Squeezed between two magnificent mountain chains in the heart of the Alps, Innsbruck is a must for those interested in outdoor activities and winter sports. One of the most popular travel destinations in Austria, the medieval city of Innsbruck offers great skiing in the fabulous scenery of the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, as well as great shopping, culture and nightlife.
The main attractions of Innsbruck include a renaissance castle, tomb monuments, baroque churches, some nice museums and an alpine zoo. The beautiful Innsbruck old town is home of the most fascinating historic buildings, such as the Imperial Palace and the Ambras Palace. In addition, there are several institutes of higher education in Innsbruck, which give the city a youthful image.
Shopping & entertainment. What comes to the nightlife in Innsbruck, there are numerous bars and clubs to choose from. Concerts in Innsbruck are numerous and held year round. Those interested in shopping in Innsbruck will find numerous fancy boutiques in the old town, as well as huge modern malls on the outskirts of the city. In the luxurious spas in Innsbruck you can relax after a busy day of sightseeing in and around the city.
Winter sports, outdoor activities, sightseeing and culture - activities in Innsbruck
The provincial capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, and was one of the hosts of the European Football Championships 2008. The magnificent mountain scenery of Innsbruck is ideal for skiing, snowboarding and other outdoor activities. There are numerous ski resorts situated in the area, such as Igls, Axamer-Lizum, Kuhtai, and Obergurgl. If you are interested in winter sports, the best season to visit Innsbruck is from December to March. However, during the winter holiday seasons the city can be quite crowded. Skiing in Innsbruck is possible even in the summertime. Both beginners and experts can enjoy playing golf in Innsbruck. Nordpark is one of the many popular places for mountain biking and hiking around Innsbruck.The main attractions of Innsbruck include a renaissance castle, tomb monuments, baroque churches, some nice museums and an alpine zoo. The beautiful Innsbruck old town is home of the most fascinating historic buildings, such as the Imperial Palace and the Ambras Palace. In addition, there are several institutes of higher education in Innsbruck, which give the city a youthful image.
Shopping & entertainment. What comes to the nightlife in Innsbruck, there are numerous bars and clubs to choose from. Concerts in Innsbruck are numerous and held year round. Those interested in shopping in Innsbruck will find numerous fancy boutiques in the old town, as well as huge modern malls on the outskirts of the city. In the luxurious spas in Innsbruck you can relax after a busy day of sightseeing in and around the city.
Practical information for your stay in Innsbruck
Compared with the other major European cities, winters in Innsbruck are quite cold. The average maximum temperature is 2°C in January, and usually there is a lot of snow. There is a great temperature variation in summer: some days can be rainy and cloudy and the temperature only 15°C, while other days can be sunny with temperatures over 30°C.
Photo: James Cridland, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Hotels & restaurants. There are numerous hotels in Innsbruck which offer accommodation to every budget and interests. Restaurants in Innsbruck serve both international and local Austrian food, which is a mixture of European and traditional Austro-Hungarian cuisine.
How to get there. There are regular flights to Innsbruck from many international airports. The city can also be accessed by trains from several European cities. Trains arrive at Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof situated east of the city center. Innsbruck has an excellent network of public buses, trains and trams. There are several agencies offering car rental in Innsbruck. The old town is most easily toured on foot, but hiring a car is recommended if you want to broaden your view and see the magnificent landscapes of the Alps and the rest of the country, such as Vienna and Salzburg.
Safety. Austria is one of the safest countries in the world where it is safe to travel at any time of the day. However, be aware of pickpockets especially in crowded places.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Fussen, Sankt Anton (am Arlberg), Dolomites, Munich, Zell am See, Davos, Berchtesgaden, Liechtenstein, Salzburg
