Riezlern City
Alpine village in Vorarlberg, western Austria
In Kleinwalsertal, Riezlern stacks wooden chalets beneath cable cars; visitors ski hard-packed runs in winter, hike alpine meadows in summer and eat cheese at mountain huts.
Riezlern at a Glance#
Costs: Midrange: $80-160 per day - ski-season rates push costs higher; summer stays are more affordable.
Safety: Very safe and tourist-oriented - very safe with strong mountain-rescue and tourist services.
Best Time: December-March and June-September - winter for skiing; summer for hiking and alpine activities.
Why Visit Riezlern?#
Riezlern sits in the Kleinwalsertal valley and draws visitors for year-round mountain access-ski slopes and cable cars in winter, extensive hiking in summer. The village center’s alpine huts and guesthouses make it easy to sample regional cheese, hearty mountain dishes and local schnapps after a day on the trails. With high alpine passes, guided walks and a compact village atmosphere, Riezlern is a practical base for experiencing Vorarlberg’s alpine culture.
Best Things to Do in Riezlern#
Riezlern Bucket List#
Kanzelwand/Kleines Walsertal cable cars - Take cableways for alpine hiking, panoramic peaks, and summer flower meadows.
Fellhorn - Hike alpine trails to meadows and shelters with views over the valley.
Breitachklamm (Breitach Gorge) - Dramatic narrow gorge with wooden walkways and rushing water through sculpted rock.
Walsermuseum Mittelberg - Small museum exploring Walser culture, traditional costumes, and mountain farming history.
Lake Wildsee - Alpine tarn framed by larches, offering serene swims and gentle shoreline strolls.
Evening cheese fondue huts - Family-run huts serving fondue and local cheeses in cozy alpine atmospheres.
Oberstdorf (Germany) - Cross-border town with ski jumps, hiking trails, and shopping just over the ridge.
Warth-Schröcken/Lech (Arlberg region) - Explore neighbouring alpine resorts for expanded hiking, skiing, and mountain hut dining.
Best Time to Visit Riezlern#
Riezlern is high-Alpine: snowy winters for skiing and cool, pleasant summers for hiking. Visit June-August for the best hiking weather; winter is best if you want snow sports.
December - March
-8°C - 3°C (18°F - 37°F)
Snowy, cold and ideal for skiing - village charm and reliable snow conditions, but pack heavy winter gear and expect short daylight.
June - August
10°C - 25°C (50°F - 77°F)
Fresh, alpine summers are perfect for hiking, mountain pastures and clear skies - comfortable days and cool nights reward outdoor plans.
April - May, September - November
0°C - 15°C (32°F - 59°F)
Unpredictable shoulder seasons with crisp mornings and occasional rain - quieter trails and vivid seasonal colours, but pack layers.
Riezlern's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1471 mm/year), wettest in July.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (170 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (187 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (173 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Riezlern#
Riezlern (Kleinwalsertal) is accessed via regional airports such as Friedrichshafen, Zurich or Innsbruck followed by train to Oberstdorf or Bregenz and a connecting bus into the valley. The valley has good seasonal bus links to railheads.
Friedrichshafen Airport (FDH): Friedrichshafen is the closest regional airport on Lake Constance. From FDH to Riezlern (Kleinwalsertal) travel by train to Oberstdorf or Bregenz and then a bus into the Kleinwalsertal valley; the journey takes around 2-3 hours depending on connections (prices vary by route).
Zurich Airport (ZRH) / Innsbruck (INN) / Munich (MUC): Zurich and Innsbruck are common international arrival points. From Zurich the rail journey to the Allgäu/Kleinwalsertal region via Bregenz or Oberstdorf takes ~2.5-3.5 hours; from Innsbruck the drive or rail+bus combination is about 2-3 hours. Regional trains plus local buses serve the valley.
Train: The nearest major railheads are Oberstdorf (Germany) and Bregenz (Austria). From there regular bus services run into Kleinwalsertal to Riezlern-trains to Oberstdorf (via Lindau) or Bregenz then bus are the standard public-transport route.
Bus: Regional buses from Oberstdorf, Sonthofen and Bregenz connect to Riezlern; travel times vary (roughly 30-90 minutes from these railheads) and timetables change seasonally-check local timetables for ski-season or summer schedules.
How to Get Around Riezlern#
Public transport via train to Oberstdorf/Bregenz then bus into the valley is the standard route. For convenience with heavy luggage or ski gear, pre-booked transfers or car hire are recommended.
- Train to Oberstdorf/Bregenz (EUR 15-60 (depends on origin)) - Take regional trains to Oberstdorf (Germany) or Bregenz (Austria) as the closest railheads; journeys from Zurich or Munich connect via Lindau. Trains are comfortable and scenic-book in winter for popular ski travel dates.
- Regional bus (to Riezlern) (EUR 3-15) - Buses run from Oberstdorf, Sonthofen and Bregenz into Kleinwalsertal with direct stops in Riezlern. Timetables vary by season-more frequent in ski season and summer-so check current schedules for connections.
- Airport transfer / shuttle (EUR 60-200 (shared/private)) - Pre-booked airport shuttles or private transfers from Zurich, Innsbruck or Friedrichshafen are convenient if you have luggage or ski equipment. Shared shuttles are cheaper; private cars are faster but more expensive.
- Car hire (EUR 40-120/day) - Driving gives full flexibility to explore the mountain roads and nearby towns. Note that Kleinwalsertal is a valley with controlled road access-winter tyres and awareness of alpine rules are essential in winter months.
- Local buses / ski buses (EUR 1.50-6 per trip) - In winter and summer the valley runs local buses that serve ski lifts, trailheads and village stops. Many accommodations are near bus stops and some passes include bus travel-check local tourist information.
- Walking - Riezlern is compact and easy to explore on foot; many hiking trails and lifts start within a short walk of the village centre. In winter, snow boots or crampons may be necessary on icy paths.
Where to Stay in Riezlern#
Riezlern (Kleinwalsertal) - €50-120/night
Riezlern offers modest guesthouses and alpine inns outside peak ski season. Budget rooms are limited; book ahead for lower rates during shoulder months.
Riezlern centre - €90-200/night
Comfortable family-run hotels and boutique alpine stays cluster near the valley centre, good for skiing, hiking and local dining options.
Riezlern / surrounding peaks - €150+/night
High-end resorts are fewer in Riezlern; select premium hotels and spa properties are available nearby, often with mountain-view rooms and comprehensive facilities.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Riezlern’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Riezlern#
Shopping in Riezlern focuses on sport and outdoor shops, local bakeries and a handful of souvenir stores catering to hikers and skiers. For larger retail or specialty shopping, nearby towns and larger Austrian or German centres offer more options.
Nightlife in Riezlern#
Nightlife is modest and seasonal - après-ski bars and hotel bars are the main evening options in winter, while summer evenings are low-key. There are no large nightclubs; most entertainment is hotel-based or small local venues.
