This Alpine resort town at 1,200 meters has hosted two Winter Olympics. Its cross-country ski trails, 17th-century church, and thermal pools draw visitors year-round.
Seefeld in Tirol occupies a 1,200-meter plateau between the Wetterstein and Karwendel mountains, 17 kilometers northwest of Innsbruck. In this Austrian village, you can ski on 256 kilometers of cross-country trails, visit the white baroque Seekirchl church from 1666, or walk the winter evening 100,000 Lights Path. The surrounding Karwendel nature reserve has marked trails through alpine meadows and pine forests, while the village center retains its centuries-old architecture with carved wooden balconies and steep-roofed buildings beneath the mountain peaks.
Getting to Seefeld
You can reach Seefeld on the Karwendel Railway, which runs from Munich via Garmisch-Partenkirchen and connects to Innsbruck with regular S-Bahn service. From Innsbruck Airport, 20 kilometers away, you'll find direct winter flights to several German cities including Hamburg, Berlin, and Frankfurt. Regular buses run from Innsbruck, or you can drive via the B177 road.
Winter Sports and Olympic Legacy
The village's Olympic history includes hosting Nordic events in 1964 and 1976, plus the 2019 FIS Nordic World Championships. Cross-country skiers can explore 256 kilometers of prepared trails across flat plains and through forested areas. For downhill skiing, head to two main areas: the Gschwandtkopf (1,495m) and the Rosshütte, with a free ski bus connecting both.
Walking and Mountain Trails
The plateau's gentle terrain makes walking accessible without steep climbs. In the Karwendel nature reserve, you'll find marked paths ranging from 2-hour valley walks to full-day mountain routes. Winter transforms many summer hiking paths into cleared walking routes. The 100,000 Lights Path creates an evening walk through snow-covered landscapes lit by thousands of lights.
Local Food and Village Life
Try Tyrolean specialties like Kiachl (fried dough) and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) in the village's restaurants. Winter evenings bring activity to the center, with the casino and bars open late. Between late November and early January, a Christmas market fills the streets with food stalls selling mulled wine and local crafts.
Village Architecture and Landmarks
The white baroque Seekirchl (Lake Church of the Holy Cross) dates from 1629-1666, commissioned by Archduke Leopold V and designed by Innsbruck's court architect Christoph Gumpp. Inside, you can see paintings by Josef Anton Puellacher. The church's octagonal shape and white walls make it easy to spot against the mountain backdrop. Around the village center, traditional buildings display carved wooden balconies, painted facades, and steep roofs designed for heavy snow.
