So you may have heard of Kitzbuhel, or maybe you haven’t – so let me give a quick 10 second explanation of the place. Kitzbuhel is a small medieval town located in the Kitzbuhel Alps, Austria – that’s surprisingly nearer to the Munich International Airport vs any of the Austrian ones. As my blog title implies, Kitzbuhel is a ski resort that’s quite renowned internationally (NOTE: It’s been voted “Best Ski Resort in the World” consistently), and my friends who’re ski fanatics claim it provides them the best skiing opportunities – complete with winding slopes through and across the mountain. In case you’re interested, skiing season lasts from mid October to early May, with hundreds and thousands of upper-class Europeans spending their vacation days there

But what’s there to do in Kitzbuhel if you don’t ski? Or perhaps you’ve gone skiing but have an extra day or two? You’ve come to the right place then – as I list out all the things to see and do in Kitzbuhel beyond skiing!

Start your day with a guided walking tour

A variety of guided winter hiking and walking tours are free and available at the Kitzbuhel Tourist Information Office, starting from 09:45AM. To find the Tourist Information Office, just look for the McDonalds, it’s a short ~2 mins walk from there (to the left side). Note that the cost of transportation (bus/taxi/ski lift) and lunch are not included, depending on the route. Walking poles can be rented at the office, however you MUST come in sturdy hiking / snow shoes (rubber shoes are not sufficient – which I found out to my chagrin)

If, like me, you weren’t able to take part in the guided tour (either because you weren’t in the proper attire, or because you woke up late), fear not! You can still go trekking – just head over to the cable station, buy a ticket (for ~25 euros if you’re an adult), and head up the ski slopes

Note that people are allowed to walk along the skiing areas – it’s paved so it’s easy to walk along, and you’ll be privileged to see the most beautiful views!

Beyond the scenic sites, it’s also a perfect time to people watch (or should I call it skiers watch?), as folks zoom down the slopes past you!

Stop for lunch and grab a refreshing cup of hot choco

Once at the top, you’ve got a whole slew of restaurants to choose from. As you walk along the trails, you’ll see different colored “cutesy” houses popping up – enter one at will and you’ll be greeted by the delicious wafting smell of Austrian food.

In my case, I ordered a wienerschnitzel, an apfelstrudel, and a cup of warm choco topped with whipped cream – all of which were absolutely delicious! Do note, most restaurants at the top don’t speak English (their menus are typically non-English too), and they often don’t accept credit cards – so make sure to bring cash, and be ready to point at other people’s plates to indicate what you want to eat

Stroll around the quaint little town of Kitzbuhel

Quaint and little are definitely the right words to describe this town. After a refreshing jaunt around the skiing slopes and a hearty meal at the top, ride the cable car down as it’s now time to explore the charms of this town. From end-to-end, it’ll take you 15 minutes tops – but of course, you’d want to take your time peering into the cute shops selling souvenirs and handmade items. If you’re feeling more high brow, fret not – the storefronts found in this town can rival those of Champs Elysees

This charming town used to be a mining town, but then had to reinvent itself into a tourist destination when the mining industry slowly died down (a common story everywhere in the world, although most are not as lucky as Kitzbuhel). Colorful houses line the cobbled streets of Kitzbuhel, making it a beautiful sight for sore eyes – supposedly each color denotes a different owner (not sure if this is true though!)

Enjoy the amenities at Kitzbuhel Grand Hotel

I am unsure if you can use the Grand Hotel amenities if you aren’t a guest… But if you are, the hotel amenities should definitely be your next stop! Unwind after a long day at the hotel sauna, or maybe swim a few laps in the hotel swimming pool (which is absolutely stunning by the way, as you get to swim in a heated pool while watching snow lazily drift down beside you)

If those don’t sound appealing, then head on over to the lounge to bask in the warmth of the fireplace and the cozy sofas scattered across the room

Or better yet, grab a stiff drink from the bar!

Time for dinner at Streifalm

Long regarded to be one of the finest dining establishments in Kitzbuhel (no mean feat, given the abundance of delicious cafes and restaurants that abound here). My favorite dishes were the lamb rack and this absolutely mouthwatering dessert with rhubarb of sorts (pancake something – can’t remember the name, but here’s a picture to get your stomach growling)!

On top of the delicious food, you’ll also be rewarded with a show of sorts – as the servers dressed in traditional Austrian attire (reminiscent of clothes worn in the Sound of Music) perform a jaunty Austrian dance (they can kick SO HIGH!) and a couple of other traditions (which I did not understand haha!)

End your day at the most happening place past midnight – the Londoner Bar

Are you tired yet? Or can’t sleep even though it’s quite late? Hop on over to the Londoner then – a pub that’s surprisingly full and rowdy despite being past midnight. Grab a couple of drinks, dance to the tune of a few songs, and make some new friends! Beware though – smoking is allowed within the bar, so if you’re sensitive to smoke, this might not be the place for you

And that concludes my Kitzbuhel list – a perfect day long itinerary that can potentially be stretched out to another day or two (depending on how much time you’ve got to kill once you tire of skiing!) If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two? For example, I now know how these Europeans learn how to ski while young – see picture below! Amazing isn’t it?