Tyrolean Unterland

The Tyrolean Unterland lies east of Innsbruck in Austria’s Tyrol region. It includes the districts of Schwaz, Kufstein and Kitzbühel. The landscape is shaped by the Inn valley and the surrounding Alps. Towns such as Hall in Tirol, Schwaz and Wörgl sit beside the river. Rattenberg, the smallest town in the province, sits on the Inn’s left bank. Kufstein and Kitzbühel are well known for their winter sports and old towns. The Unterland is recognised for its Central Austro-Bavarian dialect, different from the South Austro-Bavarian spoken west of the Zillertal. A person from Schwaz may travel to Kufstein and feel they have entered the Unterland. Yet Schwaz itself lies between Innsbruck and the Unterland. The region’s three districts form part of the European Union’s NUTS classification group AT335. Visitors find a mix of historic towns and alpine scenery. Hall in Tirol has a medieval old town and saltworks museum. Schwaz was once a rich silver-mining town and still shows its heritage. Rattenberg’s narrow streets and artisan workshops date back centuries. Wörgl sits at the junction of rail and road routes through the valley. Kufstein’s fortress overlooks the town and the Inn. Kitzbühel’s cobbled lanes lead to shops and cafés beside the ski lifts.