Holiday time with a lot of variety

Special destinations for your holiday

Excursion destinations with WOW factor

See new things, learn new things

The excursion destinations of the Ötztal are closely linked to the Ötztal culture, nature and history of the valley. From a glimpse of the Neolithic Age to the ultra-modern James Bond world of adventure, the adventurous have plenty to choose from.

And not only those interested in culture or history, but also the whole family will find excursions that bring additional adventure and experience.

They can be reached by public transport, car, mountain railway or on foot.

Discover the most exciting excursion destinations in the Ötztal!

“With the diversity that the Ötztal offers you & your family, you will experience a varied holiday.”

The Ötzi Village

An exciting journey back to the Neolithic in the Ötzi village

The archaeological open-air museum in Umhausen brings you closer to life, living and business around 5,000 years ago. In other words, the time when the famous Ötzi was on his way through the pass region between today’s South and North Tyrol. Under scientific guidance, the everyday life of the time was reconstructed as faithfully as possible and is now demonstrated in the Ötzi village using prehistoric buildings, hunting and working equipment or even old breeds of domestic animals.

The walk through the lovingly designed area – including animal enclosures, a shaman’s hut or an archaic copper smelter – not only activates the imagination and phantasy of the younger ones. In this way, the prehistory is brought to life.

From the diet and agriculture of the time to clothing in the Neolithic and early handicraft techniques, you gain insightful insights. In addition, children and adults are taught the skills of indigenous peoples in practical courses. For example, the manufacture of flint knives, archery and much more. There are daily free guided tours, as well as audio guides and weekly presentations – presented by “Ötzi-Franz”.

Free guided tours
Visitors receive expert, free guided tours and audio guides at 10.30 am, 12.00 am, 13.30 pm and 15.00 pm every day. Duration approx. 50 minutes.

Demonstrations and presentations
Demonstrations of Neolithic craft techniques such as lighting fires, stone working, pottery, baking bread, etc. are shown several times a week. Monthly the well-known stone & fire celebration with changing emphasis takes place, like e.g. Ötzi´s death arrow – from the stone point to the finished arrow .

In close touch with birds of prey in the huge 5000 m² park and the open-air arena with some 300 seats
Spectacular bird shows take place every day
15 aviaries for eagles, vultures, kites, owls, buzzards, ravens & falcons
Theme trail on the history of falconry
The whole park is barrier-free for wheelchair users

Birds of prey park Umhausen

A very special experience – close by!

For many, experiencing the kings of the skies up close, personal and having their flying skills demonstrated at the same time is a long-cherished wish that is fulfilled in the best possible way in the Bird of Prey Park Umhausen. Around 30 magnificent birds of prey from 15 different species – eagles, kites, owls, falcons, buzzards, vultures and others – have found a home there and are kept and trained by a falconer in a species-appropriate manner. During the daily flight demonstrations (40 – 45 min) the visitors are amazed, at least in admiration. The arena, in which the grandiose performances can be followed, holds 300 seats.

30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the flight there is the possibility to visit the birds in the aviaries. An educational trail on the history of falconry conveys exciting knowledge and increases the fascination for the hunting of falcons, as it is also called. Declared an immaterial cultural heritage by UNESCO, the hunting method probably goes back to the ancient Egyptians. The Umhausen Bird of Prey Park, with its approx. 5,000 m² barrier-free area, invites you to an impressive experience.

Open from May to October!

Oetz Tower museum

with varying exhibitions

The Tower Museum is located in the center of Ötz and is easy to recognize due to its architecture. The tower was originally used as a home for the Royal Family but turned into the administrative office of the commodities of the monastery Frauenchiemsee in Ötztal later on.

The content of the museum is related to the biography and collection of Hans Jäger, a gallery owner from Ötz. He was very infatuated with paintings, pictures, sculptures and furniture. His collection of art carries about 5.000 pieces, which are presented alternately at the museum.

The pieces go from medieval art to the development of landscape painting, famous sculptors or modern art and photography. The focus lies on art emphasizing the Ötztal and its artistic work in the area.

The building itself is an attraction as well, because of its tricky hallways and many chambers and has a pretty special atmosphere to offer.

Opening hours

Mid-December to Easter: Thursday to Sunday, 2pm-6pm
June to October: Wednesday to Sunday, 2pm-6pm
Open on public holidays

Opening hours

1. June – 30. September:
Monday to Friday from 10.00 am – 12.00 pm and 02.00 pm – 05.00 pm, Sunday from 02.00 am – 04.00 pm
Saturday closed

Additional
from May to October
Thuesday and Thursday:
10.00 am – 12.00 pm and 02.00 pm – 04.00 pm

Museum of local history Ötztal

A travel in time to past decades

The museum offers a very unique atmosphere due to its historical buildings which are located close next to each other in the center of the village and show what life was like in the past.

The buildings were purchased in the late 1960s and turned into a museum, which documents the historical work and farming culture of the valley.

It mainly shows products of daily use and craft and includes 16 historical buildings which explain the daily life and work process all around the production of wool, cloth, bread and butter to the visitors.

Everything that seems long gone is brought to life in the local history and open-air museum and can be experienced with all the senses.

Timmelsjoch

A tour over the Timmelsjoch is worthwhile in several senses

It is an architectural experience, accompanied by fabulous natural panoramas, leads to historical traces and is one of the most beautiful bridges between North and South Tyrol in terms of landscape. At 2,509 metres, it is Austria’s highest road border crossing and, given its exposed high mountain location and the associated snow masses (up to 10 metres), is only open four and a half months a year.

First of all, the architectural and road construction achievements must be respected. Timmelsjochstraße was built between 1955 and 1959 in only 17 months due to seasonal restrictions. Although it was regarded as a turning point for the transition from manual to mechanical road construction, much was still done by hand – a real pioneering achievement!

From the glacier world down to the vineyards of South Tyrol

While the asphalt band winds its way up to the pass in the rear Ötztal valley, the glacier regions come into view and soon appear so close that you feel you are at eye level with them – a fantastic backdrop. No less impressive is the view on the other side, where the steeply sloping terrain could only be conquered with several serpentines. The Passeier Valley is considered to be one of the most rustic and scenically diverse valleys in South Tyrol. The vegetation clearly shows that several climatic altitudes are overcome on only a few kilometres of road.

The historical traces are also exciting. From the point of view of settlement and cultural history, the trail led over the Timmelsjoch from the Passeiertal valley to the Ötztal valley, although Stone Age shepherds, who are documented in Obergurgl from 6,300 BC, may have used the transition. In the early modern period, trade via the “Timmel” between the Inn Valley and the state capital Meran experienced a blossoming. Later it became a popular smuggler route. You can find out more in the pass-museum, that not the only futuristic building along the way is worth a visit.