Seefeld
A sunny Tyrolean plateau made famous by Olympic cross-country skiing, Seefeld is really a giant winter-walking paradise: 140 kilometres of cleared paths, frozen lakes to circle and Kaiserschmarrn — shredded pancake with plum compôte — at every hut.
- Best forFamilies · Walkers & hikers · Wellness & slow travel
- In January1°C · 13 rainy days
- Ideal stay4–7 nights
- Approx. flying time~12h 05m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageGerman
- Local time12:331h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+43
Why go
A high plateau north-west of Innsbruck, sitting at around 1,200 metres and catching a great deal of sun, Seefeld built its reputation on cross-country skiing and has hosted Olympic and world championship events. The village itself is pedestrianised, low-rise and comfortable rather than rugged. Around it lie cleared winter walking paths, gentle trails through forest, frozen lakes and huts that take the business of cake extremely seriously.
Trains from Innsbruck climb here in under 40 minutes on a scenic line, which makes a car optional. Winter is the main season, though the downhill skiing is modest and better suited to beginners and improvers. Summer brings hiking, road cycling and the same easy paths without the snow. Committed downhill skiers will find far bigger mountains within an hour elsewhere in the Tyrol.
- Ideal stay
- 4–7 nights
- The vibe
- Sunny, unhurried, quietly comfortable
From our guides
The village is pedestrianised, pretty and calm. Try biathlon shooting or a first cross-country lesson; both are kinder than downhill.
Featured in Ten cosy winter resorts for people who don't really ski
Things to do
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Winter walking paths
A large network of cleared, signposted trails, many level enough for a stroll rather than a hike. Boots with grip are still sensible.
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Cross-country trails
Groomed loipe run through forest and across the open plateau, with local schools teaching both classic and skating technique from scratch.
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Wildsee
The small lake at the edge of the village, circled in twenty minutes and, in colder winters, frozen hard enough for skating.
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Biathlon taster
The Olympic-standard arena on the edge of town runs sessions where visitors ski a loop and shoot at the range under supervision.
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Kaiserschmarrn
Shredded, caramelised pancake with plum compote, served at almost every hut. One portion is generally enough for two people.
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Innsbruck
The Tyrolean capital is under an hour away by train, with a Baroque old town, the Golden Roof and mountain lifts from the centre.
Getting there
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Fly to
Innsbruck (INN)
Nearest airport to Seefeld, about 14km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Seefeld in Tirol
About 40 minutes by car from Innsbruck (INN), or roughly half an hour by train on the Mittenwald line, one of the prettiest short rail journeys in Austria.
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On the ground
Getting around
The village centre is pedestrianised and the winter walking and cross-country trails start from it, with buses and trains out to Leutasch, Mosern and Scharnitz.
Public transport: Trains to Innsbruck and Garmisch are frequent and regional buses cover the whole plateau.
Flights
Los Angeles Seefeld, Austria
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Roughly 12h 05m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 1°C in January to 20°C in July. Wettest in May, with rain on about 23 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
January1° · rain 13 daysCold and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Four star spa hotels, family run pensions and holiday apartments, most sold on half board with a guest card covering buses. Chains are absent and many hotels are ski and walk focused.
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Best base overall
Seefeld in Tirol
A pedestrianised village on the plateau with the cleared winter walking paths from the door, smart shops and the train to Innsbruck. It is the priciest address up here.
Find stays in Seefeld in Tirol -
Best with children
Reith bei Seefeld
A small village next door with gentle nursery slopes, a toboggan run and its own station. Calmer and cheaper, with the Seefeld trails a few minutes away by train or bus.
Find stays in Reith bei Seefeld -
Best value
Leutasch
A long, scattered valley of farms and pensions, the heart of the cross country network, at noticeably lower rates. Spread out, so check how far your room is from the trail head.
Find stays in Leutasch -
Quietest
Moesern
A hamlet on the plateau's edge with a famous viewpoint over the Inn valley and a couple of hotels. Almost nothing to do in the evening, and a bus down to Seefeld for dinner.
Find stays in Moesern
Worth knowing before you book: Christmas and February half terms book early, and a guest card with free local transport usually comes with the room. Check that the cross country trails are open before late spring stays.
Search everything else in Seefeld in Tirol by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Innsbruck is the nearest airport and the train up to the plateau is direct and scenic. Munich is a longer but well-connected alternative.
- Ski level
- The downhill areas are small and gentle. Treat this as a place to learn, or to do something other than downhill skiing.
- Pack this
- Sunglasses and sun cream matter here even in January, because the plateau is high, open and highly reflective.
- Cash or card
- Cards are widely accepted, but mountain huts often prefer cash. Carry euros for lunch and for the smaller lifts.
- Timing
- Snow is most reliable from January to March. Late March adds long, warm afternoons on the terraces.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Innsbruck
Austria · 17km away →
Zugspitze
Germany · 18km away →
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Germany · 19km away →
A Tyrolean farmhouse
Austria · 28km away →
Alpbach
Austria · 58km away →
Söll
Austria · 78km away →Elsewhere in Austria
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Seefeld?
Daytime highs run from about 1°C in January to 20°C in July. Wettest in May, with rain on about 23 days.
How long should I spend in Seefeld?
Our suggestion: 4–7 nights.
How do I get to Seefeld?
About 40 minutes by car from Innsbruck (INN), or roughly half an hour by train on the Mittenwald line, one of the prettiest short rail journeys in Austria.
Do I need a car in Seefeld?
No. Trains to Innsbruck and Garmisch are frequent and regional buses cover the whole plateau.
What currency and language are used in Seefeld?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: German. Plugs: type C and F.
Who is Seefeld best for?
Best for families, walkers & hikers and wellness & slow travel. In a phrase: sunny, unhurried, quietly comfortable.