Innsbruck packs an unusual range into a small space: Habsburg palaces, an alpine cable car, a Renaissance castle and a crystal art park, all within reach of the same Old Town. This ranked list covers the sights worth your time, from the unmissable icons to a few that reward a third day.
The Best Things to Do in Innsbruck
1
Viewpoint
Hafelekar Viewpoint (Nordkette)
Ride from the city to a 2,256 m ridge for the view that defines Innsbruck.
Nordkette / Karwendel, above Innsbruck
2
Landmark
Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl)
The gilded Golden Roof, Maximilian's emblem and the heart of the Old Town.
Herzog-Friedrich-Straße, Altstadt
3Must visit
Castle
Imperial Palace (Hofburg)
Maria Theresa's imperial palace, with its frescoed Giant's Hall.
Altstadt
4Must visit
Museum
Court Church (Hofkirche)
Maximilian's tomb ringed by 28 giant bronze guardians — unforgettable.
Altstadt
5Must visit
Castle
Ambras Castle (Schloss Ambras)
A Renaissance castle and the world's oldest museum collection above the city.
Amras
6
Viewpoint
Bergisel Ski Jump & Viewing Platform
Hadid's ski-jump tower doubles as a viewing platform over the Old Town.
Bergisel hill, south of the centre
7
Museum
Swarovski Crystal Worlds (Kristallwelten)
A dreamlike crystal art park in nearby Wattens, indoors and out.
Wattens
8
Street
Maria-Theresien-Straße
The baroque boulevard framed by the snowy Nordkette — the classic photo.
City centre
9
Wildlife
Alpenzoo (Alpine Zoo)
Europe's highest zoo, devoted to Alpine animals, on the slopes above town.
Hungerburg
10
Architecture
Cathedral of St. James (Dom zu St. Jakob)
The exuberant baroque cathedral steps behind the Golden Roof.
Domplatz, Altstadt
11
Museum
Tyrolean State Museum Ferdinandeum
Tyrol's flagship art and history museum — a fine rainy-day stop.
Innenstadt
12
Photography
Mariahilf Colourful Houses
The candy-coloured riverfront row beneath the mountains.
Mariahilf, along the River Inn
FAQ
- What is the number-one thing to do in Innsbruck?
- Ride the Nordkette cable car to Hafelekar. Nowhere else takes you so quickly from a city centre to a 2,256 m alpine ridge with a 360° panorama.
- What can you do in Innsbruck when it rains?
- Plenty: the Hofburg, Hofkirche, Ferdinandeum, Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, Ambras Castle and the indoor chambers of Swarovski Kristallwelten are all good wet-weather choices.
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