Towering Alpine peaks encircle Innsbruck, a city that pulses with the energy of urban life. Come for its fascinating history and breathtaking natural wonders; leave with a lasting impression of Innsbruck’s unique Lebensgefühl—a sense of life and joy that lingers long after you’ve gone.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Jump to Comments
Innsbruck is a special destination.
Wedged between the Nordkette mountains to the north and the Patscherkofel range to the south, Innsbruck – the capital of Tyrol – became the centre of European politics in the 15th century.
The Habsburg Emperors made Innsbruck their home, leaving behind a legacy of architectural marvels that reflect their wealth and power.
The result is a culturally rich city set against a stunning Alpine backdrop. While its adventures energise the mind and body, the real reward is lebensgefühl—the unique sense of life that emanates from this Tyrolean corner of the Alps.
Explore the city’s historical sites, then take a sleek cable car up the mountain for unparalleled views. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the charming old town or join an e-bike tour along shaded forest trails.
No other place in the Alps offers such a perfect blend of culture, city life, and grand mountain vistas. Here’s why Innsbruck should be your next mountain escape.
WHY GO TO INNSBRUCK?
There are many reasons we love Innsbruck; here are just a few.
History and Culture – Innsbruck’s charming old town has cobbled streets surrounded by fascinating historical sights, quirky museums, great food and a buzzing nightlife.
Accessible Mountain Scenery – In just twenty minutes from the city centre, you can take a cable car high up in the Alps, enjoying spectacular views and a slice of rural Tyrolean lifestyle.
Adventure – Innsbruck is a youthful town with adventures to match. Test your limits on a Via Ferrata, mountain bike on rugged trails, paraglide off towering peaks or ski some of the steepest slopes in the Alps.
No Car? No Problem – The international airport is right next to the city centre, and the excellent public transport network means you don’t need a car to visit Innsbruck. Regular local buses and trams connect you to all the main attractions and cable car stations.
Free Public Transport – All public transport is free in Innsbruck with the Welcome Card (more about this below). There are also great discounts on other visitor cards.
SEEKING LEBENSGEFÜHL IN INNSBRUCK
Lebensgefühl is the conscious feeling of taking part in life. It’s about filling your senses, experiencing the world, enjoying the moment.
Austrians have a sense of Lebensgefühl in abundance, and nowhere captures this feeling quite like Innsbruck.
Take a moment in the mountains, have a passing chat with a local, enjoy hearty Tyrolean food and fill your senses with a unique thirst for the everyday.
THINGS TO DO IN INNSBRUCK
1. INNSBRUCK ALTSTADT
The heart of Innsbruck is focused around the charming Altstadt (Old Town). It’s made up of pastel-coloured medieval buildings set along cobbled laneways.
On the edge of the Old Town, the banks of the River Inn provide wonderful views of the colourful houses on the other side. The mountains in the backdrop make the scene even more special.
The colour of the houses reflects the trade of the original owners: bakers were in blue houses, butchers in red and breweries in yellow.
The Old Town is not very big, and you can stroll most of the streets in a few hours.
Many of the major sights of Innsbruck, such as the Imperial Palace, Golden Roof, Court Church and the City Tower, are located in the Altstadt, which we covered in more detail below.
However, in addition to the city’s big attractions, there are a few local places you should check out:
- Georg Schmollgruber – A timeless watchmaker shop on Pfarrgasse Street.
- Speckeria – A local speck purveyor with a wide selection. They have a corner (to the right as you walk in) that’s hidden and often overlooked by tourists.
- Tiroler Edles – A trendy shop selling locally made goods, including soaps, chocolates and crockery.
2. COURT CHURCH (HOFKIRCKE)
Emperor Maximilian I was one of the most important rulers of Tyrol. He is buried in Wiener Neustadt, but his tomb is in the Court Church on the edge of Innsbruck’s Old Town.
Before he died, he planned 28 larger-than-life statues to watch over his tomb.
The statues are of heroic and virtuous figures he admired rather than saints, as was the custom of the time. Legendary King Arthur of Britain is among the notable characters.
The church is beautiful, and the detail on the statues is incredible. Maximilian’s tomb is decorated with exquisite marble carvings.
This is our favourite attraction in Innsbruck and one we suggest you don’t miss.
3. MUSEUM OF TYROLEAN FOLK ART (VOLKES MUSEUM)
The Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art is in the building adjacent to the Court Church, and it’s well worth visiting.
It contains a wealth of cultural artefacts from Tirol, including handicrafts, religious art, carnival masks and festive costumes.
The highlight for us was the replica wood-panelled farmhouse rooms from all regions of Tirol, which showed what life was like in the past.
4. NORDKETTE (TOP OF INNSBRUCK)
Nordkette (Northern Range) is a mountain range just north of Innsbruck. The summit is extremely accessible thanks to a lift/cable car service directly from the centre of town.
Nothing embraces the spirit of lebensgefühl like a visit to the Top of Innsbruck, where you can enjoy the love of the outdoors that gives the locals their unique zest for life.
There are three stops on the route to the top of the Nordkette:
HUNGERBURG
A modern funicular takes you from the centre of Innsbruck up to the first section of the Nordkette, the Hungerburg. The station was designed by Zaha Hadid, with inspiration taken from the icy landscapes of the area.
SEEGRUBE
From the Hungerburg, take the cable car up to Seegrube at 1,905 metres. This was our first view over the Inn Valley, with the city dissected by the river, and it was one of the most memorable.
Mark and I had lunch at Restaurant Seegrube, which serves traditional Tyrolean food. The Weiner Schnitzel and potato salad is the dish you’re looking for. Simple. Tyrolean. Delicious.
HAFELEKAR
From Seegrube, the final cable car takes you to Hafelekar, which is the official ‘Top of Innsbruck’. Located at 2,043 metres, the views are outstanding. One side looks down over Innsbruck and the Inn Valley, the other over a wild and rocky landscape.
There are several great hiking trails from the summit, which you can read about on nordkette.com.
If you are feeling more adventurous, there’s a via Ferrata, which scales all 7 peaks of Nordkette.
5. BERGISEL SKI JUMP
The Bergisel Ski Jump was used when Innsbruck held the Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976. The current iconic structure towers over the city and was designed by celebrated architect Zaha Hadid.
A funicular takes you to a panoramic viewing platform 250 metres high, where you can take in spectacular views and have breakfast with champagne.
There is an outdoor viewing deck on the restaurant level of the tower, which is right above the take-off point for the jumpers.
Mark and I thought the best vantage point to watch the professional jumpers was in the middle, at the top of the funicular station.
The ski jump is a short bus ride and walk from the town centre. The stadium and tower are open from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Sunday. Jumps occur daily between 10 am and 12 pm and between 1 pm and 3 pm.
6. TIROL PANORAMA & KAISERJÄGER MUSEUM
After the Bergisel Sky Jump, walk down the hill to the Tirol Panorama.
The museum contains a massive 360° painting on a 1,000-metre canvas depicting the battle between Napoleon’s forces and Tyrolean troops in the Battle of Bergisel.
The battle is an important milestone in the region’s history because Tyrolean troops fought alone, withstanding (for a while) the onward march of Napoleon’s forces.
Entry to the Panorama also includes entry to the Kaiserjäger Museum via an underground walkway. The museum documents Tyrol’s military history. An interesting exhibition between the two museums covers Tyrol’s relationship with the landscape.
7. STIFTSKELLER
Stiftskeller is an Innsbruck institution with a nostalgic indoor beer hall and a lively outdoor terrace. It offers a great selection of beers on tap, all served at the perfect temperature according to the 1516 beer purity laws.
Their draft beer is the Augustiner full beer, but you can also choose from wheat or dark beer. They all come in the famous 1-litre Maß, which makes a great photo opportunity.
But, if that’s too much, they have smaller sizes as well.
The comforting traditional Tyrolean dishes are an excellent match for a whopping beer. Mark and I scoffed the Frankfurterwürstl with mustard and fiery fresh horseradish.
The other interesting thing about Skiftskeller is that their internal wall is the original city wall.
8. MUTTERERALM
While Nordkette rises steeply above Innsbruck to the north, Muttereralm is an area of gentler slopes to the southwest of Innsbruck. It offers easy and intermediate winter skiing and an excellent network of mountain biking trails in summer.
To get to Muttereralm, take the STB tram (30 minutes) from the centre of Innsbruck to Mutters Nockhofweg. The journey, as the tram gradually makes its way up the mountain side, is beautiful.
From the tram stop, it’s a five-minute walk to Muttereralmbahn cable car station, where a gondola (free with the Welcome Card) carries you high up into the mountains.
At the top, there are numerous outdoor activities you can try.
MOUNTAIN BIKES
Muttereralm is one of the best places around Innsbruck for mountain biking. There are trails for all levels, with courses ranging from blue to red to black.
Mountain bikes and safety equipment can be hired from ‘Die Börse’ on the ground floor of the Muttereralmbahn Cable Car station.
They recommend you book ahead of time by phone or email, the details of which are on their website.
MOUNTAIN CARTS
We highly recommend the Mountain Carts if you’re not quite up for the whole mountain bike experience.
This is what Mark and I did.
They are three-wheel carts (with good brakes!) that take a special closed-off course down the mountain. The track is 5 kilometres long and can be undertaken by anyone over the age of 10, as long as they are over 150 centimetres tall.
Mark and I had a lot of fun racing each other down the mountain. We’d describe it as a mild adrenaline rush and a fun thing to do near Innsbruck.
If you decide to head down via the Mountain Bikes or Carts, make sure you have lunch at Muttereralm Restaurant at the top first.
HIKES
From the top cable car station, there’s a short walk (about 5 minutes) to Panoramasee, a very scenic lake for great photo opportunities overlooking Innsbruck.
If you have a bit more time, there are several longer trails that wind in and out of the trees. There’s a board near the Mountain Cart station with a map of the hikes.
9. ST JAMES’ CATHEDRAL (DOM ST JAKOB)
The double bell towers of the Innsbruck Cathedral make an eye-catching landmark on the city’s skyline. Inside, the beautiful baroque church is an awe-inspiring masterstroke of art.
The highlight is the ceiling frescoes depicting scenes from the life of St James. They are stunning works of art which appear to be painted on domes when, in fact, the ceiling is flat.
Don’t miss the Mariahilf painting, which has become the iconic image of the Madonna and Child in the Alps. It takes pride of place on the exquisite high altar.
10. IMPERIAL PALACE (HOFBURG PALACE)
Along with the Schönbrunn Palace and the Hofburg Palace in Vienna (read our guide to Vienna here), the Hofburg Palace in Innsbruck is one of Austria’s top three historical monuments.
The palace was recently restored to its opulent past. The Giant’s Hall, Guards’ Hall and Lorraine Room showcase the wealth and influence of the mighty Habsburg Dynasty.
The museum includes 18th-century tapestries and works of art; however, photos are not permitted inside.
11. STADTTURM (CITY TOWER)
The Innsbruck City Tower was built between 1442 and 1450 as a watchtower for guards to warn citizens of dangers, especially fire, intruders or civil unrest.
There are 148 steps to the viewing platform which provides a wonderful view over the medieval old town with the Nordkette mountain range in the background. You also get a great view of the Golden Roof.
The stairs to the viewing platform are an interesting double helix design, resulting in a separate one-way up and one-way down system.
12. GOLDEN ROOF
The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) is one of the most popular landmarks in Innsbruck. Taking up a central location in the old town, it’s something you’ll no doubt walk past several times.
It was completed in 1420 as a sovereign residence. Emperor Maximilian added the bay window extension and decorated it with 2,657 gold tiles to display his wealth to his enemies. Don’t miss the images of Maximilian in the reliefs on the window.
The roof fell into disrepair over the years and was eventually restored with the growth of tourism.
There is a museum inside the building where you can learn about its history.
13. TRIUMPHAL ARCH
The Triumphal Arch was built in 1765 at the southern gate of Innsbruck to celebrate Archduke Leopold’s wedding.
However, the groom’s father died during the celebrations, so the south side of the arch is decorated with wedding motifs while the north side shows people in mourning.
It’s a Roman-style arch that sets an imposing frame to the mountains in the background.
Triumphal Arch is located at the end of Maria-Theresien Street, a popular pedestrianised street where locals hang out.
14. AMBRAS CASTLE
Ambras Castle holds the distinction of being the first museum in the world, still in the same place it was established.
The complex includes an Upper and Lower Castle, both set on beautiful grounds.
The Lower Castle contains an Armoury showcasing battle gear from various stages of Innsbruck’s history, but the highlight for us was the Chamber of Art and Wonders. The collection includes rare and unusual oddities acquired by Archduke Ferdinand II.
The Upper Castle was designed as a Renaissance palace. Don’t miss the charming St Nicholas Chapel.
Ambras Castle is a 30-minute bus ride from the centre of town on bus M.
15. WILTEN BASILICA
Basilica Wilten was a delightful surprise for us on our last trip to Innsbruck.
Records show that a church has stood on this site since early Christian times, but the current building was constructed between 1751 and 1756.
Painter Mathias Günther decorated the interior, and it’s a beautiful space. The simple, elegant design is bright and airy, and the artwork is incredible.
The ceiling paintings of heavenly images and grandiose architecture are particularly impressive. It’s free to enter and makes an easy stop on the way to, or back from, Muttereralm.
16. E-BIKE TOUR TO HÖTTINGER ALM
A great way to experience ‘lebensgefühl’ and the outdoor lifestyle around Innsbruck is via an e-bike tour.
There are several well-marked trails in the foothills of the Nordkette Mountain range. Mark and I took a guided tour from the centre of Innsbruck up to Höttinger Alm at 1,500 metres.
The trail was a combination of sealed roads and shady forest trails. There are several scenic huts to stop for refreshments on the way up.
We used Die Boerse, who had excellent bikes and a friendly guide who made the whole day a lot of fun.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN INNSBRUCK
That covers the star attractions in Innsbruck that you shouldn’t miss. However, if you have more time, here are some more things we enjoyed.
MARIA-THERESIEN-STRASSE
Maria-Theresien-Strasse is a commercial avenue that runs between the old town and the Triumphal Arch. There are pavement cafes and high-end shops, and you’ll often find street performers entertaining crowds on the wide pedestrian street.
EXPERIENCE TIROL
Experience Tirol is an immersive digital experience that showcases life in the Tirol region. The show takes 60 minutes and includes holograms and 3D projects.
ROSSAU SWIMMING LAKE
Rossau, known by locals as Baggersee, is an artificial swimming lake on the banks of the Inn River in the south-east of Innsbruck. It has lovely grassy banks, plenty of shade from the surrounding trees and great views of the Nordkette Mountains.
SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL WORLD
We don’t know much about Swarovski Crystal, but the precision cut glass crystal is unique to Austria and a popular thing to do in Innsbruck. The store is in one of the most beautiful buildings in the old town.
BARS & RESTAURANTS
COFFEE
Haepinest – A lovely space with a great selection of cakes. This was probably our favourite coffee in Innsbruck and the food is pretty good too.
Manni Coffee – Excellent coffee in a fairly functional space. The owner’s Australian origins were evident in the high-quality pour.
BARS
If you’re looking for somewhere to have a quick drink in the old town but away from the tourists, head to Pfarrgasse Street. Our favourite bars were Hopfmann & Söhne and Dom Café-Bar.
FOOD
Ottoburg – A charming old-world restaurant serving traditional fare in a historic room. The tables one floor up are much nicer than on the ground floor, so be sure to head upstairs.
Lichtblicht – Lichtblicht has a modern menu in a smart restaurant with great views over Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. Just next door, Café 360 is a great place for a cocktail.
Weitsicht – Located on the top floor of the Adlers Hotel, Weitsicht has a modern menu with a contemporary twist. The wine soup was excellent.
Das Hausberg – A 30-minute bus ride out of Innsbruck, Das Hausberg at the Patscherkofel cable car station does wonderful traditional dishes in a large modern space with excellent sunset views.
WHERE TO STAY?
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation in Innsbruck. All these hotels include the Welcome Card if you stay for two nights or more.
OUR PICK
DESIGN HOTEL
STAGE 12
Stage 12 has slick design details without losing any of the charming Tirolean hospitality. The breakfast buffet is one of the best we’ve seen, and the rooms are well-designed and well-equipped.
QUIRKY & COMFORTABLE
NALA INDIVIDUELL HOTEL
Nala has very cool, individually designed rooms that manage to hold on to the hotel’s long history. There’s a gym, spa and lovely walled garden. Some rooms have kitchen facilities.
VALUE
HOTEL MONDSCHEIN
Although it’s looking a bit dated, Hotel Mondschein is a great value choice, just across the bridge from the Old Town. Breakfast is good and the staff are friendly and helpful.
INNSBRUCK MAP
We have included all the attractions in Innsbruck we covered in this guide on the below map, along with our hotel and restaurant recommendations.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Innsbruck makes it easy for visitors. The public transport is excellent, it’s well connected to other European destinations, and they have some great value discounts. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip.
HOW TO GET TO INNSBRUCK?
Innsbruck is a popular skiing destination in winter and an excellent hub for exploring the Alps in summer. It is easy to get to, and we started our itinerary for the Italian Dolomites from here.
BY PLANE
Direct flights operate from many European cities to Innsbruck, including Vienna, London Gatwick, Amsterdam, Manchester and Mallorca. Additional flights are added in winter from more destinations, including Antwerp, Berlin, Reykjavik and Bristol.
Innsbruck International Airport is just a 15-minute bus ride from the city centre.
The best starting point for checking flights is Google Flights.
Try to get a window seat; the approach to Innsbruck is one of the most dramatic landings in Europe.
BY TRAIN
If flying is the most dramatic way to reach Innsbruck, arriving via train is the most relaxing. The Austrian Federal Railway (ÖBB) has several daily services to Innsbruck.
If you are travelling from neighbouring countries, there are direct trains from Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
Check train prices and timetables on trip.com, which has no booking fees.
GETTING AROUND INNSBRUCK
One of the best things about visiting Innsbruck is that you can easily visit without a car.
The central area is compact, and many of the main attractions are within walking distance. In addition, Innsbruck has an excellent bus and tram network, joining the funiculars and cable cars in the area.
It’s easy to get anywhere you want to go. Just check your destination in Google Maps and click on the public transport tab for instructions.
DISCOUNT CARDS
Innsbruck treats its guests well. Here are some excellent discount schemes you can take advantage of.
WELCOME CARD
Between 1 May and 31 October, all guests who book a 2-night stay in any participating hotel will automatically receive a Welcome Card.
The card provides free access to public transport around the city, plus many other great benefits, including:
- Free guided hiking tours.
- Free guided e-bike tours.
- Discounts at swimming pools.
- Free entry or discounts at several museums and cultural venues.
If you book 3 nights or more, you also get free cable car rides on selected lifts like Muttereralm.
INNSBRUCK CARD
The Innsbruck Card provides free entry to 22 museums and attractions around Innsbruck, including the Top of Innsbruck, the Imperial Palace, the Court Church, Ambras Castle and the Bergisel Ski Jump.
The card costs €59 for 24 hours or €69 for 48 hours.
You can purchase the card online in advance at Innsbruck.info.
This guide was produced in partnership with the Innsbruck Tourism Board.
MORE EUROPE GUIDES
- Catch up on our favourite things to do in Innsbruck.
- Discover some of the best food Italy has to offer with our guide to visiting Bologna.
- Revel in the Renaissance masterpiece highlights of Florence
- Visit one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world with our guide to Siena.
- Collect the main highlights and a few hidden gems with our 3-day Paris itinerary.
- Get to know the cool side of Antwerp, Belgium.
- Explore street art, cool bars, and pastel de nata in our guide to do in Lisbon
- Discover Moorish history and the best tapas with our guide to the best things to do in Seville.
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Thanks for your support. Paul & Mark