Innsbruck, capital of Tyrol in the heart of the mountains
© Torben Knauer / Shutterstock
Innsbruck
Innsbruck in short
The capital of the Austrian Tyrol, Innsbruck is nestled in the heart of the snow-capped Alps. Situated a few kilometres south of the border with German Bavaria and north of the Italian Dolomites, around a hundred kilometres from Bolzano, the town boasts a culture that is both Germanic and Italian. This is evident in its generous gastronomy, and its colourful houses reminiscent of the architecture of Venice.
In addition to its medieval past and its many historic monuments (Maximilian I made Innsbruck the epicentre of his empire by locating the centre of finance here), the city also enjoys a rich cultural heritage. The city also enjoys a fine reputation among sports enthusiasts. The "capital of the Alps" boasts numerous ski areas and hiking trails.
From the city centre, you can easily reach the mountains, thanks to the funicular that takes you up to an altitude of 2,000 metres. A real bargain! So whether you're looking for exciting sightseeing or outdoor activities, Innsbruck is the ideal city for your holiday.
Innsbruck is a university town, a sports town and an imperial city. To really get to know Innsbruck, you'll need to explore all three aspects.
Innsbruck's city center is very dynamic.
- © Christof Lackner FotografTo start with, you need to visit the city centre, which is organised around Herzog-Friedrichstrasse. Its arcades are home to a number of tempting boutiques (stop off for a spot of shopping!). Further on, St James's Cathedral is a tribute to Baroque architecture, as is Hofburg Palace, a sublime imperial palace.
Take a stroll along the banks of the River Inn and finish off with a visit to the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum. Here you can learn about the origins of this magnificent region and its development from prehistoric times to the present day. You'll also discover Tyrolean art, which is as vast and diverse as the region itself.
Hofburg, Innsbruck's sublime imperial palace.
- © Christian VorhoferIf you go further afield, you'll also find Ambras Castle, home to an extremely well-preserved Renaissance cabinet of art and curiosities. The latter bears witness to Ferdinand II's taste for precious objects from abroad, as well as his fascination with armoury and art.
If you're planning an excursion outside the city, don't forget to visit Wattens. Located 15km from Innsbruck, the small town is home to the famous Swarovski crystal works.
© Natterer See
Despite its rich cultural and religious heritage, Innsbruck, which twice hosted the Winter Olympics (in 1964 and 1976), is above all a meeting place for fans of snow sports. Its cable car leaves from the city centre, at an altitude of 550 metres, and takes you to the slopes in just 20 minutes: it's unique in the world!
Where else can you go from a medieval town centre to a sunny restaurant terrace at 2,000 metres in such a short space of time, ready to put on your skis? Innsbruck has access to nine ski areas covering more than 300km! At Igls, 4.5km from Innsbruck, you can bobsleigh down 1,270 metres and 14 curves at speeds of over 110km/h!
If you're coming in summer, and there's no snow, you can still visit the Bergisel ski jump: it's a real place of pilgrimage for all ski fans. Designed by the architect Zaha Hadid, it has an unusual appearance. It is famous for having hosted the Winter Olympics between 1964 and 1976.
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How to get there?
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from France to Innsbruck. You have to go via Vienna or Frankfurt. Innsbruck airport is relatively close to the city centre, and it's easy to get to the old town by bus. It is also possible to travel by train from Basel, Zurich, Vienna or Munich, but this inevitably makes the journey longer from France.
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Where to stay?
To guide your choice of accommodation in Innsbruck, you need to decide what you want to do. If you want to do as much historical sightseeing as possible, you should head for the Altstadt, the historic city centre, which is the ideal district for a cultural soak. This is where you'll find the majority of the city's landmarks, such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Little Golden Roof. If you're looking for a quieter place to practise sport, look no further than the mountains. Charming chalets and holiday complexes are ready to give you a warm welcome.
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Practical information
👉 Covid
In Austria, masks must only be worn in hospitals, nursing homes and health service establishments. Beware if you are flying: some airlines may have specific requirements before boarding, and impose the wearing of a mask during the flight. Please check directly with your airline what health measures are in place.
👉 Customs regulations in Austria
Do you want to bring goods into Austria or take them home? Then you should take a look at Austrian customs regulations. Find out what you do and don't have to declare by following this link.
👉 Getting around the city
Most of Innsbruck's sights are within walking distance. On its official website, the city offers a host of maps to help you avoid getting lost. You can even download them as PDFs to keep them handy without an internet connection.
For those who don't want to tire themselves out (we understand you: hiking in the Tyrol can be exhausting), you can opt for public transport, with the bus. A word of advice: don't buy tickets from the bus drivers - they'll cost you a lot more! You can get them from the ticket machines at the bus stops (but be careful: the machines don't give change, so you can still pay with your bank card). You can also get tickets from tobacconists or the tourist office.
Innsbruck also has 5 very efficient tram lines, which operate from 6am to 5pm. They serve the centre, parts of Wilten and Pradl, the village of Igls, Saggen and other villages in the Stubai valley.
👉 Organising your visits
If you want to do more historical sightseeing without breaking the bank, consider buying the Innsbruck Card, which offers a number of advantages. You can choose from 3 different packages: 24h (for €53), 48h (for €63), or 72h (for €73). There is a 50% discount for children aged between 6 and 15.
During the period you choose, you will be entitled to unlimited use of buses and trams, and free entry to visit the main tourist attractions.
👉 Practical information for skiers
Skiers planning their trip to Innsbruck will be delighted to know that the city has deployed a number of solutions to make life easier for them. Firstly, it has created a comprehensive interactive map that can be consulted online, listing all the ski areas, ski lifts and important information for a perfect day's skiing. There are even up-to-date snow reports for the various ski areas.
You can move your mouse over the symbols in the menu on the left to see what you're interested in, and click to display the relevant content on the map.
lightbulb_outline Editor's tip
The town offers a very practical skibus service: all skiers can get to the slopes without paying a penny. This works in conjunction with partner hoteliers who offer the "Welcome Card".
This is a very practical solution, as the bus runs daily on various routes linking Innsbruck to the ski areas. It's a comfortable way to get straight to your hotel, so you can drink a grog with a clear conscience!
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