Five Things To Do On a Rainy Sunday in Vorarlberg, Austria
Vorarlberg, the westernmost region of Austria, offers an unending supply of outdoor activities and some of the most gorgeous views.
On Sundays almost everyone partakes in the national pastime of hiking or skiing.
But what about when it’s raining and your plans to take to the mountains have been thwarted?
No worries, you might think. We’ll just go shopping or explore the city.
This is normally a great backup plan. Unless, of course, it’s Sunday. One of the first things you’ll learn in Austria is: everything closes on Sundays. Forget last minute grocery or clothes shopping, you should’ve planned ahead!
What’s a tourist to do?
While I still haven’t exactly figured out what local Austrians do on rainy Sundays (besides staying warm and dry indoors next to their Kachelofen!), I have discovered some well-kept secrets that will keep your rainy Sunday in Vorarlberg just as busy as any day spent sending it down the slopes.
So grab your umbrella and let’s get to it. ☔️
1. Museum it up
In Bregenz, check out the vorarlberg museum to learn about the region’s history or Kunsthaus Bregenz for the latest contemporary art installation. Or, if you’re into castles and knights and lords, check out the Schattenburg Museum in Feldkirch (and enjoy some delicious, giant schnitzel in their restaurant afterwards). Bring an extra sweater, though, because the museum is not heated. If cars or science are your jam, head to Dornbirn to visit the Rolls-Royce museum. There’s also the inatura museum in Dornbirn–a museum about nature, humans, and technology. It’s also kid friendly! One last great museum to explore is the Jewish Museum in Hohenems. All these museums are open on Sundays, so there is plenty to keep you busy!
2. Cafe it up
After you’ve spent several hours in a museum, there’s nothing better than a hot cappuccino to avoid going back out into the drizzly cold. Fortunately, there are a few cafes in Vorarlberg that are still open on Sundays. Unlike in the States, they don’t mind if you stay for hours and hours chatting with your friend over a coffee and slice of cake, so settle in! Some places I’d recommend include: Cafe Wunderbar in Bregenz (quirky and also offers a delicious brunch), the museusmscafe next door to Kunsthaus Bregenz, Cafe Z in Feldkirch, and Cafe April in Feldkirch (yummy and healthy–I’d highly recommend this last one).
3. Go rock climbing or swimming
Hey, who says a rainy day means you don’t get to be active? Dornbirn has a snazzy indoor rock climbing place, as well as a gorgeous indoor swimming pool, where you can sit in the sauna, go down an enclosed tunnel slide, and look out at the Karren while you swim. There’s also a great bouldering place in Bürs, where you can knock out a few hours, and another spa and swimming pool in Bludenz. If you’re going to get wet on a rainy day, at least have some fun splashing around!
4. Go see a film
There are a couple movie theaters in Vorarlberg, the main one being Cineplexx Hohenems in Hohenems. However, if you’re into lesser-known or indie films, check out Cinema Dornbirn or the RIO cinema in Feldkirch. The RIO cinema is also pretty cool because twice a month you can even combine Sunday brunch and a movie. Brunch and a movie? What could be better?!
5. Get Groceries
Okay, this is just some practical advice in case you’re out of toilet paper or have no food at home. I know I said the grocery stores are closed in Vorarlberg on Sundays (and they are!), but–if you’re desperate–the Sutterlüty at the Dornbirn train station is open on Sundays, so it works in a pinch! (There’s also one in Bregenz that’s open until around 3 p.m., which is also handy.) I gotchu. 🚽
Happy exploring and stay dry!
