The 7 essential things to do in Innsbruck

Visit Innsbruck: what are the best things to do in the capital of Tyrol?

Austrian Tyrol Regional Capital, Innsbruck is located in the heart of the Alps, on the river Inn. Historical and picturesque town, it has a remarkable architectural and cultural heritage.

Convoyed by all the nations around throughout its history, Innsbruck was the seat of the imperial court of Maximilian I at the end of the 15th century. Today, the imperial monuments of the time of the Habsburgs are surrounded by more modern buildings within the Old Town, with as a backdrop the high mountains. This set gives it a unique charm.

Are you wondering what to do in Innsbruck during your stay? Here is the answer with our 7 essentials to visit Innsbruck in good shape!

1. Innsbruck’s Golden Toit

The Little Toit of Gold was built at the request of Emperor Maximilian I. This façade is the most photographed in Austria. With a guest house, it is surmounted by a second loggia covered with a roof consisting of 2,657 golden copper plates. You can admire it during your walk in the Old Town.

2. Mausolée de l’empereur Maximilien Ier

Not far from the Golden Toit is the Mausolée of the Emperor Maximilian I , the man who allowed the Habsburgs to become one of the largest dynasties in Europe. Built from its lifetime, this monument is one of the most important achievements of the entire German Renaissance sculpture. Twenty-eight bronze statues, measuring nearly 2 meters each, mount the guard around the empty tomb. Called black men by the inhabitants, they represent the ancestors of the Habsburg in the broad sense, since Charlemagne, Clovis and Godefroy de Bouillon can be seen.

3. Château d’Ambras

Located in the South of Innsbruck, Ambras Castle was originally a medieval fortress before being transformed into a Renaissance-style castle by Ferdinand II of Tyrol . The latter, passionate about arts and science, has assembled a formidable collection of weapons, paintings, works of armour that have been worked out, as well as works of exotic art and objects from all over the world.

The Château is today a museum, to be done absolutely when you go to Innsbruck!

4. Imperial Palace of Innsbruck

The Hofburg is a former imperial and royal residence of Austria-Hungary. First medieval castle, Marie-Thérèse d’Austria destroy it to build the current Rococo building, in the pure style of the court of Vienna. Extremely well preserved and restored, the visit of the imperial palace allows to admire the riches of the Habsburg of Austria while discovering the quoti-dien of some great figures, such as Marie-Thérèse d’Austria or the Empress Sissi. It is possible to visit its rich interior apartment that has a unique style, unique to Sissi!

5. Tyrolean Popular Art Museum

The Tyrolean Popular Art Museum in Innsbruck is one of the most beautiful in Europe in its genre. Located next to the Mausolée and the Imperial Palace, it is a must if you are visiting Innsbruck. This ethnographic museum extends over three floors, it immerses you in the history and picturesque life of Tyrol!

6. See also in Innsbruck

If you are still wondering what to do in Innsbruck, here are more attractions to visit and activities to enjoy:

• Tirol Panorama: a modern museum that presents an impressive 360° view of the enlivened history of Tyrol.
• The funiculars of the Nordkette: a curious construction that sparkles the sun.
• The funiculars of the Nordkette: a curious construction that sparkles the sun.
• Helbling House: a Gothic-style building that was transformed into a rococo style in 1732.
• Triumphpforte: a superb arc of triumph magnified by the Alps in the background and built on the orders of Empress Marie-Thérèse of Austria on the occasion of the marriage of his son Leopold with the Spaniard Marie-Louise.
• The Christmas Market: one of the most beautiful and romantic in the Alps, from mid-November to early January.
• The New Year and its waltzed waltz: for the new year, the Old City turns into a giant ballroom. Live music rythmée, culinary specialties and show are on the programme, in addition to a superb fireworks that illuminates the surrounding montages!

Visit Innsbruck winter as summer ensures you discover a typical, picturesque and preserved atmosphere. Winter is enchanting thanks to the end of the year festivities and the snow that covers mountainous foothills. Summer is warm, very smooth to live in Tyrolean.

7. Things to do in the vicinity of Innsbruck

Visiting Innsbruck will allow you to discover many wonders. But it would be a shame to be confined only to the city and not to explore the mountains and the surrounding nature! For example:

• Visit the Alpenzoo: by borrowing the impressive Hungerburgbahn funicular, designed by Zaha Hadid, you can access this beautiful animal park. A must-see if you are visiting Innsbruck: the park makes you discover the alpine fauna and exhibitions allow you to learn more about Tyrol’s sensitive ecosystems.
• Climb aboard the cable car at the funicular terminus to reach the Seegrude restaurant at 2000 meters above sea level: you will find yourself facing a stunning panorama.
• Enjoy skiing: Visiter Innsbruck and Tyrol allow you to access the 300km of ski runs across 9 ski areas around the world.
• Going on foot or mountain biking: Tyrol summer is particularly beautiful and also renowned for the wonderful landscapes during charming hikes. The famous hiking trail, the Aigle Path, has a stage in Innsbruck.

How to get to Innsbruck?

The best way to get to Innsbruck remains the plane (2 hours from Paris). The city with its own airport, you will find a cheap flight on our partner's website Ulysses . As Austria’s advantage is to be accessible by all means, you can go to Innsbruck by train, bus or car. In short, you only have to choose!

Where to stay in Innsbruck?

From the historic city centre to the charming district of Hötting, the nickname “Cape des Alpes” is swept away from charming little corners where to stay . For a stay in the heart of town, opt for a hotel in Altstadt: you can find a cheap hotel in Innsbruck by searching for this Compare hotels . If you prefer to stay away from the urban tourbillon and close to nature as in Hötting, opt for Airbnb , the site offers ground feet to feel like home!

Now you know what to do in Innsbruck during your stay. Winter or summer, have you ever chosen?