Capital city of Tyrol, Austria
Photo: Michael aus Halle, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Innsbruck is the fifth-largest city in Austria and the provincial capital of Tyrol, as well as one of the largest cities in the Alps. It is in a valley of the river Inn between mountain ranges of above 2000 m above sea level, halfway between Bavaria and northern Italy, and is a hub of a region popular for skiing and other mountain-related activities and a busy tourist destination. Its popularity as a winter sports resort was underscored by its hosting the Winter Olympic Games twice.
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Innsbruck's Hofkirche has the most important emperor's tomb monument (of emperor Maximilian I) in Europe. Especially characteristic are the larger-than-life bronzes ("schwarze Mander") that show members of different dynasties.
Dom zu St. Jakob
Baroque styled cathedral, with works of Lucas Cranach the Elder. From 1717-1724 it was rebuilt (after damage from an earthquake) according to the plans of Johann Jakob Herkomer and Johann Georg Fischer.
Baroque styled church with Rokkoko-stucco, built from 1751-1756.
Premonstratensian monastery with a baroque collegiate church, not far from Wiltener Basilika.
Schloss Ambras
A castle and palace in Renaissance style that was built in 1563 on behalf of Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol in the hills overlooking the city, at an elevation of 587 m above sea level, and served as his private residence from 1563 until his death in 1595. It is widely considered one of the most important Renaissance era buildings of its time in Tyrol, and now among its top tourist attractions. Supplanting an earlier 10th century fortification, the castle became the seat of power for the Counts of Andechs. Hosting Ferdinand's art collection, the castle is considered the oldest museum in the world. Interesting things to see are portrait- and armour collections, art and curiosity cabinets. The Lower Castle is home to armouries featuring numerous masterpieces preserved as evidence of the armourer's art from that era. Only the Renaissance era work has been reserved at its original location, making the Chamber of Art and Curiosities an unrivaled cultural monument. The Spanish Hall will be one of the highlights of any visit, located above the Lower Castle and decorated with a wood-inlay ceiling and walls adorned with 27 portraits of historic Tyrol royals. It remains one of the best examples of German Renaissance architecture. As one of Innsbruck's most popular attractions, waiting lines at the entrance are often long. Try to arrive a bit before it opens at 10:00 to stay ahead of the crowds.
Ski jump
The Bergisel jump is a design by Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid in 2001, replacing the far less glorious jump stadium that hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games. You can still stand beneath the Olympic rings and flame holder, and either walk 450 steps to the top or take a funicular lift. Because of its design and prominent location (on Bergisel, south of Innsbruck) it is considered a new city landmark. During sporting events, the jumping tower is not accessible, and a ticket is needed to enter the terrain.
Helblinghaus
A 15th-century house which adopted different architectural styles in later centuries until it evolved into its current amalgamation of Gothic and Baroque facade. The Rococo stucco decorations that look like icing on a cake were added in the early 18th century, and these bows, window frames, oriels, masks, sculptures and shells are what makes this building unique. The architecture helps to capture a maximum of sunlight, which is sparse in the Alps. The last major construction took place in 1732 by Anton Gigl, after which the building was renamed to Sebastian Helbling who owned it at from 1800 until 1827.
Zeughaus
Construction of the Armoury between 1500 and 1505 was ordered by Maximilian I to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the city, as illustrated by its location near the city walls at the time, next to the main entrance gate of the Sill. The building consists of 2 large 80 m long wings and 2 narrow gatehouses forming a large inner courtyard. It served as a storage for weapons such as cannons and small arms, and a training ground for the city guard. The Armoury retained its function as barracks until the fall of the Austrian Empire in 1918, after which it was closed. The Tyrolean State sourced funds for an extensive restoration from 1964 until 1969, and the Armoury reopened for the public in 1973 as the Tyrolean State History Museum, a branch of the Tyrolean State Museum. On display are historical and technical collections illustrating the history of Tyrol from classic antiquity to the present. In summer, the inner courtyard is often use for open-air cinemas and concerts.
Annasäule
The column, which is made of Tyrolean marble, was created in 1706, in memory of the withdrawal of Bavarian troops.
Triumphpforte
It was built in 1765 to mark the marriage of archduke Leopold and the Spanish princess Maria Ludovica. The north side displays mourning themes on the occasion of Franz Stephan of Lothringen.
Museum dedicated to the history of alpinism, hosted in the Hofburg. The museum is owned and operated by the Austrian Alpine Club ÖAV, and received numerous prizes including the Tyrolean and Austrian Museum Prizes, as well as being nominated for the European Museum Prize in 2010. The original museum opened in 1911 in a former villa on the Isar river side, but was destroyed by shelling in 1944 during the Second World War. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1977 in its current location. Since 1996 there are regular exhibitions on various mountaineering related topics. The collection covers over 700 m² of exhibits.
Anatomisches Museum Innsbruck
Famous for its exhibition Body Worlds, the modern version of an anatomical museum. It belongs to the city's university, hosted in the Institute of Anatomy. On display are numerous human specimens, skeletons, skulls, and other models. In addition, there are jars with dissected organs (lungs, hearts, ...) and other wet and dry samples. A visit to the museum gives insight in the history of anatomy, and the development of anatomical devices. Visitors should be aware that real people and body parts are on display, so a visit may not be suitable to young children.
Glockengießerei Grassmayr
The Bell foundry has existed for 400 years, and been led by the same Graßmayr family for 14 generations. The museum offers visitors the unique experience of feeling the craftsmanship involved with generations of bell making traditions. The museum was awarded with many prizes such as the Austrian Museum Prize and the Maecenas Prize.
Hofburg
The palace is a former Habsburg palace, and considered one of the 3 most important cultural buildings in Austria (the others being the Hofburg palace and Schönbrun palace in Vienna). It is the main building of a large residential complex used by the Habsburg dynasty. Construction started around 1460 under Archduke Sigismund, including medieval fortifications such as the Rumer Gate which was converted into the Heraldic Tower in 1499 under Emperor Maximilian I. The palace saw numerous expansions during the next 2.5 centuries. The most significant alterations were made between 1754 and 1773 under Empress Maria Theresia, who gave it a Baroque outlook. The palace now hosts 5 themed museum areas: Maria Theresia's Rooms from the 18th century, Empress Elisabeth's Apartment from the 19th century, a Furniture Museum, an Ancestral Gallery, and a Painting Gallery. The museum areas illustrate different aspects of the political and cultural history of the imperial palace under reign of the Habsburg dynasty for over 4.5 centuries.
Das Tirol Panorama
With construction finished in 2010 for €25 million, the museum's only attraction is the Giant Panoramic Painting, which was transferred to the building in September of the same year. The painting depicts the Tyrolean Rebellion of 1809 on 1,000 m² of canvas, a battle in which the Tyrolean people fought against the invading Bavarian army. A free audio commentary takes visitors into the heart of the battle.
Kaiserjägermuseum
A small museum dedicated to the Kaiserjägern (Imperial Hunters), Emperor Franz Joseph I's battalion of guards. The name Jäger, "hunter" in German, is a reference to light infantry. The museum opened in 1878 and was maintained by the Jägers themselves under regiment commander Oberst Knöpfler. The collection features memorabilia, weapons, uniforms, photographs and personal belongings of former Jägers. The garden of the museum hosts the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to the 20,000 Jägers who died during the First World War. The Jäger battalions were disbanded in 1918 when the Austrian Empire dissolved, but the museum was preserved. The museum was hit by a bomb during the Second World War but rebuilt in 1959 and expanded with a chapel and 2 rooms with display cases containing the 154 books in which the names of fallen Tyrolean soldiers are recorded.
Museum dedicated to Emperor Maximilian I and his wife, their significance to Tyrol and Austria, and the living conditions of the early 16th century.
Goldenes Dachl
Most famous landmark of the city since 1500, the Golden Roof is a late-Gothic alcove balcony of which the roof is decorated with 2657 fire-gilded copper tiles. It was built to commemorate the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I with Bianca Maria Sforza. The balcony allowed the Emperor and his wife to enjoy festivals, tournaments and other events on the square below.
Stadtturm
Historic city tower, reaching 51 m height, and visitors can climb the 148 steps for a fee to reach the viewing platform at 31 m which rewards for the effort with a view over the historic city (Altstadt). It is a Gothic tower with a quadrangular substructure and consists of 6 floors. Above the viewing platform sits a narrower octagonal structure with 4 semicircular bay windows and a large dome roof. It was constructed between 1442 and 1450 at the old town hall to reflect the increased self-confidence of Innsbruckers in their defensive capabilities, with watchmen manning the tower day and night. The first documented tower guard took service in 1529 by order of the city council, and warned the townspeople in times of fire, assaults, or other dangers. The room at the ground floor has been used for watchmen meetings as late as 1951. During the Middle Ages, the lower area of the tower also served as city prison, and the barred windows on the first 2 floors are remnants of that function. The original Gothic tower was renovated, enhanced and rebuilt several times. Most notably in 1586, 4 wrought-iron gargoyles were added as decorations. The clock was added in 1603 by Erasmus Melchior.
Ferdinandeum, Museumstraße, Scientific collection, Feldstraße and Museum im Zeughaus, Zeughausgasse
Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum
Considered among the finest regional heritage museums in Europe, next to the Hofkirche and across from the Hofburg. Its collection features a remarkable selection of cultural artifacts from Tyrol, spread over four wings of a former Franciscan monastery around an arcaded Renaissance courtyard. The permanent exhibition includes handicrafts, costumes, household items, glass, pottery and ceramics, furniture, and many more. A large part is devoted to religious and secular folk art. The architecture of the museum itself is also worth visiting, with rooms outfitted in wood-paneled Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque style salvaged from noble houses in the area.
Seilbahnmuseum
A small museum dedicated to the history of cable railways, focusing mainly on the history of the Nordkette Cable Railways. Set up in a former classroom, the museum has an authentic replica on display of the very first cable car that made the journey to the top of the Nordkette mountain. Its collection features many pictures and artifacts detailing the past and present technology involved in the construction of alpine transportation systems.
Localbahnmuseum
City transport museum with at least one example of almost every type of tramcar to operate in the Innsbruck area, with smaller exhibits and information on minor railways throughout the Tyrol region. Housed in the former workshops of the Stubaitalbahn line to Fulpmes, now absorbed into the city tramway. On opening days tours of the city centre by vintage tramcar run three times a day, and it is also possible to board or alight at regular tram stops to get to or from the museum.
Botanischer Garten
The garden is operated by the University of Innsbruck and covers an area of 2 ha. It was established around 1911 and replaced an earlier garden, then redesigned after the Second World War from 1948 to 1965. The Alpine rock garden underwent another revision from 1987 to 1990 to update it to the most modern botanical principles. The greenhouses were constructed in 1909, with 3 additional greenhouses added from 1977 to 1979, a succulent house in 1993, and a 6th greenhouse for container plants in 1997. Visitors can view over 5,000 different species in the garden.
Imperial Palace Park
Large park at the edge of the Old Town (Altstadt) covering an area of 10 ha between the Congress Palace, the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) and the Tyrolean State Theatre. The initiative for the park was taken by Archduke Ferdinand II in the 16th century, and at the time of completion it was one of the most elaborate gardens north of the Alps. It underwent transformations into a Renaissance style garden, a French formal garden, and since 1858 an English landscape garden. The garden features ponds, a playground, a palm house with 1700 species, and several restaurants and bars. Some of the plants in the park were planted by Austrian empress Maria Theresa.
The alpine zoo is Europe's highest situated zoo (727 m), and is specializing in alpine animals, with 2.000 animals of 150 species on display. It contains outdoor enclosures, terrariums, aviaries, aquariums (world's biggest collection of alpine fish species) and a barnyard with old farm animal races. The zoo is in hillside situation, so there's a certain altitude difference to cover. Founded in 1962 by Austrian zoologist Hans Psenner, the Alpenzoo is a non profit initiative aimed at conservation of Alpine animals, and is praised for its efforts to reintroduce endangered species like the bearded vulture, Alpine ibex and northern bald ibis in the wild. Free entrance with the Innsbruck-Card.
Accessible via bus line J, destination "Patscherkofelbahn" or "Olympiaexpreß" and tram line 6 to Igls. Tram line 6 is particularly worth taking - a beautiful meandering route up the mountain and included in the city zone of Innsbruck's public transport. Much better value than the Hungerburgbahn on the Nordkette. The Patscherkofel is a skiing region south of Innsbruck, that has a number of timbered ski-runs of the former olympia-routes. In summer it is a great region for hiking along the forestline.
One ascent&descent is free with the Innsbruck-Card.
Large ski resort with a variety of challenging terrain and runs. Lots of terrain for off piste skiing or snowboarding. Hosted several downhill skiing events in the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. Easily accessible from Innsbruck using the free ski bus (picks up at Innsbruck Hauptbahnof).
Offers several ski resorts in the winter.
Indoor room escape type games, with 5 different scenarios. Each scenario takes 1 hour to complete.
Indoor room escape type games with 3 scenarios. Each scenario takes 1 hour to complete.
Rätselraum Tirol
New room escape game in the city centre. In the scenario of Dr. Healers Secret Laboratory, one of the players has contracted a mysterious disease after being bitten by a rodent in the Tyrolean Alps. The team must find a cure within 60 minutes, using the secrets at their disposal in Dr. Healer's laboratory. For 2-6 players, game can be played in English or German.
Indoor room escape games, with 2 different scenarios. Play time: 1hr 15min. Both games are for 2-6 players from 14 years old. 2 players €59, 3 players €79, 4 players €86, 5 players €89, 6 players €99.
Tyrol's largest adult gaming and gambling centre.
Funicular taking visitors from the heart of the city to the Hungerburg station at the foot of the Nordkette mountain. The first section of the journey is underground and follows the Rennweg, emerging to the surface next to the Inn a few metres short of {{station|Löwenhaus station}}. It then proceeds on an elevated track to the {{station|Alpenzoo}}, crossing the Inn over a bridge, with final stop {{station|Hungerburg station}} after a few more tunnels and bridges. The journey takes 8 minutes, covering a difference in altitude of 288 m with a speed of 36 km/h. The funicular replaces the previous Hungerburgbahn, which had been in operation for a century since 1906. The Hungerburgbahn base station of the original one can still be visited. Tickets can be purchased in the ticket office, but are much cheaper online (€20 vs. €35 for a round trip).
Nordkette Cable Car
The Seegrubenbahn is a cable car with 2 gondolas, taking visitors from the valley station in Hungerburg up the Nordkette mountain. Completely reconstructed in 2004, the Seegrubenbahn connects the Hungerburgbahn with the Nordkette ski area in the Karwendel Nature Park.
The highest section of the Nordkettenbahn, the Hafelekar chairlift takes visitors to the top of the highest point of the Nordkette mountain, from which the Hafelekarspitze can be reached by foot in approx. 10 - 15 min. Halfway to the summit is the Cosmic Radiation Research Station of the University of Innsbruck, and an amateur radio outpost.
For almost half a century this show is visited by travellers and gives good insight on traditional Tyrolean culture— everybody who likes everything stereotypical about the alpine culture will be served the full menu: Yodeling, traditional dances, plays, music and clothing are mixed with typical surroundings.
Café on top of the ski jump, with a great view over Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. They have good Apfelstrudel (apple cake).
Real "Gasthaus" (tavern) with Austrian cuisine. Not too crowded and mostly visited by locals. Big portions. Offers separate smoking and non-smoking areas.
Magic Pizza Burger
The place looks like a 1970s American diner, usually quite populated. Big portions.
Italian food. The veggie risotto is tasty. From a culinary point of view, it's like being in an old pizzeria in Napoli. Friendly staff.
A good Asian restaurant. Great food, large portions, quick service. Good noodles and sushi. From the outside, it looks like a simple diner, but don't let that fool you. Inside, it is quite large and cosy.
Tasty pizza. The bread, the meat, the vegetables, the cheese, the sauces, everything is good. There are a few vegetarian options that are very good and tasty. Great kebab shop.
The only dürüm in town that is actually spicy, if you order spicy. The garlic soup is tasty and quickly served. Very tasty veggie dürum, which is often very greasy elsewhere. Friendly service.
Traditional cuisine; known for Eiterbeule (identical to Wiener Schnitzel).
Indian Restaurant. Great portions.
Excellent salmon tagliatelli. No wifi. Walk to the 2nd floor for a more quiet and spacious seating area.
Grill, cantina and bar
Mexican, Caribbean and Creole food. Serving sizes are generous and the ambiance is laidback.
Small cafe serving a soup and main course for €8.50, or only a main course for €6.50. Simple but good food in a friendly atmosphere. They have board games available, to spend time while waiting for food. Try their home-made ice tea for €3.50. (prices as of Dec 2018)
Italian cuisine. Very kind owners. Quality food and professional staff. The black risotto is recommended.
High—class cuisine with great ambience. The kingfish is tasty.
Every day of the week has special offers and events. Since it's close to the university, there are a lot of students and you might need to call in and order a table.
The place is lively and usually crowded with students and visitors from all over the world, especially a lot of English speakers. Staff is bilingual, so this might be a great place for you to feel home.
Weekender is a place to have a drink and to dance. Almost every week there are national and international live bands. A must for indie fans!
Authentic Irish pub with two large floors. Pub quizzes every Monday (except during summer), Open Mic Night every Thursday.
Almost daily events, e.g. concerts, film/tv screenings, comedy shows and dances. Every Friday free concerts. Spacious café with garden, jazz salon and two big event halls. The all-female staff ("Weiberwirtschaft") serves food and snacks (pizza, kebab) in the café till midnight.
Kranebitter Allee 214.
Youth hostel.
Modern hotel with many luxury amenities, including lounge bar and indoor swimming pool, in the historic centre of the city. Among the most pricey options to spend a night in Innsbruck and a large radius around it.
4-star hotel with 120 rooms, offering a wellness area with fitness room, sauna and steam bath. Trendy bar.
2 minutes walk from the Old Town, main entrance via Maria-Theresien-Straße
Shopping mall with five levels in the inner city opposite Rathaus Gallerien.
Walk one block, turn right, walk under a railway—and you are looking at it. All major bus and tram lines take you there.
Many stores just right around it, such as Ikea.
in the suburb "Völs"
"Arts & Crafts" footwear in a funny plain design, not cheap, but very durable (Anichstraße 20,
Also has discounts in early January, with a decent selection.
By train
Regular direct trains run from Venice, Bolzano/Bozen, Zürich, Munich, Graz, Vienna (via Linz and Salzburg) and many other destinations.
By bus
The bus station is right next to the main train station, and accommodates local, interregional and international traffic. There are connections to Seefeld, Wipptal, Ötztal, and Zillertal.
By car
Innsbruck is reachable through both of Tyrol's motorways: Inntalautobahn (A12) and Brennerautobahn (A13) which intersect in the south of Innsbruck.
By bike
Innsbruck can be reached on the Inntalradweg from Passau to St. Moritz. Even in the city this bicycle trail is signposted with small green road signs.
On foot
The classic walk into old Innsbruck follows.
By car
Big parts of the downtown area are declared (fee-based) short-term parking zones. For longer visits, it is highly recommended to park off-site and use public transportation.
By public transport
Public local traffic (6 tram-lines, and a dense network of buses) is operated by Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe and a couple of private operators.
By bike
Cycling is common in Innsbruck and especially popular among students. Innsbruck has some bicycle paths, but they are not very well interlinked within the city.
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