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Innsbruck

Tyrol’s capital is a sight to behold. The jagged rock spires of the Nordkette range are so close that within minutes it’s possible to travel from the city's heart to more than 2000m above sea level and alpine pastures where cowbells chime. Summer and winter activities abound, and it’s understandable why some visitors only take a peek at Innsbruck proper before heading for the hills. But to do so is a shame, for Innsbruck is in many ways Austria in microcosm: its late-medieval Altstadt is picture-book stuff, presided over by a grand Habsburg palace and baroque cathedral, while its Olympic ski jump with big mountain views makes a spectacular leap between the urban and the outdoors.

Explore Innsbruck

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Innsbruck.

  • Palace

    Schloss Ambras

    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,…

  • Church

    Hofkirche

    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…

  • Palace

    Hofburg

    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…

  • Museum

    Goldenes Dachl

    Innsbruck's golden wonder and most distinctive landmark is this Gothic oriel, built for Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519), lavishly festooned…

  • Museum

    Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum

    This treasure trove of Tyrolean history and art moves from Bronze Age artefacts to the original reliefs used to design the Goldenes Dachl. Alongside…

  • Viewpoint

    Bergisel

    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…

  • Museum

    Volkskunst Museum

    The Volkskunst Museum presents a fascinating romp through Tyrolean folk art from hand-carved sleighs and Christmas cribs to carnival masks and cowbells…

  • Cathedral

    Dom St Jakob

    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,…

  • Zoo

    Alpenzoo

    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…

  • Museum

    Grassmayr Glockenmuseum

    Showcases the Grassmayr family’s 400 years of bell-making tradition. In addition to exhibits including some formidable Romanesque and Gothic bells, you…

  • Tower

    Stadtturm

    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…

  • Museum

    Zeughaus

    Emperor Maximilian’s former arsenal, the Zeughaus runs chronologically through Tyrol’s cultural history. It kicks off with geological and mineral history,…

  • Landmark

    Hölblinghaus

    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…

  • Landmark

    Annasäule

    Topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary, this column was erected in 1703 to mark the repulsing of a Bavarian attack.

  • Landmark

    Triumphpforte

    This triumphal arch was built in 1765 to commemorate the marriage of the then emperor-to-be Leopold II.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Innsbruck.

  • Activities