By air
Innsbruck (INN), ~4 km
Europe · Austria
Innsbruck, Austria
An Alpine city with peaks at its doorstep
Getting there
Best time to visit
December to March for skiing; June to September for hiking
Don't miss
The Golden Roof
The Hofburg
The Nordkette
The old town
Things to do
The Nordkette cable car
The Golden Roof
Skiing
Hiking
Where to eat
What to pack
Layers, hiking or ski gear
A quieter corner
The Bergisel Ski Jump's viewing platform
Questions travellers ask
Is Innsbruck better for skiing or hiking?
Both: December to March for skiing, June to September for hiking. Pack layers and hiking or ski gear.
What's there to see in Innsbruck?
The Golden Roof, the Hofburg and the old town, then ride the Nordkette cable car — the peaks are at the city's doorstep.
Where can I get a view from a ski jump in Innsbruck?
At the Bergisel Ski Jump's viewing platform.
What dishes should I order in Innsbruck?
Tiroler Gröstl and Kaiserschmarrn.
About Innsbruck
- Mountains
- Riverside
Where it is
Innsbruck is the capital of the Austrian state of Tyrol, in the broad valley of the Inn river, with the Nordkette range rising steeply to the north and the road to the Brenner Pass and Italy leading south.
History
Innsbruck takes its name from the bridge over the Inn around which the medieval town grew. Emperor Maximilian I made it one of the centres of Habsburg power in the 1490s and gave it landmarks such as the Golden Roof, and in modern times the city has twice hosted the Winter Olympic Games, in 1964 and 1976.
People
Innsbruck's people speak German with a Tyrolean accent, and the University of Innsbruck gives the city a large student population. Tyrolean traditions such as brass bands, costume processions and mountain festivals live on alongside a strong culture of skiing and climbing.
Known for
- The Golden Roof in the old town
- The Nordkette cableways above the city
- Skiing and hiking in the surrounding Alps
- The Hofburg and the Court Church
- The Bergisel ski jump
Did you know?
The architect Zaha Hadid designed both the Bergisel ski jump and the stations of the Hungerburg funicular, giving the Alpine city some striking modern landmarks.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.