Feldkirch Travel Guide

City Historic city in Vorarlberg, Austria

Medieval towers and the Schattenburg castle preside over Feldkirch’s narrow lanes; hikers use the town as a gateway to the Alps and cross-border trips to Liechtenstein.

Costs

Moderate daily budget (≈$100-160)

Affordable regional restaurants and modest hotels keep costs reasonable.

Safety

Very safe, low-crime environment

Very low violent crime; safe day and night in the center.

Best Time

May-September; December-March for winter sports

Pleasant summer sightseeing; winter offers nearby alpine sports.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

5:52 PM

GMT+2

Weather

60°F

Mostly Clear

Population

33,420

Infrastructure & Convenience

Compact walkable center, strong regional rail links, basic English in shops.

Popularity

Attracts day-trippers from Switzerland and Liechtenstein and history fans.

Known For

medieval old town, Schattenburg Castle, Rhine valley scenery, cultural festivals, mountain hiking, cafés, museums, historic churches, riverfront promenades

Schattenburg Castle dates to the 13th century and now houses Feldkirch's town museum.

Why Visit Feldkirch? #

Set beneath the Alps, this compact medieval town draws visitors for its well-preserved Altstadt and the hilltop Schattenburg Castle museum. Food-oriented travelers enjoy hearty Vorarlberg specialties like Käsknöpfle in cozy taverns, while history fans linger over narrow lanes and arcaded squares. Proximity to mountain trails and the Rhine Valley adds outdoors options, so the town pairs cultural depth with easy access to alpine scenery.

Best Things to Do in Feldkirch

All Attractions ›

Lake Constance

Large Central European lake bordering Germany, Austria, Switzerland

Lake

Bregenz Forest

Scenic Austrian highland region with timber architecture

Valley

Vaduz Castle

Hilltop castle and official residence of Liechtenstein's prince

Castle

Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein

Modern and contemporary art museum with minimalist architecture

Museum

Gutenberg Castle

Medieval hilltop castle overlooking Balzers village

Castle

Rheinpark Stadion

National stadium in Vaduz hosting football matches

Stadium

Vaduz Cathedral

Neo-Gothic cathedral and landmark parish church in Vaduz

Religious Site

Walensee

Deep alpine lake surrounded by steep Swiss cliffs

Lake

Feldkirch Bucket List

Don't Miss

Schattenburg Castle - Medieval hilltop castle housing a local history museum and panoramic old-town views.
Feldkirch Old Town - Compact medieval center with narrow streets, arcades, cafés, and preserved city gates.
St. Nikolaus Church - Late-Gothic church near the market, notable for its organ and stained glass.

Hidden Gems

Montforthaus Feldkirch - Contemporary cultural center hosting concerts, exhibitions, and regional performing-arts events.
Historic Jewish Cemetery - Quiet historic cemetery offering insight into Feldkirch's multiethnic past and local history.
Ill riverside promenade - Pleasant riverside walk along the Ill with cafés and intimate river viewpoints.

Day Trips

Vaduz, Liechtenstein - Short drive to Vaduz for small capital sights, museums, and mountain backdrops.
Lake Constance / Bregenz - Reachable in under an hour for lakeside promenades, boat trips, and Pfänder cable car.

Best Time to Visit Feldkirch #

Feldkirch shines in summer for hiking and lake-side activities, while winter brings snow and cozy markets. Shoulder seasons are changeable but rewarding for quieter exploration.

Winter

December - February · -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F)

Snowy, atmospheric old town and close ski areas; expect freezing mornings, salted streets, and charming Christmas markets but sometimes fog in the valley.

Spring

March - May · 3°C to 15°C (37°F to 59°F)

Unpredictable but beautiful: late snow can linger, then alpine meadows burst into bloom-great for quieter hikes and sampling local pastures.

Summer

June - August · 12°C to 25°C (54°F to 77°F)

Warm, sunlit days ideal for hiking, cycling and lake trips; mountain evenings cool, so bring layers for comfortable après-hike drinks.

Best Time to Visit Feldkirch #

Climate

Feldkirch's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1169 mm/year), wettest in July.

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

36°

Warmest Month

-29°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

0°

Feels Like Cold

0°C

Temperature

-3° – 3°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

2°

Feels Like Cold

2°C

Temperature

-2° – 5°

90%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.1h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

1° – 10°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

73 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

4° – 14°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

82 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

8° – 19°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

102 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

14.9h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

11° – 21°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

136 mm

Rainfall

2.0 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

15.7h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (148 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

13° – 23°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

148 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.6

UV Index

Very High

15.3h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

13° – 23°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

142 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 19°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

103 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

10°

Feels Like Cold

10°C

Temperature

6° – 14°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

78 mm

Rainfall

1.6 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

1° – 8°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

92 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.2h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-2° – 4°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

79 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.3h daylight

How to Get to Feldkirch

Feldkirch lies on the rail corridor between Switzerland and western Austria and is best accessed by train from Zurich or Innsbruck. The town's Hauptbahnhof provides easy onward connections by regional bus or taxi.

By Air

Zurich Airport (ZRH): A major international gateway with good rail links to Feldkirch. Trains from Zurich HB reach Feldkirch in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes on direct InterRegio/EC services; fares typically start from modest regional prices (subject to rail operator fares).

Innsbruck Airport (INN) / Innsbruck: Innsbruck is the closest larger Austrian airport to the west; rail connections to Feldkirch take about 1-1.5 hours (regional/InterCity services) depending on routing and transfers.

By Train & Bus

Train: Feldkirch Hauptbahnhof is a well‑served station on ÖBB and Swiss Federal Railways routes. Frequent regional and international services connect Feldkirch to Zurich, Innsbruck and Bregenz; journey times are short and comfortable.

Bus / Local transport: Regional buses (Landbus Vorarlberg and other operators) connect Feldkirch with nearby towns and villages. City buses serve local stops; timetables are coordinated with train arrivals.

How to Get Around Feldkirch #

Feldkirch’s compact Altstadt is easy to explore on foot; cobbled streets are pedestrian-friendly. The ÖBB train station connects to Bregenz and Innsbruck, regional buses cover nearby villages, and taxis are available for short trips.

Where to Stay in Feldkirch #

Budget

Old Town - €45-80/night

Budget choices center on Feldkirch's compact Old Town: small pensions and family-run hotels offering clean, economical rooms.

Hotel Weisses Kreuz - History-rich, simple rooms near center.
Local guesthouses (listings) - Small pensions and B&Bs in old town.

Mid-Range

Near Schattenburg/Old Town - €80-140/night

A handful of comfortable mid-range hotels close to the Schattenburg castle and pedestrian streets - convenient for short stays and sightseeing.

Park Hotel Felderer - Comfortable rooms, short walk to sights.
Hotel Zimmerle - Well-located mid-range option.

Luxury

Limited in-town luxury - Bregenz/Dornbirn - €150+/night

Feldkirch itself has few high-end hotels; serious luxury seekers stay in Bregenz or Dornbirn (short drive) for full-service upscale hotels.

Nearby luxury options (Dornbirn/Bregenz) - Luxury hotels are in nearby cities.
Boutique options nearby - Upscale stays typically outside Feldkirch.

Where to Eat in Feldkirch #

Austrian Tavern & Local Cuisine

Feldkirch offers classic Austrian wirtshaus cooking, town cafés and bakeries-comforting regional dishes and simple, seasonal plates.

Town Centre Restaurants - Traditional Vorarlberg dishes and menus.
Cozy Wirtshaus - Local inns serving hearty Austrian fare.
Cafés and Bakeries - Morning pastries and coffee corners.

Wine & Light Dining

Evenings feature wine bars and small bistros where local produce and Vorarlberg cheeses appear on concise menus.

Local Wine Bars - Small bars focusing on regional wines.
Bistros and Small Eateries - Casual dinners with local ingredients.
Pizzerias - Popular for quick, informal meals.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Feldkirch's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional

Pizza

Italian

Kebab

Asian

Chinese

Burger

German

Indian

Turkish

Thai

Sandwich

Pasta

Mexican

American

Austrian

Coffee Shop

Steak House

International

Cake

Nightlife in Feldkirch #

Nightlife in Feldkirch is modest: a handful of pubs and bars clustered around the old town and the station. Cultural venues sometimes host live music, but late-night clubbing is limited.

Shopping in Feldkirch #

Shopping centers on and around the Hauptplatz and the pedestrian Altstadt offer small boutiques, bakeries and specialty food shops. You’ll also find weekly markets selling produce and regional products on market days.

Hauptplatz (town square) - Central square with shops, cafés and the regular market stalls
Altstadt Feldkirch - Narrow streets with local boutiques, bakeries and specialty stores

Nearby Cities #