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Destinations > Europe > Austria > The High Alps City of Innsbruck in Tyrol

A City in the High Alps

Austria is surrounded by majestic mountains and filled with decorated towns with baroque architecture. It is also the home country of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Heinrich Harrer, and Maria von Trapp each of whom have inspired films based on their lives.

Innsbruck is the capital of the Federal State of Tyrol in Austria. Located in a high pass in the western part of the country, Innsbruck has been an important stop for trade and travel since medieval times. Its location high in the Alps has made it a popular spot for winter sports in modern times, hosting both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter games more than once.

Its mountainous setting makes it a prime destination for sporting and history enthusiasts alike. The strategic importance of the area has witnessed history being made throughout the centuries. With hiking in the summer, as well as the iconic winter sports and festivals, there is a lot to see and do in this lovely town. 

Innsbruck’s Old Town - Altstadt

The picture-perfect streets of Innsbruck’s Old Town (Altstadt in German) are a favorite with visitors to the city. The area has lovely blend of historic buildings, some over 500 years old, and modern amenities like top rated hotels, shops, and restaurants of a modern city center. 

Old Town’s cobbled streets and winding medieval alleyways are pedestrian-friendly with few cars, as well as museums and historic gems tucked around every corner. The character and mood of the Old Town varies depending on when you visit, but it is a fun and safe area to take in the flavor of the city.

Goldenes Dachl

The Goldenes Dachl or Golden Roof is one of the most famous and most photographed buildings in Innsbruck’s Old Town. Dating back to the 15th century, the loggia with the famous roof was commissioned by Emperor Maximillian I to commemorate his marriage to Bianca Maria Sforza. Though the exterior is the main photographic draw, you can also take a guided tour of the exhibit inside to learn more about the history of the building.

Golden Eagle Inn

The Goldener Adler, or Golden Eagle Inn, is also located in Old Town. The Gasthof Goldener Adler is an inn that dates back to the 1390s and is one of the oldest hotels in the city. A modern chain hotel now operates there, but the long history and character of the building remain intact. The hotel restaurant serves award-winning regional Tyrol cuisine.

Helbling House

Another gem of the Old Town, the Helbling House, has a frothy Rococo façade, added in the early 18th century to the older building – a masterpiece of the style. This memorable building, with its fabulous bay windows and elaborate decoration is definitely a must see. The pedestrian arcade on the ground floor offers a peak at the medieval style that the Rococo ornamentation replaced.

Ottoburg Palace

At the edge of Old Town, the many-sided, four- and five-storied Ottoburg Palace is a corner tower that was once part of the medieval city wall and gatehouse. Associated since the end of the 18th century with Duke Otto von Andechs II, who is considered the founder of Innsbruck and is said to have stayed in the building, the building’s name is actually an evolution of the phrase “empty castle” due to its commercial use since 1510. It was converted to a restaurant in 1913, and through its renovations maintained several of the historic Gothic crosses and star vaults.

Gasthof Hotel Weißes Rössl

The Gasthof “Guesthouse” hotel is near the center of the city. It was easy to find using GPS and there was plenty of seating to be found. The non-extensive menu is only in German, but the waitress was easily able to translate the items into English for us. We also were able to use the google translate app to get a pretty good idea.  Some other items like “feuerfleck” translated as fire fish, but it was actually a type of flat bread.  

We ordered a flatbread with salmon, spinach, sheep cheese, and arugula. Usually it comes with either salmon and arugula OR spinach and sheep cheese. We asked the waitress if we could have salmon with spinach instead of arugula, but there must have been some miscommunication and we ended up with all four toppings. It still turned out well and the ingredients were fresh and delicious.

We also tried the elderberry flavored water. It came with a slice of lemon and was light and refreshing. The winner of the meal was the dessert though! Warm apple strudel with vanilla sauce was a lovely way to finish the experience.

If you’re visiting in summer, definitely grab an outside table as it can get fairly warm inside.

Innsbruck Markthalle - Marktplatz

The Marktplatz, on the bank of the Inn River, is a great spot for fresh produce and local food shopping. You can also grab a bite to eat or a glass of wine in one of the small eateries. An outdoor stage offers entertaining performances, and in the season leading up to the holidays there’s a lovely Christmas market with a great atmosphere.

Maria Theresa Street

Strolling along Maria Theresa Street (Maria-Theresien Strasse) with its St Anne Column (Annasäule) offers another iconic view of Innsbruck. Once the main southern road out of the city, the street has witnessed several important moments in the city’s history. The red marble column, for example, was erected to commemorate the successful repelling of a Bavarian invasion in 1703. The view of the column framed against the backdrop of the mountains is impressive year-round.

The column is topped by a statue of the Blessed Virgin and circled with statues of local patron saints, including St Anne who it’s named for, at its base. For preservation purposes the statues have been replaced with replicas and the originals can be viewed in the Abbey of St. Georgenberg-Fiecht and the Altes Landhaus.

Hospital Church of the Holy Spirit

Located at the beginning of Maria Theresa Street, the Hospital Church of the Holy Spirit was once located outside the thick walls of Innsbruck, connected to the hospital it’s named for. This was to keep the sick isolated from the general population who feared infection. The hospital is no longer there, but the church remains a Baroque gem. Though badly damaged during the Second World War, it was beautifully restored in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Innsbruck’s Colourful Houses

One of the key features of the city are the Colourful Houses that line the streets of Innsbruck. The Walking Path on Inn River is a great way to take in this iconic panorama – the colorful houses with the blue of the river in the foreground and the mountains rising behind them is a picture opportunity that you won’t want to miss!

Triumphal Arch

Triumphpforte, the Triumphal Arch, is located at the end of Maria Theresa Street. It was built in 1765 to celebrate another wedding, this one between Archduke Leopold and the Spanish princess Maria Luisa. The stone from the gates of the old city walls were used in its construction, connecting it further to the city’s history. The Archduke’s father is also commemorated on the arch, having died just days after the wedding, giving the memorial a bittersweet flavor.

Tiroler Weinstube Restaurant

Tiroler Weinstube, a cultural Austrian restaurant/pub, doesn't strive for attention using fancy displays or an elaborate website.

It is a local establishment that gives you a family-owned feeling that you may expect from a small-scale hotspot from the 70's and 80's. Charming in the sense that it never seems to make you feel marketed towards as a tourist, but slightly to the contrary as regulars stop their conversations as you walk in through a cloud of tobacco smoke to order a drink or request a table.

The smaller non-smoking section is located in the rear while the few outdoor tables seem to allow for better ventilation. Rumors of massive serving sizes convinced us to order the smaller goulash plate with bread and the award winning best value choice pork with dumpling, gravy, and small side salad.

What was served to us looked simple, but tempting.  Exceptional taste and quantity for a fit couple in their mid-30's who are usually fairly critical of what they are served. Excellent value at €13.20 after tax (and €3.20 additional for a large dark brew) made us quite pleased with our experience apart from having to opt for a few annoying flies outside over a denser smoke filled interior.

Recommended mostly for the value and quality of the food along with the authentic feeling, less so for the person who has issues with tobacco smoke. Waitresses speak English. 

Innsbruck Train Station

The original building for the Stazione di Innsbruck Centrale, the Innsbruck Train Station, designed in the 1850s by Franz Czwerwenka, head of the civil construction department under Emperor Franz Joseph I, was destroyed during World War II. Rebuilt in the 50s, two incredible Max Weiler frescos depicting the history of Innsbruck were incorporated into the mid-century design. When the station was rebuilt in 2004, these frescos were preserved and installed in this new hub of regional transportation.

A visit to Innsbruck would not be complete without taking advantage of the wonderful access to the Alps that the city offers. Several nearby trails and resorts have something to offer all age groups and skill levels.

The Ghost Trail in Oberperfuss

Popular with kids, The Ghost Trail in Oberperfuss is a great outing for families. After taking the Bergbahnen Oberperfuss gondola up to 1500 metres, it’s a gentle hike down the forest trail. Dotted with interactive stops you can listen to stories devised by local school children and solve puzzles. Keep track in your trail guide booklet and you will be rewarded when you reach the lower gondola station. Complete with a bouncy castle and an alpine restaurant along the way, this is an outing that has something for everyone in the family.

Do note that the Bergbahnen Oberperfuss gondola is only open during certain times of the year - something we learned the hard way - as without it we were required to hike up the mountain, which was tiring but very scenic!

Andreas Hofer-Weg Trail

Offering beautiful, wide forest paths, the Andreas Hofer-Weg Trail, provides an easy hike across the Val Passiria to the Sandwirt Farm, which is the birth place of Andreas Hofer, a local historical figure. The Sandwirt has a museum and a pub where you can take a break before looping back around to your starting point.

Höttinger Bild Trail

Höttinger Bild Trail steps up the difficulty a bit, being a modernly challenging trail. It’s another loop trail that takes hikers through gorgeous alpine meadows and is noted for wildflower viewing. Several attractions along the way include a small chapel at Höttinger Bild and the city’s Alpine Zoo.

Bergisel Ski Jump

Winter sports enthusiasts will want to make a stop at Bergisel Ski Jump, a ski jumping hill with a stadium capacity of 26,000 people. Competitions were first held here in the 1920s and the site has featured in the Olympic events held in Innsbruck. It was redesigned and added to in 2003 by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Today it’s the site of several important ski jumping events, including the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup.

Must See Places in Innsbruck

With its alpine vistas and quaint historic streets, Innsbruck offers visitors a fun and relaxing window to central Europe. The variety of places to visit in Innsbruck means that whatever your travel style is, there is something here for you.

Our favorite things to do here were simply walking around Old Town and hiking in the trails overlooking the city. Enjoy!

FAQ’s

How can I get to Innsbruck from other major cities in Europe?

Innsbruck is well-connected by train, bus, and air to other major cities in Europe. You can find the best options and prices for your travel on websites like Omio or Skyscanner. For example, you can take a direct train from Munich to Innsbruck in about two hours, or a direct flight from London to Innsbruck in about two and a half hours.

What are some of the best places to eat and drink in Innsbruck?

Innsbruck has a variety of restaurants and cafes that offer local and international cuisine. Some of the specialties of Tyrolean food include speck (smoked ham), knödel (dumplings), and kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake with raisins and sugar). Some of the best places to try these dishes are Stiftskeller, Restaurant Sitzwohl, and Cafe Sacher. For drinks, you can enjoy the local beer, wine, or schnapps at pubs like Theresienbräu, Weinhaus Happ, or 1809.

What are some of the cultural and historical attractions in Innsbruck?

Innsbruck has a rich history and culture that dates back to the medieval times. You can explore the old town and see the famous Golden Roof, the Imperial Palace, and the Cathedral of St. James. You can also visit the Ambras Castle, which houses a museum of art and curiosities, or the Bergisel Ski Jump, which offers a panoramic view of the city and the Alps. For more cultural experiences, you can check out the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, the Tyrolean State Theatre, or the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.

(1) The High Alps City of Innsbruck in Tyrol - Austria. https://eatwanderexplore.com/blog/the-high-alps-city-of-innsbruck-in-tyrol-austria.

(2) REmotiFIRE by EatWanderExplore Remote Lifestyle & Online Coding Bootcamp. https://eatwanderexplore.com/.

(3) The Austrian Tyrol: Discover a Country Within a Country. https://www.traveltyrol.com/tyrol/.

(4) Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Innsbruck - Discover Walks Blog. https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/austria/top-10-remarkable-facts-about-innsbruck/.

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