Das Dorf in der Stadt – Chalets with a Natural Swimming Pond

The name says it all! Just a three-minute walk from the centre and yet right in the middle of the greenery. That's exactly what you'll find at Das Dorf in der Stadt ("the village in the town") in Schladming. Seven rustic-chic chalets, apartments and an original alpine hut are grouped around a crystal-clear natural swimming pond, framed by the mountain backdrop of the Schladming Tauern and the Dachstein massif. For us, this is exactly the kind of place we love at kidswelltraveled: special instead of standard, with a whole lot of heart and a family story you can feel at every turn.

A place with a real family story

What makes Das Dorf in der Stadt so special is the story behind it: grandmother Hatla once came to Austria from Iceland, fell in love with grandfather Hansi in Schladming – and together they laid the foundations for today's multi-generation family business. These days Hatla and her daughter Sarah lovingly look after the seven accommodations, while the next generation is already busily scurrying around and helping out. You can feel this warm, family atmosphere from the very first moment, and that's exactly what we value in the places we recommend to you here.

What awaits you in the chalets, apartments & the alpine hut

• Your own kitchen in every unit, ideal for self-catering families
• Private sauna in all chalets and apartments
• Natural swimming pond with crystal-clear mountain water right on the grounds
• Nature playground with a water pump, mud area, balance bikes and tricycles
• Cosy details such as sheepskins, a tiled stove and play corners for the kids
• Bread roll and firewood service on request

Staying here also puts you just a few minutes' walk from Schladming's historic centre – with cafés, restaurants and little shops.

Eating out: the Talbachschenke right on your doorstep

If you don't feel like cooking after a day of hiking, you don't have to go far: the Talbachschenke restaurant belongs to Das Dorf in der Stadt. It serves regional grill specialities, with special attention paid to the origin and quality of the ingredients. Delicious family dining with the kids, literally around the corner.

Advent magic and the illuminated gorge right next door

The cold season also has its very own magic at Das Dorf in der Stadt. During Advent, the village turns into an atmospheric Advent market with twinkling lights, a cosy atmosphere and a touch of Christmas magic.

Right next to the village is the start of the Talbachklamm gorge – beautifully lit in the evenings, including with pink light accents. A walk through the gorge is worthwhile in every season: in summer the spray of the water brings pleasant relief on hot days, and in winter icicles and the play of light turn the gorge into an almost fairy-tale winter landscape. 

Worth a trip all year round – including the autumn holidays

Das Dorf in der Stadt really is worth a trip in every season, and it's open accordingly. While many people think of Schladming-Dachstein mainly in winter, autumn is especially rewarding too. You can check in here over the autumn holidays as well and experience the region from a quieter, golden side.

Indian summer, Austrian style

If you arrive in autumn, you'll be rewarded with a true natural spectacle: the Austrian "Indian summer". When the larch forests around Schladming-Dachstein turn brilliant gold and deep orange, the mountain scenery looks almost unreal in its beauty. Peaceful hikes through the colourful forests, clear mountain air and far fewer crowds than in high season. For us, this is one of the most beautiful – yet most underrated – times of year for families to travel.

Bonus: the Schladming-Dachstein Card

A real extra for all guests: from the first night of your stay you'll receive the Schladming-Dachstein Card, valid until 1 November. Among other things, it includes:

• Rides on the mountain cable cars (gondolas) in the region
• Buses within Schladming-Dachstein
• Swimming pools and swimming lakes
• and many more discounts and experiences

For families in particular, this is a huge added value: trips up the mountain, to the outdoor pool or to the lake are often already included in your stay, at no extra cost.

See marmots up close

A highlight that is guaranteed to make children's eyes light up: in the Schladming-Dachstein region you can actually watch marmots live in the wild – and in two places within easy reach:

Galsterberg near Pruggern

Marmots were introduced to the alpine pasture around the Galsterbergalmhütte in 2013 and now live there in the wild. Their burrows are right near the hut, so you can often watch the animals sunbathing, eating or playing from the terrace. The hike there is easy and family-friendly: from Bottinghaus it's around 2 km, about 1 hour's walk and 135 metres of ascent – a perfect outing with kids.

Bachlalm towards Filzmoos

On the alpine meadow below the Bachlalm lives a larger marmot population that is already very used to people. Sometimes the animals come surprisingly close. At 5.8 km, around 2 hours 20 minutes and 370 metres of ascent, the hike is a bit more challenging. They may only be fed carrots or suitable seeds. And even if the marmots seem tame: they are still wild animals, so children in particular should not touch them.

Our verdict: a family idyll with heart, in the middle of Schladming-Dachstein

Das Dorf in der Stadt brings together exactly what we look for in our favourite places to stay: a warm-hearted host family, lovingly designed chalets with their own sauna and kitchen, a dreamy natural swimming pond right outside the door and a location that gives you both the peace of nature and short distances to the village centre. 

Frequently asked questions about Das Dorf in der Stadt

Which season is best for a visit? Das Dorf in der Stadt is open all year round, and every season has its own charm. In winter there's an enchanting Advent market right outside the door, and with the Austrian Indian summer and the golden larch forests, autumn is also a particularly beautiful, quieter time for families to travel.

What is the Schladming-Dachstein Card and who gets it? All guests at Das Dorf in der Stadt receive the Schladming-Dachstein Card from the very first night. It is valid until 1 November and includes, among other things, mountain cable cars (gondolas), buses in the region as well as swimming pools and swimming lakes.

Where can you watch marmots near Das Dorf in der Stadt? There are two particularly recommended spots in the Schladming-Dachstein region: the Galsterberg near Pruggern, with a family-friendly hike of around one hour to the Galsterbergalmhütte, and the Bachlalm towards Filzmoos.

How far is Das Dorf in der Stadt from the centre of Schladming? Only about a three-minute walk. You stay in an idyllic spot by the natural swimming pond and are still in the middle of Schladming within minutes, with cafés, restaurants and shops.

Where can you eat right on site? The Talbachschenke restaurant belongs to Das Dorf in der Stadt and serves regional grill specialities with a focus on origin and quality.

Do the accommodations have their own kitchen and sauna? Yes, each of the seven units – chalets, apartments and the alpine hut – has its own fully equipped kitchen and a private sauna.

Is Das Dorf in der Stadt dog-friendly? Yes, dogs are very welcome for a one-off fee of 50 euros per stay. The resident Labrador, Resi, is also very much part of the host family and loves to potter around the village – one more reason why families with four-legged friends feel at home here straight away.

If you enter the code word KIDSWELLTRAVELED when booking directly on the website, you can save 5%.

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