The best farms of 2026: Top Farm Award winners from Austria, Germany & South Tyrol

Farm holidays are experiencing a remarkable resurgence. Families, couples, and nature lovers are seeking authentic experiences away from mass tourism. This is precisely where the Top Farm Award 2026 comes in: it recognizes the 50 most popular and best farms in Austria, Germany, and South Tyrol .

The award is based on a comprehensive evaluation of over 760,000 guest reviews from four leading review portals. The result clearly shows: quality, authenticity, and personal service are the decisive factors for an unforgettable farm holiday.

The top 10 farms of 2026 at a glance

These ten farms have risen to the top through outstanding reviews, special guest experiences and exceptional quality:

1. Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt (Kirchdorf, Tyrol) - Additional award: Top Family Farm
2. Irxner Mountain Farm (Schladming, Styria) - Additional award: Top Dog Farm
3. Perfeldhof holiday apartments (Hinterglemm, Salzburg)
4. Ferienhof Feinen (Fleringen, Rhineland-Palatinate)
5. Binterhof (Kastelruth, South Tyrol) - Additional award: Top Active Farm
6. Pfauenhof Estate (Utzerath, Rhineland-Palatinate)
7. Maurachgut organic farm (Bad Hofgastein, Salzburg)
8. Burgbauernhof am Katzenstein (Andenhausen, Thuringia)
9. Steinerbauer (Flachau, Salzburg)
10. Oberbichlhof Apartments & Farm (Sankt Johann im Pongau, Salzburg)

Of the 50 award-winning farms, 28 are from Austria, 17 from Germany, and 5 from Italy. This distribution reflects the strong tradition of farm holidays in the Alpine region and their growing popularity in the German low mountain ranges.

What will make the best farms in 2026?

The award-winning farms combine traditional farm atmosphere with modern comfort. Four key success factors emerge:

Authentic moments at the farm instead of staged scenes

Guests increasingly desire to actively participate in daily farm life. From feeding the animals and haymaking to collecting eggs, the best farms offer genuine insights into rural life. Families especially appreciate this close contact with animals and the personal interaction with their hosts.

Investments in experience and comfort

Many top farms have made targeted investments in their offerings. New playgrounds, modernized holiday apartments, and expanded petting zoos combine traditional farm charm with high-quality amenities. Comfort is paramount, without sacrificing authenticity.

Sustainability and regionality

Topics such as organic farming , regional products, and biodiversity are gaining increasing importance. Guests want to know where their food comes from and how farms manage nature and resources.

centuries-long tradition

Among the award-winning farms are numerous establishments with a long history. Some have been farmed since the 16th century and pass on their values ​​and experience through generations.

The top 3 winners in detail

1st place: Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt (Tyrol)

The Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt in Kirchdorf secured first place and was also awarded the title of best family farm of 2026. The organic farm, with its own riding stables, natural swimming area, and children's ski school right on the doorstep, offers a diverse year-round holiday program.

Particularly impressive is the professional childcare in the 450-square-meter Happy Club, complete with a soft play area, woodworking shop, and children's kitchen. Adults can relax in the spacious wellness area with various saunas and spa treatments. The all-inclusive premium concept includes a generous breakfast buffet, lunch, afternoon snack, and varied themed buffets in the evening.

A special guest request in 2025 surprised the family: short stays of just one night are becoming increasingly popular. Guests are specifically booking early arrivals and late departures to enjoy every moment on the farm. The farm is already in its sixth generation of family ownership and installed a new 180 kWp photovoltaic system in 2024.

2nd place: Irxner mountain farm (Styria)

The Irxner mountain farm in Schladming came in second place and received the additional award as the best dog-friendly farm of 2026. The farm is situated in a quiet mountain location with breathtaking views of the Hohe Tauern and Schladminger Tauern mountains.

Guests can choose between modern rooms and rustic apartments. A highlight is the conservatory with its panoramic views, offering impressive vistas in both summer and winter. In 2025, the accommodations were deliberately changed from rooms to apartments to provide greater comfort. The biggest concern for regular guests is the discontinuation of the popular half-board option. The good news: the warm and welcoming cuisine featuring regional products will remain.

The farm's dog-friendliness is particularly noteworthy. Four-legged friends are welcome everywhere and will find ideal conditions for a relaxing holiday with their dog on the farm .

3rd place: Perfeldhof holiday apartments (Salzburg)

The Perfeldhof holiday apartments in Saalbach-Hinterglemm came in third place. The farm offers comfortable holiday apartments right on the ski slope, ideal for families and winter sports enthusiasts.

In winter, guests benefit from direct access to the Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn ski area with true ski-in/ski-out . After an action-packed day on the slopes, the hotel's own panoramic wellness area with Finnish sauna, infrared cabin, and relaxation room provides the perfect place to unwind. The breathtaking view over the Glemm Valley is included.

A particular guest request in 2025: a retreat and digital detox despite good Wi-Fi. Many guests appreciate being able to consciously switch off, put away their mobile phones, and spend time with their families in nature. The new farm refrigerator had the biggest impact: guests can help themselves to homemade and farm-fresh products at any time. The farm is run by the fourth generation.

Regional distribution of top farms

The best farms in Austria

With 28 award-winning farms, Austria dominates the ranking. The federal states of Salzburg and Tyrol are particularly well represented. The combination of alpine mountains, traditional agriculture, and tourist infrastructure makes these regions hotspots for high-quality farm holidays.

Salzburg's farms are particularly popular with families with children . The combination of ski resorts, hiking areas, and authentic farm life creates ideal conditions for year-round holidays.

The best farms in Germany

Seventeen German farms have made it into the top 50. Farms in Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg are particularly successful. These top German farms impress with innovative concepts: from laser tag and 3D mini-golf to state-of-the-art holiday apartments with farm charm.

The best farms in Italy and South Tyrol

Five Italian farms – four of them in South Tyrol – complete the top 50. They combine Italian flair with Alpine tradition and are particularly popular with active holidaymakers. The combination of mountain scenery, Mediterranean climate, and excellent cuisine makes South Tyrol a popular destination for farm holidays. The fifth agriturismo in the group is located in the heart of the popular Tuscany region.

Farm holiday trends 2026

Short stays are becoming more popular

A surprising trend: Weekends or even just one night on a farm are becoming increasingly popular. Families are using short trips to escape everyday life and recharge their batteries. Farms are responding to this with flexible booking options and special short-stay packages.

Active participation in farm life

Guests increasingly desire to actively participate in daily farm life. From feeding the animals and haymaking to collecting eggs, authentic farm experiences are highly sought after. Families, in particular, are looking for close encounters with the animals and personal contact with their hosts.

Sustainability and biodiversity

More and more visitors are interested in how farms are managed. Organic farming, regional products, and biodiversity are gaining in importance. Many top farms offer insights into their sustainable practices and impart knowledge about agriculture and nature.

Wellness meets farm

The combination of authentic farm life and wellness offerings is becoming increasingly popular. Saunas, relaxation rooms, and massages complement the traditional farm experience. Guests particularly appreciate these relaxation options after an active day in nature.

Additional awards for special qualities

In addition to the overall ranking, the Top-Hof Award gives special awards for specific strengths:

• Top Family Farm 2026: Familotel Landgut Furtherwirt (Kirchdorf, Tyrol)
• Top dog farm 2026: Irxner mountain farm (Schladming, Styria)
• Top Active Farm 2026: Binterhof (Kastelruth, South Tyrol)
• Top Gourmet Farm 2026: Moarhof (Mölten, South Tyrol)
• Top wellness farm 2026: Berghotel Presslauer (Jenig, Carinthia)

These additional awards help holidaymakers find the perfect farm to suit their individual needs.

Frequently asked questions about the top farms of 2026

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All top 50 farms at a glance

Want to learn more about the award-winning farms? Discover all 50 top farms of 2026 with detailed descriptions, pictures, and direct contact options.

The best farms await you and your family with authentic farm moments, loving care and unforgettable holiday experiences.

Discover all the top farms of 2026