Disclosure: I was a guest of Visit Vorarlberg but all opinions and recommendations are my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
Although most first-time visitors to Austria end up in Vienna or Salzburg, that was, oddly, not the case for me. I had never even heard of the Vorarlberg region of Austria, let alone Feldkirch, until I applied for the Propel Conference and saw that Feldkirch was on our itinerary. Now that I’ve visited, I can confidently say that you should definitely visit Feldkirch for at least one day, especially if you’re traveling in Vorarlberg. Exploring traditional cobbled streets, medieval buildings and excellent architecture – these are just a few of the best things to do in Feldkirch.
First of all, where is Feldkirch? Feldkirch is a charming medieval town in Austria, located where the border meets Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Within the Vorarlberg region, Feldkirch is the second most populated town after Dornbirn. I took a day trip here from Mellau, but it is easily accessible from various cities and towns.
So without further ado, these are some of the best things to do if you have one day in Feldkirch!
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How to Get to Feldkirch
Whenever someone tells me to visit a lesser-known destination, my first question is often “how do I get there?” Luckily, Feldkirch is pretty easy to get to as a relatively large city within Vorarlberg and is accessible from both small towns and larger cities such as Zurich, Innsbruck, and Bregenz. You can easily drive to Feldkirch if you’re on a European road trip, but I’m personally a fan of train travel in Europe, and that’s my recommended mode of transport whenever possible.
There are a plethora of trains to Feldkirch from Zurich (28 to be exact!). Although the trip usually takes around 2.5 hours, there’s also a fast train that cuts your travel time down to 1.5 hours, which is helpful if you’re a little short on time (or just impatient, no judgment).
Similarly, there are 20 trains that run to Feldkirch from Innsbruck. There’s no real difference between the fast and regular train, with both taking around 2 hours.
If you’re spending some time exploring the Vorarlberg region, Bregenz is an excellent city to be based in. As a bonus, there are 77 trains that run to Feldkrich. It takes just 23 minutes on the fast train and 39 minutes on the regular train. Plus, the last train is at 11:44 PM, so you can take advantage of a very full day in Feldkirch.
Psst: If you’re planning on taking the train, make sure you book in advance for the best train times and cheapest tickets. Omio is my go-to for booking train travel in Europe.
Best Time to Visit Feldkirch
The best time to visit Feldkirch really depends on what vibe you’re going for. As mentioned, Feldkirch is located near the Alps and experiences the full four seasons. I visited in early Fall, and the weather was a little unpredictable: the day started off rainy, but warmed up in the afternoon.
If you’re looking for guaranteed warm weather, June-August is the best time to visit Feldkirch.
If Christmas markets are more your jam, the Feldkirch Christmas Market is supposed to be one of the most beautiful in Austria. Plus, winter is an excellent time to see a snow-dusted Feldkirch and enjoy the ski season. For optimal winter wonderland vibes, December and early January are the best times to visit.
It’s worth noting that summer and winter are peak seasons in Feldkirch, so hotel and flight prices are at their highest. If you’re traveling on a stricter budget, it’s worth considering a visit during Spring or Fall. The weather is cooler, but you’ll have the luxury of visiting while there are fewer people.
Reminder: Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance for your trip in case things (hopefully don’t but often do) go wrong. I’ve learned my lesson about travel insurance the hard way. My go-to insurance is World Nomads cause they’re awesome and easy to deal with. Be sure to check out the different plan options to pick one that’s right for you!
Best Things to Do in Feldkirch
Feldkirch offers a huge amount of medieval history and architecture that is best experienced on foot. Here are some of the things that can’t be missed on a day trip to Feldkirch:
Guided Tour of Montforthaus
One of the coolest things about Feldkirch is the seamless integration between modern and medieval architecture, and Montforthaus is no exception. If you’re a fan of modern design, then this tour is not to be missed!
Architects Hascher Jehle and Mitiska Wager took incredible care to ensure the exterior of the building harmoniously blends in with the surrounding medieval buildings.
The guided tour of this stunning and uniquely designed building helps you gain an appreciation of this culture and convention center. I spent several hours in Montforthaus during the conference and was continually blown away by the elements of the building and how it co-exists in a medieval town.
After attending a tour, make sure to spend some time in the cafe on the top floor (or even better, come back for sunset!). I love a lot of aspects of the building, but the views are easily my favorite part and are not to be missed. You can see all of Feldkirch from there and take some seriously epic photos!
Each tour lasts around 1 hour and can be booked in advance here.
Feldkirch City Walking Tour
It’s no secret that I think walking tours are the best way to get to know a new place and what better way to add some extra fun than by doing a themed tour led by an in-character actor in a costume? That’s a rhetorical question because there is no better way to experience a new town and all walking tours should be led by actors. That is all.
I did the adventure tour led by “Countess Mechthild” and I highly recommend it. Stadt Feldkirch offers a range of tours with live actors in historical costumes that share real stories from “their past.” It’s amazing.
Each tour leader takes you through the streets of Feldkirch and brings history to life through the lens of their own story. Tours focus on specific themes e.g. the night watchman, women, smugglers, culinary, and more.
I’m bummed I didn’t get a chance to do this but the tour I did has the option of participating in a crossbow shooting contest against other tourists. I 100% would have tried this if we had time!
Tour prices begin at 14.50 Euros depending upon the type of tour you choose to book. Check them out here.
Schattenburg Museum and Castle
Sitting above the city of Feldkirch, the 13th-century Schattenburg Castle has since been converted into an incredibly well-preserved museum. It has 18 museum rooms across three floors as well as a restaurant with spectacular views of the city.
You can easily spend an hour or two wandering through the different rooms and soaking up the details of Feldkirch’s city history.
Plus, there’s even a cool traditional costume room, where you can see the clothes worn in the Biedermeier era. Let’s just say I’m thankful for modern-day clothing!
Pro tip: Hours are somewhat limited if you aren’t attending as part of a guided tour, so be sure to check the website when planning your visit!
Dom St. Nikolaus
I always love seeing how much design detail goes into churches in Europe, no matter how small they are. Dom St. Nikolaus is no exception. This quaint Catholic church is known for its green steeple and white stone walls. Inside, it has stunning glass windows and beautiful wooden detail on the ceiling. Although it’s not a must-visit in Feldkirch, it’s definitely worth stopping in for a short visit. I mean, who doesn’t like seeing stained glass windows, am I right?
Galerie Sechzig
I’m not a huge art museum person, but Galerie Sechzig deserves a spot on your list if you have one day in Feldkirch. Originally founded in 1989 by Gerold Hirn and his wife, Galerie Sechzig has hosted over 150 exhibitions from artists all over the world. It focuses on contemporary art (my personal favorite) and showcases both local and global artists.
Pro tip: Galerie Sechzig is only open on Thursdays and Fridays 4-7 pm and Saturdays 12-4 pm, so keep this in mind when planning your trip to Feldkirch.
Katzenturm
One thing I learned is that Austria (specifically Innsbruck) is home to one of the world’s most famous bell makers. And guess who has Vorarlberg’s largest bell? Feldkirch! Katzenturm is a traditional bell tower dating back to the early 1500s. was originally built as a defense tower but now it’s a symbol of Feldkirch. It’s a noteworthy piece of Feldkirch’s history and the bell chimes every day at 3 PM.
Wildpark Feldkirch
Last but not least, if you have time, I highly recommend checking out Feldkirch’s wildlife park. This is a beautiful outdoor space that is free to the public all year round. The wild park offers a calm, outdoor space full of different hiking trails and local wildlife for you to explore on your own or on a guided tour.
There are various tour options at the park, including forest tours, animal tours, and animal feedings. They’re a great way to experience the local wildlife if that’s your jam.
Suggested Itinerary in Feldkirch
To maximize your one day trip to Feldkirch, I highly recommend visiting the above highlights in the following order:
- After leaving the train station, walk into the center of Feldkirch to visit the Schattenburg Museum.
- Take a short walk across the main road for a pre-booked tour of Montforthaus.
- After your tour, take a leisurely walk back into town to visit the historic buildings, Dom St. Nikolaus and Katzenturm.
- Aim to book your walking tour for around this time, now that you are in the main part of Feldkirch.
- After this, you can take one of the hikes from town into the wildlife park (there is no public transport to the park)
- Finally, on your way back to the train station from Wildpark, Feldkirch, make sure to stop at Galerie Sechzig (if it’s open).
Where to Stay in Feldkirch
If you prefer to visit Feldkirch at a more leisurely pace, or you want to book one of the night walking tours, then I recommend staying overnight.
Here are my top hotel recommendations, depending on your budget:
Hotel Bären (Budget-Friendly)
For accommodation that’s central and doesn’t break the bank, look no further than Hotel Bären. It offers a cozy home away from home feel with bold, colored rooms, free Wi-Fi, and free breakfast. Plus, it’s just a 2-minute walk from the center of Feldkirch.
Read Tripadvisor reviews | Book a Stay
Night Inn Hotel, Feldkirch (Mid-Range)
For a mid-range hotel with some additional amenities, consider the Night Inn Hotel. Conveniently located to both the train station and the center of Feldkirch, this modern hotel has a terrace, an on-site restaurant, and both mountain and city views for you to choose from. Although breakfast isn’t included in the price, their breakfast is pretty extensive. Not only do they offer a traditional full continental breakfast, but they also have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options too.
Read Tripadvisor reviews | Book a Stay
Gutwinski Hotel (Splurge)
If luxury is what you’re after, the Gutwinski Hotel is the best choice in Feldkirch. This family-run hotel combines medieval charm with modern amenities with spacious rooms, incredibly comfortable beds, and beautiful views. A spectacular breakfast buffet breakfast is included in the price along with an onsite restaurant for easy dining. If you’re looking to treat yourself while in Feldkirch, this is the place to be!
Read Tripadvisor reviews | Book a Stay
If you’re planning a trip to Austria, Feldkirch is not to be missed. From the contemporary art at the Galerie to the amazing architecture at Montforthaus, this small medieval town offers a real treat for anyone who visits.
Tell me: Have you ever been to Austria? Has this post inspired you to add Feldkirch to your list? Let me know in the comments below!
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