Mariazell Things to Do at Summer
Mariazell is a village in the Styrian region of Austria. It’s very well known for winter sports. As such Mariazell has proven to be a popular winter holiday destination. However, that doesn’t mean there is a shortage of things to do at Summer in Mariazell.
Apart from being a winter resort, the village is also a well-known pilgrimage site for Catholics. There is a carving of the Virgin Mary that is said to work miracles. Due to this Mariazell sees plenty of religious travellers all year round.
Things to Do in Mariazell
Visit Basilica Mariä Geburt
Even if you are not travelling with a religious goal in mind, the Basilica at Mariazell should still be on your radar. It’s right at the historical centre of the town. This beautiful basilica is considered to be the most important pilgrimage centre in the whole of Austria.
As you can see it’s easy to recommend the Basilica at Mariazell, considering the rich history. Considering it’s also right in the city centre, we highly encourage you to explore it.
Ride the Mariazellerbahn
The Mariazellerbahn is a mountain railroad line that connects Mariazell with St. Pölten. The train goes through beautiful valleys and mountainous regions. It’s perfect for a half-day or full-day getaway. You can pick out any of the more interesting stops along the way, and get off anytime. Once done exploring you can just take the next train back to Mariazell.
We think it’s an especially great pick for families. Children will enjoy the train ride through the picturesque landscape. If you can manage, try to catch one of the special trains, like the Adventure Train.
We have our own guide dedicated to the Mariazellerbahn. If you want to know more about it you can click here to open it.
Adventure Park Holzknechtland
The Adventure Park Holkzknechtland is a perfect choice for families. It’s located up on the mountain from Mariazell. You can either take the ski-lift directly from the village or hike up. The hiking route is also starting from Mariazell.
The Adventure Park is guaranteed to grab children’s attention. It has everything children love. Small lakes, a mini railway and a big playground. They will also be able to learn about the history of forestry in Austria trough playing.
Don’t let the name mislead you, the Adventure Park Holzknechtland is definitely not an adrenaline park. It’s focused around entertaining families.
Ride the Mariazell Museum Tramway and Ship
The Mariazell Museum Tramway is perfect for both families or as a romantic getaway with your significant other. It’s a museum and a vintage tram at once. At the station, you will be able to check out some cool historical trams, and when you are ready, you can ride the vintage tram to Erlaufsee.
Erlaufsee is a huge lake near Mariazell. It’s a perfect place for walking and hiking around. The lake and the surrounding mountains will give you a picturesque view. There is also a restaurant that serves great fish if you are looking to lunch at the lake. What’s even better, in summer you can actually swim in the lake. So if you are looking for some things to do that involves water, we highly recommend taking the tram.
However before you really get into exploring on foot, you should know, that the historical tram will conveniently take you near the port of the historical ship. Not only that, the ship sets sail shortly after the arrival of the tram. If you like boating we wholeheartedly recommend taking the sightseeing tour to the water. After that, you can continue exploring on foot.
You can check the tram timetable and boat timetable on these sites. In the timetable, ‘ab’ means departure time and ‘an’ means arrival time.
Summer Hiking in Mariazell
As a mountain town hiking is one of the best things to do in Mariazell. There are countless trails around to take you to the different peaks of the Alps. For this, it’s best to have a car to be able to move around quickly an reach the starting point of the hikes. If you are travelling by plane it’s best to rent straight at the airport as there are no car renting opportunities in Mariazell.
For a full list of hiking ideas you should check out this site.
Day Trip to Graz
Graz is around 1h 30 mins drive from Mariazell. There is also daily train service running between the cities. If you don’t have a car available or want to leave it at home, it’s a convenient option.
As the capital city of Styria Graz is definitely worth your visit. It’s also the second-largest city of Austria. It has a beautiful historical centre that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also hike up to the castle of Graz that is overlooking the city. It will provide you with the best views.
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