Innsbruck Activities
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Like a fairytale realm, Innsbruck offers great sights for kids of all ages. The mediaeval Old Town has a special feel, especially in the depths of a snowy winter. The surrounding mountains are chock full of outdoor excursions at time of the year, and there are even a couple of kid-friendly attractions in town. The Alpenzoo presents a rare look at the native creatures living in those beautiful mountains, while Crystal Worlds is a surreal underground fantasyland sure to delight the children.
Alpenzoo
One of the world’s more interesting zoos has several distinguishing features. It only contains creatures that are native to the Alps, so don’t expect any giraffes or elephants here. Instead, visitors learn about the birds, fish, reptiles and other animals that inhabit the mountainous terrain around Innsbruck. More than 130 species comprised of 800 animals live in the Alpenzoo, creating a nearly complete view of alpine wildlife. As an added bonus, the views from the zoo’s Hungerburg Plateau location are extraordinary. Phone: +43 512 292 323.
Crystal Worlds (Swarovski Kristallwelten)
One of the planet’s most unique attractions is this underground gallery-themepark based around crystals. Seven connected chambers feature a different artistic perspective on these magical rocks that is sure to impress kids and adults alike. Check out the 3-D light show in the Planet of the Crystals, feel what it’s like to enter a giant crystal in the Crystal Dome and enjoy the rainbow-inspired performance in the Crystal Theatre. An adventure playground and alpine garden round off the highlights of this popular Innsbruck attraction. Phone: +43 522 451 080.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Whether your kids are already skiers or just ready to learn, the slopes around Innsbruck are ideal for beginners and experienced skiers alike. During the winter, everything revolves around the five ski hills surrounding the city. Public transport, cablecars and chairlifts provide convenient access to the snow, where every service imaginable is on call. Phone: +43 512 598 850.
From engaging museums to stunning pieces of mediaeval architecture, Innsbruck offers far more culture than one would expect from a ski town. Visitors can enjoy traditional Tyrolean folk music, artistic performances at the historic Landestheatre, or a night out clubbing among one of Austria’s hottest party scenes. The unique Tyrolean style is evident everywhere you go, creating a tangible ambience of classic alpine life. There’s just as much to do in town as in the mountains, making Innsbruck the ideal all-around holiday destination.
Innsbruck Nightlife
University students make up a quarter of Innsbruck’s population, helping to keep this city’s nightlife buzzing. Add to this a healthy selection of happy tourists and artistic locals, and you have all the makings for a fun evening out. The Old Town is a great place to start your explorations, as everything from traditional brass bands to beer halls can be found here. Duck into one of the many wine taverns for a night of Tyrolean folk dancing and music. The Bogen district along the viaduct is another hot spot as dozens of different venues offer a range of barhopping opportunities.
Landestheatre
Innsbruck’s main venue for cultural performances is the 150 year-old Landestheatre, a venue with a legendary reputation for high quality theatre, musicals and opera. Located right in the heart of the Old Town, this beautiful historic theatre is a great way to experience the performing arts of Austria. There is something scheduled every month of the year, so you can be sure to catch an interesting show. Phone: +43 512 535 630.
Maximilianeum
While you are enjoying the majesty of the Golden Roof, check out this modest but interesting museum connected to it that highlights the accomplishments of Emperor Maximilian I. This important Habsburg ruler was responsible for many of Innsbruck’s greatest attractions, as well as sparking the Northern Renaissance movement. The exhibits present a diverse selection of period costumes, artwork, coins and other relics from his era. Phone: +43 512 581 111.
Tyrolean Folk Art Museum (Tyroler Volkskunst Museum)
To get an idea of the cultural heritage of Innsbruck’s residents, spend a couple of hours in the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum. Located in the 16th-century New Abbey, this colossal museum features a wide range of regional art, weapons, furniture, handicrafts and musical instruments. This is one of the best places to view Innsbruck’s collection of popular art, which includes some impressive religious and profane works. Elaborate traditional costumes are another highlight. Phone: +43 512 584 302.
Tyrolean Folk Music
Since you’re in the Alps it makes sense to check out a traditional performance of Tyrolean folk music. The best show in town is put on by the Tyroler Alpenbuhne troupe, a traditional brass band that has been playing Innsbruck for more than 40 years. Tyrolean instruments like the folk harp, alphorn, singing saw and zither create exactly the sound you’d expect to hear echoing across the valleys. The boisterous show is accompanied by a dinner, making for a great evening out. Phone: +43 512 263 263.
Tyrolean Provincial Museum (Tyroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum)
If you are an art fan, you’ll enjoy Innsbruck’s main art gallery, which features an excellent collection of paintings by Flemish and Dutch Masters. This is also a good site to explore the evolution of Tyrolean popular art as it has developed over the centuries. There is an excellent exhibit of Gothic era paintings, as well as the original bas-reliefs that once adorned the Golden Roof. Phone: +43 512 594 89.
Outdoor enthusiasts need plenty of good food to keep them going, and Innsbruck goes the distance to provide a wide range of places to eat and drink. More than 200 restaurants dish up everything from traditional Tyrolean cuisine to Japanese sushi, with those ubiquitous sausage stands filling in the gap for local-style fast food.
Tyrolean fare is hearty stuff, which is just what you need if you’re visiting in the colder months. Although the majority of restaurants in Innsbruck focus on a continental menu, there are plenty of places where you can find authentic alpine food. There are basically two kinds of venue for local fare: spacious restaurants usually located in hotels and small rustic cafes known as Bauernstuben. The latter provide significantly more atmosphere, and are the best places to sample simple but tasty dishes such as schweinsbraten (roasted pork with sauerkraut), Tyroler grostl (sautéed beef, potato and onion), and dumpling soup known as knodel.
Real Austrian food is pretty filling, so if you want something lighter or altogether different there are dozens of ethnic restaurants and trendy fusion cafés scattered across the city. The Old Town has plenty to choose from, especially if it’s local cuisine you’re after. Check out the Old Town’s Saggen district, or wander along the Herrengasse, Leopoldstrasse or Kirschentalgasse where restaurants line the streets.
The best place for a quick snack is one of the city’s sausage stands known as wuerstelstandl. High quality, low prices and a great selection keep these popular stands busy all the time. Another quintessential Innsbruck experience is the coffee house. They serve as social hubs for the locals, serving excellent cakes, coffee and tea in a relaxing atmosphere.
Innsbruck’s busy tourism scene has allowed an excellent range of shops to flourish. Souvenirs such as stuffed Wolpertinger rabbits, chocolate covered gingerbread and large drinking cups decorated with Tyrolean scenes are popular buys. This is also a good place to pick up a piece of exquisite Swarovski crystal, which is traditionally made in the Tyrol region.
These goods can be found in the shopping malls and markets of the city. The largest shopping centres include the Rathaus Gallerien, the Einkaufcenter, and the DEZ-Einkaufszentrum. But for a more aesthetic shopping experience, stick to the Old Town. The pedestrian street named Maria Theresien Strasse and the Herzog Friedrich Strasse are popular spots for quality shops. Other areas in the centre of Innsbruck worth checking out include the historic Pradi district, and around the Franziskanerplatz, Sparkassenplatz and Anichstrasse.
Nestled in a valley between the towering Tyrolean Mountains, Innsbruck offers an almost endless selection of outdoor activities for people of every level and interest. Alpine sports are a main focus in this city, so there’s an excellent infrastructure for doing everything from winter skiing to summer mountain biking. There are countless hiking trails just outside of town that open after the snow melts. But not everything is hardcore. Even casual outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them happy.
Hiking
One of the favourite traditional pastimes of the local people is walking around the mountains. There are dozens of hikes right from the edge of Innsbruck, with even more choices the farther you go into the Alps. Easy walks take you to nearby alpine villages such as Kranebitten or Hotting, while the popular trek to the Stubai glacier is an excellent day hike. The trail network surrounding Innsbruck is top-notch, so devout hikers will find themselves in paradise. If you just want to experience the splendour of the Alps, funiculars will whisk you to the top of nearby mountains with no effort.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Innsbruck is one of Europe’s oldest ski destinations, boasting six different resorts within minutes of the city. Special ski shuttles run between the train station and all of the resorts throughout much of the year, offering easy access. Fun beginner slopes can be found on Glungezer, while Seegrube offers extreme off-piste skiing. Stubai glacier even has skiing all year long. The Super Ski Pass allows access to five of the nearest resorts along with transportation.
Summer Sports
Once the snow melts, the mountains open up to different kinds of sports. There are hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails, mountain biking and horseback riding trails. Several golf courses offer some of the most beautiful and distracting golfing imaginable, while extreme sport junkies can paraglide, hang glide or sky dive in the surrounding mountains. Within the city, head to Hofgarten Park for a convenient place to relax and unwind. A number of lakes, towering trees and grassy lawns are ideal for taking a break from the city.
Winter Sports
If you need a break from skiing, Innsbruck has great ice skating rinks, as well as several toboggan and bobsled runs open to the public. The city’s premier park, the Hofgarten, has lakes that freeze over for a more natural ice skating experience.
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Modern hotel, excellent staff, We originally reserved a non-smoking room, but at the check-in they explained that a smoking room was asked. But it took two minutes and they have changed and we were sa...
Modern hotel, excellent staff, We originally reserved a non-smoking room, but at the check-in they explained that a smoking room was asked. But it took two minutes and they have changed and we were sa...
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