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If you are looking for the top things to do in Innsbruck, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. In the heart of the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice and attracts over 3 million visitors a year.
The breathtaking city in the Alps is known for its exceptional winter sports opportunities, historic architecture, and impressive Alpine scenery. Ski at Stubai Glacier, admire Golden Roof’s 2,657 gilded copper tiles, and explore Ambras Castle. Glide down pristine Alpine slopes, stroll through the medieval Old Town, or ride the Hungerburg funicular for breathtaking mountain views.
To make sure you don’t miss any of the main attractions in Innsbruck, we’ve compiled a list of 12 must-do activities. We combined traveler reviews, expert recommendations, and local insights to create this list.
Skiing is one of the most popular things to do in Innsbruck, and Stubai Glacier is one of the best places to do it. It’s only 45 minutes from Innsbruck city center and is renowned for being Austria’s largest glacier ski area. It offers fun for everyone at an altitude of 9,842 feet (3,000 meters).
Winter enthusiasts, thrill seekers, and families looking for a good time can expect well-groomed pistes and slopes for all ages and skill levels. There are over 30 ski slopes to race down.
Brilliantly, children under 10 years old ride for free. Better yet, gondola lifts, chair lifts, and wide slopes are perfect for children and beginners.
Parking: During operating hours (daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM), parking at the glacier’s base station is free.
Operating Hours: The ski area operates daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with the last descent at 4:15 PM.
Equipment Rental: If you don’t have your own gear, you can rent ski equipment from shops at the station.
Ski Pass Prices: A full-day ski pass valid from 8:30 AM costs €69.80 for adults and €34.90 for children. Afternoon passes (valid from noon) are available at reduced rates.
Transportation: A free ski bus operates between Schönberg and the Stubai Glacier for passengers with winter equipment, a valid ski pass, or a Stubaier Guest Card. For passengers with winter sports equipment, the bus ticket costs €4.30 one way and must be purchased at the bus entrance.
The Golden Roof is the most famous landmark in Innsbruck. Also known as the Goldenes Dachl, this historic landmark can be found in Innsbruck’s Old Town. As for what it is, the name tells you everything you need to know.
Constructed in the late 14th century, the Golden Roof is a stunning oriel with a roof made from 2,657 gilded copper shingles. Designed in a late Gothic style, each was hand-hammered flat and coated in a thin layer of gold leaf. Hence the golden color of the roof.
As you can likely imagine, the roof is a beautiful sight. The golden tiles sparkle when the sun shines on them. That said, remember your camera.
Best Photo Spot: Stand across from the building on Herzog-Friedrich-Straße for the best view of the golden tiles.
Nearby Café: Stop by Café Katzung for excellent coffee and the Apfelstrudel, a local specialty served warm with whipped cream.
Ambras Castle is one of the most important sights in Austria, not to mention Innsbruck. Built in the 16th century, it sits on a hill above the city, surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens. You’ll be treated to remarkable 16th-century architecture, fascinating exhibits, and breathtaking mountain views during your visit.
Outside, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lush castle gardens, admiring the views and Ambras Castle’s gorgeous architecture. Inside, you can learn more about the castle and Austria’s history in what is claimed to be the “first museum in the world.” The Collection of Gothic Sculptures exhibit is one of the best in the museum.
It contains sculptures that date back to the time of Emperor Maximilian I (1459 – 1519).
Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November closed). Entry costs €14.
Dining Nearby:Restaurant Bierwirt. A short walk from the castle, offering traditional Austrian dishes like Wiener Schnitzel and Tiroler Gröstl in a cozy atmosphere.
One of the top things to do at Innsbruck in December is attend the Innsbruck Christmas Market. At Christmas, Innsbruck’s beautiful Old Town is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland. Overlooked by the iconic Golden Roof, this Christmas market is arguably one of Austria’s best.
Perfect for couples and families, the Old Town comes to life with bright lights, tall Christmas trees, carol singing, and traditional wooden chalets. The market is an excellent place to pick up some last-minute gifts, indulge in festive treats, and have fun. You’ll find stalls in the market selling everything from Christmas tree decorations and handicrafts to souvenirs and Christmas beverages.
We recommend walking around the market stalls with a hot cup of mulled wine to keep you warm.
Opening Hours: The Innsbruck Christmas Market typically runs from mid-November to late December. Stalls are open daily from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with food stalls remaining open until 10:00 PM. Confirm dates and times on the official website.
Parking: Use the nearby Altstadtgarage parking lot for convenient access to the market.
For the best views in Innsbruck, ride the Innsbruck Nordkettenbahnen cable car. Standing guard over Innsbruck, Nordkette is a range of mountains just north of the city. It offers exceptional landscape vistas and skiing, hiking, and climbing opportunities.
The range is also home to Austria’s largest nature park, Karwendel Nature Park. The Innsbruck Nordkettenbahnen cable car offers fast and scenic access to the mountain range. Leaving from the city center, you’ll be treated to unbelievable city and Alps views.
The cable car runs in multiple parts. First, you’ll ride the Hungerburgbahn funicular before taking the cable car to Hafelekar, dubbed the “top of Innsbruck.” If you visit in winter, you can attend the Panorama Christmas Market Hungerburg on your way up the mountain.
Opening Hours and Tickets: The Nordkettenbahnen operates daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Top of Innsbruck Plus tickets cost €57. Tickets can be purchased here.
Panorama Christmas Market: The market at Hungerburg station is open from late November to early January. It’s smaller but offers stunning views and mulled wine.
Hofkirche, located in Old Town Innsbruck, is one of the top things to see if you love history and architecture. Constructed in 1553 by Emperor Ferdinand, this beautiful church is a memorial to Emperor Maximilian I. Emperor Maximilian I’s tomb is surrounded by 28 large bronze statues.
These statues depict the emperor’s ancestors, relatives, and role models. One statue shows the emperor himself kneeling in front of the altar.
As you’d expect, the rest of Hofkirche is also spectacular. You’ll find breathtaking stonework, an impressive church spire, intricate carvings, a grand altar, and more. The 450-year-old Ebert organ is a standout highlight.
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Opening Hours: Open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, last admission 4:30 PM. Sunday and public holidays 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Entry costs €14.
Dining Nearby: After your visit, head to Stiftskeller Innsbruck for hearty Tyrolean fare like Wiener Schnitzel or Spinatknödel (spinach dumplings).
The Tyrolean Folk Art Museum is one of the best places in Innsbruck to learn about Tyrolean history and culture. Next to Hofkirche, this fascinating museum features exhibitions that explore how Tyroleans lived in the past. It features magnificently replicated farmhouse rooms with treasures from local history.
Handicrafts, tools, and traditional costumes are just some of the exciting things you’ll find inside. Exhibitions also explore traditional festivals and everyday life for people in Innsbruck and Tyrol over the centuries. It’s worth noting that entry is free for children and young people under 19.
Visitors can also participate in a guided tour for only €2 ($2). What’s not to like?
Entry Fee: Free for children under 19; adults pay €9.
Guided Tours: Enhance your experience with a guided tour for just €2.
Nearby Restaurant: Try Speckeria, this cozy eatery is known for its Austrian specialties and has received positive reviews for its food and atmosphere. It’s a popular spot, so visiting during non-peak hours is advisable.
Maria-Theresien-Straße is one of the top places in Innsbruck to take photographs. One of the city’s most famous streets, Maria-Theresien-Straße, has a history of over 700 years. It’s a fantastic remnant of Innsbruck’s baroque past.
Now a bustling pedestrian promenade outside the Old Town, it’s an excellent place to shop, dine, and admire iconic landmarks like the Triumphal Arch and St. Anne’s Column. However, that’s not the only draw to this vibrant street.
Topping things off nicely, Maria-Theresien-Straße’s backdrop is dominated by the snow-covered Alps. Together, the street and the mountains create an extraordinary photograph. You can capture a remarkable picture of the street’s colorful buildings, St. Anne’s Column, and the snow-capped mountains.
Best Spot for Photos: Head to the south end of the street for a perfect shot with the Alps in the background.
Dining: Try a plate of Kaspressknödel (cheese dumpling soup) at Restaurant Sitzwohl, a chic bistro blending traditional flavors with modern flair.
One of the best family-friendly tourist attractions in Innsbruck is Alpenzoo. Alpenzoo Innsbruck specializes in animals from the Alpine region. In fact, it claims to have the world’s largest collection of animals from the Alpine region.
Also, one of the highest zoos in Europe, this zoo has many exciting animal species to discover. For example, Alpenzoo is home to lynx, brown bears, bearded vultures, and moose. There are approximately 2,000 individuals from the animal kingdom at Alpenzoo Innsbruck.
Visitors are permitted to explore the zoo on their own. However, they can also attend a variety of animal experiences and tours should they want to learn more about Alpine wildlife.
Tickets: Entry costs €15 for adults. Children (6-17 years) costs €8.
Accessibility: Wear comfortable shoes as the zoo is located on a slope.
The Bergisel Ski Jump is one of Innsbruck’s most popular tourist attractions, and for good reason. The famous ski jumping hill above Innsbruck has been a ski jumping site since 1927 and has been used in various Olympic Winter Games. It’s also an important venue for the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup.
The current ski jump was constructed in 2001 by famed architect Zaha Hadid. It towers 820 feet (250 meters) above Innsbruck and has a capacity of 26,000. If you visit during the annual third competition of the prestigious Four Hills Tournament, you can watch ski jumpers in action.
However, you should also visit for the epic views. From Bergisel Ski Jump, travelers are treated to mesmerizing mountain views.
Opening Hours: November – May: Wednesday – Monday 09:00 to 05:00 (last entry 04:30) Tuesday closed. June – October: Monday – Sunday 09:00 to 06:00 (last admission 05:30).
Restaurant: Dine at Bergisel SKY, known for its panoramic views and Tyrolean specialties like Gröstl, a hearty skillet dish of potatoes, bacon, and onions.
Innsbrucker Hofgarten is one of Innsbruck’s best places to relax, unwind, and walk. Offering an escape from the city’s busy streets, this picturesque set of gardens can be found near Old Town Innsbruck. It spans 25 acres (10 hectares) and features ponds, trees, flower beds, and a children’s playground.
Hofgarten has existed since the 15th century but was initially reserved for Imperial Highnesses, princes, and court members. It’s believed that the Empress of Habsburg, Maria Theresa, planted some of the plants in the park, which can still be found today.
Another highlight is the Tiroler Kunstpavillon, a former summer house and now an art gallery constructed in 1842.
Opening Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk. Entry is free.
Seasonal Highlight: Visit in spring to see the flower beds in full bloom.
Nearby Restaurant: For a dining option close to the Hofgarten, consider Fischerhäusl, located at Herrengasse 8, 6020 Innsbruck. This restaurant offers traditional Austrian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.
Stadtturm, also known as Innsbruck City Tower, is a breathtaking medieval watchtower constructed in the 1400s. It stands over 164 feet (50 meters) and offers magnificent views of the Old Town.
However, to enjoy the views, you must be willing to climb over 130 steps to the 102-foot (31-meter) high viewing platform. Don’t worry; your efforts will be rewarded with impressive 360-degree views of the Old Town and the Alps mountain range. The views of Innsbruck’s winding medieval streets from above are brilliant.
That said, make sure you bring your camera along for the climb. Visitors are treated to magical views of the Innsbruck Christmas Market at Christmas.
Entry Fee: Tickets cost €4.50.
Best Time to Visit: Visit at sunset for magical views of the city and mountains.
Jack is a freelance content writer from the U.K. He writes about travel, health & lifestyle, and food amongst other things. As a passionate traveler, he’s always in search of his next big adventure, and ways to save his readers money on their next trip.
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