Kitzbühel, Tirol: In the Footsteps of Hansi Hinterseer, Kitzbuhel, Austria

My dear grandmother is a huge fan of Austrian schlager singer Hansi Hinterseer and has been for many years. While we were in Austria last summer, my parents and I thought it would be fun to surprise her with a visit to his hometown.

Hansi grew up in the town of Kitzbühel, nestled beneath his beloved Tyrolean Alps. He often mentions the place where he grew up in his songs and interviews; the high mountains, the four seasons, the quiet lifestyle, how his childhood was rooted in nature. The area is also frequently featured in his music videos, so my grandmother knew it well even before we took her there.

The look on her face when we told her where we were, after our long two-hour drive from Sesselebene, was invaluable. Worth every kilometre.

What we discovered in Kitzbühel was much more than “just” the home of a folk music hero, it was also a gorgeous city with a well-preserved historic centre.

Although Kitzbühel is an internationally renowned ski resort catering mostly to wealthy ski tourists, there is plenty to experience if you’re not into skiing – or if you’re visiting during the summer like we were. The town’s old centre is found within the streets of Vorderstadt and Hinterstadt where brightly coloured medieval houses line the cobbled streets. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).