The city of Innsbruck is located on the river Inn and is famous for hosting the 1964 and 1976 winter Olympics. Innsbruck (Bridge over the Inn) got its name from the first bridge built across the river Inn, around 1170.
Old Town Innsbruck – Surrounded by Austrian Alps, Innsbruck’s old city is well preserved and easily walkable. Architecturally, you will see a mix of past and present. You can start your tour at the City Tower (Stadtturm). The tower, constructed in 1450 A.D, gives you nice views of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. You have to go up 148 stairs to reach the viewing platform, but it’s worth the effort. The main street in old town is Herzog-Friedrich-Straße which has richly decorated houses in the Baroque and Rococo styles, such as the Helblinghaus and the Golden Roof.
Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) – This the most famous landmark in Innsbruck’s Old Town. Completed in 1500, the roof was decorated with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles to mark the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I with Bianca Maria Sforza. The Emperor and his wife used the balcony to observe festivals, tournaments, and other events that took place in the square below.
Since January 2003, the Goldenes Dachl has housed the International Alpine Convention’s Office. The Alpine Convention is a coalition of eight Alpine Countries united by a shared commitment to sustainable development in the European Alps. A museum, the Maximilianum, and the Innsbruck City Archives are also located in the building.
The Hofburg, Innsbruck’s Old Imperial Palace – Originally an Imperial palace built in the 15th century, it was remodeled many times. The palace is now a 5 themed museum that can be visited on a guided tour. It has Maria Theresa’s Rooms from the eighteenth century, Empress Elisabeth’s Apartment from the nineteenth century, a Furniture Museum, an Ancestral Gallery, and a Painting Gallery.
Innsbruck Cathedral – Located in the Domplatz, Innsbruck Cathedral (Innsbruck Dom) – also known as the Cathedral of St. James – was granted cathedral status in 1964. Notable for its imposing twin-towered west front and the high dome over the choir, it was built in Baroque style in 1724 and fully restored after World War II.
Hofburg District – In addition to the Imperial Palace and the Cathedral, there are other attractions in this area including the Tyrolean Provincial Theater (Tiroler Landestheater Innsbruck). Built in 1846, it hosts operas, musicals, dance, and theatrical performances.
Walking along River Inn – It is a beautiful walk along either side of the river. You can take a short 30min walk from the bridge near market square to the next and back. Colorful houses line the river bank.
Maria-Theresian Strasse – Lined with handsome 17th- and 18th-century houses and numerous shops, bustling Maria-Theresien Strasse is backed by a magnificent vista of the mountains to the north. In the middle of this wide, old street, directly in front of the Town Hall (Rathaus), stands St. Anne’s Column (Annasäule), which was erected in 1706 to commemorate the withdrawal of Bavarian troops.
Triumphal Arch – Just like Paris and Rome, Innsbruck also has a Triumphal Arch (Triumphpforte). It was built by Empress Maria Theresa in 1765 to celebrate the engagement of Emperor Leopold and the Spanish princess, Maria Ludovica. The arch is steeped in history and has both joyful scenes and figures in mourning depicted at either end.
Giant chess set – This giant chess set is located next to the music pavilion in the Hofgarten at Innsbruck. You can watch people playing all through the day.
Swarovski Kristallwelten – A 20km drive from Innsbruck, this attraction which opened in 1995, was created for the crystal glass manufacturer Swarovski and consists of a park, art museum, retail store, and a restaurant and is worth a visit. We splurged a little at the retail store.
Tandem Paragliding in Innsbruck – We spent half a day in this thrilling activity. We took a cable car to the top of the mountain where we were strapped into a 2-person paraglider with a certified pilot. We flew above the town taking in the sweeping view as we glided through the air.
We ran down a slope along with our pilot and then took off into the air.
