Innsbruck
Picturesquely perched on a hill and set among beautiful gardens, this Renaissance pile was acquired in 1564 by Archduke Ferdinand II, then ruler of Tyrol,…
Must-see attractions in Tyrol
Innsbruck
Grabbing attention with its pearly white facade and cupolas, the Hofburg was built as a castle for Archduke Sigmund the Rich in the 15th century, expanded…
Innsbruck
Innsbruck's golden wonder and most distinctive landmark is this Gothic oriel, built for Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519), lavishly festooned…
Innsbruck
Innsbruck’s pride and joy is the Gothic Hofkirche, one of Europe’s finest royal court churches. It was commissioned in 1553 by Ferdinand I, who enlisted…
Tyrol
Lifted high on a rocky crag like an offering to the alpine peaks that surround it, Kufstein's turreted castle provides a fascinating insight into the town…
Tyrol
An easygoing family hike is the 5km (approximately three-hour) loop through the dramatic 200m-high Rosengartenschlucht, where boarded walkways make for a…
Tyrol
You almost feel like breaking out into a rendition of ‘Heigh-Ho’ at Silberbergwerk Schwaz, as you board a mini train and venture deep into the bowels of…
Tyrol
Swarovski crystals sparkle in all their glory at the fantasy fairy-tale Kristallwelten. A giant’s head spewing water into a pond greets you in the park,…
Tyrol
One of Tyrol’s true architectural highlights is the ochre-and-white Zisterzienstift in Stams, founded in 1273 by Elizabeth of Bavaria, the mother of…
Tyrol
It’s a bizarre feeling to slip out of sandals and into skis in midsummer, but that’s precisely what draws people to the Stubai Glacier. The glacier is a…
Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum
Innsbruck
This treasure trove of Tyrolean history and art moves from Bronze Age artefacts to the original reliefs used to design the Goldenes Dachl. Alongside…
Tyrol
This small open-air museum cleverly brings to life the Neolithic world of Ötzi, the ice man. A visit takes in traditional thatched huts, herb gardens,…
Innsbruck
Rising above Innsbruck like a celestial staircase, this glass-and-steel ski jump was designed by much-lauded Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. It's 455 steps or…
Tyrol
Seefeld’s trophy sight is this late-Gothic parish church, the supposed location of a miracle. The story goes that Oswald Milser gobbled a wafer reserved…
Tyrol
Stepping south of the medieval centre is the Burg Hasegg, where a spiral staircase coils up to the 5th floor for far-reaching views over Hall. The castle…
Tyrol
From Ötzi Dorf, it’s a beautiful 20-minute forest walk to Tyrol’s longest waterfall, the wispy Stuibenfall, cascading 159m over slate cliffs and moss…
Tyrol
Every four years, Imst plays host to a Shrovetide festival, the Unesco-listed Schemenlaufen (ghost dance); the next takes place on 9 February 2020. The…
Tyrol
Schwaz hides a remarkably well-preserved Altstadt, built high on the riches of medieval silver. Taking pride of place on pedestrianised Franz-Josef…
Tyrol
This museum traces Kitzbühel’s heritage from its Bronze Age mining beginnings to the present day. The big emphasis is on winter sports, and the permanent…
Tyrol
Standing sentinel above Landeck, this 13th-century hilltop castle is visible from afar. The 1st-floor museum showcases everything from Celtic figurines to…
Tyrol
This graceful 13th-century church is best known for its Waldaufkapelle, home to Florian Waldauf’s grisly collection of 45 skulls and 12 bones, picked from…
Tyrol
If all the fresh air and activity of Landeck have worked up a thirst, pop over to Stanz, 3km away. Set on a sunny plateau dotted with apple and plum…
Tyrol
Ehrwald’s crowning glory is the glaciated 2962m Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, straddling the Austro-German border. From the crest there’s a…
Tyrol
A classic saunter leads along gingerbready Römerhofgasse, a reconstructed medieval lane that looks fresh-minted for a Disney film set with its overhanging…
Tyrol
Arnica, edelweiss and purple bellflowers are among the 400 alpine blooms flourishing at this quiet garden atop Kitzbüheler Horn. It’s a four-hour (14km)…
Innsbruck
The Volkskunst Museum presents a fascinating romp through Tyrolean folk art from hand-carved sleighs and Christmas cribs to carnival masks and cowbells…
Innsbruck
Innsbruck's 18th-century cathedral is a feast of over-the-top baroque. The Asam brothers from Munich completed much of the sumptuous art and stuccowork,…
Tyrol
Housed in a medieval castle, this 200-year-old brewery sits 3km north of Imst in Tarrenz. A visit dashes through the brewing process and includes a beer…
Innsbruck
Emperor Maximilian’s former arsenal, the Zeughaus runs chronologically through Tyrol’s cultural history. It kicks off with geological and mineral history,…
Tyrol
At the Gothic Pfarrkirche, your eye is immediately drawn to its steep roof bearing 14,000 copper tiles. The web-vaulted interior purportedly harbours the…
Tyrol
Set in attractive gardens above St Anton and housed in a beautiful 1912 villa, this nostalgic museum traces St Anton’s tracks back to the good old days…
Innsbruck
Billing itself as a conservation-oriented zoo, this is where you can get close to alpine wildlife such as golden eagles, chamois and ibex. It's a 10…
Tyrol
This museum, documenting the tragic 1999 avalanche that destroyed the village of Galtür, has been built on the site. Inside you’ll find many poignant…
Tyrol
A roller coaster of water thrashes the limestone cliffs at Zammer Lochputz gorge just outside of Landeck. Leading up through pine forest, a trail passes…
Innsbruck
Showcases the Grassmayr family’s 400 years of bell-making tradition. In addition to exhibits including some formidable Romanesque and Gothic bells, you…
Tyrol
Local photographer Gert Chesi set up this museum, showcasing a rich collection of African and Asian ritual art. Rotating exhibitions home in on elements…
Innsbruck
Guards once kept watch over the city from this onion-domed tower, which was completed in 1450. Puff up 148 steps for 360-degree views of Innsbruck's…
Innsbruck
A late-Gothic-turned-rococo townhouse that is the architectural equivalent of a wedding cake, with its piped-icing-like stucco, candy pastel colours and…
Tyrol
This Franciscan church blends Gothic and baroque styles. The church cloisters next door are a calm spot; Gothic windows and unfinished frescoes line its…
Tyrol
This reconstructed salt mine, complete with galleries, tools and shafts, can only be visited by 40-minute guided tour. Salt was mined in the valley for…