Travel to Innsbruck
Best known for its glorious Alpine scenery and fine architectural heritage, the lovely Austrian town of Innsbruck is a great holiday destination. Additionally, the town is a popular base for skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer.
Transportation to Innsbruck
Flughafen Innsbruck-Kranebitten is just three kilometres west of the centre. It offers regularly scheduled air service from all major Austrian airports, as well as some major European cities. From the airport, bus F leads to the city centre; while a taxi ride takes about 10 minutes.
By car from Salzburg, take autobahn A8 west, which joins the A93, heading southwest to Innsbruck. The A93/A12 is the main artery from Munich. There are at least five daily trains from Munich, taking three hours, and eight daily trains from Salzburg, taking one hour. You can take a bus from Salzburg, although the train is quicker.
What to See
Innsbrucks historic centre is stunningly picturesque, with several exquisite examples of architecture from the 14th through to the17th centuries. Herzog Friedrich strasse is where youll find a number of interesting sights, including: Triumph Gate; the Hofburg; the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) with its 2,657 gilded copper tiles; the baroque Dom St Jakob Church and the elaborate 14th century Imperial Palace. Additionally, the 14th century Stadtturm offers beautiful panoramas of the town and the surrounding countryside.
The skiing in the surrounding areas of Innsbruck is excellent and hiking trails are quite popular in the summer. Hungerburg and the Stubai Glacier are two of the most visited ski destinations offering excellent glacier trails for those looking for a break from the slopes.
Day Trips
Innsbruck is a great base from which to explore the surrounding Tyrol region and the Alps, which includes the quaint village of Wattens, home to the Swarovski Kristallwelten (crystal display). Ehrwald is a good place to admire the stunning scenery of the Alps from the peak of the Zugspitze.
Also of interest, Schloss Ambras is located just three kilometres southeast of Innsbruck. Built by Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria, Count of Tyrol, in the 16th century, it is divided into a lower and an upper castle nestled in the remains of a medieval fortress.
Activities and Leisure
There is plenty of quality accommodation as well as excellent restaurants in Innsbruck. Bars and pubs feature brass bands, yodelling and folk dancing. You can also try your luck at the casino or go out to a disco.
The winter season offers an excellent array of ski and snowboard possibilities, with both luxury ski chalets and hotels available in the town. The city provides an excellent base in the summer to explore the Austrian Alps by bike or hike.
