DORNBIRN, AUSTRIA FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS

GUESTPOST BY TANJA FROM A STUDENT’S CLOSET
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have you ever been to a city where you can reach three different countries in just half an hour each?

if not, you definitely have to visit dornbirn!

dornbirn may not be vorarlberg’s capital city, but it is the biggest city of vorarlberg. and by big, i mean big for a small federal state like vorarlberg. we are literally talking about 45.000 inhabitants. however, i feel very lucky to have been growing up in a beautiful small village in the countryside with dornbirn just ten minutes away by car. also switzerland, liechtenstein and germany can be rached from dornbin easily within 30 minutes by car.

for me, this city has always been vorarlberg’s “true capital” and I will now let you know why.

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LOCAL FOOD

there are quite a few really good restaurants in bornbirn, but one definitely stands out to me. not because of the delicious food, but because of the incredible view you have while enjoying your meal. The PANORAMARESTAURANT KARREN is situated 976m / 3,202ft above the city. it is accessible by cable cars or – for those of you who enjoy doing some exercise – by foot. when reaching the top, you will have to stop for a minute and just take in what lies at your feet. on clear days you can even see the swiss mountains! i would recommend booking a table beforehand, especially on weekends.

© PANORAMARESTAURANT KARREN

© PANORAMARESTAURANT KARREN

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COFFEE & SWEET TREATS

starbucks & co haven’t reach Vorarlberg yet, but that doesn’t bother anyone. if you want to enjoy a delicious chai latte or coffee with a yummy cake during a shopping break, you should check out CAFESITO – a small café in the center of dornbirn, where old and young meet. besides that, you should drink an aperol spritz in the famous CAFÉ STEINHAUSER on a warm saturday. steinhauser is located directly at dornbirn’s market place and this is probably the most beautiful place in the city.

© CAFESITO

© CAFESITO

© CAFÉ STEINHAUSER

© CAFÉ STEINHAUSER

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MUST-DOS

when visiting dornbirn i would recommend going for a walk in the beautiful area called RIED. you will find a lot of wildlife there and on sunny weekends lots of people are going for walks with their dogs there. it is a place where you can really calm down after a stressful week. if you are someone who likes to get pampered, definitely visit the PANORAMAHAUS opposite vorarlberg’s biggest shopping center. it is a beautiful modern hotel, but you can also just enjoy one day at the spa there. besides that, dornbirn has to offer some cool museums like the ROLLS-ROYCE MUSEUM or the INATURA where you can experience nature up close.

© http://www.auf-guten-wegen.blogspot.co.at

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THINGS TO DO FOR FREE

for all of those adventurous people out there – go hiking through the RAPPENLOCHSCHLUCHT. nature unfolds its true beauty here and you don’t even have to spend money here! you walk right through the canyon for about two hours and will see some fascinating waterfalls and dripstones. but don’t forget so pack some good shoes and prepare yourself for some muscle aching on the next day!

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I hope to see you in dornbirn soon!

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THIS POST IS PART OF MY “AUSTRIA FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS” SERIES AND WAS WRITTEN BY MY WONDERFUL COLLEGE FRIEND AND VORARLBERG NATIVE TANJA FROM A STUDENT’S CLOSET. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE GREAT POST!