Travel Trends: Why Family Holidays in Austria are on the rise 

Travelista Editor and boy Mum Jessica Ruth Gibson investigates the rise of the Austria family holiday and explores why the country is becoming the destination of choice for parents with a sense of adventure and a love of the great outdoors.

For years, the formula for a family holiday has felt fairly timeless: find the nearest stretch of sunshine, book a resort with a pool and enjoy a week of easy relaxation. But what if you could still have the pool, alongside so much more? Parents are now looking beyond the traditional beach break in search of family holidays that feel more adventurous and immersive, but still remaining child friendly. 

One destination that keeps popping up in my press releases and my social feeds this year is Austria. Having visited Austria a total of three times, I totally see why it would attract families, and I don’t just mean for skiing. I visited during the warmer months, which revealed a completely different side to Austria. So why is the Austria family holiday becoming one of Europe’s fastest-growing family travel trends? Let’s explore together.

Travelista Investigates: Why Family Holidays in Austria are on the rise?

Why are adventurous parents choosing Austria over a beach break?

If you’re someone who has always enjoyed travel and exploring new places, having children doesn’t kill off your sense of adventure. Whilst travel with kids brings a lot more practicalities to think of (and adaptations likely need to be made), Austria seems to offer a solution that ticks all boxes.

While classic beach holidays in Spain, Portugal and Greece remain hugely popular for good reason, many parents are beginning to look for something that offers more than a week around the pool.

An Austria family holiday feels like the perfect middle ground. It’s still an easy short-haul destination from the UK, yet it delivers a completely different experience. Rather than following the familiar rhythm of breakfast, beach and buffet, families find themselves taking cable cars into the mountains, cycling through alpine valleys, swimming in clear, shimmering alpine lakes and wandering pretty villages and towns. 

It’s not about replacing beach holidays altogether. It’s about recognising that as parents, you can design family holidays in your own way, rather than just going for what is classically prescribed. Stay with me!

Read: Editor’s Letter: What parents really want from a family holiday

Nature becomes the playground

I think that one of Austria’s greatest strengths for families is that it doesn’t need to manufacture entertainment. Its landscapes do most of the work. Instead of queues and crowded attractions, families spend their days surrounded by forests, mountains, waterfalls and sparkling lakes. 

It’s one of those destinations where children naturally become curious. Screens are quickly forgotten as they peer out of cable car windows, throw stones into alpine lakes or racing through trees on an gravity-powered Alpine Coaster. In an increasingly overstimulating word, could Austria be the perfect tonic for busy families? 

Adventures as big or small as you like 

Adventure in Austria doesn’t have to mean climbing mountains or embarking on challenging hikes. One of the country’s biggest strengths is how accessible its landscapes are for families. Modern cable cars, scenic chair lifts and well-marked walking routes make it easy for visitors of all ages to experience the Alps without needing specialist equipment or endless stamina.

Short summit walks, lakeside cycling trails and gentle woodland hikes offer plenty of opportunities to stay active together, while still leaving time to stop for lunch with spectacular mountain views. For older children, bike parks and longer cycling routes provide an extra sense of adventure, while younger explorers can simply enjoy the excitement of reaching the top of a mountain by cable car.

I think Austria in the summer offers gentle outdoor adventure without the intimidation, and that’s exactly what makes Austria so appealing for families.

Austria is not just mountains 

Although the Alps often steal the spotlight, Austria offers far more than spectacular views. Imagine glittering green-blue lakes framed by spectacular back drops and charming, colourful towns to explore. Many lakes offer watersports, so younger children can try their hand at water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking or SUP boarding. All amazing physical challenges to build self esteem and create lasting family memories together. 

And if you need a break from all the action, Austria also offers unique places of interest.  One of my favourite discoveries in Tyrol was the interactive Swarovski Crystal Worlds museum. This attraction is in Wattens near Innsbruck and would be perfect for a family day out. The attraction blends art, imagination and interactive experiences in a way would genuinely engage both adults and children. It’s the kind of place you don’t necessarily expect to find, yet it becomes one of the highlights of the trip.

Alongside attractions like this, Austria is dotted with colourful villages, lakeside towns, castles and family-friendly experiences that add variety to every itinerary. Whether you’re spending the afternoon exploring local culture or cooling off beside an alpine lake, there’s a wonderful balance between adventure and relaxation.

The increasing collection of world-class family friendly hotels 

Another reason that Austria is now firmly on the map as a family destination is for its collection of world-famous family friendly hotels. And by family friendly, I don’t just mean that children are welcome. These hotels go viral in social media content because of how they are truly designed around the needs of modern families. They offer spacious family suites, unique and aesthetic children’s play areas, enriching activities, safe outdoor adventure programmes and wellness experiences that parents can enjoy too. The ethos is that the more kids are catered for, the more the parents can also enjoy their holiday too. After being a Mum for almost 8 years, this is a philosophy I can definitely stand by.

Schlosshotel Fiss is a luxury family hotel in Austria, Tyrol offering ultimate comfort for parents and children. Alongside spacious family suites and professional childcare, younger guests have access to dedicated play spaces, water worlds and a Family Spa created specifically for children and parents to enjoy together, while adults can retreat to a separate wellness area complete with panoramic saunas, spa treatments and quiet relaxation spaces. 

Set against the backdrop of the Tyrolean Alps with direct access to family friendly hiking trails, bike hire, mountain activities and year-round outdoor experiences, Hotels like Schlosshotel Fiss perfectly promote the kind of family travel that’s helping to redefine Austria’s appeal. 

I think this shift reflects a wider trend in family travel. Parents increasingly want accommodation that enhances their experience of the destination and encourages them to explore it (rather than keeping them static within the hotel). These hotels provide an often luxurious and convenient base while encouraging families to get outside and experience everything Austria has to offer.

Travelista Community Perspective 

But don’t just take my word for it! Whilst researching this article, I connected with Travelista community member Charlotte Ellison, to hear about her recent family holiday to Austria. Based in the Lake District, Charlotte is an outdoor adventure girl and a new Mum to baby Orson, who was 10 months old when they took their Austria family holiday. Together with her partner, they recently enjoyed a 1 week holiday in Austria.

“We chose Austria for our family holiday because we were looking for somewhere with spectacular scenery, plenty of outdoor adventures, and a peaceful atmosphere where we could unwind at the end of each day. Austria ticked every box. We also felt it would be a little less crowded than destinations such as the French Alps.

Travelling through Austria as a family exceeded all of our expectations. Everywhere we visited was beautifully maintained and incredibly family-friendly. We found nature playgrounds in the most breathtaking locations, the walking and cycling paths were exceptionally well signposted and easy to navigate, making every day out feel relaxed and stress-free. We even discovered what were probably the best baby-changing facilities of the entire trip at a mountain hut restaurant!

Our 10-month-old absolutely loved being out on the hiking trails and riding the cable cars up into the mountains. We stayed in three different apartments, and every host went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. It was obvious how proud they were of their country and how keen they were to share everything it has to offer. We specifically chose accommodation with outdoor space so we could relax outside once our baby was asleep. For four nights, we even had a private sauna on our terrace, and sitting there while looking out over the mountains was pure bliss.

Some of our favourite experiences included hiking to Seebensee and Drachensee. Although the trail is popular, it’s very accessible, and the mountain hut at the top serves fantastic food. We also loved starting the day with an early morning swim in Lake Plansee. It’s the perfect spot for paddleboarding too. The network of trails around Ehrwald was another highlight, offering incredible mountain views without the need for long, strenuous climbs. If we return, hiring bikes will definitely be at the top of our list.

We would return to Austria in a heartbeat. It’s an incredible destination for families, and we’d especially love to visit again when our child is older and can fully enjoy the huge range of outdoor activities on offer.

Charlotte Ellison, Travelista Community Member

Best places to stay in Austria for a family holiday?

If you’ve decided that Austria is the right fit for your family, the next step is choosing where to base yourself. While the country is relatively compact, each region offers a slightly different experience, whether you’re dreaming of mountain adventures, lakeside relaxation or a little of both. I recommend the following for your shortlist; 

1. Tyrol: For mountain adventures and outdoor thrills

If your family loves getting outdoors, Tyrol is hard to beat. Home to dramatic Alpine scenery, picturesque villages and an extensive network of cable cars, it’s one of Austria’s best regions for hiking, mountain biking and panoramic walking trails that are suitable for all ages. Many mountain lifts also lead to family adventure parks with themed play areas, nature trails and viewing platforms designed to make reaching the summit part of the fun.

Tyrol is also home to several summer alpine coasters, including the Alpine Coaster in Hoch-Imst, which is the longest Alpine roller coaster in the world. Families can race down the mountainside on a winding track with steep curves, fun waves and spectacular views. It’s a must for any families visiting Tyrol. With an abundance of family-focused hotels to choose from, it’s an ideal choice for parents looking to combine outdoor adventure with comfort and relaxation.

Browse more tours and things to do in Tyrol

Lake Achensee: For families who love being on the water

Often referred to as the “Tyrolean Sea”, Lake Achensee combines crystal-clear water with mountain scenery, making it perfect for families who enjoy active days outdoors. Children can spend afternoons swimming, paddle boarding or taking boat trips across the lake, while parents will appreciate the network of easy lakeside walking and cycling trails. Scenic steam trains, family-friendly beaches and gentle mountain hikes mean it’s easy to balance adventure with slower-paced days by the water.

Zell am See: The best of both worlds

For families who can’t decide between mountains and lakes, Zell am See offers the perfect combination. Nestled beside a beautiful alpine lake and overlooked by the surrounding peaks, it’s one of Austria’s most versatile family destinations. Days can begin with a cable car ride into the mountains before swapping hiking boots for a refreshing swim in the lake during the afternoon.

The region also offers family cycling routes, lakeside promenades, boat cruises and nearby attractions such as the Maisi Flitzer Alpine Coaster in Kaprun, adding another dose of excitement for adventurous children. It’s this blend of scenery, activities and accessibility that makes Zell am See such a popular choice for first-time visitors.

Whether your ideal family holiday involves mountain summits, lakeside picnics or adrenaline-filled alpine coasters, Austria offers a destination to suit every style of adventure. Choosing the right base is simply the first step towards creating a holiday that’s as memorable for parents as it is for the children.

The Verdict

It seems that Austria offers the blend of convenience and adventure that many families crave – a manageable flight, excellent infrastructure and accommodation designed with children in mind, while still delivering the excitement of discovering somewhere new. It’s adventurous without being overwhelming, active without being exhausting and familiar enough to feel easy, while still offering experiences that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

Looking back on my own time in Austria, it wasn’t one single attraction that stood out. It was the feeling of exploring somewhere that encouraged curiosity around every corner. From mountain views reached by cable car to colourful alpine villages and unforgettable days spent outdoors.

For parents whose love of travel never disappeared after having children, it’s easy to see why an Austria family holiday is quietly becoming one of Europe’s most exciting family travel trends.

We predict Austria to continue grow in popularity as an alternative and adventurous family holiday destination in 2027 and beyond.

Next, check out my own Austria Travel Itinerary to find out what I got up to on a solo trip with Visit Austria across Graz, Salzburg and Innsbruck.