The best farms in Austria 2026: All top 3 come from Austria!

Austrian farms set standards in the Alpine region. The results of the Top Farm Award 2026 speak for themselves: 28 of the 50 award-winning farms are located in Austria. An even more impressive testament to Austrian quality: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place all went to farms between Tyrol and Styria.

The award is based on hard facts. Over 760,000 guest reviews from four leading portals were analyzed. The result shows: Austrian hosts know their craft. They combine centuries-old farming traditions with a keen understanding of modern holiday needs. From the Tyrolean mountains to Salzburg's ski resorts and Carinthia's lakes, the award-winning establishments offer authentic experiences of the highest standard.

The top 10 farms in Austria 2026

These ten Austrian farms have risen to the top thanks to outstanding guest reviews:

1. Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt (Kirchdorf, Tyrol) - 1st place overall - Top family farm
2. Irxner Mountain Farm (Schladming, Styria) - 2nd place overall - Top Dog Farm
3. Perfeldhof holiday apartments (Hinterglemm, Salzburg) - 3rd place overall
4. Maurachgut organic farm (Bad Hofgastein, Salzburg) - 7th place overall
5. Steinerbauer (Flachau, Salzburg) - 9th place overall
6. Oberbichlhof Apartments & Farm (Sankt Johann im Pongau, Salzburg) - 10th place overall
7. Mountain farm family paradise Oberhasenberghof (Taxenbach, Salzburg) - 12th place overall
8. Stranger Leitengut - Eckwald (Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Salzburg) - 13th place overall
9. Tofererhof (Bad Hofgastein, Salzburg) - 17th place overall
10. Landhaus Bender (Straden, Styria) - 21st place overall

The federal states of Salzburg with 12 farms, Carinthia with 7 farms, Tyrol with 4 and Styria with 3 farms are particularly well represented.

The top 3 Austrian winners in detail

1st place: Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt (Tyrol)

The Furtherwirt inn in Kirchdorf am Kitzbühel not only won gold in the Austrian rankings, but also established itself as a top international establishment. Wolfgang Hagsteiner runs the organic farm in its sixth generation and has transformed the traditional Tyrolean farm into a sophisticated family paradise.

The figures are impressive: 450 square meters of childcare in the Happy Club, a private riding stable with Icelandic horses, a natural bathing lake with a sandy beach, and a children's ski school right next to the hotel. In addition, there's a wellness area that will satisfy even discerning adults. The all-inclusive concept includes five meals a day, all certified organic.

Remarkable: the trend towards short stays. More and more families are booking just one night, combined with early arrival and late departure. They want to experience the farm in depth, not just pass through. A new generation of guests who prioritize quality over quantity. The Furtherwirt has responded to this and now offers flexible booking options.

2nd place: Irxner mountain farm (Styria)

In 2025, Johannes Höflehner of the Irxner mountain farm in Schladming made a bold decision: converting rooms with half-board into self-catering apartments. The reaction of his regular guests surprised him. Many asked anxiously: Will the good food still be available? The answer reassured him: The kitchen with half-board would remain, just with more flexibility.

The Irxner mountain farm is situated at an altitude of 1,100 meters with direct views of the Dachstein and Schladminger Tauern mountains. The conservatory is the heart of the house. Here, guests enjoy breakfast with panoramic views and relax after hikes or days on the slopes. The peace and vastness of the mountains seem to flow right into the house.

For dog owners, the Irxner farm is a godsend. Four-legged friends are welcome everywhere, including the restaurant. The expansive meadows surrounding the farm offer ideal terrain for long walks. It's no wonder the farm was awarded the title of best dog-friendly farm in 2026. The Höflehner family runs the farm, now in its second generation, and embodies hospitality for both two-legged and four-legged guests .

3rd place: Perfeldhof holiday apartments (Salzburg)

Wolfgang Gensbichler from the Perfeldhof in Saalbach-Hinterglemm observes a paradoxical trend: His guests praise the fast Wi-Fi, but hardly use it. Instead, they consciously put their mobile phones away. Digital detox at 1,200 meters above sea level. The mountains as an antidote to sensory overload.

The Perfeldhof's location is unrivaled: ski-in and ski-out directly at the Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski area. Hit the slopes in the morning, relax in the sauna in the evening. The panoramic wellness area, overlooking the Glemm Valley, has become a haven for weary skiers and hikers. It features a Finnish sauna, infrared cabin, and a relaxation room with valley views.

Innovation 2025: The farm refrigerator. Guests help themselves to what they need: eggs, milk, bacon, jam – all from the farm itself. Honesty and trust as a business model. The response has been overwhelming. Many guests say that this is exactly what's missing in everyday life. The Perfeldhof farm is run by the fourth generation and demonstrates that tradition and modernity don't have to be opposites.

What makes Austrian farms so special?

The award-winning Austrian farms differ fundamentally from ordinary holiday accommodations. Four characteristics stand out:

Generational continuity as a guarantee of quality

Top Austrian farms are often run by the same family for centuries. The Furtherwirt inn has been family-owned for six generations, with some of its farms documented as far back as 1527. This continuity means more than just preserving tradition. It guarantees profound knowledge of the land, animals, and weather. Each generation adds new skills without abandoning the foundation. Grandchildren are taught how to sharpen scythes and simultaneously navigate social media.

Alpine geography as a natural advantage

Most of the award-winning farms are situated between 800 and 1,500 meters above sea level. This altitude provides clear air, stunning views, and a wide range of activities. In summer, cows graze on alpine meadows, while in winter, snow lingers until sometimes May. The mountains shape not only the landscape but also the people. Those who live here develop a respect for the forces of nature and a sense of humility before the changing seasons. Guests experience this attitude in their interactions and when participating in farm activities.

Quality awareness through structures

Austria has an umbrella organization, "Farm Holidays," that sets and monitors standards. Certifications such as Bio Austria, Farm Holidays, and regional quality seals create a sense of obligation. The top farms have invested heavily in recent years: wellness areas with Swiss pine wood, modern holiday apartments in alpine design, professional childcare, and more. As guest expectations continue to rise, the farms' offerings are also evolving.

Direct marketing as a philosophy

Many top Austrian farms produce some of their own food. Milk, eggs, meat, bread, and jam come from their own farm or from neighboring farms. The farm refrigerator at Perfeldhof exemplifies this approach: take what you need, pay what's fair. Organic farms offering accommodation are on the rise, not as a marketing gimmick, but out of conviction. Guests can taste the difference.

Top Austrian farms by federal state

Salzburg: The leader with 12 top farms

Salzburg's dominance in the ranking comes as no surprise. The province, nestled between the bathing lakes in the north and the Hohe Tauern mountain range, combines mountain scenery, ski resorts, and cultural landscapes in a compact area. The 10 award-winning farms are spread from the Salzburg Lake District through the Salzburg Saalachtal valley to the Glemmtal valley. The Pinzgau region, with Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Zell am See, and the Hohe Tauern National Park, is particularly attractive to farm holidaymakers. The combination of high alpine terrain and gentle alpine pastures offers something for everyone. Salzburg farms also score points with their excellent infrastructure and professional service, without losing their authentic rural charm.

Top farms in Salzburg: Perfeldhof holiday apartments (3rd place), Maurachgut organic farm (7th place), Steinerbauer - holiday at the organic children's farm (9th place), Oberbichlhof apartments & farm (10th place), Oberhasenberghof family paradise mountain farm (12th place), Stranger Leitengut - Eckwald (13th place), Tofererhof (17th place), Wengerbauer - Hofer family (26th place), Arnoldgut children's farm (28th place), Reithof holiday complex (30th place), Hauserhof (43rd place), Tobhartbauer (47th place)

Carinthia: Lakes and Wellness (7 Top Farms)

Carinthia's 7 top farms benefit from the region's unique lake landscape. Lake Wörthersee, Lake Millstatt, Lake Weissensee, and Lake Faaker See are often just a short drive away. The mild climate makes Carinthia the sunniest region in Austria. Carinthian farms specialize in wellness and relaxation. Many offer saunas, massages, and relaxation rooms with lake views. The combination of warm weather for swimming, mountains for hiking, and rustic charm is particularly appealing to couples and those seeking tranquility. The Carinthian dialect and relaxed mentality further enhance the overall experience.

Top Carinthian farms: Berghotel Presslauer (ranked 23rd), nawu apartments**** & Restaurant, the new lightness of holidays (ranked 32nd), Hauserhof am Goldberg (ranked 35th), Berggasthof Pension Lahnerhof (ranked 38th), Ferienhof Neusacher-Moser (ranked 40th), Ferienhof Obergasser & Pension Bergblick (ranked 44th), Bio- und Vitalbauernhof Bacherhof (ranked 45th)

Tyrol: Alpine excellence with the overall winner (4 top farms)

While Tyrol may lag behind Salzburg and Carinthia in terms of the number of top-rated farms (four), the quality is absolutely convincing. With the Furtherwirt, Tyrol boasts the overall winner, making it the best farm in the entire Alpine region. Tyrolean farms focus on alpine authenticity combined with high comfort. Many are located directly on ski slopes or offer access to major ski areas like Wilder Kaiser-Brixental or Zillertal. The Tyrolean mountain landscape is more dramatic than elsewhere, the peaks higher, the valleys deeper. This scenery profoundly shapes the holiday experience.

Top Tyrolean farms: Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt (ranked 1st), Berghotel Marlstein (ranked 33rd), Stiedlhof (ranked 41st), Feriengut Unterhochstätt (ranked 42nd)

Styria: Authentic country life (3 top farms)

Styria is rightly known as the Green Heart of Austria. The three award-winning farms are nestled in rolling hills, surrounded by vineyards, orchards, forests, or in the Alps. Styrian farms place a strong emphasis on culinary delights and regional products. Pumpkin seed oil, Schilcher wine, scarlet runner beans, and traditional Styrian dishes are standard fare. With the Irxner farm, Styria boasts the second-best farm in the entire ranking. The region scores points for its authenticity rather than mass tourism, for a genuine farm atmosphere rather than overly ambitious wellness resorts.

Top Styrian farms: Irxner (2nd place), Landhaus Bender (21st place), Leitenhof (29th place), Höningshof (39th place)

Upper Austria and Vorarlberg (2 top farms)

Upper Austria and Vorarlberg complete Austria's success story with two more top farms. Upper Austria scores points with its proximity to the German border and attracts primarily Bavarian guests. The farms in the Mühlviertel region offer rolling hills and a true sense of relaxation, as does the Furtmühle farm, ranked 36th. Vorarlberg, on Lake Constance, combines the Austrian mountains with Alemannic culture. The farms there benefit from their proximity to the Bregenzerwald forest and its traditional cheese dairies. The Landerleben farm, ranked 25th, is also located in the Bregenzerwald. Both regions demonstrate that excellent farm holiday options are available even away from the main tourist routes.

Trends on Austrian farms in 2026

From watching to participating

Top Austrian farms are experiencing a renaissance of active farm life. Guests no longer want to be passive spectators. They milk cows under supervision, collect eggs in the henhouse, and help with the hay harvest. City children, in particular, are discovering that milk doesn't come from a carton. The hosts are responding with organized farm tours, hands-on programs, and explanations of the rhythms of farm life. This development is more than just a trend—it reflects the growing need for authentic experiences in an increasingly digital world.

Spontaneity instead of a week's vacation

The traditional week-long farm stay, from Saturday to Saturday, is declining. Austria's top farms are seeing a significant increase in short stays. Families are booking for three nights, couples are coming for a long weekend, and some are even staying for just 24 hours. The Furtherwirt farm is responding with flexible check-in and check-out times. Other farms are offering short break packages with intensive programs. The underlying message: quality trumps quantity; enriching experiences are more important than long stays.

Sauna meets barnyard smell

Austria is reinventing the combination of farm and wellness. The Perfeldhof farm boasts a panoramic sauna with views of the Glemmtal mountains, while other farms are focusing on relaxation rooms made of Swiss pine or natural bathing lakes. This development is not a denial of their farming roots, but rather a contemporary interpretation of them. After a day on the alpine pasture or in the barn, guests want to unwind. The contrast between physical work and restorative relaxation is deliberately staged and appreciated by guests.

Biodiversity as an educational mission

Many top Austrian farms increasingly see themselves as ambassadors for biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. They demonstrate how extensive farming works, explain crop rotation and green manure. Guests learn which wild herbs grow in the meadows and why wildflower strips are important. Organic farms open their barns and explain species-appropriate animal husbandry. This educational aspect is not a burdensome obligation, but is actively sought after by guests. Sustainability is transforming from an abstract concept into a tangible experience.

Additional awards for Austrian farms

In addition to the overall rankings, three special categories were awarded. All three awards went to Austrian companies:

• Top Family Farm 2026: Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt (Kirchdorf, Tyrol) - The overall winner particularly impresses families with its 450 square meter children's club, natural bathing lake and professional childcare.
• Top dog-friendly farm 2026: Irxner mountain farm (Schladming, Styria) - Four-legged friends are welcome everywhere here; the extensive alpine meadows offer perfect conditions for holidays with dogs.
• Top wellness farm 2026: Berghotel Presslauer (Jenig, Carinthia) - Wellness at 1,600 meters above sea level with panoramic views over the Carinthian mountains.

These categories showcase the breadth of Austrian offerings: from perfect family infrastructure to pet-friendly hosts and wellness oases in the mountains.

Frequently asked questions about Austria's top farms

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From Tyrol to Carinthia, from Salzburg to Styria: Austria's best farms are waiting for you and your family!

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