Exploring Innsbruck, Austria: Top Sights And Attractions

Innsbruck, Austria, is a picturesque city nestled in the Austrian Alps. It is surrounded by enormous, snow-capped mountains and offers endless views. The city is known for its colourful houses and architectural wonders, such as the Golden Roof and the Imperial Palace. Here are some of the top attractions and things to do in Innsbruck:

- Take in the breathtaking views by riding the cable car to the top of the Nordkette Mountains.

- Visit the Old Town, with its colourful streets, shops, and street performances.

- Explore the Hofkirche and the Cathedral of St. James, two small churches in the Old Town known for their bronze statues and Baroque architecture.

- Climb the Town Tower for a different perspective of the city.

- Tour Ambras Castle, a medieval fortress turned Renaissance castle, which now houses medieval armour and artwork.

- Stroll along Maria-Theresien-Strasse, the city's pedestrianised main street, lined with architectural treasures, including pastel-painted facades and elaborate balconies.

- Discover the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a whimsical museum dedicated to crystals, located just outside the city.

- Enjoy Tyrolean cuisine and delicacies such as consommé with sliced pancakes, speck, beef goulash, schnitzel, and Glühwein.

See the Golden Roof in the Old Town

The Golden Roof, or the Goldenes Dachl, is a must-see when visiting Innsbruck, Austria. Located in the Old Town (Altstadt) section of the city, it is considered Innsbruck's most famous symbol and attracts thousands of visitors every day.

History

The Golden Roof was constructed between 1497 and 1500 by Emperor Maximilian I to commemorate his wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza. The master builder, Nikolaus Türing the Elder, designed and built the roof with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles. The oriel in the middle of the Old Town features rich fresco and relief decorations, including 18 reliefs carved from sandstone that depict the stylistic transition from the late Gothic to the early Renaissance. These reliefs are considered some of the most important works of art in Tyrol.

The entire structure is adorned with sculpted reliefs and mural paintings. The first-floor balustrade features eight sculpted coats of arms, with six facing the square and two flanking panels, representing Maximilian's territories. Above the coats of arms are frescoes painted by Jörg Kölderer in 1500, depicting two knights bearing heraldic flags of the Holy Roman Empire and Tyrol.

The second-floor balustrade is decorated with eight sculpted reliefs, with six facing the square and two flanking panels, portraying various scenes from Maximilian's life. The central reliefs show the emperor with his two wives, Bianca Maria Sforza and Maria of Burgundy, as well as the court jester and chancellor. The flanking reliefs depict Moorish dancers engaged in acrobatic and grotesque dancing, a popular form of entertainment at the time.

Present Day

Today, the Golden Roof remains a popular attraction, drawing visitors with its unique architecture and historical significance. The original reliefs have been replaced with copies to protect them from damage, and six of the original reliefs can be viewed up close in the museum located within the building. The building now houses the International Alpine Convention's Office, the Maximilianum museum, and the Innsbruck City Archives.

The Golden Roof is easily accessible, situated on Herzog-Friedrich Street in the pedestrian zone of the Old Town. While there is no entrance fee to view the exterior, there is an admission fee to enter the museum and explore the history of the building and Emperor Maximilian I.

Take in the views from the Town Tower

The Town Tower (or Stadtturm) is a Gothic structure and important historical landmark in the Old Town district of Innsbruck. Standing at 51 metres tall, the tower was built between 1442 and 1450 and used to be part of the old town hall. Visitors can climb 133 to 148 steps to the 31-metre-high viewing platform at the top, which offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.

From the tower, you can see the medieval streets of Innsbruck, as well as Bergisel, Patscherkofel mountain, the River Inn, and the Nordkette mountain range. The tower is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with extended hours until 8 pm between June and September, and in December. Tickets are just a few euros, and there are discounts for students, seniors, and children.

The Town Tower is located right in the city centre, next to the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) in the Old Town Square. It's a good idea to visit the tower in the afternoon, to give any morning clouds time to clear and improve the view. There are two separate staircases—one for going up and one for going down—so you won't have to squeeze past people going in the opposite direction.

The climb to the top isn't too difficult, but there are a lot of steps, so bear that in mind if you have mobility issues. The viewing platform can get a bit crowded, but the views are definitely worth it!

Visit the Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace (Hofburg) is a former Habsburg palace and one of the three most significant cultural buildings in Austria. It was originally built by Archduke Sigmund the Rich in the late 15th century, but has been expanded and renovated several times over the centuries. The palace was completed in 1500 under Emperor Maximilian I, who is depicted in a watercolour of the late Gothic courtyard by Albrecht Dürer. The palace was expanded several times over the next 250 years, including under Emperor Maximilian I, who added the Imperial apartments and the banquet hall, and Empress Maria Theresa, who had the palace rebuilt in the Viennese late Baroque style in the 1700s.

Today, the Imperial Palace contains five themed museum areas: Maria Theresa's Rooms from the 18th century, Empress Elisabeth's Apartment from the 19th century, a Furniture Museum, an Ancestral Gallery, and a Painting Gallery. These themed areas illustrate the political and cultural history of the former imperial palace, which remained in the possession of the Habsburgs for over 450 years.

The Imperial Palace is a world-class museum, giving visitors a sense of the elegance and wealth of the former Habsburg Dynasty. The Giant’s Hall, Guards’ Hall, Lorraine Room, and Chapel are particularly impressive, and the Empress Elisabeth Apartment has been restored to its former splendour, containing 18th-century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art. The palace is also frequently used for high-profile events.

Explore the Court Church and Cathedral of St. James

The Court Church (Hofkirche) and the Cathedral of St. James are two small churches located in the Old Town of Innsbruck. They are both well worth a visit, with their impressive architecture, fascinating histories, and artistic masterpieces.

The Court Church

The Court Church is also known as the “Schwarzmander Church” due to the 28 life-size bronze figures that stand guard over the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I. Interestingly, eight of these "Black Men" are actually women, and the Emperor's tomb is empty—he is buried in Wiener Neustadt as the walls and foundations of the Court Church were not strong enough to bear the weight of his tomb. The Court Church is also the final resting place of legendary local heroes, such as freedom fighter Andreas Hofer, who led thousands of Tyroleans against Napoleonic troops in 1809.

The church features two organs: a "swallow’s nest" organ by Jörg Ebert, which is the largest and best-preserved Renaissance organ in Austria, dating back almost 500 years; and a more recent organ built around 1900 by Hans Mauracher.

The Cathedral of St. James

The Cathedral of St. James, or Innsbruck Cathedral, is an eighteenth-century Baroque cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Innsbruck. It was built between 1717 and 1724 on the site of a twelfth-century Romanesque church and is considered one of the most important Baroque buildings in the Tyrol. The interior features lavish Baroque decor, executed in part by the Asam brothers, with three domed vaults spanning the nave and a dome with a lantern above the chancel.

The cathedral contains two important treasures: the painting "Maria Hilf" ("Mary of Succor") by Lucas Cranach the Elder, which is considered one of the most venerated Marian images in Christendom; and the canopied tomb of Archduke Maximilian III of Austria in the north aisle, dating from 1620.

The cathedral is also notable for its nine altars, including the high altar, which is flanked by statues of Saint Ingenuin and Saint Albuin, the patron saints of the diocese of Brixen. The cathedral's interior is characterised by heavy pillars that create a repeated triumphal arch motif, supporting saucer domes that illuminate the choir and direct the eye towards the high altar.

Innsbruck Cathedral, with its two bell towers and impressive dome, stands majestically over the roofs of the city, creating a dominant profile in the Altstadt (Old Town) skyline.

Ride the Hungerburg funicular

One of the most impressive modes of transport in Innsbruck is the Hungerburg funicular, a futuristic-looking monorail-style carriage that takes you up to 860 metres above sea level. The funicular is accessible for wheelchair users and operates all year round, with carriages running every 15 minutes from early morning to evening. A round trip will cost you €10.40, and the journey from the Congress station to the Hungerburg station takes only eight minutes.

The Hungerburg funicular begins its journey at 560 metres above sea level at the Congress Underground station, which is located close to the Old Town. The route includes a bridge, a tunnel, and a steep incline up to the Hungerburg station. Along the way, the funicular stops at the Lowenhouse and Alpenzoo (Alpine Zoo) stations. At Hungerburg, you can connect to the Nordkette Cable Railway, which offers two cable car routes: one to the summit of Seegrube at 1,905 metres and the other to the 2,300-metre summit of Hafelekar, which is part of the Karwendel Nature Park.

The Hungerburg funicular stations, designed by the esteemed British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, are considered a modern architectural masterpiece. Each station features a unique glacier-inspired design with flowing curves and white panels, and roofs made of thermoformed, double-curved glass.

At the Hungerburg station, you can enjoy panoramic views of Innsbruck and the Alps from the observation deck. The station has a range of culinary options, including the Café Hitt & Söhne, where you can enjoy coffee and cake, and the Cafe Pension Alpina, which serves traditional Tyrolean meals. If you're visiting between mid-November and 23 December, you can also experience the annual Christmas Market, where you can buy hot punch, snacks, and Christmas memorabilia.

Frequently asked questions