Schwaz is a city in Tyrol. At the same time, Schwaz is the
district capital of the Schwaz district. The city borders on the
Karwendel Mountains to the north and the Tux Alps to the south. In
the Middle Ages, Schwaz was the second largest city after Vienna due
to the silver mining.
Schwaz can be reached centrally via the
Innsbruck - Kufstein motorway. You can drive over the Achenpass and
Jenbach to Schwaz toll-free. You can take the train by public
transport. Schwaz has a train station, where some express trains
stop. The nearest airport is Innsbruck (approx. 40 km). Directions
are available from the local Silberregion Karwendel tourist office
(see links).
Culture
With the Klangspuren in Schwaz
(September 6-21, 2008) one of the most successful festivals for new
music in Central Europe has established itself in the "Silver City"
(the name comes from ore mining in the Middle Ages).
Schwaz
is "Jazz City" when the Outreach Academy starts a festival with
concerts and workshops every year.
Attractions
The most famous sights of the Karwendel silver
region include Tratzberg Castle and the Schwaz silver mine, which is
well known beyond Austria's borders.
Activities
The
Karwendel region offers numerous opportunities for hikers, mountain
bikers and holidaymakers. In recent years the famous Transalp
Challenge mountain bike race has also led through the Karwendel
silver region. Follow in the footsteps of the bikers from Hinterriss
to the Falkenhütte, into the Eng and on to Schwaz, Weerberg via the
Geiseljoch. For some years now there have also been offers for
e-bikers. Rental stations in Schwaz offer e-bikes for the city and
e-mountain bikes for the terrain.
The Nordic walking routes
are also active. The area around Schwaz has the largest Nordic
walking network in Tyrol. Several hundred kilometers have been
equipped with extra signs.
The region is also ideal for
family vacations. In summer there is free childcare in the family
nests. There the children can take part in a varied program without
parents. From riding, looking for treasure, playing Indians or a
visit to the farm, everything is included.
In winter there is
a free children's ski course for children at the ski lifts, and in
winter there are three toboggan runs in Schwaz alone. If you are
looking for winter pleasure away from the lifts, you will also find
what you are looking for with snowshoeing and ski touring.
In
autumn there is a cattle drive through the pedestrian zone. The cows
come the long way from the Engalm to Schwaz and go home to the farm,
beautifully decorated.
For more information, see the official
tourism website.
Shop
The pedestrian zone in Schwaz gives
a nice impression of the medieval mining town. There are still many
smaller shops that make a cozy impression. Outside the city there
are the usual chain stores, discount stores and wholesale markets.
Recently there is also a large shopping center ("Stadtgalerien")
directly on the B171 federal road.