Things to Do in Innsbruck: Our Top 18 Attractions & Tips

Sights in Downtown Innsbruck

The best place to start exploring Innsbruck is right in the heart of the city. All the major highlights are within walking distance of each other, and you can easily cover them in a single day.

Also read our itinerary for Innsbruck in one day

Highlights on a Map

Old Town of Innsbruck

What do you need to know? Innsbruck’s Old Town has existed since the 12th century. Most of the buildings you can see today, however, date from the 15th or 16th century. The elaborately decorated facades, bright colors, and arcaded walkways are typical of the Alpine region — and then the mountains tower up dramatically in the background. We absolutely loved it.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The historic center is home to most of Innsbruck’s must-sees, and every single street looks stunning.

Our tip: Don’t just rush from sight to sight — take your time to wander the alleyways and really soak in the architecture. That’s where the magic is.

Welcome tour through Innsbruck with a guide

Golden Roof

• Admission: Free; for the museum you pay €5.80
• Open (Museum): daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, closed Mondays in winter
• Tickets (Museum): purchased on-site

What do you need to know? The Golden Roof is the standout highlight of Innsbruck’s Old Town. It’s made up of 2,657 gilded copper shingles and was built at the end of the 15th century — Emperor Maximilian I had it constructed for his third wedding. Today the same building also houses a museum where you can learn more about its history and the emperor himself.

Is it worth it? Yes! Even just for its iconic status, you should definitely stop by. Take your time to admire the craftsmanship, and if you want more than just photos, the museum is well worth the small entry fee.

Our tip: We had lunch at the vegan burger restaurant Swing Kitchen nearby. From the outdoor seats you get a lovely view of the Golden Roof — and the food is very reasonably priced by Old Town standards.

City Tower

• Admission: €5
• Open: daily from 10 AM to 5 PM
• Tickets: purchased on-site

What do you need to know? The City Tower is easy to overlook at first glance — despite standing practically across from the Golden Roof. Completed in 1450, it offers the best panorama over Innsbruck from within the Old Town. You climb 133 steps up a spiral staircase to reach the top.

Is it worth it? Yes, we’d recommend climbing the tower if you’re only in Innsbruck for a short time. If you have more days, though, hiking a bit up the surrounding mountains gives you an even better view — in our opinion.

Market Square

What do you need to know? Innsbruck’s Market Square sits right on the banks of the Inn River, and from here you can snap one of the most iconic photos in the city: the Inn with its colorful houses and the Nordkette mountain range rising up in the background. The market hall is also here, where you can pick up fresh local produce.

Is it worth it? Yes. We really loved the vistas from Market Square, and it’s a great starting point for a walk along the river.

Our tip: Stroll along the riverbank by the market hall. There are several spots with outdoor terraces looking out over the Inn — perfect for a coffee stop.

Maria-Theresien-Straße

What do you need to know? Maria-Theresien-Straße runs from the Old Town down to the Triumphal Arch and is Innsbruck’s main shopping street. The city’s central square — with the Anna Column and plenty of restaurants and cafes — is also right along this stretch.

Is it worth it? Yes. Maria-Theresien-Straße is home to a ton of things to do in Innsbruck, and the architecture of the buildings is seriously gorgeous.

Our tip: When it’s warm, make a stop at the main square at Gelateria Tomaselli — they serve delicious ice cream.

Triumphal Arch

What do you need to know? It marks the southern entrance to Innsbruck’s Old Town: the Triumphal Arch. Built in 1765 on the orders of Empress Maria Theresa, it commemorates two events: on one side, the wedding of her son Archduke Leopold, and on the other, the death of her husband.

Is it worth it? Yes — the Triumphal Arch makes for a great photo and is genuinely impressive at the edge of the historic district. Fun fact: a medieval city gate once stood on this very spot.

Our tip: Casino Innsbruck is located almost right next to the arch. So if you ever feel like trying your luck, here’s your chance.

Hofburg

• Admission: €9.50 (Imperial Apartments) and €7.50 (Maximilian Exhibition)
• Open: daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
• Tickets: purchased on-site

What do you need to know? The Imperial Hofburg is one of the most important cultural monuments in Austria. Built by the Habsburgs and completed in 1500 by Emperor Maximilian I, it’s a seriously impressive place. You can visit the courtyard for free, and inside the palace you can admire lavishly decorated rooms and a museum dedicated to Emperor Maximilian.

Is it worth it? Yes — definitely walk through the courtyard at least once. When we were there, it was surprisingly quiet, which we really appreciated. If you have plenty of time, exploring the interior is well worth it too.

Hofkirche & Tyrolean Folk Art Museum

• Admission: €9 single ticket (Folk Art Museum or Hofkirche) and €14 (combination ticket)
• Open: daily from 9 AM to 5 PM
• Tickets: purchased on-site

What do you need to know? The Hofkirche might not look like much from the outside — but step inside and it’s truly breathtaking. This is also where the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I is located. Right next door is the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, packed with fascinating cultural artifacts: rural crafts, nativity scenes, traditional costumes, and more.

Is it worth it? Yes! The Hofkirche is an absolute must — it genuinely blew us away. The combination ticket is also great value, since it includes three additional highlights: the Zeughaus, DAS TIROL PANORAMA with the Kaiserjäger Museum, and the TAXISPALAIS. So we’d recommend visiting the Folk Art Museum while you’re already there.

Our tip: Across from the Hofkirche are several buildings belonging to the University of Innsbruck — their modern architecture makes for a cool contrast with the historic surroundings.

Cathedral of St. James

• Admission: free
• Open: Mon – Sat from 10:15 AM to 6:30 PM, Sun + public holidays: 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM. In summer always until 7:30 PM.

What do you need to know? The Cathedral of St. James is another seriously beautiful church in Innsbruck. It stands at the edge of the Old Town and is built in the Baroque style. The facade alone is stunning, but we found the interior even more impressive — the frescoes and decorations are absolutely gorgeous.

Is it worth it? Definitely! Just note that you’ll need to pay €1 if you want to take photos inside.

Our tip: Across from the Cathedral you’ll find Café Bar Moustache. They serve delicious, healthy sandwiches and salads at very affordable prices — and from the outdoor seating you look directly at the church.

Highlights a Little Outside Innsbruck

Some of the best things to do in Innsbruck aren’t in the city center at all — they’re a little further out, often up in the mountains.

Sights on a Map

Nordkette

What do you need to know? The Nordkette is an impressive mountain massif to the north of Innsbruck — you can see it from almost every corner of the city. The views are especially great from the southern bank of the Inn River. The Nordkettenbahn gondola takes you all the way to the top of the mountain range, and there are also plenty of great hiking trails if you’d rather go on foot.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! For hiking enthusiasts, going up is a must. You can hike to Seegrube or Hafelekarspitze — both are also reachable by cable car. The vistas up there are seriously incredible.

Our tip: Keep a close eye on the weather. The Nordkette is often wrapped in clouds, and then you won’t get to enjoy the view at all. Mornings tend to be foggy — it’s better to head out a little later in the day.

Online tickets for the Nordkettenbahn

All the Info on the Nordkettenbahn

The Nordkettenbahn consists of two gondola lines and one funicular in total: the funicular runs from the city center to Hungerburg (a viewpoint we’ll introduce in a moment). From there you take the gondolas of the Seegrubenbahn, which carry you high up into the mountains. Finally, the Hafelekarbahn takes you to a summit of the Nordkette.

• Tickets: €52 (round trip)
• Hungerburgbahn hours: Mon – Fri: 07:15 – 19:15, Sat, Sun + public holidays 08:00 – 19:15
• Seegrubenbahn hours: daily from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM, first Friday of the month 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM
• Hafelekarbahn hours: daily from 9 AM to 5 PM

Hungerburg

• Admission: free; €13 for the Hungerburgbahn
• Open (Hungerburgbahn): Mon – Sat 07:15 – 19:15, Sun + public holidays 08:00 – 19:15
• Tickets: available to buy online

What do you need to know? Hungerburg is a viewing platform you can reach by funicular, among other options. From here you get one of the best overlooks over Innsbruck. Many hikes also start here — for example up to the Nordkette and to beautiful alpine meadows. There’s also a parking lot, a bus stop, and a few restaurants.

Is it worth it? Oh yes. Hungerburg is also super easy to combine with other Innsbruck attractions like the Nordkette or the Alpine Zoo — which we’ll introduce next.

Our tip: A not-too-strenuous hike goes from Hungerburg to Alzer Alm. There you’ll find delicious food and a wonderful atmosphere.

Tickets for the Hungerburgbahn incl. Alpine Zoo

Alpine Zoo

• Admission: €15
• Open: daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (winter) and 9 AM to 6 PM (summer), closed Tuesdays
• Tickets: available to buy online

What do you need to know? The Alpine Zoo is home to various animals that live in the Alps — around 2,000 individuals from different species in total. From just outside the zoo grounds, a funicular also runs up to Hungerburg.

Is it worth it? We didn’t visit the Alpine Zoo ourselves, as we’d heard mixed things — including concerns about animal welfare.

Our tip: There’s a nice hiking trail from the Alpine Zoo up to Hungerburg. You can ride the funicular one way and walk the other — a great combination.

Tickets for the Alpine Zoo incl. Hungerburgbahn

Bergisel Ski Jump

• Admission: €11
• Open: daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, closed Tuesdays
• Tickets: available to buy online

What do you need to know? The ski jump is a must for all winter sports fans. Each year in early January, the third leg of the Four Hills Tournament is held here. When no event is taking place, Bergisel is open to visitors — you can ride the funicular to the top, enjoy the view from the observation platform, and grab a bite at the restaurant.

Is it worth it? We think so! The Bergisel ski jump is a truly unique point of interest. That said, if you’re not into sports and have already visited other viewpoints in Innsbruck, the entrance fee may not be worth it for you.

Our tip: Just a few minutes’ walk from the ski jump are the DAS TIROL PANORAMA and Kaiserjäger Museum — well worth combining into one outing.

Ambras Castle

• Admission: €16 (on-site tickets are €2 more)
• Open: daily from 10 AM to 5 PM
• Tickets: available to buy online

What do you need to know? Did you know that Ambras Castle is the oldest museum in the world? Really! Exhibitions were already being held here as far back as the mid-to-late 16th century. Today the museum covers the upper and lower castle as well as the castle grounds. The armories and glass collection are especially fascinating — but there’s so much more to discover.

Is it worth it? Oh yes! The castle’s age alone makes a visit worthwhile. There are plenty of informational signs throughout, which is great for learning the story behind each room and exhibition.

Tickets for Ambras Castle

Sights in the Area Around Innsbruck

If you’re planning a day trip from Innsbruck, there are some seriously beautiful places to explore in the surrounding area. Here are our four top recommendations.

Highlights in the Area on a Map

Karwendel Mountains

What do you need to know? The Karwendel Mountains lie to the north of Innsbruck and offer stunning landscapes and hiking trails. The Karwendel Gorge is especially impressive, with a long trail running right through it. There are also many summits to climb, such as the Westliche Karwendelspitze. And here’s a fun fact: the Isar River, which flows through Munich, has its source right here in the Karwendel Mountains.

Is it worth it? Oh yes, especially for hikers. For families, the Passamani circular trail high up in the mountains is wonderful — you get there by cable car from Mittenwald in Germany.

Getting there: It depends on what you want to see or do. You’ll generally be heading toward Scharnitz first, from where you can reach many excursion destinations in the Karwendel Mountains. By car it’s about 30 minutes from Innsbruck to Scharnitz.

Achensee

What do you need to know? Achensee is a large mountain lake that often shimmers in a gorgeous turquoise-blue hue. Around the lake there are many great mountain hikes as well as a 22-kilometer loop trail. In summer, Achensee is also perfect for swimming — there are plenty of lido-style bathing areas along the shore.

Is it worth it? Definitely. Whether you go for a hike or a relaxing day by the water, Achensee is always worth the trip (as long as it’s not pouring rain).

Our tip: There are also great cycling routes around Achensee. Keep in mind that you can’t cycle all the way around the lake — only along the eastern shore.

Getting there: By car it’s about 45 minutes to Achensee. There are plenty of parking lots — in summer it pays to arrive early to get a good spot. By public transit, take a train to Jenbach and switch to a bus to Maurach.

Crystal Worlds

• Admission: €25 (€27 on-site)
• Open: daily from 9 AM to 7 PM
• Tickets: available to buy online

What do you need to know? The Swarovski Crystal Worlds are an experience park located 20 kilometers east of Innsbruck, in the small town of Wattens. Swarovski created the Crystal Worlds in 1995 to mark their hundredth anniversary. You’ll find various Chambers of Wonder with crystal installations, a snow room, a store, and much more.

Is it worth it? Yes — the Crystal Worlds are genuinely one-of-a-kind in the Innsbruck area. We especially recommend it for families with children, since there’s a great adventure tower and an outdoor playground.

Getting there: By car you’ll be there in just over 20 minutes. You can also make a great bike ride out of the trip — it’s about an hour each way. If you prefer public transit, a combination of suburban train and bus works well; connections are shown on Google Maps.

Admission tickets for the Crystal Worlds

Zugspitze

What do you need to know? Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, is also within easy reach of Innsbruck. The summit sits at 2,962 meters and is a true natural highlight in Germany. You can reach the top by cable car, or via via ferratas and a hiking trail. At the summit, several restaurants and a museum await you.

Is it worth it? Yes! The views from the Zugspitze are absolutely breathtaking.

Our tip: If you want to hike: the only trail that doesn’t require climbing gear starts in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and is 22 kilometers long. You’ll need to start very early.

Getting there: By car it’s just over an hour to Ehrwald (Austria) and to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany). By train it’s 1.5 hours. Cable cars run to the Zugspitze from both locations.

Is the Innsbruck Card Worth It?

Yes, in most cases it is! The Innsbruck Card is one ticket for multiple attractions and activities in Innsbruck. You can save a lot of money on sightseeing with it — especially if you’re planning to visit some of the pricier highlights.

And the best part? Almost all of Innsbruck’s top points of interest are included in the card!

Here are the prices for the Innsbruck Card:

• 24 hours: €69
• 48 hours: €79
• 72 hours: €89

The 24-hour card is really only worth it if you’re riding the Nordkettenbahn (Top of Innsbruck). Here’s an example:

• Top of Innsbruck: €52
• Hofkirche: €9
• Hofburg: €9.50
• Total price: €69.50 (you save €0.50)

The 48- and 72-hour cards are worth it in most cases, since you’ll have time for more activities. For example, visiting the Crystal Worlds (€24 admission) or the Bergisel Ski Jump (€11 admission) — and the 48-hour Innsbruck Card costs only €10 more than the 24-hour card.

Note: The Innsbruck Card also includes public transit. So you’ll save a bit of money there as well.

You can find all the details on the Innsbruck Card website. You can also purchase it there.

Guided Tours in Innsbruck

Especially at the start of your trip to Innsbruck, taking a guided tour is a great idea. You’ll get a solid first overview of what to do in Innsbruck and pick up cool insider tips straight from your guide.

The one-hour Welcome Tour in Innsbruck

The private guided tour through Innsbruck