Day 1 in Innsbruck
Welcome to Innsbruck, Tyrol`s capital!
Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you
opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for
you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in
to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!
Start your afternoon by strolling through Old Town, it is compact,
scenic, and easy to visit. Innsbruck is steeped in over 800 years of history
with each building having a separate story to tell. Most of the city`s most popular sights, like the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Hofkirche (Court Church), and the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), are all within walking distance of each other. With
its cobblestone streets, charming cafes, shops, and lively atmosphere it is a
great place to stroll, go shopping, and if you are lucky, you may be able to
see a street performance.
Running through Old Town is Maria Theresa Street, named
for the woman who ruled the Hapsberg dynasty for a time. Most of the shopping
is concentrated along this steet. Stop in one of the charming cafes for a bite
to eat and take in the friendly vibe of the town.
Make sure to visit the Hofburg Imperial Palace, considered
by most as one of three top significant cultural buildings in the country. This
is a must-see in Innsbruck where you can access the throne room, imperial
apartments, a chapel and the gardens. The complex has become home to five
differently themed museum areas. Make sure to check out the rooms of Empress
Maria Theresa, the 19th-century apartment of Empress Elisabeth, the Ancestral
Gallery, the Furniture Museum, and the Painting Gallery. Each museum reflects
various political, cultural and historical aspects of the Hofburg throughout
the centuries.
As evening approaches, fill up on some Austrian fare in the Old
Town area where you`ll find plenty of delicious restaurants and pubs. One staple dish is Tirolean Speckknödel, round boiled
bread and bacon dumplings consumed with a broth. Another favorite is Tiroler
Gröstl, a satisfying fried dish of bacon, onion, potato and egg. Or, dig into
some Schlutzkrapfen, a ravioli-style meal stuffed with potato and served
sprinkled with herbs.
After dinner, take in the city at night before
heading back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.
Day 2 in Innsbruck
Grab a quick bite to eat before
heading out to the Nordkette
Mountains (North Chain Mountain Range), this is part of Austria`s
largest nature park and can be reached directly from Innsbruck city center in
just a few minutes.
You have three options for ascending
these mountain ranges. The Hungerburg
Funicular takes riders a short ways up to Hermann Buhl Square. This is
the cheapest, quickest option (just 8 minutes) where you`ll be rewarded with
some amazing views over the city.
From Hermann Buhl Square, take the Nordkette cable car (also
called the Innsbruker Nordkettenbahnen) to Seegrube (6,250 ft). Once at the top, enjoy the
breathtaking views. You also have the option to hike the Panorama trail, an easy
hike that can be completed in 30 minutes.
The third cable car, from Seegrube to Hafelekar Peak,
takes you as high as you can go, 7,545 ft. From here, you`ll be rewarded with
views of the Alps. You will also find a number of sports and leisure activities
offered in Seegrube and Hafelekar Peak. Good downhill mountain biking, hiking,
handgliding, skiing, and more.
There is also an excellent restaurant
here, Seegrube restaurant,
the highest in restaurant in the city serving up Austrian favorites with panoramic
views. The restaurant is two floors - on the ground level it`s a cantee-style affair,
expect an informal atmosphere, local beers on tap and snacks. The 2nd
floor is where you`ll find the Seegrube restaurant. Here, it`s much more formal
dining experience with a menu offering a true culinary feast.
Once you descend, head over to
discover Olympiaworld.
Innsbruck hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. The sports complex at
Olypmiaworld was used during the Olympics and are still in use today. Make sure
to check out the Bergisel Ski Jump,
the top of the ski jump offers stunning panoramic view of Innsbruck. The ski
jump is also used for training and competitive purposes, so if you are here at
the right time, you will also be able to watch ski jumping.
Adjacent to the Bergisel Ski Jump, you`ll
find the Tyrol Panorama. The Museum presents the history of Tyrol.
The centerpiece of the museum is a 10,000 square ft panoramic painting which
depicts a key battle from 1809. The painting took one artist and four helpers
just three months to paint. Other exhibits at Tyrol Panorama cover religion,
nature, politics, anthropology and local culture. Outside the museum, there is
a over a mile of trail circling the mountain for amazing views of the
surrounding areas.
After a busy day of sightseeing, head
back to your hotel to refresh before hitting the town at night. Innsbruck is a university town and its nightlife is quite lively and
varied. You can find hundreds of locals gathering towards Maria Theresien street and
the alleyways of the Old Town
where there are a number of cafes, pubs and bars. For a livelier scene,
there`s the Viaduktbogen
railway arches where you`ll find local pubs, clubs and live music
bars. And you can always try your luck at the Casino
Innsbruck that offers several gaming options
like poker, black jack, roulette as well as 84 slot machines. They also have
dining options.
Day 3 in Innsbruck
Start your day at the Swarovski Kristallwelten
(Swarovski Crystal Worlds), located 20 minutes outside of Innsbruck, there is
nothing quite like this museum! You will need a least half a day to fully enjoy
all the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. The crystal headquarters is part art museum,
party crystal shop, part goumet haven, all in the middle of the Tirolean
mountains. While here, make sure to walk the Chambers of Wonder, the `Giant,` a grass and crystal
covered head that spouts water into a pond. Inside the chambers there is 17
rooms filled with crystal art by international stars. After strolling the
grounds, allow some time to shop in the largest Swarovski store in the world,
which features unique items only available in Austria.
Finish your tour of
Swarovski Crystal Worlds at the restaurant
Daniels Kristallwelten for lunch (which actually warrants a trip
on its own). It is housed in an amorphously-shaped pavilion in the sweeping
garden area. Enjoy excellent views of the art in the park while feasting on the
delectable creations by award-winning chef and the restaurant`s very own
patisserie.
Next, make your way
back into town to check out a few of the highlights you may have missed. Some
suggestions are the Schloss
Ambras, a Renaissance Castle built in 1563; the Alpine Zoo, one of the
highest elevation zoos in Europe with about 2,000 local animals; the Cathedral of St James, a
Boroque cathedral in Old town; the City Tower, an observation deck which stands over the
city offering stunning views of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains, and so
much more!
Additional Days in Innsbruck
If you`re finding yourself with an
extra day to spare, check out some of the active pursuits in Innsbruck.
Ski areas around Innsbruck are excellent for winter activity or for summer mountain
walks. In winter, the city is also known for bobsled and toboggan runs and
ice-skating rinks. In summer, you can enjoy tennis, golf, or go horseback
riding, mountaineering, gliding, swimming, or hiking.
You may also choose to head out of
town for a day trip. The medieval town of Kufstein is
only 46 miles from Innsbruck, where you can spend the day wandering the small
town. There is a fortress on a hill over the village, which is accessed by
funicular or a footpath. In addition to the fortress, there`s a local museum,
narrow streets lined with traditional Tyrolean houses and the Riedel glass
factory.
If you`re here in the summer, you may
want to spend a day in Tirol`s largest lake, the beautiful Lake Achensee. Head to Achensee for a day of
swimming and scuba diving off the shore of Maurach. During the warmer months,
the shallow waters remain a pleasant 70 degrees F. Another fun option is to
take a padal boat or an electric boat to sightsee around the lake. The
southern inlet is surrounded by the luscious green Rofan Mountains, ensuring
your dip in the lake is as picturesque and calming as possible.
Your Last Day in Innsbruck
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.