Feldkirch marks the westernmost point of Austria and is located on the border with Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This place, which has a well-preserved old town that has remained unchanged for centuries, is crowned with the magnificent Schattenberg Castle and the Gothic-style St. Nikolaus Cathedral.

The city can easily be visited in a day thanks to its pedestrian-friendly center filled with countless cafes, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, Feldkirch train station, which is an excellent base for exploring Vorarlberg, is located on the state's main railway line and regularly operates services to Zurich and Vienna. Whether you plan to stay for a few hours or longer, to help you make the most of your trip, I have created a guide to some Best Things to Do in Feldkirch based on local tips I gathered during my last visit to the city.

Interesting Facts About Feldkirch

The city has a special connection with Irish writer James Joyce. This interesting connection begins when Joyce is mistaken for a spy at the border control in Feldkirch around 1915. With the help of friends who had connections, Joyce is released, but this incident leaves a mark on him and later influences his most important work, Finnegans Wake. In the summer of 1932, with the help of publisher couple Maria and Eugene Jolas, Joyce returns to Feldkirch. He stays for several weeks at Hotel Löwen, where he wrote Finnegans Wake.

Best Things to Do in Feldkirch

1. Amazing Architecture - Montforthaus Feldkirch

If you are an architecture enthusiast, you will love Vorarlberg and especially Montforthaus in Feldkirch. Located at the edge of the city, under the watch of the Schattenburg castle, Montforthaus stands out with its beautiful rounded facades. Built in 2015 on the site of an old congress center from the 1970s, this modern building was designed by Berlin architects Hascher Jehle and Vorarlberg architect Mitiska/Wäger Architekten. This impressive structure perfectly integrates with the medieval surroundings thanks to its large glass facade.

Montforthaus is open during the day; you can always take a tour or visit the terrace restaurant, and it's worth it. In the evenings, many events are scheduled.

2. Climbing to the Summit - Schattenburg Castle and Museum

To get a beautiful view of the city from above, we climbed the medieval Schattenburg castle, which was once the residence of the Duke of Montfort. Inside the castle, there is a restaurant and a museum consisting of 18 rooms. Each room focuses on a different aspect of the city's history. The museum ticket grants guests access to the castle chapel and tower. The best part is the panoramic view of the city from the roof gallery.

3. Feldkirch Old Town

We arrived late at night, dropped off our bags, and wandered around the medieval heart of the city for about an hour, through winding stone streets and beautifully preserved period buildings. Since we were there late on a Sunday night, the entire area was ours, and it was a perfect start to our trip. The main heart of the Old Town is Marktgasse; here, a market is held twice a week, and an annual Christmas market is also organized.

4. Wildpark Feldkirch

If you are visiting with family and children, the local Wildpark (free entry) is a perfect place to start the day with several marked forest trails. The park has over 140 animals in large enclosures. There is also a large adventure playground for children, and a kiosk selling various drinks and snacks in the area.

5. Buddhist Monastery Letzehof

One of the more unusual and interesting things to do in Feldkirch is to visit the Buddhist monastery on the outskirts of the city. You need to take a beautiful hour-long walk to reach the monastery, but once you arrive, you'll feel like you're in a world far away from the city, with Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the Buddhist stupa dome shining in the sunlight. Letzehof, or as it was known at the time, 'Getznerhof', was a farm until it became a refuge for Tibetan monks in 1982. Tibetan monk Gesche Rabten Rinpoche established the monastery and training center, and a year later, the Dalai Lama visited here.

6. Paspels Badesee

On the recommendation of a local, we visited Paspels Badesee, and this lake was truly magnificent. We timed our visit just before sunset. It was an early autumn evening, and the weather was still warm, with many locals swimming in the lake. Next to a large sunbathing area on the lakeshore, there is a small beer garden - Seeblick-Stüble - offering a variety of hot and cold snacks along with beers. The sunset was perfect, so come in the evening if the weather is nice, and don't forget your swimsuit. Public restrooms are also available.

Where to Eat in Feldkirch

7. Lunch at La Bottega del Gusto

A small Italian paradise hidden in the heart of the old town. The owner and chef, Nico, is a man of few words, and there is no fixed menu here. The menu is limited to a few simple suggestions - everything we tasted here was delicious. €9.95 for 2 courses and a glass of wine is truly a fantastic deal.

8. Coffee at Backerei Mangold

Feldkirch is lucky to have many independent cafes and bakeries, but we really loved Backerei Mangold. A family-run bakery chain that has been in Vorarlberg since 1850 with 30 locations. Their breads have won countless awards, and they offer great pastries, cakes, and good coffee. Definitely worth a visit.

9. Dinner at Restaurant Kantine

If you love thin Neapolitan-style pizza baked in a stone oven, you will love Kantine - the best pizza in the area. The starters are really good, especially the grilled cauliflower - very delicious.

Where to Stay in Feldkirch

10. Night Inn Feldkirch

Located right next to the train station, the Night Inn Hotel is a modern and comfortable option with stylish rooms (some overlook the train station; if this interests you, you can watch the trains coming and going from your window) and also offers a quite good buffet breakfast. The staff is mixed; some are friendly, while others are a bit cold and impersonal, which may be due to the language barrier.

How to Get to Feldkirch

The nearest airport to Feldkirch is Zurich; Stuttgart is also an option. Swiss Railways (SBB/CFF/FFS) operates hourly train services from Zurich HB to Feldkirch. Tickets start at €44, and the journey takes 1 hour and 29 minutes. Alternatively, FlixBus operates bus services twice a day from Flughafen/Messe to Bregenz bus station.

More Resources

Don't forget to check out my previous guide on the best things to do in Vorarlberg and also my story about Vorarlberg's fascinating architectural heritage.

Disclaimer

I was invited to Feldkirch by the Vorarlberg Tourism Office. As always, all opinions expressed here (good and bad) are entirely my own.

A big thank you to Katharina Fa, Katrin Preuss, and the Vorarlberg Tourism Office team for showing your beautiful home and making our time there unforgettable.