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Guide to Innsbruck, Austria
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Innsbruck
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Innsbruck Nestled among the Alps is a city with a big heart, and a frenzied atmosphere with a distinct Austrian flavor. Innsbruck is a masterpiece in architecture, landscape, and community. Travelers from all over Austria and much of Europe come to this city-town for access to the world-renowned ski centers of the Alps, as well as the world-class sports facilities constructed here for the 1964 & 1976 Winter Olympics. Of course, the facilities have since been upgraded, showing no signs of lacking the modernism to accommodate todays athletes. Though there are quite a bit of new-and-improved aspects of Innsbrucks attractions, history still shows through the wonderful facades of buildings in Old Town rich with medieval and baroque influences. Spend some time in Innsbruck (Bridge over the Inn Inn is the river that runs through the city) and youll be surprised how fast time goes by when youre lost in the wonders of Tyrols capitol.
When to go:
Innsbruck enjoys the same moderate climate that the majority of Austria experiences. Summer brings warm days with cool, comfortable nights. Both spring and autumn are, for-the-most-part, warm with occasional dry winds coming off the Alps. Winter is cold, of course, though the sun is out much of the day; lots of snowfall arrives each season, bringing out the citys fair share of snow bunnies. Visit Innsbruck any time of year for an enjoyable atmosphere, no extremely hot or cold days, and plenty of activities to take part in. If you wish to avoid the crowds of travelers and vacationers, simply avoid coming in winter.
Getting there and around:
Innsbruck Airport known in Austrian as Flughafen Innsbruck Kranebitten - is located very close to town; just a 3km (2mi) bus, taxi, or car ride. The airport mostly receives flights from fellow Austrian cities, though a few European hotspots offer direct flights to Innsbruck Airport: Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Zurich. If youre flying from a different location, youll probably be able to arrange for a seat on a stop-over flight to Frankfurt or Vienna.
Innsbruck is well equipped in the transportation sector. The citys public transit services are comprised of 3 trams and 25 bus lines. Tickets are universal, and are good for any tram or bus. You can purchase single tickets, or in packs usually 4 each. Of course, if youre feeling caught up in the old-style mentality of Old Town, you can opt for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Attractions:
Take a ride over to Alpenzoo and see all the interesting mammal species unique only to the Alps region. Youll find alpine birds, reptiles, fish, eagles, elk, rabbits, vultures, wildcats, bison, and wolves. All together, there are more than 800 animals. Also, youre sure to catch a great panoramic view of Innsbruck from the Alpenzoos hills.
Make your way to the Cathedral of St. James (Dom zu St. Jakob), where the beautiful baroque architecture is sure to astonish you. The Cathedral was built long ago, and was restored since then, though it was heavily damaged during WWII. Youll immediately notice the fantastic domes and extravagant baroque interior, in which one of the highlights is a painting titled Maria Hilf, done by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
The sight that tourists are drawn to the most, is the Golden Roof, built for Emperor Maximilian I, and is comprised of Gothic architecture spanning three floors gilded by 2,657 gold-plated tiles. Next-door stands a small museum dedicated to Emperor Maximilian.
Dont miss the Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds), where inside a man-made hill lie 7 linked chambers with walls entirely adorned with crystals. There are even a few pieces of crystal art done by the famed Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali.
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