Popular Cities Innsbruck

If you'd like to admire the Alps while visiting one of Austria's most beautiful cities, you should put Innsbruck on your list. The city offers a unique view of the Alps and blends seamlessly into Austria's impressive natural landscape. Be sure to take unforgettable photos here. Below, we give you an overview of the most interesting sights in the city and nearby excursion destinations. Let Innsbruck surprise you.

Sights in the city

Innsbruck Nordkette

The Nordkette rises above Innsbruck and reaches a height of 2,300 metres. It's a place that invites you to linger and rewards you with unforgettable views. But the panorama isn't the only reason to visit the Innsbruck Nordkette: at 2,300 metres there's also a wide range of activities on offer. You can easily reach the Nordkette with the Nordkettenbahn cable car and be in Austria's mountain landscape instead of the city centre within about 30 minutes. Once at the top, you can hike, climb or simply enjoy the view. If you visit Innsbruck in winter, the Nordkette is also a great place to kick off your next ski or snowboard adventure.

Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl)

This landmark lives up to its name and delights visitors with the 2,657 gilded copper shingles that cover the roof. The architectural masterpiece is also notable for its stylish frescoes and relief decorations and, together with its shimmering gold, is a true highlight of the old town.

The building dates back to around 1500. To this day, the Golden Roof is considered Innsbruck's most famous attraction (and for some, even one of Austria's most famous). It houses a museum where you can see the original reliefs, which were replaced with copies in 1952 to protect them from damage.

Imperial Palace (Hofburg Innsbruck)

The Hofburg in Innsbruck looks back on a long history and has likewise been part of the city since around 1500. Particularly worth seeing are the various state rooms, such as the Guard Hall (Gardesaal), the Giant's Hall (Riesensaal) and the Council Chamber (Ratsstube). The Giant's Hall is, incidentally, considered the most important ceremonial hall in western Austria and reflects Habsburg commemorative culture. In the Council Chamber you can discover three orders: the Order of St. Stephen, the Order of the Golden Fleece and the Teutonic Order. Besides the state rooms, the imperial apartments are also among the Hofburg's highlights. These include a beauty salon, several bedrooms, a dressing room and a study. Be sure to also visit the chapel and the Coat of Arms Tower (Wappenturm).

Ambras Castle

Ambras Castle is a very popular attraction for Innsbruck visitors and is linked to a remarkable love story. The castle was a gift of love from Archduke Ferdinand II to the daughter of an Augsburg merchant, who did not match his social standing. Their wedding, marriage and children therefore had to be kept secret. But it's not only the history that makes Ambras Castle worth seeing, but also its treasure-filled rooms. The castle houses collections that Ferdinand II assembled and preserved in a museum, thereby making his treasures accessible to the public. For this reason, the museum is often regarded as the first museum in the world. Let yourself be enchanted by Ambras Castle.

Bergisel Ski Jump

The Bergisel Ski Jump was designed by architect Zaha Hadid, who is internationally known for her architectural masterpieces. The structure consists of a bridge-like take-off track, a tower and a steel tower head, and has been part of Innsbruck since 2001. It is often described as a kind of sculpture formed from its individual elements. Fans of the Olympic Games may recognise the venue: in 1964 and 1976, the Bergisel Ski Jump was part of the Winter Olympics. It is also a central stop on the Four Hills Tournament. But even if you're not a ski jumping fan, a visit is worthwhile: the site offers wide views and invites you to enjoy a warming coffee. Be sure not to miss the Panorama Café.

Court Church (Hofkirche)

The Hofkirche in Innsbruck is also known as the "Black Men's Church" – named after the 28 black bronze figures that stand guard inside. Life-size, they surround the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I and leave a lasting impression. A special detail: eight of these "black men" are actually women. In addition, the tomb is an empty cenotaph – the emperor's mortal remains lie in Wiener Neustadt. Due to their weight, the bronze figures could not be transported there.

The Hofkirche is known not only for the symbolic tomb of Maximilian I, but also for the freedom fighter Andreas Hofer, who led thousands of Tyroleans against Napoleonic troops in 1809. He was executed, but his legacy endured. The Hofkirche also contains the graves of other companions such as Josef Speckbacher, Joachim Haspinger and Kajetan Sweth.

Besides these stories, the Hofkirche is also worth a visit for the Silver Chapel. Archduke Ferdinand II, who gave Ambras Castle to his beloved, also rests here. His beloved Philippine Welser is likewise buried in the chapel. Inside you'll see a magnificent silver altar as well as an organ whose pipes are made entirely of wood.

Maria-Theresien-Strasse

Maria-Theresien-Strasse is Innsbruck's best-known promenade and often serves as a backdrop for souvenir photos. The street invites you to stroll and shop and impresses with a unique view. Wander past the magnificent baroque buildings and enjoy the special city panorama. A particularly worthwhile stop is the Palais Gumpp, today the seat of the provincial government, with its imposing appearance. Further highlights along Maria-Theresien-Strasse are the Anna Column and the Triumphal Arch.

Things to see nearby

Swarovski Crystal Worlds

The sparkling Swarovski Crystal Worlds are located just a short distance from Innsbruck and can also be reached by shuttle from the city. Let yourself be enchanted by this unique world of experience and discover the internationally famous Swarovski crystals. Crystal Worlds isn't only interesting for admirers of beauty – there's also plenty for children to experience. In particular, the play tower, the artfully designed labyrinth and the carousel are guaranteed to make children's eyes light up. Crystal Worlds is a wonderful excursion destination for families.

Right at the entrance you're welcomed by the giant, inside which various exhibitions are housed – the 18 Chambers of Wonder. There you can discover artistic installations and, among other things, experience a chamber where it snows all year round. Of course, you can also pick up a souvenir at the Swarovski Store. For a break, the café and restaurant "Daniels Kristallwelten" is an excellent choice.

Hiking adventure: Mühlau Gorge

Follow this mysterious gorge and feel transported into a world of legends, where witches and devils don't seem so unrealistic after all. The Mühlau Gorge is known for its stories and draws you into a very special atmosphere. Right at the start of the hike you'll encounter references to the devil. The bridge in this area was named after a pig and is connected to the devil's schemes. In the past, Innsbruck was often threatened by avalanches, which repeatedly destroyed the bridge. According to legend, the devil offered to rebuild it – if the people of Mühlau would help him with a trick. The catch: the first soul to cross the bridge was to belong to the devil. However, the residents outwitted him by sending a pig across first. This is where the bridge gets its name: "Schweinsbrücke" (Pig's Bridge).

The hike through the Mühlau Gorge begins at the western end of the Schweinsbrücke in the Mühlau district and leads through the gorge. Along the way, mystical names mark the highlights, such as the Devil's Pulpit or the wooden bridge to the "Witches' Kitchen" (Hexenkuchl). The cave bears this name due to old tales that speak of witch sightings. Besides these spots, along the route you can also admire small waterfalls and the gorge's avalanche area.

Best time to visit

A trip to Innsbruck is worthwhile all year round, as the city has something to offer for every season. In summer, you can wonderfully combine hikes with a city trip and enjoy marvellous views over the city. In spring and winter, you can head up into the mountains to explore the ski slopes or eagerly follow the Four Hills Tournament. If you'd like to avoid the busiest times, it's advisable to travel in the off-season and not during school holidays.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant trip!

We wish you a pleasant trip to Austria and lots of fun exploring Innsbruck. Please inform yourself in advance about the toll regulations in Austria. You can find more information on the toll in our guide. You're also welcome to use our route planner to make planning your trip easier and to have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we're happy to help. Feel free to contact us anytime by email.