Arriving in Innsbruck felt like stepping into a postcard. The stunning backdrop of the Alps, with snow-capped peaks and green valleys, gave the city a magical, almost surreal atmosphere. Innsbruck, nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, has an irresistible charm that blends outdoor adventure with rich history and culture. We were excited to dive into all that the city had to offer.
Best Things to Do in Innsbruck
There are a tremendous number of exciting things to do, from visiting historical old town to cultural attractions.
Swarovski Crystal Worlds
The world-famous Swarovski Crystal Works is located 20 km east of Innsbruck in Wattens. It’s an art museum and artsy complex, part retail shop and partly a gourmet restaurant. You know you’re in the right place and in for an adventure when to gain access to the facility you must enter through the head of the “Giant,” a grass and crystal covered head that streams water into the pond below. Inside you’ll be treated to the Chambers of Wonder, some dozen and a half rooms, like the Crystal Dome, Eden, Reflections, Crystal Forest, and many others filled with some of the most amazing crystal art you’ll find anywhere by numerous international artists.
Don’t forget to also stop by the Crystal Cloud which consist of some 800,000 hand-mounted Swarovski crystals that rise above a black Mirror Pool. This 15,000 sq-ft art installation is the largest of its kind in the world.
Admission is 22€ online (at the time of writing), if you get them in advance. There’s a really convenient shuttle bus that runs from Innsbruck city centre and back every few hours. A return ticket costs 9.50€ for adults.
Check for opening hours and other information check out the Swarovski website.
Innsbrucker Nordketten Cable Cars
The Nordkette is part of Austria’s largest nature park, the Karwendel Nature Park, and you can reach it from Innsbruck’s city centre in minutes! The incredible 360° view leaves you totally breathless with Innsbruck on one side and Tyrol’s conservation area on the other.
The Hungerburg funicular’s stations are the most modern architecture you’ll find anywhere. The funicular allows you to reach the Hungerburg in less than 10 minutes. There are several stops along the way including one at the Alpine Zoo if you’re interested. Once you reach the Hungerburg station there is a short walk across the Hermann Buhl Square, to the cable car station.
The Seegrube, has an altitude of 6,250 foot and is surrounded by the astonishing splendour of Austria’s largest national park.
Further up the mountain at an attitude of 7,401 foot, the Hafelekar offers the most spectacular viewing experience, a panorama of the city and mountains which leaves you totally awestruck. It had just slightly snowed prior to our arrival to Hafelekar, and it allowed us to engage in a good-humoured snowball fight like we had in years gone by. It costs 44.00€ per adult for a round-trip ticket at the time of writing.
For more information on Nordkette check out their website.
Shining Golden Roof
Our first day was spent exploring the city itself, starting in the Old Town, or Altstadt. Walking through the narrow medieval streets, we felt transported back in time. The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) is one of Innsbruck’s most famous landmarks, and it was even more striking in person. We learned that it was built in the 15th century as a royal balcony, where the emperor could observe city celebrations. The intricate gilded tiles glinted in the sunlight. Wandering through the Old Town, we discovered beautiful baroque and Gothic architecture at every turn, including the impressive Innsbruck Cathedral, with its grand interior and striking ceiling frescoes.
Imperial Palace
We didn’t want to leave Innsbruck without visiting the Hofburg Imperial Palace, built some 1500 years ago under Emperor Maximilian, which gave us a fascinating insight into Austria’s imperial past. The lavishly decorated rooms, particularly the Giant’s Hall, were stunning. Walking through the opulent chambers made us appreciate the wealth and power of the Habsburg dynasty that once ruled here.
The “Rennplatz” square which sits in front of the Imperial Palace served as the emperor’s competition arena. Today the palace is frequently used for high-profile events.
City Tower
For almost 450 years, guards kept watch from the City Tower, warning citizens of fire and other dangers. There are 133 steps that lead up to the viewing platform, which overlooks the medieval streets of Innsbruck and offers superb views of the 746 m Bergisel hill which is home to the Bergisel stadium, the Patscherkofel mountain, which is a popular ski area, the river Inn and the Nordkette mountain range.
Nordkette cable car
The following day was all about nature, and Innsbruck is a paradise for outdoor lovers. We took the Nordkette cable car up into the mountains, and the views were nothing short of breathtaking. As we ascended, Innsbruck shrank beneath us, and we were surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Alps. At the top, we found ourselves at the gateway to some of the most incredible hiking trails in Europe. Even though we aren’t highly experienced hikers, we wandered around some of the easy routes that led us to a beautiful panoramic viewpoint. The fresh mountain air and the scenery made us feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
When is a good time to Go to Innsbruck?
This is going to sound like a non-committal response but the best times to visit Innsbruck are the winter and summer. Given that this is a winter-sport enthusiast’s paradise, you will find it full of skiers and snowboarders during the winter months. In the summer, days can be warm, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s. Fall is the cheapest time to visit and less crowded, but you’ll find many attractions close for the month of November, so you may miss out on some of the top things to see. It really boils down to your interests.
Restaurant Scene
After working up an appetite, we were eager to dive into the local cuisine. Innsbruck’s dining scene is a wonderful blend of hearty Tyrolean food and modern Austrian dishes. For lunch, we tried one of the traditional gasthofs (inns) in the Old Town, where we had a cozy meal of Tiroler Gröstl — a delicious dish of fried potatoes, onions, and beef or pork, topped with a fried egg. It was the perfect comfort food after our morning in the mountains. It was heavenly.
In the evening, we treated ourselves to something a little more upscale at a restaurant overlooking the Inn River. We started with a glass or two of Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s signature white wine, and shared a charcuterie board filled with local cheeses, cured meats, and fresh bread. For the main course, we had a beautifully prepared Wiener Schnitzel. The setting was perfect — candlelight flickering against the river and the towering mountains silhouetted in the twilight.
More to see
Innsbruck surprised us with its perfect blend of adventure, history, and culinary delights. Whether we were exploring the historic streets, admiring stunning views from the mountains, or savoring the incredible local food, we felt completely immersed in the magic of the city. It’s the kind of place where both your appetite for exploration and good food will be more than satisfied, and I’m already dreaming of going back.
How many days do you need to visit Innsbruck
Innsbruck is a great city with lots of things to explore and experience. A comfortable visit to Innsbruck can be achieved in about 3 days as there are many things to see and do.
Is Innsbruck Safe for Tourists?
Innsbruck is no more dangerous than other European cities, and like everywhere else, you should take reasonable precautions like you would at home. Don’t flash your wallet and money, don’t go with strangers, and stay out of areas that are less than desirable. We felt quite safe through the city even while out later into the evening.
Getting Around Innsbruck
Getting Innsbruck is easy, and its core is very walkable. There is also a system of three trams and a couple dozen bus lines that cover all of Innsbruck. All of these are affordable and fast.