VAYA Traveltrend
Holiday like the locals do
Today, travelling means more than just ticking off sights or tourist highlights. More and more people are looking for a genuine connection to a place. Not just seeing places, but feeling the vibe. Not just consuming, but understanding. This is particularly exciting in Tyrol and Salzburg. These regions are not only attractive in summer and winter, but also offer a wealth of opportunities in the off-season. When the crowds have gone, windows into real life open up. And even in the high season, with the right tips, you can find places where the locals relax, far away from the tourist crowds.
Tips
Holiday like a local in the mountains: 3 tip
A true “local moment” often begins where no guidebook will take you. It might be a visit to a weekly market or simply hopping on the regional bus. Especially in the quieter months, it’s even easier to slip into the rhythm of life like a true Tyrolean or Salzburger. With the big crowds gone, you’ll have more time for chats with locals, you’ll find a table in a cosy inn without a wait, and you can enjoy markets or village festivals without the hustle and bustle.
Here are a few tried-and-tested tips to help you see places through the eyes of those who call them home.
#1 Why travel off-season? Because less really can be more
Picture this: you hike up to a mountain lake and find it completely still. No chatter, no queues at the summit cross, no circling for a parking spot in the valley. Just you, the sparkle of the water, and the gentle chime of cowbells in the distance. That tranquillity is what makes the off-season so special.
It’s also a delicious time of year. Mountain huts are quieter, hosts have more time to talk, and you might even leave with a personal tip for your next outing. That’s how a holiday becomes more personal – and more authentic.
That said, “local moments” aren’t limited to the off-season. With the right insider tips, you can find them any time of year: a little-known alpine hut, a hidden side valley, or a village inn where nearly everyone is a regular. Off-season makes it easier, but those moments are always there to be found.
#2 Taste the region: eating like the locals do
Tyrol and Salzburg are about much more than Kaiserschmarrn. Ask your hosts where they go when they’re off work, and you’ll often discover little guesthouses that thrive purely on word of mouth. The quality speaks for itself. A few must-tries:
- Tiroler Gröstl with crisp cabbage salad (a typical potato dish with meat)
- Pinzgauer Kasnocken, served sizzling in a cast-iron pan (a traditional dish with a type of pasta baked with cheese)
- Homemade schnapps, best tasted in a small local distillery
And if you’re staying in one of our VAYA resorts, you’ll get the very best insider tips from our team. Many of them grew up right here and know exactly where you can still find an authentic village evening.
#3 Step into everyday life: how to get closer to the locals
Holidaying like a local means changing your perspective. It’s not just about ticking off the classic highlights, but about feeling everyday life. And that’s easier than you think:
- Visit local markets. You’ll find cheese, bread and fruit straight from the producers – and even better, you’ll have the chance to chat with the people who make them. Ask where the mountain cheese comes from or which meadow the herbs were picked in. You’ll hear stories no guidebook ever shares.
- Eat where the locals eat. A village bakery or the inn on the main square will tell you more about the local way of life than any tourist hotspot (more on this in a moment).
- Hop on public transport. Take the same bus or train as schoolchildren and commuters, and you’ll instantly slip into the region’s rhythm.
- Go with the flow. Don’t plan every minute of your stay. Leave space for chance encounters: a village festival, a chat with your waiter, a spontaneous invitation. These are the moments you’ll remember long after you’ve gone home.
- Learn a few words of German, even some dialect if you can. A simple “Griaß di” in Tyrol or a cheerful “Servas” in Salzburg (both of them simply mean “Hello” opens doors – and will earn you more smiles than you’d expect.
Tips
Holidays in Tyrol like a local
Life in Tyrol is often simple, close to nature – and full of flavour. If you’re in St. Anton or Galtür, start your morning like a local with Schwarzbrot spread with butter and topped with alpine cheese. At lunchtime, people gather in small, no-frills inns for hearty dishes such as Tiroler Gröstl or Kaspressknödel. In the evening, things get a little more indulgent: a platter of farmhouse bacon with fresh bread, or a game speciality from the local hunt.
And here are a few tips to explore Tyrol off the beaten track:
- Achensee: Locals often cycle around the lake early in the morning, before the day-trippers arrive and the shoreline is still quiet.
- Aschau in the Zillertal: The quiet Aschau high valley is a real insider tip – few tourists, untouched nature and rustic huts that mainly serve locals.
- Fieberbrunn: Hidden above the ski area are small alpine huts and hiking paths that barely anyone else knows.
- Sölden: Instead of sticking to the famous glacier pistes, locals love ski touring routes into the side valleys.
- Seefeld: After work, many head into the Karwendel mountains for a short evening stroll – usually with no one else around.
- Galtür: Away from the Silvretta High Alpine Road, a valley trail leads into the Jamtal. In autumn, locals forage for mushrooms here or enjoy the first snowfall in peace.
- Elbigenalp in the Lechtal: Woodcarving has a long tradition here. Instead of souvenir shops, you’ll find small workshops where artisans still practise their craft – and often happily chat about it.
- Gerlos: Many visitors only know the ski arena, but in summer locals head to the Schwarzach Valley – a natural paradise with waterfalls and picnic spots that remains largely undiscovered.
- Kühtai: Beyond the well-known ski slopes, locals set off on gentle winter hikes towards the Dreiseenhütte. It’s often almost completely quiet up there.
- Ladis: A hidden gem above the village are the sulphur springs. For generations, locals have used them as healing waters – a living piece of Tyrolean tradition.
- Nauders: Right on the border with Italy and Switzerland, you’ll find ancient smuggler’s trails. Today they’re well-marked hikes that reward you with views hardly anyone else has seen.
- Obergurgl: While many skiers flock towards Hochgurgl, locals prefer the quieter pistes served by the Festkogel lift – with huts that feel far less crowded.
- Pfunds: In summer, the Tscheywiesen are a place of absolute stillness. Almost unknown to tourists, these wide mountain meadows are a favourite local escape.
- Serfaus: While visitors stay on the Komperdell, locals slip away to the Panorama Genussweg in the late afternoon. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sun set in peace.
- St. Anton: Instead of taking the Valluga lifts, locals head into side valleys like the Verwall. Ideal for relaxed hikes or bike tours away from the buzz.
Tips
Holidays in Salzburg like a local
The people of Salzburg live with a blend of alpine ease and urban culture. In Zell am See or Kaprun, breakfast is often kept simple: a bread roll with jam and a coffee to start the day. At lunchtime, Kasnocken are a favourite, and in the evening you’ll likely find locals with a beer in the village inn, where everyone knows each other.
Here are a few tips to explore Salzburg off the beaten track:
- Zell am See: While visitors stroll along the lakeside promenade, locals hop on their bikes and head into the Schmittenhöhe area – usually with no queues in sight.
- Kaprun: For many locals, the Kitzsteinhorn is more than just a ski resort. In spring, they hike up to the sunny terraces, even while snow still lingers higher up.
- Saalbach: Instead of sticking to the well-known après-ski bars, you’ll find locals at small snack huts or celebrating at a traditional village music festival.
VAYA
Holidays like a local: apps, that can make it happen
The best insider tips often come offline – in a chat at the market or a friendly conversation at the VAYA reception. Still, digital helpers can make it easier to explore beyond the tourist trails. These apps are especially handy for Tyrol and Salzburg:
- Meetup: Great for joining locals in shared activities – from guided hikes and cooking sessions to live music evenings.
- HelloTalk: Learn German in real conversations. Picking up a few phrases like Servus or Pfiat di will instantly make you more approachable.
- Komoot: Ideal for hikes and bike tours. You can search specifically for quieter routes and discover trails that only locals tend to use. Also see our own VAYA Komoot collection for inspiration.
- Bergfex / Outdooractive: Essential in the Alps. Both apps give you routes with difficulty levels, altitude profiles and reviews – and often point you towards peaceful alternatives to the busy hotspots.
- Too Good To Go: A sustainable way to enjoy local food. Many bakeries and restaurants in Tyrol and Salzburg offer surplus meals at a reduced price through the app – a favourite with students and young locals alike.
- Eventbrite: Perfect for finding small-scale cultural events, readings or concerts – and for seeing where Salzburgers or Tyroleans really spend their evenings.
Summary
Why VAYA is a perfect fit for this trend
Our resorts are set right in the heart of the regions where real life happens. Not tucked away, but part of it all. At VAYA you don’t just sleep – you live like a local for a few days. Your breakfast tastes of the region, your evenings might be spent in the village or by the fire. That’s why VAYA is the perfect starting point for your “holiday like a local”.
Holiday like a local with VAYA
Holidaying like a local isn’t just a trend – it’s a mindset. In a world that keeps getting faster, the desire for authenticity grows stronger. Tyrol and Salzburg are the perfect places to find it – in the quieter months, but also in high season, if you know where to look. Fewer tourists, more space for real encounters.
So pack your curiosity, take your time, try something new and stay open. Your VAYA holiday will become more than just a trip – it will turn into a memory that lasts.
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