Starting as a roman army post, moving on as an aristocratic residence city and arranging the Olympic Winter Gems twice! Innsbruck has come a long way and probably can present itself as the capital of the Alps.
Innsbruck, the capital of Tirol, Austria spreads out in the Inn Valley where the river Inn makes a bend north, before continuing east. Located in the middle of Austria’s most alpine state, the city’s 130.000 inhabitants enjoy a thriving city and all-year outdoor adventures. Innsbruck got its name from the first bridge across the river Inn, which was constructed in around 1170. A small trading post by the river soon grew and the town got its city status already in 1200.
Historic centre
Although the city is smack in the middle of the Alps, it’s sometimes overseen as a tourist destination. Sure, arriving in Tirol in winter, most people head directly for the ski slopes. Nevertheless, it’s worth a visit. The main attraction all year round is the historical centre, which is well preserved. You could easily spend 2-3 hours taking in the sites here, which are all within short walking distance. No matter the time of the year, strolling around the historical centre is a delight. The narrow lanes can be crowded at the time, but if you opt for an early morning stroll, you can enjoy the sights in peace.
City views
Start by getting up in the City Tower (Stadtturm) to get an overview of the city. The tower, constructed in 1450 A.D, gives you nice views of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains. OK, you have to go up 148 stairs to reach the viewing platform, but it’s worth the effort. Since the tower is right next to the old market square, you get a different impression of some of Innsbruck’s landmarks. Such as the famous Golden Roof, where the shiny appearance comes from the copper slates. The balcony with the roof was built to mark the wedding of emperor Maximillian II and Bianca Maria Sforza in 1500 A.D. The couple used the roofed balcony to watch festivals and knights tournaments.
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Even though Innsbruck’s main attraction is the medieval centre, there are a few landmarks in the neighbouring streets as well. Just like Paris and Rome, Innsbruck also has a Triumphal Arch (Triumphpforte). Constructed in 1765 and located in Maria-Theresien-Straße, not to celebrate victory in war, but for the occasion of the wedding of Archduke Leopold to the Spanish princess, Maria Luisa.
Green retreats
The historical centre is very popular among tourists from all around the world, and especially in summer, it can get very crowded. Nonetheless, if you need to get away from the hoards there are several opportunities. Just a few steps away from the bustling streets of the old city we found a little park to relax, next to the Jesuit Church. Moreover, if you like hanging out in parks, you could also head for Schlosspark Ambras, which has a very nice park. Especially on hot summer days, the big trees offer shady retreats and plenty of space for the kids to play around. The kids will also probably enjoy the Alpenzoo more than some boring old houses. The Zoo houses a range of animals found in Austria and the Alps.
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Snow wonderland
In winter, Tirol and Innsbruck are all about skiing and other snow activities. Innsbruck hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics and the slopes are reachable by cable car from the city outskirts. There are several ski resorts very near Innsbruck. Nordkette – the mountain range just north of the city can be reached by metro from the centre and then you change to a cable car in the outskirts of Innsbruck. The Nordkette mountain range is part of Austria’s largest nature park, the Karwendel Nature Park. The Nordkettebahn runs all year and you get phenomenal views from the peak near Hafelekar cable car station at 2,269 metres above sea level.
Hiking heaven
In summer, Innsbruck is an excellent base for hiking in the surrounding mountains. Some of the cable cars are running in the summer as well, giving easy access to the mountain ranges both north and south of the city. Right in the vicinity of the city, you have the Patscherkofel Cable Car which takes you up to just short of 2000 metres above sea level, where you find numerous hiking trails. Furthermore, the view from the top is simply mesmerizing. Also worth a visit is the small but interesting alpine botanic garden Alpengarten Patscherkofel not far from the cable car station, which is run by the University of Innsbruck.
Boots off
Innsbruck is more than just a hub for outdoor activities. Get your hiking or ski boots off and head for the city centre. The city is sizeable enough to have a wide range of dining, cultural and shopping activities, catering for most tastes and wallets. The historical city centre of Innsbruck, like so many others in Austria, is a very lively place. Although most mainstream shops have moved out to one the shopping malls, there are ample shopping possibilities in the city centre. Thus, on a rainy day or an afternoon, the city will keep you busy with indoor activities as well.
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