Excursions around Gerlos

Amidst the charming Old Town, a classic Austrian hybrid of Gothic and Baroque, you will find Innsbruck's greatest tourist attraction and certainly its most characteristic landmark: The Golden Roof.

Innsbruck’s Old Town is a small area of sturdy medieval houses, many attractively painted in pastel colors and supported by sloping earthquake buttresses. The main thoroughfare of the Old Town is the broad strip of Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse, which eventually opens out into a central plaza lined with arcades. Beyond, a labyrinth of alleyways invites aimless strolling.

The Golden Roof was built by Archduke Friedrich IV in the early 15th century as the residence of the Tirolean sovereigns. The Golden Roof actually is the three-story balcony on the central plaza at the heart of the Old Town. The late Gothic oriels are capped with 2,657 gold-plated copper tiles. It was constructed for Emperor Maximilian I to serve as a royal box where he could sit in luxury and enjoy tournaments in the square below.

Completed at the dawn of the 16th century, the Golden Roof was built in honor of Maximilian's second marriage, to Bianca Maria Sforza of Milan (Maximilian was a ruler who expanded his territory through marriage, not conquest). Not wishing to alienate the allies gained by his first marriage, to Maria of Burgundy, he had an image of himself between the two women painted on his balcony. The balustrade on the first floor is adorned with carved coats of arms, representing Austria, Hungary, the double-headed eagle of the Empire, Burgundy and Milan, as well as Tirol and Styria. The mural paintings show two standard-bearers with the flags of the Empire and the Province of Tirol.

Since January 2003, the Golden Roof has been housing the „International Alpine Convention’s Office“. The Alpine Convention is a coalition of eight Alpine Countries united by a shared commitment to sustainable development in the European Alps.

From Gerlos to Innsbruck is about 76,4 km.

The Alpine Zoo, located at an elevation of 727 meters, is Europe's highest zoo. It features more than 2,000 animal and 150 species of Alpine animals.

More than 150 animal species (including especially rare ones) and more than 2000 animals in total make a visit to the "Alpine Zoo" an impressive experience.

Here children and their parents are on a veritable wildlife expedition. Together they watch the speedy mice, the terrapins and the fish in the aquarium, follow the funny games of the European otters with their amazing swimming skills, or listen to the sounds of local birds. At the show farmhouse, people can literally get first-hand contact with the farm animals. And when the church bells in Innsbruck toll, the wolves start to howl.

Visitors can also compare the length of their arms with the wings of the bearded vulture or climb up to "Geierwally's" eyrie.
At the playground with its "bear cave" children can work off their energy while parents are able to relax. From mid-July to the end of August, the Alpine Zoo offers a “tour in the evening” through the zoo under the special guidance of biologist Dirk Ullrich, who will provide a lot of information about the Alpine animal world. This guided tour takes place every week on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The meeting point is at the beaver enclosure, and the tour is a complementary part of the admission fee.

From Gerlos to Innsbruck is about 76,4 km.

Is one of the city´s most noteworthy attractions.

Ambras Palace is delightfully located above Innsbruck and is one of the city´s most noteworthy attractions.

The Castle was built by Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria (1529-1595), Count of Tirol, in the 16th century. It´s divided into a lower and an upper castle set in the remains of a medieval fortress. This was Ferdinand´s favorite residence and the center of his court´s cultural life.

The lower castle was planned and constructed by the Archduke as a museum for his various collections, including arms and armor, art, and books, all of which can be seen today. The Wunderkammer (Gallery of Wonders) contains a display of exotic objects like coral, ivory, a rhinoceros´ horn and other artifacts brought back to Europe by the early explorers. The upper part of the palace houses the Habsburg´s Portrait Gallery, an awe-inspiring collection of works by the likes of Lukas Cranach, Anton Mor, Tizian, Van Dyck and Diego Velásquez. The Castle´s most striking and precious feature is the George´s Altar of Emperor Maximilian I.

From Gerlos to Innsbruck is about 76,4 km.

MUCH SPACE FOR FANTASY
In order to experience the phenomenon of crystal, the Austrian family enterprise Swarovski realized in the year 1995, on the occasion of the 100-year-jubilee of the company, an installation of lasting value, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.

Under the direction of André Heller, innovative interpretations of renowned international artists, the multi-faceted play of crystalline colours and forms and the world of special scent and sound merge here into a kaleidoscope for all the senses.

Just as the crystal stands as an age-old symbol for change and transformation, the Crystal Worlds are continually extended, redesigned and transformed, in order to create new space for dreaming. They invite, far from everyday life, to a magical experience. Within the interior of the “Giant”, fascinating Chambers of Wonder, the so-called Crystal Stage, the largest world-wide Swarovski Shop, in visionary design, the Café-terra, where DO & CO International offer exquisite meals and drinks, and especially for children designed areas within the Giant and in the park await the visitors. Moreover, the Crystal Worlds are a fantastic stage for cultural events, alternating special exhibitions and winter festivals.

From Gerlos to Wattens is about 62 km.

The mother of al mines!

The exciting journey through time into the silver past of Schwaz begins with a highlight: the ride on railway 800 metres down into Sigmund Erbstollen struck in 1491. An experienced mine guide welcomes visitors with a typical miner’s “Glück Auf!" and accompanies them through the dense network of galleries on the trail of the courageous treasure seekers. The Schwaz miners had the best expertise in mining, and made Schwaz into the largest mining metropolis in Central Europe and the second-largest built-up area in the Habsburg Empire – only Vienna was larger. In its heyday, more than 85% of the silver traded in the world was mined in Schwaz by over 10,000 miners. The wealth produced by mining in Schwaz resulted in the first Guldiner being stamped at the mint in Hall – the dollar was born!

Guided tour and Miners’ Play The classic tour (duration 90 minutes) takes visitors through the rough life of the Schwaz miners to the time of silver's heyday, and gives an insight into the important role played by Schwaz in the Middle Ages. The history of the mine is presented theatrically in the Schwaz Miner’s Play (for groups of 20 to 40 people): A history play transforms the gallery into a stage and presents the most important scenes of Tyrolean history during the Middle Ages. Appointments on request. From subterranean treasures to above-ground splendour: the Schwaz Planetarium is located right next door and offer a wonderful addition to the experience in the mine!

From Gerlos to Schwaz is about 50 km.

Situated on an expansive mountain plateau, historical houses from all the Tirol alpine regions can be found clustered just minutes away from one another at the Tirol Farmstead Museum 

The Alpbach court lies just next door in Wildschönau and a few meters further is the transit residence of the Oberinntaler court which clears the way towards the Lechtaler court dating from the 17th century.  

The Tirol Farmstead museum in Kramsach brings together an array of the country's diverse farmhouses in one location.  A great deal of wood was obtained from original sources for the reconstruction of these typical Tirol farmhouses for everything from the roof shingles and gables to the balcony and the god's corner.

As with the houses themselves, the various annex buildings including saw mills, forges or the two chapels were constructed with great care. They have been built true to the originals so that visitors cannot but be impressed by the structures featured by the museum. The old-fashioned school is especially charming and brings to life byegone days.  Farm animals romp about and colorful gardens are in bloom.

A diversified program as well as exhibitions and guided museum tours afford an exciting view into the life of our peasant ancestors.  An exciting children’s program awaits you in the summer.

Learn ancient craftsmanship Several times a week, the Tirol museum offers presentations of craftsmanship from the region, where guests can participate:  bread baking, goldwork, basket weaving, spinning, wood shoe-making, felting, carving and other artistic crafts are on the program calendar.  And after a survey of the fields and meadows, the herb farmers impart the wisdom of their experiences. 

There are approx. 49 km from Gerlos to Kramsach

You are very welcome to make the most unforgettable trip to "Haus steht Kopf", the Upside -down House that has been built in the Tirolian village of Terfens !

In this unique place in the whole of Austria you can experience the world from the up side down perspective . This fully furnished and equipped house makes an incredible impression on everyone who enters it . And in the garage You can admire a car. The familiar objects suddenly become unknown from this bat perspective . The law of gravitation does not apply here, everyone can stand on his head and everything becomes possible, making it a challenge to human senses. Not everyone has enough courage to face it. What about you ? Feel free to take the most hilarious pictures and make crazy movies.

We can assure you this will be an unforgettable adventure for you and your family and a real trial of courage for everyone !

From Gerlos to Terfens is about 53 km.

A visit to Schloss Tratzberg in Tirol's Unterinntal will not just leave adults who have an interest in art history with a lasting impression, it is also an exciting experience for children too. Emperors, knights and other aristocratic previous owners of the Tratzberg guide you “in person” via a fascinating radio play through the originally furnished, over 500 year-old Renaissance castle. Children get to discover the castle and the era of Knights by way of an exciting fairytale guided tour at the same time as their parents are on their guided tour.

An exciting journey into the Middle Ages

Tremendous and at the same time enchanting, this splendid Renaissance castle sits enthroned on the slopes of the Karwendel, on a rocky ridge, between Jenbach and Schwaz. Barely any other seat of nobility has retained so much of the original fabric of the building. Its extensive and original interior furnishings in particular make Schloss Tratzberg worth seeing.

Our guests are accompanied through the castle via an exceptionally entertaining audio guided tour. All over you come across traces of the former inhabitants of the Tratzberg, whether it is in the Habsburger hall with its unique wall painting of the Habsburg family tree, in the Königinzimmer, a fascinating masterpiece of German Renaissance, whose wooden ceiling was joined together without a single nail, and the Rüstkammer with its extensive collection of armaments and hand weapons.

Meanwhile our visitors get acquainted with Emperor Maximilian 1st, Count Fugger and Franz Graf Enzenberg, via the audio tour accompanied by sounds of the fanfare in the opulently decorated Renaissance inner courtyard, sounds of the organ in the castle's chapel, the whirr of the spinning wheels in the ladies' apartments and hunting horns in the hunting room.

From Gerlos to Jenbach is about 42 km.

With just 400 inhabitants Rattenberg is Austria´s smallest town. The medieval pedestrian zone is dominated by the unique displays of glass craft in the numerous shops.

The Augustinian Museum with its valuable exhibits is one of the Tyrol´s leading museums. The annually held Schlossbergspiele plays and the authentic Rattenberger Advent justify Rattenberg´s privilege as cultural heart of the region.

Charming atmosphere & romantic in Winter

Enjoy peaceful Advent days away from the hectic pace and packed shopping centres of the big resorts. Instead of artificial lights you will find bonfires, torchlights and candles in a medieval setting. There are stalls selling local food and the traditional Rattenberg Advent wine. The varied, cultural programme includes readings (in GERMAN), music and folklore performances.

From Gerlos to Rattenberg is about 48 km.

How do the holes get in the cheese?

Experience the world of milk processing and cheese production live with multimedia facilities over 6000m² and 11 viewing stations at Tirol's first open dairy in the world.

 Parents with children, individuals and groups are invited to experience the everyday work of a dairy in a completely new and unprecedented way.

 See, smell & taste!

Watch the cheese master at work and sample culinary delights from the varied menu of the Zillertal Dairy Kitchen.

The dairy and cheese products created by the Zillertal Dairy are available for purchase from the in-house shop.

After you can go shopping in the main street of Mayrhofen.

From Gerlos to Mayrhofen is about 24 km.

 The new tobogganing fun in the Zillertal Valley inspires not only the kids: fun, action and speed await you on the first Alpine rollercoaster in the Zillertal Valley. The 1,450 m of coaster fun begins right at the Zillertal Arena Valley Station in Zell and promises to be the biggest summer and winter attraction with its many waves, steep curves and jumps. A 360° loop and a 540° loop will get adrenaline pumping even more.

From Gerlos to Zell am Ziller is about 18 km.

Driving along the stunning Zillertaler Höhenstraße is an amazing experience and something I’m sure you will never forget.
The Zillertaler Höhenstraße is one of the most beautiful alpine roads in Austria and offers all visitors a magnificent journey up to altitudes of 2,020 metres above sea level by car, with the bus up to Melchboden or even on your bike.

The national park worlds contain new stations that give guests an impression of the exciting natural and cultural landscapes of the Hohe Tauern National park. One highlight is the eagle-flight panorama wherein the visitor hovers over breathtaking film-flights to survey the most beautiful landscapes, valleys and summits. 

The Stations

Eagle-flight panorama

The visitor obtains a breathtaking view on the fascinating natural and cultural landscapes of the Hohe Tauern National park from the perspective of a golden eagle with the help of 5 giant scresns.  The impressions it conveys, helps to discover new hiking destinations! 

Groundhog and Co  You're introduced to the adaptive strategies of mountain animals as well as high pioneers in the animal and plant world.  You're also given insight on the life of a groundhog family through exploration of a groundhog construction.  

Tauern treasure

The visitor experiences the formation of the alps and its wealth of mineral and bronze treasures through a 15 minute 3-D film.  The Hohe Tauern window depicts the geological peculiarity of the Hohen Tauern.

Bergwald Common tree and animal species as well as the traces they leave are surveyed and explained.  Amid trunk-like column,s the secrets of the mountain forest steps are disclosed. 

Alpine sommer

This cultural landscape is considered a unique feature of the Hohe Tauern National park.  Climb into the skin of a mountain peasant and experience the excitement of the work internsive alpine life.  No matter what the weather conditions, you can enjoy the wonderful alpine landscape with all your senses. 

Wildwater Observe the rich animal world of a mountain stream from the perspective of a crayfish.  Microscopic micro organisms, various fish and water birds appear monstrous.

avalanche dome

Snow and water accompany one's every step in the Hohe Tauern National Park. By means of a 270° projection the vistor is transported to a steep avalanche and roaring waterfall.  The power and energy of water is experienced.

Glacial world  glaciers are considered landscape forms reflecting the present climate.  Past and future scenarios are depicted by means of a typical example of a glacier. 

It is a mere 41 km from Gerlos to Mittersill

The most famous alpine road leads you into the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, to the highest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner (3,798m) and its glacier, the Pasterze. You will have a driving and nature experience of a special kind on 48 kilometres of high alpine road with 36 bends, and an altitude ascent to 2,504 metres!

You pass through a unique world of mountains with blossoming alpine meadows, fragrant mountain forests, massive cliffs and eternal ice to the foot of the Grossglockner, the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe.

Together with the new Waterfall Center and a comprehensive, unique array of interactive experiences revolving around the whole theme of water, it serves as the ideal base from which to visit Krimml Waterfalls. On an exhibition area of over 460 m², visitors are greeted by an exciting aquatic adventure: the innovative Waterfall Center with Aquaszenarium, scenic terrace, WasserWunderBar and Shop, the “House of Water” exhibition, along with the Wondrous Works of Water in the outdoor area.

A variety-filled, totally unforgettable day for the whole family is guaranteed!

From Gerlos to Krimml is about 21 km.