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Municipality in Vorarlberg, Austria
Photo: böhringer friedrich, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Dornbirn is the biggest city in Vorarlberg in Austria. It has almost 50,000 residents (2018) and is an important commercial and shopping centre.
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Stadtpfarrkirche St. Martin
The foundations date to the 13th century. The current structure was built in 1840 in the neoclassical style.
This museum is the most extensive of its kind in the world. Founded in 1999, it houses more than 1000 exhibits, including several dozen classic vehicles, in a space of about 3000 m². The museum also organises special rides. Wheelchair accessible.
This historic factory has been modernised and houses a science centre, with interactive exhibits focusing on the natural sciences. Also has a gift shop, library, and restaurant.
Showcases art installations created by artists-in-residence.
A small two-room museum exhibiting pieces by the provocative Dornbirn-born performance artist Wolfgang Flatz.
It is dedicated to the life and work of the Classicist painter Angelika Kauffmann. A local history museum is in the same building.
This museum tells the history of the river Rhein, particularly the part which is the border between Vorarlberg and Switzerland. For all ages.
Rhombergs factory
For cultural events (art-house films, music, dance) the Spielboden is worth a visit. Tickets for events are sold at the tourist information office and all Raiffeisenbank branches, as well as online.
indoor swimming pool
Worth a visit for the modern architecture alone. There are 3 pools, 2 diving boards, a water flume, and a sauna.
Red House
This wooden house dating from 1639 houses a well-regarded restaurant for traditional Austrian cuisine.
This classy restaurant serves sushi. They also do a great selection of teas.
Has great Italian pizza. For take away the menu is cheaper.
Perches on the side of a mountain above town. They serve mainly good typically Austrian cuisine! You can see it from everywhere in the city. The view over the Rhine Valley and Lake Constance is stunning night and day and it's often sunny up there when it's foggy down below. They do a very good value cable car and meal combination ticket on weekday lunchtimes. Reservations can be made online.
A movie-themed cafe bar a little further up the street.
An upstairs bar in the corner where you can smoke a water pipe if you so wish.
This is the true alternative scene, with live rock music and other events. They even sell beer! It's often packed and is a great place to have a quick drink or spend the entire evening.
An alternative music venue. Tickets to events can be purchased online here and here. On weekends there is a free shuttle bus which offers service from the main train station – Rathaus (Marktplatz) – Conrad Sohm and back (F Sa and holidays every 15 min from 22:30 until closing; last bus leaves at 03:00).
Organic and local food
Tivoli Winebar
A popular place to hang out.
Also offers long-stay apartments. Free wi-fi.
Pets permitted for extra fee.
Also offers holiday apartments. Free wi-fi in lobby, minimum stay 3 days. Also operates Palabra, a Spanish wine bar (M T F 18:00-)
Also offers long-stay apartments and has a restaurant.
Also offers long-stay holiday apartments. All rooms are nonsmoking with free wi-fi. There is an onsite restaurant and bar.
The Four Points is located out of town by the A14 motorway, in the oval Panoramahaus tower, which sits atop the "Home of balance" fitness and wellness centre with an outdoor pool. On the hotel's top floor, the "Sky-Restaurant" and "Sky-Bar" offer excellent views over the city of Dornbirn and the surroundings. Some of the rooms on lower floors do overlook the neighbouring Messepark shopping centrum, which is far less spectacular. Rooms have varying categories, and their appointments and features belie the brand's humble character.
Farmers' Market
Great for experiencing local culture. There are stalls selling cheese and meat from small farms in the Bregenzerwald, socks, fresh bread, fruit and veg, organic beauty products, flowers... It's nice to spend a while wandering round it, and if you buy something you can be sure it's locally produced and therefore better for the regional economy. Everyone's a winner!
Shopping Mall
A typical shopping mall with all the usual chain stores. Also has an Interspar grocery store (opens daily ½hr earlier).
By rail
By car
Dornbirn is a few kilometres south of Bregenz and can be reached from the north or south via the A14 expressway.
By bus
Dornbirn has great public transport considering its relatively small size.
By taxi
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St. Gallen · Regional · ACH
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