Innsbruck in Tirol is a little different than most European towns as this city is surrounded my majestic mountains. If you’re looking for tips on what to do in Innsbruck or see in Innsbruck or a complete itinerary, I have you covered! Here’s my favourite things to do in Innsbruck in one/two/three days.
I head to dinner and within minutes I’m greeted with the clouds descending on a row of colourful houses with the river Inn snaking its way past them. Dark grey majestic mountains provide a picturesque backdrop to one of the most photographed locations in town.
We’re sat a few minutes away at the popular Hotel Sacher; an orchestra plays Mozart in the background
“The mountains provide a sense of direction, of belonging. A way to escape from the daily grind of life. A simple hike into the mountains refreshes the soul” says Peter, from Innsbruck Marketing, while I’m enjoying a meal of creamy Chanterelle mushrooms with pasta.
The air is crisp and the few showers do not drive off the small crowd of locals that have gathered to enjoy the music, huddled beneath their colorful umbrella’s. Travelers passing by, stop to appreciate the music before scurrying away to avoid the rain.
Emperor Maximilian I of the Habsburgs (Hapsburgs), one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe had Innsbruck as the capital of his empire and was invested in making sure the world knew and recognized his influence and the power of the Hapsburgs. Innsbruck was already well known since the 1500s.
However, Innsbruck slowly rose to fame even more, after scenes for various movies were filmed here, hence the crowds aren’t surprising. What is surprising though is that this city provides a palette of attractions for visitors of all ages. There are numerous ways to get exactly what you adore from travel, from Innsbruck.
I traced the Habsburgers’ footsteps in Innsbruck, from the glittering Golden Roof to the Triumphal Arch and I’m going to tell you exactly how you can too! The Hapsburger route can take about 90 minutes to a day (If you skip Ambras castle and the Swarovski crystal world) depending on whether you visit the museums.
It is child-friendly, easy to walk and wheelchair friendly too!
Here’s what to do and what to see in Innsbruck, when visiting, to get the most of what the city has to offer.
What to see and do in Innsbruck in 1/2/3 days
A sightseeing Itinerary which includes top tourist attractions
DAY 1
8:00/9:00 AM
BREAKFAST + VISIT THE GOLDEN ROOF AND HELBLINGHAUS IN ALTSTADT VON INNSBRUCK (OLD TOWN)
The first attraction that comes to mind when anyone thinks of things to do in Innsbruck, is the Golden Roof located in the old town (Altstadt).
Emperor Maximilian (1459-1519), considered to be the founder of the House of the Hapsburgs (due to his marriage policy) wanted people to be reminded of his wealth and splendor when they spoke of him. He drew attention to most of his favorite places in Innsbruck by showcasing his gold and wealth.
The Golden Roof, (Goldenes Dachl) a balcony on the main square, with 2657 gold-plated copper tiles, is the main attraction of Innsbruck. It was built in 1946 to commemorate Maximilian’s marriage to Bianca Maria Sforza. The balcony was used b them to watch festivals and tournaments carried out in the main square.
You can visit the small Goldenes Dachl museum and view the old town just as the Emperor did! The museum examines the history of the roof, life in Tyrol in the middle ages, and the life of emperor Maximilian. While the tiles on the roof are a copy of the original ones, 6 of them, all still preserved well in their original condition can be found at the museum.
Start the Hapsburger route at the Golden Roof.
Depending on when and where you’d like to have breakfast (if not at your hotel) start your day by taking a walk around the old town (Altstadt), an attraction in its own right.
Numerous examples of old Tyrolean architecture in addition to Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo buildings with colorful facades can be found in the old town. Some buildings have been around for more than 500 years! There’s also beautiful doorways, quaint shops, medieval houses with narrow tiled streets here.
Just opposite to the Golden Roof is Helblinghaus. Named after one of it’s owners, Sebastian Helbling, it was built in Gothic style and was later renovated with a Baroque facade. There’s cherubs, leaves, shells, fruits and icing-like decor on the facade in Rococo style. Helblinghaus is not open to visitors but can be viewed from the square from the outside.
If coffee (or tea) is what you need first, head to Zimt and Zucker for some delicious pastries or maybe even a cookie shaped like a tile from the Golden roof!
You can also visit the Golden Eagle Inn (Goldener Adler), Old Rathaus (city hall), Stadtturm (watchtower) while in the old town square. You can always come back later to explore more of the old town! Allocate about an hour or so based on the weather.
OR
If you’re a fan of castles and would like to spend more time at the Ambras Castle, head directly there!
DETAILS
THE GOLDEN ROOF
Address: Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Museum – Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The roof can be viewed from the square 24 hours
Price: Adult – 5 Euros, Child – 2.50 Euros. Free with the Innsbruck card. Get yours here
HELBLINGHAUS
Address: Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 10, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Not open to visitors however the building can be viewed from the square 24 hours
Price: Free
ALTSTADT
Address: Hofgasse 4, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Open 24 hours
Price: Free, however if you’d like to learn more and have someone show you around, this tour is suggested. More info can be found here
11:00 AM
AMBRAS CASTLE
Supposedly the oldest museum in the world, Schloss Ambras (Ambras Castle) is located about 45 minutes from the old town. It is the most visited attraction in Innsbruck, supposedly even more than the Golden Roof.
The castle, perched on a hill above Innsbruck, is situated in the center of English landscaped gardens with peacocks roaming freely around. Originally a medieval castle, it was converted to a Renaissance palace by Archduke Ferdinand II and was his residence.
THE LOWER CASTLE (UNTERSCHLOSS)
The weird and wonderful Chambers of Curiosities (Kunstkammer) was the main highlight for me at the lower castle. Depictions of the Crucifixion, arranged in coral, housed in a grotto, was what caught my attention the most. There was also a painting of count Dracula.
The lower castle also houses the Armories – armor collected from famous personalities and the Spanish hall, where classical concerts are hosted, contains full-length portraits of the princely rulers of Tyrol.
THE UPPER CASTLE
The upper castle is home to about 200 portraits from the era of the Hapsburgs. The upper castle floor also has the Chapel of Saint Nicholas, the bathing chambers of Philippine Welser, wife of the Archduke, a collection of Gothic sculptures, the Strasser collection of glass and the Ferdinand Cafe.
DETAILS
Address: Schloßstraße 20, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: Adults – 12 Euros, Children – 8 Euros. Free with the Innsbruck card. Buy individual tickets here
Getting here by public transport: Get to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. There’s a few buses that get to Ambras castle and take about 30-40 minutes. The official website can be found here
2:00 PM
LUNCH AT FISCHERHAUSL
Famous for it’s mulled wine stall in winter, Fischerhausl is a restaurant that serves Tyrolean delicacies. I ordered the humble cheese dumpling soup (Kaspressknödel Suppe) and the Wiener Schnitzel. The dumplings came submerged in a light flavorful broth.
The Schnitzel was crispy and was served with cranberry sauce and potatoes. Some other items that caught my attention on the menu were the Nordtiroler Polenta and the Rindscarpaccio.
Worth a visit as it’s one of the oldest restaurants in Innsbruck.
DETAILS
Address: Herrengasse 8, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM. Closed Sundays
4:00 PM
EXPLORE THE HOFBURG DISTRICT – DOM ST. JACOB, THE IMPERIAL PALACE, THE TYROLEAN THEATRE, HOFGARTEN
It’s time to explore the Hofburg district which includes the famous Imperial Palace, located at a two minute’s walk from Fischerhausl.
We’re still on the Hapsburger route!
There are numerous things to do and you can pick what pleases you most! Here’s a quick list.
SAINT JAMES CATHEDRAL (DOM ST.JACOB)/ INNSBRUCK CATHEDRAL
One of the most important Baroque buildings in the Tyrol region, the Innsbruck cathedral, dedicated to Saint James, has been fully restored after it suffered major damage in WWI and earthquakes in the 16th and 17th century.
The most important items to note here are the tomb of Archduke Maximilian III and one of the most important paintings in the Catholic community, of The Madonna and the Child in the Alps, the Maria Hilf aka ‘Maria Help’ (Mary of Succor) which is displayed above the altar.
Saint Jacobs Cathedral is also an important stop on the Way of St. James, a medieval Christian pilgrimage route.
DETAILS
Address: Dom zu St. Jakob, Dompl. 6, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: 26th October – 1st May
Monday to Saturday: 10.30 am – 6.30 pm
Sundays and public holidays: 12.30 pm – 6.30 pm
2nd May – 25th October
Opening times
Monday to Saturday: 10.30 am – 7.30 pm
Sundays and public holidays: 12.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Entry: Free
THE IMPERIAL PALACE (HOFBURG)
The architectural marvel that is the Imperial Palace has been featured in a couple of movies and once you step into the Giant’s hall you’ll understand why!
Maximilian I had made Innsbruck his capital and Hofburg, with its white facades, was his palace, full of Rococo murals and motifs in mostly white, gold and pink.
The Giant’s hall/Riesensaal (‘great hall’) was called so because it was originally full of frescoes about the giant, Hercules which were later replaced with portraits of Empress Maria Theresa’s children and grandchildren. There are mirrors placed around the hall so that these are visible clearly.
The Hofburg also has five themes museums which you can view such as Maria Theresa’s rooms, The Ancestral Gallery, the Furniture museum, the painting gallery and Empress Elisabeth’s aka ‘Sisi’s’ apartment through which you can take a walk through the history of the royal palace.
DETAILS
Address: Rennweg 1/3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Last admission 4.30 M
Price: 9.50 Euros. Free with the Innsbruck card
The official website can be found here
THE TYROLEAN PROVINCIAL THEATER
Take a quick photo-stop at the Tiroler Landestheater, Innsbruck located right next to the Hofburg which hosts operas, musicals, and many theatrical performances. It was Innsbruck’s first opera house, aka ‘Comedy House’.
If you’d like to spend some time here enjoying one of the performances, do take a look at the list of events being held here.
DETAILS
Address: Rennweg 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Entry: Free, however tickets for performances can be brought here
HOFGARTEN
If you’ve had a busy day exploring the city and need a break, the Hofgarten is the perfect location, just a minute’s walk away.
One of the most elaborate gardens located North of the Alps in the sixteenth century, the Hofgarten is still impressive and contains plants planted by Maria Theresa herself. It has a few ponds, an area for sunbathing and a children’s play park too or if you’re hungry, it’s time for dinner!
DETAILS
Address: 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
8:00 PM
DINNER AT STIFTSKELLAR
After a long day of exploring the top things to do in Innsbruck, it’s time to guzzle some beer and try some more Tyrolean traditional dishes!
One dish that took me by surprise is finding Kedgeree here. The Indians reading this will be surprised to note that Kedgeree is the British version of the humble ‘Khichdi’!
English Kedgeree consists of cooked, flaked fish (traditionally smoked haddock), boiled rice, parsley, hard-boiled eggs and, curry powder, to name a few ingredients.
The Tyrolean version called Gröstl consists of bacon, potato, and onion fried together in a hearty mix served with a fried egg on top! With beer, it was the perfect meal to end a busy day!
There’s an extensive menu of regional specialties for those not keen on meat too.
DETAILS
Address: Stiftgasse 1-7, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
DAY 2
Ideal for 2 days in Innsbruck
8:00/9:00 AM
A WALK DOWN MARIA THERESEIN STRASSE (STREET)
Continuing our itinerary for Innsbruck, on the Hapsburger route, start the day by taking breakfast or a walk down Maria Theresein Strasse, part of which is fully pedestrianized and is the busiest in Innsbruck.
The street named after Empress Maria Theresa, the only female ruler of the house of the Hapsburgs, is the most picturesque in Innsbruck. The Alps rise magnificently in the North while tourists and locals go about their daily chores, shopping from colorful stores on the street.
It stretches from the Triumphal Arch to the Altstadt, is great for people watching and admiring the baroque architecture of the 17th and 18th-century buildings. If you’re looking for things to do in Innsbruck in December, it’s a great street for shopping for Christmas ornaments.
10:00 AM
SWAROVSKI KRISTALLWELTEN / SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL WORLDS
Make your way to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof if you’re taking the public transport to get to Swarovski Kristallwelten. There’s a dedicated bus that goes to the town of Wattens where Swarovski was founded and is still the headquarters of the company.
If you believe that the Swarovski Kristallwelten is a theme park for kids, you’re mistaken! It’s a very fascinating attraction full of experiences for every age and is exceptional for photo opportunities.
‘A giant who explored the world and then settled in Wattens, Austria watching over his Chamber of Wonders’ was the idea put together by the artist Andre Heller who created the Crystal Worlds for Swarovski on its 100th anniversary.
It was conceptualized from the Chamber of Curiosities from Ambras castle and famous designers and architects from all over the world have come together to help design the area by interpreting the space and incorporating crystal in it in their unique way.
The green giant spouting water from his mouth in to a pool, now greets visitors to the Chamber. The very first thing you see when you enter the Chamber is the Blue Hall which contains the biggest crystal ‘gem-stone’ you’ll ever lay your eyes on in the world, the ‘Centenar’!
It also has ‘Chetak’, the horse ridden by Maharana Pratap at the Battle of Haldighati.
There’s 17 chambers in total, each more miraculous and eccentric than the other. My favorites were the crystal dome and Yayoi Kusama’s Chandelier of grief.
Since Innsbruck is popular with Indians, the ones who’ve landed on this post will be happy to know that the famed contemporary Indian designer Manish Arora has designed a whole section and it is as quirky and inspiring as you can expect it to be!
Called ‘Ready to Love’ it has hearts handcrafted with various traditional Indian techniques and placed all around the room. The ‘Desi’ styling of it all will most certainly make you smile!
In addition to the Chamber of Wonders, there’s also a circus to enjoy in the park, with only human performers (something I immensely applauded), a carousel, a play tower for children, Roman excavations that were found while reconstruction work was undergoing and the latest installation – The Crystal cloud and mirror pool which has more than 800,000 hand-mounted Swarovski crystals placed within a mesh that play with the light and sparkle throughout the day.
You can even consider spending a whole day here with all on offer!
DETAILS
Address: Kristallweltenstraße 1, 6112 Wattens, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Tickets: 19 Euros for adults, 7.50 for children (6-14 years). Free with the Innsbruck card. Tickets with hotel pickup can be found here
Website: The latest info and additional details can be found here
2:00 PM
LUNCH AT WEISSES ROSSL
If you’ve decided not to spend the day at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, it’s time to get lunch! Get the 4123 back to town and head to Weisses Rossl, where you might probably find the best service in all of Innsbruck!
As you’re aware, I try to find regional restaurants that serve some of the best local fare, and Weisses Rossl had a variety of Tirolean specialties.
I had the Klassischer Zwiebelrostbraten, fried beef with potatoes, on the top floor that had the look and feel like an Alpine chalet and service was friendly and brisk. The meal was hearty and filling and very tasty! Do not miss the Kasspatzl!
DETAILS
Address: Kiebachgasse 8, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Saturday 11:30 AM – 15:00 PM, 18:00 PM – 23:00 PM. Closed Sundays
3:30 PM
THE HOFKIRCHE (COURT CHURCH) AND THE TYROLEAN FOLK ART MUSEUM
The next stop on our list of things to do in Innsbruck is located in the Hofburg district again, right next to the Hofburg Palace.
I’m not a fan of museums but I do like quirky ones, and the Tyrolean Folk Art was exactly what was needed on a rainy day! If there’s only one museum you can see in Innsbruck, then it has to be this as it is one of the finest heritage museums in Europe!
I was welcomed inside by someone that looked like ‘Lucifer’! On asking, I was told the idea being that Lucifer made us raise questions, which was one of the main intentions of the museum.
Located in an old Franciscan monastery, the 14 carefully restored wood-paneled Gothic, Baroque, Rococo and Renaissance rooms dedicated to showcasing life from actual farms and noble houses, was what I found most admirable in this museum. The smell of wood was lovely!
It also contains important cultural artifacts from the Tyrol region which includes masks, handicrafts, pottery, tools and costumes, some collected even before World War I.
It took me a while to figure out that the Hofkirche is located within the Tyrolean folk art museum. So that is the next stop on our itinerary.
The Gothic Hofkirche or the Court Church which is always referred to as a mausoleum is anything but one, as the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I, which takes center-stage here is empty!
The black marble tomb placed in a gilded screen has an impressive guard of 28 bronze statues, some of which are about 2.5 meters tall. Of the 28, some are renowned contemporaries, previous Hapsburger Emperors, one of the sentinels is King Arthur and there are eight women, including his two wives in the guard.
The screen has 24 marble reliefs depicting important events in the Emperor’s life.
The Emperor is actually placed near St. George’s Cathedral, Wiener Neustadt, Austria. A fun thing to do is to compare your height with the black men in the Church!
DETAILS
Address: Universitätsstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Last admission 4:30 PM
Entry: Single entry, 7 Euros, multiple entry 11 Euros. Free with the Innsbruck card
Official website can be found here
6:30 PM
A CONCERT AND SACHER TORTE
It’s time to slow down and enjoy one of the best experiences Innsbruck has to offer, in summer. I was taken by surprise as I wasn’t aware of the same before visiting.
Innsbruck hosts concerts throughout July, in the evenings, for free, and these are held in the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace, right next to Hotel Sacher.
To get one of the best seats in the promenade and have a delicious meal, try to get to Hotel Sacher early between 6 PM and 7 PM and get a table outside. Reserve a table in advance, if possible. Prestigious orchestras and marching bands perform every day here and it’s a delight to watch. The tunes change every day catering to all tastes.
It was one of my most memorable evenings in Innsbruck as locals sat in the light shower with colorful umbrellas over their heads as the concert performed popular compositions by Mozart.
This was accompanied by a tasty meal of pappardelle with chanterelle mushrooms. Must try those when you visit.
The concert lasts for about two hours and the best way to end the evening is by treating yourself to a slice or two of the famous Sacher Torte before getting some sleep!
DETAILS
Address: Rennweg 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Entry: The concerts are free. Donations are encouraged. The latest calendar of events can be found here
DAY 3
Ideal for things to do in Innsbruck in 3 days
8:00 AM
INTO THE MOUNTAINS VIA THE NORDKETTENBAHNEN / NORDKETTE CABLE CAR + LUNCH
The Nordkette takes you to a height of over 7400 ft. to Austria’s largest nature park in just 30 minutes from the old town. Located at a 3-4 minute walk from the Hofburg, the entrance to the station is offbeat and looks like the wings of an angel!
The cable cars provide a 360-degree view with the city on one side and the Karwendel Nature park on the other. You’ll be taken over the river Inn and notice biking paths and enthusiastic hikers making their way to the top, whilst on your way.
The Nordkette mountain range is the perfect place for adventure lovers too as you can also go rock climbing, skiing, paragliding, snowboarding or zip-line. There are also restaurants and viewing points at each of the stopping points.
The best way to experience the park is to first head to the topmost station, the Hafelekar.
HAFELEKAR
You need to change cable cars at Hungerburg and then at Seegrube to get to Hafelekar.
Here are things you can do at Hafelekar
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Once you get to Hafelekar, you can continue to the summit which takes only about 15 minutes and the views are even better!
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If you’re a Geology enthusiast, there’s a geology learning trail which has interesting info about the structure and formation of the rocks in the Karwendel park
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The viewing points at the Top of Innsbruck are just a couple of minutes away from the station. There’s the Karwendel viewing point, which looks over the mountains and the Innsbruck viewing point which looks over the city.
You can also go skiing here in winter or have a meal at the Karstube restaurant.
The Karwendel viewing point will always have a special place in my heart as I ended chatting for about 20 minutes with a lovely old lady here, she in German and I, in English. Neither understanding what the other said but nodding and having fun, nonetheless. She even offered me a drink of brandy since I was cold!
SEEGRUBE
It is at Seegrube that you will find the Path of Perspectives. Philosophical quotes and the landscape are integrated to help the observer experience it from various perspectives, hence the name.
There’s also the Nordkette shop here, the restaurant Seegrube that serves local produce with a stunning view of the mountains and the Cloud 9 Iglu bar, which is fascinating in winter. You can even go into the Igloo daily in winter from 9 AM to 4 PM to see some impressive ice sculptures.
HUNGERBERG
Hungerberg is the first stop on the Nordkette where you can step off and enjoy some attractions and activities. It is here that that the funicular station is the most impressive. The architect Zaha Hadid, took inspiration from the Alpine glaciers to create the stations.
You’ll also find the Small cable car museum here, which is very small and is free. There’s also the Church of St. Theresa which is a short walk away from the station and has murals. I’d highly suggest a visit as it was very peaceful here.
There are 2 restaurants at Hungerberg, Hitt and Sohne and Cafe+Pension Alpina. A square here is named after the famous mountain climber Hermann Buhl, as this is where he trained before conquering Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak.
The Alpenzoo is located a few minutes away but is also a station by itself.
You could spend an entire day here and not tire but if you’re a fast traveler like me and would prefer going to town to see some more attractions in Innsbruck, it’s time to use the Nordkette to do so.
DETAILS
Address: Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen – Kongress, Rennweg 3, A-6020 Innsbruck/Austria
Timings: Monday – Friday 07:15 AM – 07:15 PM. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 08:00 AM – 07:15 PM
Entry: Euro 36.50 for a round trip right till Hafelekar, 9.50 Euros round trip till Hungerberg. Free with the Innsbruck card. Individual tickets can be purchased here
More information about the Nordkette can be found here
3:00 PM
THE TRIUMPHAL ARCH
Our next stop is the Grassmayr museum but to get here, take a walk that passes by the Triumphal Arch.
One of Innsbruck’s most prominent sights and one you can’t miss easily, the arch bears witness to events in history during the reign of Empress Maria Theresa. The arch was built during the wedding of the Empress’s son, however midway, her husband, Francis I, passed away. The arch bears symbols that commemorate both these events. The arch was built from the same stone that was once the medieval city gate to the old town of Innsbruck.
The arch is the end of Maria Theresein Strasse (street) and thus is the edge of the city center.
DETAILS
Address: Leopoldstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry: Free
3:15 PM
GLOCKENMUSEUM AND GLOCKENGIESSEREI GRASSMAYR / THE BELL FOUNDRY MUSEUM
The 2nd last stop on our Innsbruck itinerary is another museum that has a 400-year-old bell foundry with a sound room. As I adore offbeat museums, this one was very interesting too!
The sound room was what kept me entertained for a long time as here you can have a go at ringing bells of all shapes and sizes. There’s also a tiny corner where a bunch of music boxes is also kept and it was so much fun!
The Grassmayr family has been making bells here since centuries and the museum has won prizes for the concept of its sound room. You can also see bells being cast in person.
The bells at the Saint Jacob Cathedral were also made here which goes to show that countless bells throughout Tirol have been cast here!
DETAILS
Address: Leopoldstraße 53, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday closed
Entry: Euros 8 for adults, Euros 5 for children. Free with the Innsbruck card
More details about the museum can be found here
4:30 PM
THE STADTTURM
The Stadtturm (Town Tower) was once part of the old city hall and guards placed here announced the time and kept watch for fires and intruders. It undoubtedly provides the best views of the city and can’t be left out of the itinerary!
The Gothic tower, located in the old town, looks over the neighboring medieval buildings in town as also the River Inn with the Nordkette mountains enclosing it all in.
A clear evening with the sun setting on the horizon is a picture-perfect way to end your time in Innsbruck. If it’s cloudy or raining expect to be awed with a view of the misty clouds enclosing the mountains. No matter the time of year, Innsbruck will keep you busy and help you take back a range of memories!
DETAILS
Address: Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 21, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Timings: Monday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry: Euros 4.50 for adults, 2 for children. Free with the Innsbruck card
SOME ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO
If you’re even quicker and get through the itinerary I put here here’s some more things to do while in Innsbruck
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Take a walk by the River Inn
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Go skiing at Olympia SkiWorld
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Visit Tiroler Museums Bahnen (Tyrol’s trams and local railways)
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Bungee jump off Europa Bridge
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Watch athletes jump off Bergisel ski jump
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Visit the Tirol Panorama museum
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Enjoy a food tour with typical delicacies and specialties from the Tyrol area
WHERE IS INNSBRUCK
Located in Tyrol (Tirol), Innsbruck is it’s biggest city. It is located about 5 hours from Vienna and 2 hours from Munich. Rich in history and architecture, this city is surrounded by the Nordkette mountains and is very picturesque irrespective of the time of year.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT INNSBRUCK
Throughout the year!
No matter when you visit, the city will have something on offer. While I personally prefer summer, Innsbruck is perfect for travelers who prefer winter as there’s loads of activities to do and enjoy the snow capped mountains up close.
Temperatures range from below 0 degrees to about 10 degrees from October to May and above 15 from June to September. I visited in July and the temperatures were pleasant with intermittent spells of rain.
HOW TO GET AROUND INNSBRUCK
FROM THE AIRPORT
Uber does not exist in Innsbruck but taxi’s are available at almost every corner. It costs about 15 Euros to get from the airport to the city center. The taxi tariffs of Innsbruck are regulated and hence the prices do not vary irrespective of the operator.
TAXI
Taxi’s are easily available in Innsbruck however, I’d highly suggest using public transport or walking around! It’s a little difficult for taxi’s to move around in the old town and due to most attractions being close to each other in town, chances are you won’t need one.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Most buses leave or get to the train station, Hauptbahnhof. You can easily find the routes and bus numbers to get to the Swarovski crystal world or most cities outside Innsbruck from here. The station is located at about a 6-8 minute walk from the old town. If you use Google Maps you should be able to easily find bus routes and the closest stops.
WHERE TO STAY IN INNSBRUCK
HOTELS
Anywhere close to the old town or in the old town would work best.
I stayed at the Nala Individuelhotel which was about a 8 minute walk from town, close to the Triumphal Arch. The rooms are clean and spacious and come equipped with a tiny, basic kitchen. Some rooms have a small garden sitting area too or a terrace.
You can look for alternative hotels and prices here
AIRBNB
If you prefer to stay in a Airbnb, prices for a private room can be from about £25- £40 with an entire house starting from £40 onwards. If you’re new to Airbnb, sign up using this link to get £30 off your first booking.
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