If you are exploring Vorarlberg in Austria, don’t miss Feldkirch, the second largest city in the region. Here are my recommendations for the best things to do in Feldkirch, including where to stay and how to get there.
Feldkirch is a charming little town in Vorarlberg, the westernmost region of Austria. Located very close to the Liechtenstein and Switzerland border, it is the second largest town in the region and a great base to explore the area.
Dating back to the early 13th century, Feldkirch will take you back in time. The Medieval Old Town still preserves a lot of its original character and it’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy-tale.
So let’s explore the best Feldkirch attractions and how to make the most of your time exploring this cute town.
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How to get to Feldkirch
Feldkirch may not be the most obvious place to visit in Austria, but it is really well connected and it’s really easy to get to.
The closest international airports to Feldkirch are in Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich. You can find some great deals on flights with Skyscanner or with Kiwi.com.
From Zurich it’s super easy to get to Feldkirch. You can get one of the many direct trains and it only takes between 1h30m and 1h40m.
Similarly, you can get a 2-hour direct train from Innsbruck. There are also direct trains from Salzburg but they take a bit longer – almost 4 hours.
And if you are travelling from Munich, it can take between 2h45m and 3h45m, with one transfer, depending on what route you pick. The fastest route is with a transfer in Bregenz.
Book your cheap train tickets here
Where to stay in Feldkirch, Austria
As mentioned, Feldkirch is a great base to explore the town and the surrounding area. With this in mind, here are some of the best-rated places to stay in the Medieval Old Town, for every budget.
Gutwinsky Hotel
Housed within a 16th century town house, Gutwinsky Hotel has been in the same family for over 100 year and has managed to keep its original Medieval character without compromising the comfort. It’s perfectly located in the heart of the pedestrian zone of the Old Town.
Best Western Premier Central Hotel Leonhard
The Best Western Premier Central Hotel Leonhard is a modern hotel situated 100 yards from main Feldkirch attractions such as Schattenburg Castle and Dom St Nikolaus. It has an indoor pool and its restaurant serves traditional Austrian specialties.
Book Best Western Premier Central Hotel Leonhard here
Central Hotel Löwen
Located at the foot of Schattenburg Castle in the heart of the Old Town, Central Hotel Löwen is a modern hotel housed in a charming Medieval building.
Best Things to do in Feldkirch
Felkirch is a beautiful Medieval town that is very well preserved and, despite being small, it has plenty of things to do.
From an array of historic sites to modern architectural pieces and a stunning riverside, here are the best things to do in Feldkirch.
Take a walking tour with a Countess
There’s nothing like learning about the history of a place from those who made it. And in Feldkirch, there’s no one better to show you around than the ‘Countess Mechthild of Montfort’, whose husband founded the town.
‘The Countess’ will walk you through the history of how her husband settled here by building Schattenburg Castle and a few other interesting facts about this fairy-tale-like town.
You can find more information about this and other tours here.
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Explore the Medieval Old Town
If you prefer to explore independently, Feldkirch Old Town is very easy to navigate. It is very compact, easily walkable, and full of charming narrow alleys and historic gems to discover.
Start near Schattenburg Castle and admire the Medieval architecture that makes this town feel like it’s out of a story book.
The cobblestoned streets, the arcades, and the enchanting squares will capture your imagination and will make you wonder what life must have been like in this delightful town in the olden days.
But Feldkirch is not a museum town. It is full of life with its bustling cafes and restaurants, and cute little boutique shops. Head to Marktgasse and Marktplatz to hang out with the locals.
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Schattenburg Castle
Built on a promontory overlooking the town, Schattenburg Castle was the seat of the Dukes of Montfort until the 14th century. It was built by Hugo I of Montfort when he decided to settle in what would become Feldkirch in the 13th century.
The Schattenburg Museum can be found within the castle, with eighteen rooms spread over three floors. Each room focuses on one aspect of the history of the town. There is also a restaurant within the castle.
But the best part about visiting the castle is the stunning view over Feldkirch and the surrounding countryside. You can even see Lichtenstein and Switzerland on a clear day!
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Dom St Nikolaus (St Nicholas Cathedral)
Dom St Nikolaus is a cute little Roman Catholic cathedral. It’s not your usual grand European cathedral, but it’s a great example of a traditional gothic Austrian church, the largest of its kind in Vorarlberg.
The current building dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, but there has been a church here for much longer. Previous buildings were destroyed in numerous fires throughout the 14th and 15th centuries.
Try to make time to go inside to see the beautiful stained glass windows. It’s definitely worth a visit.
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Katzenturm (Cats’ Tower)
Katzenturm was built in the 16th century. It was once part of the defensive town walls, and it houses the largest bell in Vorarlberg. It is also one of the most important 19th century bells in Austria.
It’s believed that its name comes from a type of cannon or throwing machine (also known as cats) that used to be kept in the tower. These cannons are said to have been adorned with lion heads.
Wasserturm (Water Tower)
Wasserturm was built in the 15th century and is located by the river Ill. It was named Water Tower because inside there was once an entrance to the river. Today the tower is used as a clubhouse by the locals.
Go for a stroll along the river Ill
The riverside in Feldkirch is very pretty. Starting out by Wasserturm, you can take a short stroll along a path lined with trees growing on the banks of the river Ill, a tributary of the Rhine.
Across the water you will be able to admire the building of the Ladesgericht Vorarlberg (Regional Court of Vorarlberg), built at the beginning of the 20th century in a renaissance and gothic style.
At the end of the walk you will find Pulverturm (Powder Tower), once part of the south corner of the city walls.
Montforthaus
Aside from having plenty of history, Feldkirch has been keeping up with the times and has built a really innovative cultural centre – Montforthaus.
Montforthaus is an architectural beauty, with a modern design and clean lines that don’t clash with the historic surroundings. It has been named Austria’s Best Convention Centre 2021 at the World MICE Awards.
The façade uses wood and glass helping it blend with the landscape around the town, and bringing in those stunning views when you’re inside.
If you visit in the summer, make sure you have dinner on the terrace from where you can enjoy an amazing view of Feldkirch and the surroundings.
Galerie Sechzig
If you enjoy contemporary art, Feldkirch has got that too. Located very close to the train station, Galerie Sechzig has regular exhibitions of international, national and regional artists.
Check their website for any upcoming exhibitions.
Final thoughts on the best things to do in Feldkirch
So here you are, the top things to do in Feldkirch, a true Austrian fairy-tale town. This list is mostly based on my own experiences during my time in Vorarlberg, and I’ve added a couple of things that I didn’t have time to do myself but that would be worth including.
I hope you find it useful in planning your own trip to Feldkirch!
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Do you have any questions about things to do in Feldkirch?
Let me know in the comments!
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Disclosure: This post has been created as a partnership with Visit Vorarlberg and Captivate Digital Media for Propel Conference. As always, all views are my own.