Ebbs
Village in the lower Inn valley near Kufstein, known for Haflinger breeding
Kufsteinerland and Wilder Kaiser
Erl
Passion play village on the Inn with the Tiroler Festspiele Erl
Erl lies in the far north-east of Tyrol, on the Inn, close to the German border and north of Kufstein. The municipality has about 1,400 residents and lies at about 476 m. It is a small village in open countryside, known for two cultural traditions.
The first is the Passion Play. The village looks back on a tradition of more than 400 years; the plays are staged every six years in the Passionsspielhaus, built in 1957-1959 to a design by Robert Schuller and seating up to 1,500. The latest edition ran from May to October 2025, mostly at weekends. The second is the Tiroler Festspiele Erl, a classical music festival founded in 1998 by Gustav Kuhn. In 2012 the Festspielhaus was added, a modern building with 732 seats.
For families with older children a performance can make a special outing; check the programme, running time and suitability for children beforehand. On other days Erl is mainly a quiet place for a walk or bike ride along the Inn. The village has few attractions, so it suits those who want to combine culture with a day in the Kufsteinerland.
- Drive from Niederauapprox. 45 min.
- Elevation476 m
- RegionKufsteinerland and Wilder Kaiser
- Best forSuits culture lovers and families with older children.
What to see and do
- Passionsspielhaus (1957-1959, up to 1,500 seats), home of the Passion Play staged every six years.
- Tiroler Festspiele Erl: classical music festival, since 1998; check the programme beforehand.
- Festspielhaus from 2012 (732 seats) by Delugan Meissl Architects, also worth a look as a building.
- Walking and cycling along the Inn in open countryside.
- Kufstein and its fortress are about 15 km away.
From Niederau
About 45 minutes by car from Niederau: via Wörgl to Kufstein, then north to Erl on the A93 or local roads.
Always check times, prices and opening dates with the provider beforehand; they can change.
Frequently asked questions
How often is the Passion Play held in Erl?
Every six years. The latest edition was in 2025, from May to October; ask the organisers about the next one.
When did the Festspielhaus open?
On 26 December 2012, with 732 seats, alongside the older Passionsspielhaus.
More places in Kufsteinerland and Wilder Kaiser
Niederndorf
Quiet village on the Inn near Kufstein, with the Kaisergebirge and many walking routes
Going am Wilden Kaiser
A quiet Kaiser village with a Baroque church, bathing lake and the Astberg
Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser
A quiet village below the Wilder Kaiser, near the Hintersteiner See
Söll
Village by the Wilder Kaiser with Hexenwasser and the Hohe Salve
Ellmau
Village below the Wilder Kaiser, known from the TV series Der Bergdoktor
Kössen
Quiet village in the Kaiserwinkl, close to the German border
Walchsee
Village on one of Tyrol's warmest swimming lakes, in the Kaiserwinkl.
Useful guides
Day trips from Niederau: 7 outings with route and programme
Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Kufstein, Achensee, Zillertal and more, with drive times and day plans.
Getting to Niederau: by car, train, plane and on the spot
Everything about the trip to the Wildschönau and getting around the valley, from motorway to ski bus.
When to visit Niederau: month by month
From ski season to autumn colours: what is open and how busy it gets, period by period.
Stay in Niederau Partner
Hotel Wastlhof, partner of Niederau.nl, is a family-run hotel with an indoor and an outdoor pool, wellness and its own riding stables, right in the village. For more places to stay and information you can also contact the Wildschönau tourist office. Personal recommendation, no payment involved.
To Hotel Wastlhof · Wildschönau tourist office · More about staying in Niederau