The medieval old town of Rattenberg on the river Inn

City trip to Rattenberg from Lake Achensee

Austria’s smallest town, just a short drive away

Julia & Madleine·5 min read

About 30 minutes by car from Lake Achensee lies Rattenberg — with barely 400 inhabitants officially the smallest town in Austria, yet home to one of the loveliest medieval old towns in the entire Inn valley.

Mouth-blown glass from the glass workshops in Rattenberg
The glass town

Hands-on glass art at Kisslinger Kristall-Glas

Rattenberg has been known for its glass art for centuries, and at Kisslinger Kristall-Glas you can watch mouth-blown glass being made at the furnace. Across more than 1,200 m² in two buildings there is mouth-blown glass, crystal trophies, engraved and cut glass and a Swarovski shop to discover — entry to the shopping area is free.

Address: Südtirolerstraße 24, 6240 Rattenberg

Guided tour
from € 6
Duration
60–90 min
Opening hours
Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Shopping
Free entry

Good to know: From May to October you can blow your own glass bauble on Mondays and Fridays (1–4:30 p.m.) — no booking needed, € 18 per person.

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Medieval townhouses in the old town of Rattenberg
Old town & castle ruin

Medieval lanes and the view from the Schlossberg

The old town consists of carefully restored medieval townhouses — among them the Nagelschmiedhäuser, thought to date back to the 12th century and today home to a museum of craftsmanship. High above sits the castle ruin on the Schlossberg: the climb takes only about 5 minutes and rewards you with views of the town, the Inn and the Tyrolean mountains.

Climb
approx. 5 min
View
Town, river, mountains
Open
all year
Admission
free

Tip: Wheelchair users can get up via a lift in the Malerwinkel.

Fun fact: In winter the Schlossberg blocks direct sunlight from the town — in 2005 there were even plans for rotating mirrors to reflect light in. They were never built.

The Rattenberg Advent by candlelight in the old town
In winter

The Rattenberg Advent: candlelight instead of a Christmas market

Instead of market stalls and fairy lights, the Rattenberg Advent sees the town’s own shops open their doors — among them the traditional glass workshops. The entire medieval old town is lit only by candles, torches and open fires: one of the quietest and most atmospheric Advent events in all of Tyrol.

Dates 2026
21 & 28 Nov, 5, 12 & 19 Dec
From
from 2:30 p.m.
Lighting
candles & torches only

Good to know: Since the year 2000 Rattenberg has deliberately done without a conventional Christmas market — which is what makes Advent here so remarkably peaceful.

Good to know

Getting there
From Achenkirch, Rattenberg is about 30 minutes away by car — half a day is plenty for the old town, the glass workshops and a coffee break.
Nearby
If you have time to spare: the Tiefenbachklamm gorge, the four Kramsach lakes (including the Reintalersee for swimming) and, in winter, the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area are all just minutes away.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Rattenberg from Lake Achensee?+

About 30 minutes by car from Achenkirch.

Why is Rattenberg called Austria’s smallest town?+

Rattenberg has only around 400 inhabitants and about 10 hectares of land — and still holds official town status.

When is the Rattenberg Advent in 2026?+

On five Saturdays: 21 and 28 November and 5, 12 and 19 December 2026, each from 2:30 p.m. — entirely without electric light, only candles and torches.

“Austria’s smallest town — but with some of the greatest charm: an afternoon in Rattenberg feels like a little journey through time.”

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— yours, Julia & Madleine

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