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Sarah2023-04-12T22:56:42-04:00
Ahh winter in Innsbruck Austria! A walk along the Inn River looking at the colorful houses in the crisp cold air just feels magical. Complete with views of the snow capped Austrian Alps in the background is perfection. Pair this with the Christmas Market in town and you’re in for a treat!
The first time I went to Innsbruck, I happened to be in town for the opening of the Christmas Market. This was my first trip to Europe in the winter so I didn’t realize what was in store! With snow on the alps and the town bursting with holiday decorations Innsbruck becomes a winter dreamland. Because of this, Innsbruck will always be special to me.
Plan on spending at least two days in the city especially during the Innsbruck Christmas Market. If you’re going to spend a day skiing or snowboarding in the mountains, add a third day to your itinerary. Below I’ll go through the best things to do in Innsbruck as well as everything you need to know prior to your visit.
And don’t forget to pin this for later :)
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GETTING THERE
Located in Western Austria, Innsbruck is well connected! By train, Innsbruck is linked to the rest of Austria as well as Germany and Switzerland. Major cities such as Zurich, Munich, and Salzburg are a quick train ride away. It takes approximately 2 hours to travel from Munich to Innsbruck making Munich one of the closest major cities. The train station is approximately a 10 minute walk from town. Therefore, if you’re traveling from surrounding cities, taking a train is the way to go. There is also an airport less than three miles from the city center of Innsbruck. From the airport, buses leave every 10 minutes for the train station. The journey is about 20 minutes.
If you’re planning a trip to Austria, make sure to grab the travel planners I’ve created for Austria. There are 8+ templates. Six of the templates list suggestions and travel tips for the most popular cities in Austria. There is also a place for you to add your travel information as well as blank templates. I’ve linked them below!
GETTING AROUND
For the most part, Innsbruck is extremely walkable, even in the winter! As such, you won’t have to rely on public transportation. With that said, there are a few places outside town worth visiting. It’s easy to reach these spots via public transportation as Innsbruck is well equipped with a bus and tram. If you purchase the Innsbruck Card (see below) most public transportation is included.
INNSBRUCK CARD
The Innsbruck Card is a great way to save money in town. The card actually includes quite a lot for the price. You can choose between a 24, 48, or 72 hour pass. If you take the cable car to the Nordkette Mountain Range and do one other activity the pass pays for itself. Take a look at the website for a full list of attractions included.
Pricing for the Innsbruck Card:
- 24 Hour Pass: 53 Euro
- 48 Hour Pass: 63 Euro
- 72 Hour Pass: 73 Euro
INNSBRUCK CHRISTMAS MARKET
As I mentioned, my favorite part about visiting Innsbruck in the winter is the Christmas Market! The streets of Innsbruck transform into a winter wonderland. Christmas market stalls line the streets and a dramatic Christmas Tree is at the center of Old Town. With the smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine it’s hard not to be in the spirit of Christmas! With a handful of markets in town, it can be overwhelming! The most popular are in Old Town, along Maria Theresien Street, and the Market Square. It’s hard to beat the market at Market Square since it’s along the river with a perfect view of the colored houses. For a Christmas Market with a panoramic view of town, head to Hungerburg. From the city center, you can take the funicular to Hungerburg to enjoy the market.
The market stalls are filled with everything from traditional delicacies to the classics like Glühwein. Gluhwein is another name for mulled wine. The name tends to change depending on the region you are in, but for the most part, the recipe stays pretty consistent and ever so delicious! It will be sure to warm you up from the inside out on a snowy night. Kiachl is a traditional dessert in Western Austria. It’s a fried dough served either sweet or savory generally covered in confectionary sugar. Another popular dessert at the market is an original schneeballen which is basically a pastry ball. In my opinion, it looks better than it tastes. Other vendors sell quality goods including everything from ornaments to scarves.
If you’re planning to spend a winter in Innsbruck and want to visit the Innsbruck Christmas market, it usually runs from mid November to early January. There are a lot of markets in town some of which will close a few days before Christmas. However, a few markets stay open through the New Year. For the most accurate dates make sure to visit the official website. If you’re visiting Innsbruck during the Christmas Market add a day to your itinerary.
WANDER OLD TOWN
Start your winter trip to Innsbruck off by meandering the streets of Old Town. Wandering the streets of Old Town is a little more magical in the winter months. Aside from the towns usual beauty, it is jam packed with lights, decorations, and a Christmas tree. Thus making it impossible not to be distracted. However, it’s hard to miss the gorgeous colors of Old Town as the buildings are vibrant and unique. The market just adds to the charm of Innsbruck!
While I recommend wandering without an agenda there are a few spots that can’t be missed! First on the list is the Imperial Palace, built during Emperor Maximilian I and completed in 1500. Built during the same era, the Golden Roof is impossible to miss as it’s located in the center of town! Built around the emperors wedding to overcome rumors of financial hardship. You’ll also notice a few sculptures with hidden meanings carved into the roof. Lastly, swing by the Innsbruck Cathedral also known as the Cathedral of Saint James.
STADTTURM (CITY TOWER)
For panoramic views of Innsbruck, head to the city tower located in the center of Old Town. This birds eye view showcases the beautiful colors of town with the Alps in the back. If you visit when the Christmas Market is in full swing, the view is on point! Like any good view point in Europe, you”ll have to walk quite a few steps to reach this view. Completed in 1450, the City Tower was quite impressive. After completion, Guards used it as a watch tower to warn civilians of danger. Luckily, the tower remains taller than most buildings in the area offering a great vantage point.
Pricing: With the Innsbruck Card, a visit to the Stadtturm is Free. Without the card, it’s four euros and fifty cents to enter.
MARIA-THERESIEN STRASSE
Maria-Theresien Strasse also referenced as New Town, is a must on a trip to Innsbruck. The street it most well known for outdoor cafes and shopping. As such, the street is generally bustling with tourists and locals. In my opinion, the Triumphal Arch is the most impressive monument along the street. Located at the Southern edge of Maria-Theresien Strasse, it’s impossible to miss.
INN RIVER
A trip to Innsbruck wouldn’t be complete without a stroll along the Inn River. The Inn River runs between Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Along the river you’ll find the best view of the colored houses. If you’ve seen photos of Innsbruck it’s likely the colored houses along the Inn River that capture your attention. I’ve been to Innsbruck twice and can’t get over the color of the water! Innsbruck in the winter is captivating with the bright green color of the river and contrasting the row of vibrant houses covered with snow!
NORDKETTE CABLE CAR
On a clear day, one of the best things to do in town is to take the Innsbruck cable car to the top of Nordkette Mountain Range. The Cable Car takes you 2,300 meters above sea level in less than 30 minutes! You’ll make two stops before reaching the top of the mountain. Unfortunately, both times I’ve been to Innsbruck it was too foggy at the top of mountain for a view. If you want to ensure a view, double check the conditions with the information center.
Aside from panoramic views of Innsbruck, the Nordkette Mountain range has a ton of hiking trails as well as s ski slopes. There are slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Pricing: The Cable Car is included in the price of the Innsbruck Card. The Cable Car itself is $48 whereas a 24 hour Innsbruck Card is 53 euros. Therefore, if you’re doing the Cable Car, purchase the card!
BERGISEL SKI JUMP
One of the coolest places to visit during the winter in Innsbruck is the Bergisel Ski Jump! It’s a great activity year round but stands out during the winter. The stadium has hosted the winter Olympics twice as well as many other international competitions. The ski jump is about 2 miles outside town however, you can take a bus from the city center.
When I visited Innsbruck in the winter, the International Four Hills Tournament was going on. The stadium was filled to the brim with visitors from all over the world. Each waving their countries flag chanting and cheering for their nation. Atheletes launch into the air flying over 300 feet before landing on the ground. It’s an experience to say the least. The stadium hosts this tournament every January so if you happen to be in town I couldn’t recommend it more. To be honest, the stadium is worth a visit whether or not the tournament is going on.
As a bonus, the Bergisel Ski Jump offers a panoramic view of Innsbruck!
Pricing: The Bergisel Ski Jump is part of the Innsbruck Card therefore, you can enter for free with the card. Without the card the entrance fee is 9.5 Euro. The pricing is different when a tournament is going on.
Spending the winter in Innsbruck Austria is absolute magic! There’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than strolling the streets of Innsbruck with a glass of mulled wine. If you’ve been to Innsbruck – what’s your favorite activity?
Safe Travels,
Sarah :)
Headed to Austria? Check out my guide to the Vienna Christmas Market – you don’t want to miss it!
I’ve linked a few of my favorite travel essentials below that are perfect for winter in Innsbruck! For more of my favorite travel gear, check out our travel shop. Let me know if you have any questions on any of the items, I would be happy to answer!
4 Comments
BreaAugust 4, 2022 at 8:46 pm - Reply
I’m planning our trip to Innsbruk using your entire guide. Thank you for this! Its amazing.
SarahAugust 6, 2022 at 9:55 pm - Reply
Thank you, Brea!! ☺️
GennaOctober 10, 2022 at 9:38 pm - Reply
This was great!! Do you have recommendations on where to stay? We will ne in Innsbruck for 2 nights here in December.
Thanks!
SarahNovember 4, 2022 at 1:46 pm - Reply
I actually don’t :( I wish I did! I honestly haven’t had great luck with the places I’ve stayed at in Innsbruck. They were fine for our trip but aren’t places I would actually recommend – haha!
