Day 1 in Igls

Welcome to Igls, located on a sunny plateau at an altitude of about 2,952 ft., 3 miles outside of Innsbruck. Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

A visit to Igls offers numerous leisure activities all year round. You will be impressed by the overwhelming natural scenery and the pure Alpine air. Your itinerary will vary depending on the time of year you are visiting. In summer, there are countless opportunities in the beautiful nature, such as a fantastic hiking, mountain biking, or even a trip to the capital, Innsbruck, located only 3 miles away. A winter holiday in Igls offers a variety of winter sports to be discovered. This itinerary will outline a just a few of the activities available in and around Igls in both summer and winter.

Start your day at the tourist office located on Igls`s main street. They can provide you with many walking trails and other activities of the area. In the summer, we recommend enjoying some of the beautiful walking trails. You will want to take the Patcherkofel cable car to the top and then walk down (about three hours) with breathtaking views and a perfect stop at Heiligwasser Alm for lunch or a treat on the terrace overlooking all of Innsbruck.

Another excellent walk is on the plateau from Igls to Patsch, about an hour. If you follow the signs to the Gruenwalderhof Hotel on the walk you can stop in for lunch on the outdoor terrace with stunning mountain views, followed by the walk back.

You may also choose to walk down almost all the way to Innsbruck. It is mostly in the woods with beautiful views as you stroll.

Alternatively, if you are in Igls in the winter you`ll want to be sure to take advantage of the excellent winter sports available. Igls is most popular to visitors as a ski resort in winter, thanks to the Patscherkofel mountain in close proximity. There is a complete system of lifts that opens up alpine scenery to everybody, from the beginner to the most advanced skier.

As evening approaches, we recommend heading into Innsbruck to take advantage of the lively nightlife here. Innsbruck is a university town and its nightlife is 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, clubs and live music.

If you are looking for something more low-key, plan to stay in Igls where you`ll find plenty of restaurants serving up delicious local specialties. Try one of the staple dishes of the area, the Tirolean Speckknodel, round boiled bread and bacon dumplings consurmed with broth. Antoher favorite is Tiroler Grostl, 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.

Day 2 in Igls

Grab some breakfast before heading out for another day of outdoor adventure. Winter outdoor adventure in the area, in addition to downhill skiing, also brings cross-country skiing. There are plenty of well maintained trails from beginners to professionals and everything in between, all with fabulous panoramic mountain views. Whether overlooking the city, on secluded trails in the forest or surrounded by high alpine winter landscapes, you`ll have plenty to choose from.

Next, make your way to the toboggan runs. The fresh air, winter atmosphere, breathtaking views and snowy landscapes make it the perfect conditions for a ride on a toboggan. Many of these runs can be accessed by car or cable car, meaning that you don`t have to walk up to the top. Others begin with a wintery hike up to the start of the run so that you can enjoy some exercise in the Tyrolean mountain air before tobogganing back down. Night tobogganing is also an option. Before you head off on your night-time adventure, you can fuel up at one of the many huts and mountain restaurants. You can then grab your toboggan and follow the well-lit trails leading into the valley.

Alternatively, check out some of the other offerings for outdoor winter adventures. Some top hits on the ice: guest bobsleigh rides (open all year), ice skating and ice climbing.

The summer months will bring different adventure and still plenty to choose from. Some unforgettable experiences that you just have to try when visiting Igls and the Tyrol region in summer would be the alpine coasters and summer toboggan runs. There are at least 9 different alpine coaster routes in the region. One of the longest runs being almost a mile with 40 curves and turns down the scenic Marienberg mountain in Biberwier. We suggest this one over the others because it is so long, so you have plenty of time to truly enjoy the ride.

Tip: You will find the Marienberg mountain toboggan run at Marienberg cable car in Biberweir. It`s open daily from mid May to mid October.

Another excellent summer adventure is taking a walk along the world`s longest pedestrian open bridge, the Highline 179 suspension bridge. It is 0.25 mile long and connects Ehrenburg castle ruins (don`t miss) with Fort Claudia. The scenery is absolutely amazing!

The summer months of course also brings plenty of opportunity for hiking and mountain biking amongst the beautiful mountain scenery. There are plenty of trails to choose from with all different ranges of difficulty.

Additional Days in Igls

Should you be able to spend additional days in the area we recommend a visit to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, located about 12 miles east of Innsbruck. This is an excellent museum and art gallery designed to showcase the world-famous company founded by Daniel Swarovski in 1895. Its 14 chambers display extraordinary artworks in crystal, and highlights include the wonderful Crystal Dome, the Crystal Theatre, and the enchanting Crystal Forest installations, all displaying unique pieces made by contemporary artists from around the world. The centerpiece of the outdoor features is the fascinating Giant, a large landscaped waterfall in the shape of a human head that spews water from its mouth.

Another option is to spend the day enjoying Innsbruck, the capital city of Tyrol. Here you`ll find a beautiful medieval Old Town with narrow twisting streets and tall houses in Late Gothic style perfect to wander and admire. Most of the popular attractions are clustered close to the Old Town area, whose charming narrow streets offer plenty of things to see and do.

Your Last Day In Igls

Depart your hotel for the airport or train station where you will head home or make your way to more European adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in Igls in the Tyrol region of Austria.