Direction Innsbruck = West Austria and Europe as in Switzerland
Direction Salzburg and Königssee Berchtesgaden = East Austria and Europe as in Vienna
By car
From Innsbruck take Highway A12 to Rattenberg.
From Salzburg take the road crossing the small German corner through Bad Reichenhall, continue on the main road via St.Johann in Tirol to Wörgl and the highway to Rattenberg
By train
From Innsbruck take the OEBB train and get out at Rattenberg/Kramsach train station.
From Salzburg take the train across Germany to Rosenheim and direction Wörgl and then Rattenberg/Kramsach.
🛏️ Hotels
I think it’s totally worthwhile to stick around Rattenberg for some days.
The area has a lot to offer!
Staying in Rattenberg is for all those, looking for a peaceful spot on earth.
There are a few inns and hotels you can stay at in Rattenberg itself, which are conveniently located but priced at about 150 Euros per night.
The family-run Haus Schloßkeller is a bit lower priced at 100 Euros per night.
You can also take a look at places in nearby Kramsach, Radfeld, or Brixlegg because these places are located right next to Rattenberg.
Bed and breakfast, inns, and smaller local hotels are usually priced at about 100 Euro per night.
Seasons and room rates
Rates will vary between the seasons.
Rooms are pricier in winter, with Christmas and New Year as peak seasons.
The pre-Christmas season tends to be cheaper and is a really great time to visit.
Be aware that hotel rooms might not be available during the off season which is sometime between October to November and in spring after Easter for about a month.
Peak season in summer is July and August when the schools are on summer holiday for two months.
To visit Rattenberg when it’s less crowded, visit in May/June or September.
Dear Reader, Keep an eye out for the insignia (see photo further on top in the post) in Rattenberg and let us know in the comment section if you have found it and where.
