A winter city break in Austria: 72 hours in Innsbruck

Travel to Innsbruck by public transport. Book the night train from Amsterdam for as low as €35 one-way. Hop on at Amsterdam Centraal, and 14 hours later, you’ll step out into snowy Innsbruck.

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Day 1 of your winter city trip in Innsbruck

10.00 AM

Start your city break with a journey into the history of the Tyrolean capital. Step inside the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum and explore the recreated historical rooms of a Tyrolean farmhouse. From colorful traditional costumes to old Nativity scenes and stories about local festivals and farm life, you’ll learn everything about Tyrol's rural history in just 90 minutes. Prefer to dive into the history of the former rulers? Then visit the museum at the Imperial Hofburg in Innsbruck.

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Volkskunstmuseum}

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Christian Vorhofer}

11.30 AM

The station of the Nordkette cable car in the center of Innsbruck is a landmark in itself. The famous architect Zaha Hadid designed the rounded, modern buildings. Hop into a large gondola and watch the city shrink as you rise to 2,300 meters. At the top, enjoy lunch at the Seegrube panoramic restaurant with breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountain peaks.

2.00 PM

On your way back to the old town, stop by the Alpine Zoo. In this largest themed zoo in the world, you’ll get up close to the residents of the Alps. See the massive horns of a ibex and the powerful legs of a brown bear like never before.

An attractive alternative is a guided city tour with Per Pedes Stadtführungen. This local expert will tell you all about Innsbruck’s rich history and its mix of historical and modern architecture. This tour, in either German or English, is free with the Innsbruck Card.

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Vincent Croce}

3.30 PM

Expand your winter wardrobe or pick up some gifts for the holidays in the shopping streets of Innsbruck. Be tempted by the displays in small shops housed in beautiful historic buildings in the old town. Locals favor the Maria-Theresien-Straße and its side streets. For chic shopping, head to the modern shopping centers like Rathausgalerien and Kaufhaus Tyrol.

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Eye5 - Jonas Schwarzwälder}

5.30 PM

After a satisfying afternoon, enjoy dinner at one of Innsbruck’s restaurants. In a casual setting, you can try traditional Tyrolean comfort food, or treat yourself to a fine dining experience at a top restaurant. If you’re craving something warmer, explore international cuisines from Asian to Italian, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

After 7.00 PM

After dinner, it’s already dark outside, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to retreat to your hotel. Innsbruck is lively even at night. Stroll through one of the seven Christmas markets, making sure not to miss the oldest one near the Golden Roof. Or get dressed up for a concert, opera, dance performance, play, or Advent activity.

Day 2 of your winter city trip

10.00 AM

Innsbruck’s mountains and winter fun are always nearby. Strap on skis or a snowboard and hit the slopes at one of the city's ski resorts. Prefer a walk? Follow a winter hiking trail or try snowshoeing. Many alpine huts around the city offer a cozy retreat with snacks and drinks.

Not ideal weather for outdoor winter fun? Take a shuttle bus or tram to the south side of the city and admire the Bergisel Ski Jump. Also visit the Tirol Panorama Museum, a modern building that features a giant panoramic painting showcasing Tyrol's past. On your way to the museum, stop by the traditional Grassmayr Bell Foundry and its bell museum.

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Christof Lackner}

2.00 PM

Today, enjoy a guided tour with Per Pedes Stadtführungen. If you did this yesterday, you can instead visit the zoo or choose another museum of your interest.

3.15 PM

A shuttle bus will take you to the stunning Swarovski Crystal Worlds. This art and adventure park will engage all your senses. The 7.5-hectare garden is filled with art featuring crystals, which take on a wintery theme. Don’t miss the crystal cloud above the dark water, made up of 800,000 hand-placed crystals.

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Swarovski}

5.00 PM

Enjoy Innsbruck’s magic at night. The winter season is the time for culture and tradition. Around St. Nicholas’ Day (December 6th), you can witness the Tuiflläufe, incredible parades of costumed figures. Later in December, enjoy Advent caroling. During carnival, watch the mythical figures drive away winter. Check the event calendar to see what’s on during your trip.

Day 3 of your winter city trip

10.00 AM

On your last day, there’s still much to do. Start with a Sightseer shuttle bus or public transport to Ambras Castle. This cultural gem gained fame thanks to Archduke Ferdinand II (1529-1595), who built an 'undercastle' to house his art collection. Today, you’ll admire magical Renaissance rarities, knight’s costumes, and authentically furnished castle rooms. After your visit, take a walk through the park.

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Christof Lackner}

12.00 PM

For lunch at altitude, take the gondola from Igls up to the Patscherkofel. The panoramic restaurant at the house mountain of Innsbruck offers views of the city and the rugged snow-capped peaks on the horizon. Enjoy your warm lunch with a stunning view and follow it with a short walk in the sunshine and crisp mountain air.

Tip: You could also take the Mutteralmbahn or Oberperfuss-Bahn for a different location to lunch and walk.

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Tom Bause}

3.00 PM

After admiring the mountain views, it’s time for an auditory experience. Visit the Audioversum, an interactive museum all about hearing. Science and wonder collide here using the latest technology. Alternatively, for architecture and religion enthusiasts, visit the Innsbruck Cathedral to admire its baroque architecture and old frescoes.

5.30 PM

End your 3-day city trip in Innsbruck with a drink. There are plenty of places in the city for a toast. Celebrate with a panoramic view at Cafe 360° or the aDLERS rooftop bar. Or choose an authentic setting at Stiftskeller, Theresienbräu, or Elferhaus. Wherever you end up, you’ll toast to a memorable 72 hours in Innsbruck.

^{Foto: © Innsbruck Tourismus / Christof Lackner}

Affordable Tip: The Innsbruck Card

Make your 72 hours in Innsbruck even more affordable by purchasing the Innsbruck Card online in advance. This pass is valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours starting from its first use. The card gives you free entry to all museums and attractions in the Innsbruck region, as well as access to several cable cars.

You can also travel for free on trams, buses, the Sightseer bus, and the Crystal Worlds shuttle. Plus, the card includes a free guided city tour. More benefits and discounts are available on the information page. Prices: €59 for 24 hours, €69 for 48 hours, and €79 for 72 hours. Children aged 6-15 get a 50% discount.

More ideas for a winter city break in Innsbruck

For more inspiration for your winter city trip to Innsbruck, visit Innsbruck.info. Explore the best sights, restaurants with the tastiest food and drinks, cultural tips, and shopping recommendations.

This article was written in collaboration with Innsbruck Tourismus. Curious about what else this region has to offer during the winter months? Find a complete overview on the website.