Sprawling along the right bank of the Lech River, Reutte is an Austrian market town surrounded by the soaring peaks of the Lechtaler Alps. It is located on the Roman-built Via Claudia Augusta that connected Italy to Germany and is on the doorstep of impressive castle and fortress ruins dating back to the 13th century.
Things to do in Reutte
In the heart of Reutte is the Museum Grünes Haus, which occupies a late 16th-century residence that is dedicated to showcasing the local history. Learn about the industries that shaped the region and the first gondola to access Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze, then browse the changing exhibitions highlighting Austrian artists.
Reutte makes an ideal base for exploring the medieval ruins of Ehrenberg Castle, which was constructed in 1296, complete with imposing towers and defensive walls. This Gothic landmark was once home to emperors and kings and later became the exile place of Tsarevich Alexei while fleeing his father, Tsar Peter the Great. A 403-metre-long pedestrian suspension bridge links Ehrenberg Castle to Fort Claudia, which played an important role in the reconquest of Ehrenberg in 1546.
Also nearby is the Schlosskopf Fortress, which was constructed in 1741 to defend Ehrenberg and was abandoned less than 50 years later. A short hiking trail leads to its remains, from where there are spectacular views across the Lech River valley. The Ehrenberg complex comes to life during the annual Ritterspiel, a medieval festival that includes parades and jousting matches.
Getting around Reutte
Reutte is just 20 minutes’ drive from Füssen in neighbouring Germany and 1.5 hours from Innsbruck. Innsbruck Airport is also 1.5 hours away and has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from both Innsbruck and Munich to the Reutte in Tirol railway station and buses travel throughout Reutte.