Schladming holidays

Ramsau Beach is a large bathing lake and amusement area. There are sprawling lawns and people often come here to play volleyball and football or practice trampolining.

Lake Pichl is a quiet haven, and has a children's adventure playground, table tennis, a spacious sunbathing area and a snack bar.

There's a monthly farmers' market held at Naturpark, a short walk out of town. Browse products like smoked meats, sausages, breads and honey.

Schladming has a few shops selling casual clothing and sportswear, and you'll find a store selling shoes and handbags too.

If you just want to relax, stop at a café to pick up an ice-cream to enjoy as you take an evening stroll around town.

There are a few modern bars in Schladming selling craft beers and bites to eat. The town also has a night club that stays open to the early hours.

With all the walking you'll be doing, you'll need some hearty meals to keep your energy up. Despite its small size, Schladming has around 40 restaurants. There are plenty of traditional places where you can sample the local specialities, but you can also find high-end eateries for a more sophisticated experience.

The Talbachschenke restaurant has been going strong for 400 years. The rustic interior makes it the perfect choice for a romantic meal. Cosy up as you cook your own meat on a hot stone, accompanied by homemade sauces, baked potatoes and fresh bread.

If you want a real escape, visit Waldhäuslalm, set right by the river and surrounded by the green rolling hills. Sit out on the sunny terrace and tuck into tasty local dishes, coffee and cake or a refreshing drink. And there's plenty to keep the kids entertained too, with a a mini zoo, boats, slides and more.

There are three main bus stations around town, so you won't have to go far. Local hiking buses are free with a Schladming summer card, and are excellent for reaching the many summer lifts in the area.

Lots of lifts in the area are free to use with a summer card, and most of them are open daily. Try the Planai gondola, Hochwurzen gondola, Preunegg Jet, Schladminger Tauern cable car, Dachstein Glacier lift and Rittisberg chairlift.

The train station is a 10-minute walk outside of town. From there, you can catch direct trains to Werfen (50 minutes) to visit the castle overlooking the town.

Schladming is a small place, so nothing in town is too far to walk to. It's mostly flat and the centre is pedestrianised, so it's very easy to get around on foot. There's a slight uphill walk to the Hotel Ferienalm, as it's elevated above the town.

Schladming is a great area for a walking holiday. You can discover beautiful Alpine meadows, thick forests and impressive rock falls. A must-do is the leisurely walk along the Talbach gorge to the Untertal Valley.

If you'd like to spend a day walking, take the bus to the village of Haus im Ennstal and then take the cable car up to the top. There's a path to the summit, and you can take your time to enjoy the views. Stop for well-earned refreshments at a mountain hut.

This hike takes about four hours, but it's mostly downhill and the views are spectacular. Start by taking the Planai gondola to the top and then follow the panoramic path around the summit to Krahbergsattel. This is a great spot for a picnic before you begin your descent. You can catch the bus back to Schladming from the Gasthof Tetter.