Thinking about summer in the Austrian Alps with kids but overwhelmed with where to stay? Maybe you’ve heard of Wagrain as a ski resort but not considered Wagrain with kids in the summer? Think again! Because this hidden gem might just become your family’s favourite summer Alpine escape.
Just over an hour from Salzburg, this friendly mountain town is a brilliant option for families looking for a low-stress Austrian summer base with a high payoff. There’s a cable car that whisks you straight up to one of the best mountain playgrounds in the Alps, a family-friendly pool for cooling off, and more kid-friendly hikes than you can shake a walking pole at.
I’ve spent lots of time in this region of the Salzburg province, I even taught English to teens in a local school while I lived here as part of my German studies! But it’s been wonderful to come back with the kids and see the area through their eyes.
Most recently we stayed here after a hut to hut hike in the Grossarl Valley, and I could see the appeal straight away. Wagrain is manageable in size, full of gentle adventure, and perfectly placed for exploring the Salzburg province without spending hours in the car. If you’re after a summer holiday in Austria that combines comfort, nature, and happy kids, this might be just the place.
In this post, I’ll show you the best summer activities in Wagrain for families – like the epic Grafenberg mountain playground and the brilliant outdoor swimming pool, complete with water slides – where to stay, how to get there and how it can fit into a bigger Austria trip.
Why Wagrain is perfect for a summer family holiday
Wagrain is one of those rare places that feels purpose-built for summer holidays with kids; without losing its local character. Set in the Salzburgerland region, just over an hour from Salzburg, it’s easy to reach by car or public transport.
If you’re coming from further afield, direct overnight trains to Salzburg from cities like Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam (all easily accessible from London on the Eurostar) make it a surprisingly accessible Alpine escape.
Read more about train travel to the Alps and how to book at this link
The town is small but practical. There’s more than one well-stocked supermarket, a handful of decent restaurants, and an easy-to-navigate layout that means you’re never far from what you need. It’s the kind of place where you can walk from your accommodation to the cable car, grab lunch in town, and finish the day at the local swimming pool; all without needing to get in the car.
Wagrain, Austria (c)https://www.wagrain-kleinarl.at/
And it ticks all the boxes for kids! There’s a huge mountaintop adventure playground at the top of the Grafenberg gondola with everything from climbing walls to water games, slack lines and stepping stones over a lake, and gentle hiking routes that are great for little (and bigger!) legs. It’s a proper Alpine town that happens to have loads for children to enjoy.
If you’re looking to combine relaxation and adventure in the Austrian Alps this summer, Wagrain is a great choice; especially if you’re planning to explore nearby valleys like Grossarl or base yourself somewhere with easy onward travel.
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Top things to do in Wagrain with kids in summer
From mountain adventures to pool-filled afternoons, Wagrain packs a lot into a small area. Here are the top family-friendly things to do that make it a great summer base.
Wagraini’s Grafenberg: the ultimate mountain playground
If you only do one thing in Wagrain with kids — make it this. Wagraini’s Grafenberg is a mountaintop adventure world, reached by a gondola that leaves directly from the edge of town. At the top, you’ll find a plethora of activities: stepping stones and rafts to cross a lake, wooden climbing animals, balance trails, water play zones, slides and huge swings, among many others!
It’s designed with primary school aged kids in mind, but younger and older children can enjoy much of it too. The paths are wide and pram-friendly throughout, and there are plenty of spots to stop for snacks, photos, or simply to let the kids run around.
When I was there on a Thursday in June it was busy, and will definitely be popular in peak summer; but if you walk even 20 minutes away from the main play areas, the crowds melt away. You can combine your visit with the last stage of a hut to hut hike in the Grossarl valley, arriving at Grafenberg on foot and enjoying the quieter upper trails before joining the main area. It’s the perfect way to end an alpine adventure with a bit of play.
Here’s a short video of my visit if you want a closer look!
Note: The Grafenberg cable car does not run every day; check ahead here to ensure you aim to visit on a day it’s open!
Erlebnisbad Wagrain: perfect for cooling off
Wagrain’s outdoor swimming complex – Wasserwelt Amadé – is exactly what you want on a hot afternoon. It has multiple pools (including one shallow one with a slide for smaller children), grassy sunbathing areas, and a few bigger slides for older kids. It’s clean, well-run, and within walking distance of most accommodation.
There’s also a warm indoor pool there for less-than-perfect weather, and the entry fees are reasonable — especially if you have a guest card or stay somewhere that offers discounts (staying at Hotel Sonne gets you free entrance for example).
Wagrain Outdoor Pool (c)https://www.wagrain-kleinarl.at/
Short hikes and nature walks
You don’t have to commit to a full hut to hut route to get out on the trails (although you should 😉).
Read my full guide to hut to hut hiking with kids
From the top of the Grafenberg cable car, you can follow several short, family-friendly loops with views of the surrounding peaks. One popular option is to head to the Sonntagskogel peak and then down to Wagrain.
If your family enjoys walking and you’re based in Wagrain for a few days, it’s also worth exploring the trail from the top of the Grafenberg cable car toward the Kleinarler Hütte and on to Kleinarl. It’s manageable with kids if you’ve got all day, and although there’s a decent amount of uphill, there’s lots more downhill (since you’ve used the cable car to gain the elevation!). You can bus back to Wagrain from Kleinarl in around 10 minutes (bus number 530 – look for timetables here).
The best map for this area is the Niedere Tauern I (45/1): Topographische Karte (Alpenvereinskarte) which covers the entire route in detail. You can buy it online here.
Where to stay in Wagrain with kids
Wagrain has a solid mix of practical, comfortable places to stay; including hotels, guesthouses and a few lovely farm stays. Here are some top picks that work especially well for families:
Hotel Sonne
I stayed at Hotel Sonne after a hut to hut hike and it was exactly what we needed: clean, spacious family rooms with balconies, mountain views, a good breakfast, and a practical setup for families. It’s an easy walk to the swimming pool and not much further to the Grafenberg lift (both easily accessible on foot). No bells and whistles, but reliable and comfortable, especially if you’re after a low-fuss base.
Haus Hubertus
Haus Hubertus is a cosy, family-run guesthouse sits right in the centre of town. The rooms are tastefully decorated in traditional Austrian style, and guests often rave about the warm, friendly hosts. It’s quieter than a big hotel and offers a more intimate feel — perfect if you’re after something homely and relaxed.
Oberauer Wagrain
If sustainability is on your radar, Oberauer Wagrain is a great option. It has a laid-back Alpine feel, helpful staff, and generous breakfasts that fuel you up for a day outdoors. The communal areas are thoughtfully designed, and it’s well located for exploring the town and surrounding trails.
Bauernhof Auhof (Farm stay option)
Just outside the centre of Wagrain, Bauernhof Auhof is a working farm offering family apartments with kitchenettes, friendly animals, and a peaceful setting. It’s especially popular with kids with a playground, badminton & table tennis, trampoline, go-karts, a fish pond, lots of animals (cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, cattle) and an indoor playroom. A great way to combine comfort with a bit of countryside charm.
Read more about how brilliant farm stays in Austria are here
How to get to Wagrain
One of Wagrain’s biggest perks is how easy it is to reach, even if you’re travelling without a car. Its location in the Salzburger province, just over an hour from the city of Salzburg, means you’ve got several options, whether you’re flying, training, or road-tripping your way through Austria.
By train
Salzburg is the nearest major hub, and it’s surprisingly well connected. You can take overnight trains from Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam (all easily accessible from London on the Eurostar) and arrive in Salzburg refreshed and ready to go.
From there, it’s about an hour by regional train – with wonderful mountain views – to St. Johann im Pongau, followed by a 20 minute bus (number 530 – look for timetables here) or taxi ride up to Wagrain. It’s all straightforward and kid-friendly; no need for long transfers or faffing with car seats.
Read more about train travel to the Alps and how to book at this link
By car
If you’re hiring a car or driving your own, the journey is simple. Wagrain sits just off the A10 Tauern Autobahn, with well-signposted exits and mountain roads that are easy to navigate in summer. Parking is available at most hotels and guesthouses.
By air
Flying into Salzburg Airport is the quickest option if you’re coming from the UK or elsewhere in Europe. Flights run frequently in summer, and you can be in Wagrain just a couple of hours after landing. Some hotels will help organise transfers if needed, or you can hop on the train as above.
Free local transport with the Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket
Since 1 May 2025, all overnight guests in SalzburgerLand – including Wagrain – automatically receive the Guest Mobility Ticket from their accommodation, usually at check‑in or even during online pre-check‑in.
This ticket grants completely free and unlimited access to all public transport across the province for the entire duration of your stay; from arrival to departure. That includes city buses in Salzburg, regional trains, Postbuses, S-Bahn trains, and even long-distance ÖBB and Westbahn services within SalzburgerLand, with just a few exceptions (like night buses or special steam trains).
In practice, this means you can leave the car behind and travel stress-free and eco‑friendly between Wagrain, St. Johann, Salzburg city, and beyond – all at no extra cost.
Wagrain as part of a bigger Austrian summer adventure
One of the best things about Wagrain is how well it fits into a wider family holiday in the Austrian Alps. Whether you’re planning a full two week trip or just a long weekend, it pairs perfectly with nearby valleys, mountain trails, and cultural stops.
If you’re keen to try hut to hut hiking with kids, Wagrain is ideally placed at the edge of the Grossarl Valley – also known as the Tal der Almen (Valley of Mountain Huts). Some family-friendly routes even finish right at Wagraini’s Grafenberg, which makes it the perfect reward for little legs after a few days on the trail. I’ve already written up one Grossarl hike (more suitable for adults as the days are quite long), and have more family-suitable options coming soon.
Hiking up from Karteis on day 1
Tappenkarseehütte, Großarl
Fancy a bit of city culture before or after your mountain escape? Salzburg is an easy add-on; just over an hour away by train or car, with it’s child-friendly fortress, lovely pedestrianised streets, and excellent strudel. Or head east to explore Eben im Pongau (where we stayed on a working farm), and Filzmoos, both of which have hiking and traditional alpine charm without the tourist crush.
Family Friendly Filzmoos hut to hut hike – read the full blog post and plan it yourself here
If your family’s into cycling, the long distance Tauernradweg (cycle path) runs through the region and offers a scenic, mostly traffic-free ride past waterfalls, gorges, and mountain villages. I’ve cycled it with kids and can confirm it’s as fun as it sounds; even if you’re not a Lycra family!
Wagrain works beautifully as a base or a stopover. It’s the kind of place that keeps things simple without feeling boring, and leaves you with options for whatever shape your summer holiday takes, without needing to plan or book loads of activities in advance.
Why Wagrain with kids might just be your new favourite summer base
If you’re planning a summer trip to the Austrian Alps with kids, Wagrain delivers. It’s simple to get to, full of things to do, and compact enough that you’re never far from the action (or the pool).
Wagraini’s Grafenberg is one of the best mountain playgrounds I’ve seen, and the outdorr pool offers a reliable and fun cool-down after a day on the trails. Add in gentle hiking options, practical places to stay, and the new Guest Mobility Ticket that makes public transport completely free; and you’ve got the makings of a super fun Alpine adventure.
If you’re feeling curious about exploring the Salzburger province this summer, Wagrain is a solid place to start — or a perfect midpoint in a longer trip. And if you’re already picturing your kids on that cable car, head over to my Instagram reel or YouTube video to see exactly what Wagraini’s Grafenberg is all about.
