Best 20 things to do in Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to Innsbruck, the city that will make you want to yodel from mountaintops! Get ready to be blown away by the Tyrolean charm of this Austrian gem. Take a leisurely stroll through the delightful Old Town, where you can admire the colorful buildings and hopefully resist the temptation to challenge locals to a polka dance-off. For a breathtaking experience, hop on the Nordkette Cable Car and let it whisk you to the heavens—well, close enough, to the top of the Nordkette Mountain, where the views will leave you speechless, or at least muttering, "wow, that's a lot of snow!" Finally, make time to indulge in a not-so-healthy, but oh-so-delicious, portion of Kaiserschmarrn, the fluffy shredded pancake smothered in plums and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Now that's how you conquer Innsbruck in style!

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1. Innsbruck Old Town

4.7 (793)

Hofgasse 4, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck's Old Town is like that wise old relative who insists on keeping up with the latest fashion trends. With charming medieval streets that twist and turn like a grandpa telling a never-ending tale, this place will make you feel like you've stepped into a fairytale... but with a good Wi-Fi connection. From its colorful buildings to its jovial locals, Innsbruck Old Town is a place where history meets hilarity, making sure you'll have plenty of stories to tell your friends back home (and maybe a few questionable selfies).

www.innsbruck-altstadt.com

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2. Alpine Zoo

4.4 (9529)

Weiherburggasse 37a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to the Alpine Zoo in Innsbruck, where you can experience "zoo-rrific" moments amidst the picturesque Austrian Alps! Prepare to be astounded by the unique collection of mountain-dwelling animals, while trying your best not to tumble down the hills in utter awe. Don't miss the chance to meet the resident chamois who can jump higher than your credit card limit, or the cheeky marmots who've mastered the art of stealing tourists' hats without getting caught.

www.alpenzoo.at

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3. Hofburg Imperial Palace

4.4 (1830)

Rennweg 1, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Innsbruck, where you can bask in the grandeur of Austrian history without having to pay an arm and a leg! This magnificent palace is like a time machine, teleporting you back to a world where people wore poofy wigs and debated whether mustard should be a food group. Get ready to have your mind blown as you wander through majestic halls filled with fancy furniture that could make your IKEA-loving heart go weak in the knees.

www.hofburg-innsbruck.at

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4. Olympiaworld

4.4 (1953)

Olympiastraße 10, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to Olympiaworld, Innsbruck's version of an amusement park for sports enthusiasts! This vibrant complex is like a hyperactive octopus, stretching its tentacles across 11 different venues. Here, you can ski, ice skate, throw yourself down the bobsled track (with a helmet, preferably), and even channel your inner figure skater without worrying about those pesky triple axels.

www.olympiaworld.at

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5. Wilten Abbey

4.5 (306)

Klostergasse 7, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to Wilten Abbey in the charming city of Innsbruck, where history and tranquility combine to create an experience so serene, it'll make even the grumpiest traveler feel as zen as a yoga instructor with a lifetime supply of lavender scented candles. This architectural marvel, built in the 12th century, boasts stunning Gothic features that will send your selfies straight to the halls of #MedievalMarvels. Explore the abbey's picturesque gardens and pretend you're in a scene from The Sound of Music. Just resist the urge to burst into song, unless you're blessed with an enchanting voice that can unite nuns in harmonious choruses.

www.stift-wilten.at

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6. Tyrolean Folk Art Museum

4.6 (269)

Universitätsstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Nestled in the heart of Innsbruck, the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum is a hidden gem that will surely make your cultural senses tingle like a clumsy lederhosen-wearing dancer. Step inside and prepare to be whisked away into a world where wooden saints, hand-painted antique furniture, and intricately carved cowbells collide in harmonious chaos. Marvel at the jaw-dropping collection of traditional costumes that will make you question whether you accidentally stumbled into a time warp back to the Middle Ages, or if everyone in Tyrol is simply an undercover time traveler.

www.tiroler-landesmuseen.at

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7. Triumphpforte

4.4 (3009)

Leopoldstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to Innsbruck, home to the grand Triumphpforte, a magnificent arch that has stood the test of time and seen more victorious conquerors pass through than a high school football team. Stroll under its mighty stone legs and let its majestic presence remind you that you too can triumph over that extra serving of strudel - just maybe not as gracefully. While the arch's intricate design may make you ponder life's greatest mysteries, don't forget to snap a selfie to prove to your friends that you conquered history without even breaking a sweat.

www.innsbruck.info

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8. Glockenmuseum Grassmayr

4.6 (638)

Leopoldstraße 53, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to the Glockenmuseum Grassmayr in Innsbruck, where the bells aren't just for ringing, but for delighting the eardrums and tickling your funny bone. This quirky museum will have you believing in the magical power of bells, as they reveal their secret identities as instruments of joy, alarm clocks for gods, and even dental equipment for giants. Explore the fascinating history while trying not to ring the oversized doorbell and startling your fellow visitors - after all, it wouldn't be a true bell experience without a touch of mischief!

www.grassmayr.at

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9. Hungerburg Funicular

4.6 (1819)

Höhenstraße 151, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to the city of Innsbruck, where a little train called Hungerburg Funicular takes you on a whimsical journey to the land of breathtaking views. Ascending the mountain like a determined hiker in search of Wi-Fi signal, this peculiar contraption offers you a shortcut to Instagram-worthy panoramas minus the sweating and panting. Hop aboard and let gravity do all the work, as you ascend to the lofty heights of Hungerburg, where even the tickets feel as fancy as a top hat-wearing llama.

www.nordkette.com

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10. St. Anne's Column

4.5 (2804)

Maria-Theresien-Straße 18, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Nestled upright like a middle-aged yoga enthusiast holding a never-ending plank, St. Anne's Column in Innsbruck gracefully boasts its architectural peculiarity. It's as if the town decided to give its citizens an eccentric conversation starter, saying, "Oh, you haven't seen anything until you've met our balancing act of a column." The statue of St. Anne, stoic and unyielding, gazes down as if pondering the secrets to achieving perfect core stability.

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11. Basilica Wilten

4.7 (119)

Pastorstraße 694, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to Basilica Wilten in Innsbruck, where you can find more gold than at a leprechaun convention! Prepare to be dazzled by the baroque beauty of this church, which is like the lovechild of a wedding cake and a disco ball. Don't forget your sunglasses - the gleaming interior will make you feel like you've stumbled into a holy treasure trove.

basilika-wilten.at

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12. Golden Roof

4.4 (16164)

Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to Innsbruck, the city of quaint charm and stunning sights! When visiting, don't miss out on one of its most iconic landmarks - the Golden Roof. This golden spectacle, affectionately named the "Glamorous Hat of Innsbruck," is a sight to behold, shimmering with enough bling to make even the most extravagant of rappers blush. Built in the late 15th century, this gilded marvel was commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I as an ode to his own love for flair and shiny objects. Its golden tiles proudly showcase 2,657 gleaming copper plates, enough to make the sun itself green with envy! Legend has it that gazing at the Golden Roof for too long may cause a sudden urge to break into a spontaneous cha-cha dance, so be sure to clear some space for your fancy footwork.

www.innsbruck.gv.at

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13. Tirol Panorama Museum

4.5 (1622)

Bergisel 1-2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Nestled in the charming city of Innsbruck, the Tirol Panorama Museum is a delightful treasure trove of history, art, and, dare I say, some rather brooding panoramas. Once inside, you'll be greeted by a colossal, jaw-dropping circular painting that takes you back in time to the Tyrolean struggles against Napoleon - it's like a giant cinematic experience, minus the overpriced popcorn. And for those who can't get enough of panoramic awesomeness, make sure to grab a selfie stick (or a long-armed friend) because the museum's rooftop observation deck offers panoramic views of the splendid Alps, as if Mother Nature herself handcrafted a scenic masterpiece just for you.

www.tiroler-landesmuseen.at

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14. Bergisel Ski Jump

4.6 (5780)

Bergiselweg 3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Nestled amidst the snowy splendor of Innsbruck, the Bergisel Ski Jump eagerly beckons adventure enthusiasts to defy logic and fly through the sky like ill-equipped penguins attempting levitation. Perched on a hill like a confident peacock, this architectural marvel offers a unique vantage point to witness both jaw-dropping ski jumps and the occasional failed attempt at defying gravity. Whether you're a fearless ski jumper or someone who passionately cheers from the safety of solid ground, this quirky landmark promises a wild experience that will leave you wondering how on earth people discovered their affinity for being airborne.

www.bergisel.info

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15. Ambras Castle

4.5 (5844)

Schloßstraße 20, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to Ambras Castle in Innsbruck, the perfect destination for history buffs with a sense of humor! This charming castle stands tall with an air of grandeur, ready to transport you back in time. Prepare to be amazed by its unmatched collection of quirky armors, including those made for humans and those that seemingly cater exclusively to the tastes of headless horses - because who says horses don't deserve their fashion statements? So, grab your armor or borrow one from the castle and get ready to immerse yourself in this delightful mix of history and whimsy.

www.schlossambras-innsbruck.at

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16. Nordkette Cable Car

4.6 (3228)

Rennweg 3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to the Nordkette Cable Car in Innsbruck, where you can experience the ultimate power nap with a stunning alpine backdrop. Brace yourself for the vertical expedition as you ascend 2,256 meters above sea level in just 20 minutes. You'll feel like you're in a fairytale as you glide through the clouds, catching glimpses of the majestic Austrian mountains that look suspiciously like giant snow-covered marshmallows.

www.nordkette.com

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17. Grassmayr Bell Foundry and Museum

4.6 (638)

Leopoldstraße 53, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Step into the mesmerizing world of clanging melodies and robust craftsmanship at the Grassmayr Bell Foundry and Museum in Innsbruck. Here, you can journey through the hallowed halls where centuries-old tradition meets molten metal, resulting in ear-pleasing treasures. Witness the magical alchemy of bell-making while learning about the Foundry's quirky anecdotes, like the legendary bell that allegedly sneezes whenever someone mentions Mondays.

www.grassmayr.at

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18. Court Church

4.6 (1065)

Universitätsstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to the Court Church in Innsbruck, where history intertwines with grandeur and the occasional riddle. This architectural marvel will leave you in awe as you marvel at the stunning black tomb that houses Emperor Maximilian I, surrounded by life-sized bronze statues. Don't worry if the statues resemble awkward family photos more than royal elegance - even emperors didn't escape the occasional double chin.

www.tiroler-landesmuseen.at

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19. Innsbrucker Dom

4.5 (1106)

Dompl. 6, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to the Innsbrucker Dom, where stunning architecture and divine ambiance collide! This marvelous cathedral stands proudly in Innsbruck, flaunting its grandeur as if it had just won a beauty pageant for buildings. Prepare to crane your neck in awe as you gaze up at its towering spires, which seem to reach for the heavens like a congregation of determined giraffes.

www.dibk.at

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20. Swarovski Crystal Worlds

4.5 (3262)

Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 39, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Welcome to Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Innsbruck, a place where diamonds are definitely not a girl's best friend! Prepare to be dazzled as you step into a glittering wonderland where crystals reign supreme. Lose yourself in a hypnotic labyrinth of sparkles, where even your sunglasses will ask, "Am I shiny enough?"

www.swarovski.com

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Innsbruck by plane is to fly into Innsbruck Airport, which is located approximately 4km from the city center. There are several airlines that provide flights to Innsbruck from major European cities, including Lufthansa, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines.

Car

One of the best ways to get to Innsbruck by car is to take the A12 motorway, which connects Innsbruck with Munich to the north and Verona to the south. The journey time varies depending on the departure point, but it typically takes between 2 to 4 hours. There are several car rental companies located in and around Innsbruck, including Europcar and Hertz.

Train

One of the best ways to get to Innsbruck by train is to take the EuroCity, which runs between Munich and Innsbruck. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes and offers beautiful views of the Alps. The train arrives at Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, which is located in the city center.

Boat

Unfortunately, there is no way to get to Innsbruck by boat, as the city is located in the mountainous region of Tyrol and there are no major waterways that connect it to other cities. However, visitors can enjoy several boat tours on nearby lakes, such as the Achensee and the Walchensee, which offer stunning views of the Alps.

Bus

The best way to get to Innsbruck by bus is to take the Flixbus, which provides daily services from various European cities, including Munich, Zurich, and Milan. The journey time varies depending on the departure point, but it typically takes between 2 to 5 hours. The bus arrives at Innsbruck Bus Terminal, which is located in the city center.

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