Visit Innsbruck: What to Do in 1 Day
It was during a road trip in Europe that we had the opportunity to Visit Innsbruck, the capital of Austrian Tyrol. This charming city, much less known and frequented than Vienna, has enough assets to keep you there for at least a day, thanks in particular to its position in the heart of the Alps and to the old town which has retained its medieval appearance.
After our 5-day road trip in the Dolomites, we chose to stop in Innsbruck before heading to southern Bavaria in Germany where we continued our journey. What to see, what to do and where to sleep in Innsbruck? I explain in this blog post how to make your visit to the capital of Tyrol a success.
If you like history and guided tours, you can opt for a 1.5-hour guided tour of Innsbruck by booking on this site.
The Golden Roof
The Petit Toit d’or is a Gothic style balcony composed of 2657 copper shingles gilded with fine gold. Backing onto the former ducal palace, this balcony was commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I in 1500. It has since become the city’s most emblematic site. The facade of the balcony is richly decorated with reliefs representing the coats of arms of the eight countries of Emperor Maximilian.
Maria-Theresien-Strasse
Stroll along Maria-Theresien-Straße, this large shopping and tourist avenue that connects the Arc de Triomphe to the Saint Anne column in the heart of the old town. This is an opportunity to admire the beautiful colorful Baroque facades or have a drink on the terrace on this entirely pedestrian thoroughfare. From Maria-Theresien-Strasse you will see the peaks of the Nordkette towering above the Golden Roof to the north and the Bergisel ski jumping hill to the south. It is one of the essential passages to visit Innsbruck.
City tower
The Innsbruck Tower (Stadtturm) located very close to the Golden Roof was built between 1452 and 1450. From its height of 51 m, its function was to announce the time and warn the population in case of fire or danger. Today it can be visited and after climbing the 148 steps you will enjoy a 360° view of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Price : €4.5 | To skip the line, book your ticket to the Innsbruck Tower (Stadtturm) on this site
St. James Cathedral
One of the must-see sites in Innsbruck, this magnificent Baroque cathedral has superb frescoes and several works of art including the famous painting of the Virgin of Good Help “Maria Hilf”. It is part of the route of the road to Santiago de Compostela.
The visit to Saint Jacques Cathedral ( Dom zu St. Jakob ) is free but you will have to pay 1 € to take photos.
Hofburg Imperial Palace
If there is one monument you absolutely must visit in Innsbruck, it is the former imperial and royal residence of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This 5,000 m 2 building with approximately 400 rooms was completed in its present form in 1500 under Emperor Maximilian I. Empress Elisabeth stayed there briefly (if you follow our road trip from the beginning we had already mentioned Empress Sissi during our visit to Merano in South Tyrol in Italy ). Inside you will discover the state rooms, the imperial apartments, the chapel and the coat of arms tower.
Fare : 9,50 €
Hofkirche
The Hofkirche is a Gothic church whose construction ended in 1553 under the reign of Ferdinand I. It houses the tomb of Maximilian I surrounded by twenty-eight bronze statues of his ancestors. For the record, the remains of Maximilian are buried in the municipality of Wiener Neustadt, but the walls of the church and its foundations were not strong enough to support the weight of the statues.
Fare : 8 €
Ambras Castle
Located to the south of the city, the castle of Ambras constitutes a Renaissance-type complex that has been reworked several times since the 10th century. It was in 1563 that the new count of Tyrol, Ferdinand II, transformed this former medieval fortress into a Renaissance-style castle for his wife. The castle houses collections of armor and weapons, ornate gold coins, works of art and exotic items from around the world.
Unfortunately Ambras Castle was closed due to COVID-19 when we visited Innsbruck and the facade obscured by scaffolding.
Price : €12 | To avoid the queue, book your ticket for Ambras Castle on this site
Accommodation in Innsbruck
I have selected for you a list of the best accommodations to sleep in Innsbruck and for all budgets. Remember to book as soon as possible to take advantage of the best rates. If you are on a road trip in Austria, most accommodations offer parking (free or paid).
- 38 €: Montagu Hostel, located 300 m from the Petit Toit d’or, this pretty and very clean youth hostel offers beds in dormitories for backpackers but also double rooms.
- €89: Pension Stoi budget guesthouse, one of the cheapest places to sleep in Innsbruck in a double room with private bathroom. Close to the center and the train station, free private parking.
- €95: Apartment Maximilian, this 50 m² apartment for 4 people with two bedrooms is fully equipped and close to the town centre. Ideal for large families and those wishing to cook.
- 99 €: Nala Individuellhotel, very beautiful well-decorated rooms with a view of the magnificent garden. Italian restaurant on site and very good breakfast. A very nice address if you are looking for where to sleep in Innsbruck.
- 121 €: Hotel Maximilian, this hotel very well located in the center of Innsbruck offers pretty double rooms or fully equipped suites. Excellent buffet breakfast.
Innsbruck Card
If you plan to visit Innsbruck this card will give you free access to many attractions including museums, the Sightseer bus and the Innsbruck ski lifts. Included are the Swarovski Crystal Worlds and the Mint Tower in Hall in Tirol (see below).
The Innsbruck Card can be purchased for 24h (49€), 48h (55€) or 72h (66€), it’s up to you to see if it remains interesting depending on the program you have planned to do in Innsbruck.
To save time you can book your Innscruck Card here.
Visit the Surroundings of Innsbruck
Hall in Tirol
If you pass through Innsbruck, don’t miss a visit to Hall in Tirol, one of the most beautiful medieval old towns in Austria. Located 13 km from Innsbruck, Hall was the economic center of Tyrol in the Middle Ages, thanks in particular to these salt mines. It was here that the famous Thaler, a high-value silver coin, was minted in the 15th century ( you can see it at the Tour de la Monnaie). The old town is full of charm and can easily be visited in an afternoon.
Swarovski Museum
Swarovski Crystal Worlds is a museum that was opened on the occasion of the centenary of the famous Swarovski crystal company. International artists staged the crystal through 14 different pieces.
The museum is located in Wattens, 19 km from Innsbruck. You will of course find a large shop offering jewellery, figurines and accessories from the Swarovski brand.
Price : €19, open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can book your entry to the Swarovski Museum on this site.
Be sure to visit Innsbruck and Hall in Tirol on a road trip in Austria. There are enough things to do and see to spend a full day or even 2 days there (and take the opportunity to sleep in Innsbruck). We didn’t have the opportunity to visit the rest of Tyrol, but the region is full of beautiful places that invite you to continue your journey.
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