Innsbruck travel guide

Tyrol's capital is a university city, an Olympic host and a ski resort in one, with mountains rising straight from the end of the street.

Skier on a snow-covered ridge high above Innsbruck with the city in the valley below — Nordkette above the city
The mountain range that forms Innsbruck's skyline is only a short ride from the centre.

Things to do in Innsbruck: from old town to summit

Few cities in the world have mountains this close. In Innsbruck you can stroll through cobbled squares lined with painted houses, sit down for coffee and then, in around 25 minutes, stand on the Nordkette range looking straight down at the rooftops. That contrast is what makes the list of things to do in Innsbruck so long.

With roughly 132,000 inhabitants and a university dating back to the 1600s, the city has a young, lively feel. Students famously squeeze in a few runs before lectures. Read the full story in from vibrant city life to the top of the Alps in half an hour.

Explore the old town and the Golden Roof

Start in the old town, where counts, dukes and emperors have left their mark since the Middle Ages. The Golden Roof, or Goldenes Dachl, is the city's most famous landmark, its gilded tiles glinting above a busy pedestrian street. Nearby, the imperial Hofburg palace and the cathedral are easy to fit into a morning on foot.

Walk down to the Inn river for the classic view of colourful houses with the mountains behind them. Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and that sporting history is everywhere, including the Bergisel ski jump on the edge of the city.

Skier in deep powder snow in the mountains around Innsbruck — Skiing over the streets
From the city centre, a funicular and cable cars take you up to the slopes of the Nordkette.

Innsbruck skiing: nine areas, one pass

Innsbruck skiing is unusually varied for a city break. Nine ski areas are grouped under Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck, and one lift pass covers them all, along with ski buses. Each area has its own character, so you can change the scenery every day.

Axamer Lizum, around 20 kilometres away, is loved by freeriders and has a snow park. Rangger Köpfl is gentler and more family friendly, while the Stubai Glacier reaches 3,210 metres and is often the place to find snow early and late in the season. If you want even more challenging terrain, head west to St Anton in the Arlberg.

Christmas market with a lit Christmas tree and stalls between old houses in Innsbruck in the evening — Innsbruck Christmas market
The old town turns into one of the Alps' most atmospheric Christmas markets in December.

Innsbruck Christmas markets

December is one of the best times for a weekend in Innsbruck. The Christmas markets in the old town fill the narrow streets with wooden stalls, lights and the smell of mulled wine and roasted nuts. It is easy to combine with a day or two on the slopes if the snow has arrived.

Eat like a Tyrolean

Tyrolean food is built for cold days and long hikes: think schnitzel, goulash, roast pork and dumplings, plus local specialities with cured bacon. Ottoburg, in one of the oldest buildings in the old town, has views over the Inn and the Golden Roof. Stiftskeller is a lively beer hall with a beer garden in summer, and the restaurant at the Goldenes Dachl draws locals and visitors alike.

Two skiers carrying their skis up a snow-covered summit under a blue sky — Freeriding in Tyrol
With a guide, the mountains around Innsbruck open up a world of off-piste terrain.

Innsbruck in summer

The mountains are just as good without snow. Cyclists ride up to mountain huts for lunch in the sun and then race down technical trails, and the same lifts that carry skiers in winter take hikers up to high-level paths. Innsbruck is also a natural crossroads: the Brenner Pass leads south to the Dolomites and northern Italy, while Arlberg lies to the west.

Getting there is easy, with Innsbruck airport close to the city and good rail links from Munich, Salzburg and Zurich. Find more Alpine ideas in our guide to Austria holidays.

When is the best time to visit Innsbruck?

Innsbruck works all year round. For skiing, January to March is the most reliable period, while the glacier can extend the season at both ends. Late November and December bring the Christmas markets, and June to September is ideal for hiking, cycling and long evenings on terraces. Spring and autumn are quieter and good value for a city break.

Innsbruck: frequently asked questions

What is Innsbruck famous for?

Innsbruck is famous for its mountain setting, its historic old town and the Golden Roof, and for hosting the Winter Olympics twice. It is the capital of Tyrol and a busy university city, and the Nordkette range rises right behind the rooftops. Its Christmas markets also draw visitors from all over Europe every December.

Can you ski from Innsbruck city centre?

Yes, you can reach the slopes from Innsbruck city centre in under half an hour. A funicular and cable cars take you up to the Nordkette, and ski buses connect the city with the other areas of Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. One lift pass covers all nine ski areas, including the Stubai Glacier.

How do you get from Innsbruck to St Anton?

From Innsbruck to St Anton am Arlberg is roughly 100 kilometres. The easiest options are the train, which runs west through the Inn valley, or a pre-booked transfer or rental car. Many visitors fly into Innsbruck precisely because it is the closest major airport to St Anton.

Is Innsbruck worth visiting in summer?

Innsbruck is well worth visiting in summer. The lifts carry hikers and cyclists up into the mountains, mountain huts serve local food with big views, and the old town is lovely for long evenings outdoors. It is also a good base for day trips over the Brenner Pass towards the Dolomites.

Where is the best area to stay in Innsbruck?

Stay in the Old Town around the Golden Roof, with Maria-Theresien-Strasse, the restaurants and the Nordkette cable car within walking distance. The area by the main station is handy if you arrive by train, while Igls and Hötting have quieter hotels closer to nature. With the Nordkette cable car you go from the centre to the mountains in about half an hour. Read from city life to the top of the Alps.