Innsbruck, Austria, is a must-visit spot for lovers of the outdoors. Whether you visit in summer or winter, there is so much to do and see. I am not a skiier or cold weather fan, but I had a lovely visit in January. There is plenty of history, food and sightseeing to experience even on a chilly day. AND as an American, I can't miss out on an Olympic spot. Innsbruck is a short drive from Germany and has an airport for easy access.
FRIDAY
Get in town in time for dinner! If you want an authentic Austrian meal, Stiftskeller is the place to be. In the summer, their patio is the perfect place to enjoy a cold beer in the afternoon. Another delicious spot is Ludwig Burger, which has yummy sweet potato fries and a "cheese" burger with double cheese.
After dinner, grab a drink at the Liquid Diary. I highly recommend the Bees Knees, but their menu is expansive and their bartenders are impressive. TIP: This bar is cash only.
Another spot right around the corner is Blaue Brigitte, a hotel bar for gin lovers. Unfortunately they were full when I tried to snag a table, but it looks great from photos!
SATURDAY
If you don't have breakfast offered at your hotel, check out the Breakfast Club. I've heard the omlettes are hard to beat.
Now it's time for a walking tour of the city! I used the "GPS My City" app, so I could have more flexiblity, but TwentyTour offers free guided tours of the city. I didn't use them here but I have in other cities and they did a great job. You will get to see the famous Golden Roof, St. James Church and the Imperial Palace. TIP: Peek in St. James, you won't be disappointed.
Take the time to tour Hofburg Innsbruck. A palace inhabited by the famous Austrians Habsburgs starting in the 1350s, you will learn about the history of Emperor Maxamilian I, and see the apartment of the famous Empress Sisi. Next door is the Court Church, which houses the tomb of Maxamilian I and 30 bronze statutes. TIP: Both are included in the Innsbruck card, which I recommend purchasing if you plan to do enough city activities.
Hungry? Machete Burritos is a great spot for a quick lunch, but it is small, so avoid if you have a large group.
Now it's time for a trip up the mountain! In summer or winter, the views from the top of Innsbruck are spectacular. On your way up to the summit via the cable car, you will pass the highest zoo in Europe, the Cloud9 Bar and a few restaurants. Stop along the way and see some animals or have a beer at 6,500 feet!
If you're craving Italian for dinner, the best place in town is Trattoria Due Sicilie. I offended my waiter when I opted for a beer instead of red wine to go with my ragù di polpo, but it was still one of the best meals!
A bit of a walk from Trattoria (Innsbruck does have a great bus system) but you have to make a stop at Kater Noster. Famous for their Innsbruck Mule (pine schnapps, rosemary, cinnamon, ginger beer), it's a busy spot on a Saturday night, but so worth it.
SUNDAY
Did you know Innsbruck was the site for the '64 and '76 Winter Olympics? The Bergisel Ski Jump has been testing the skills of skiers for nearly 100 years. The viewing deck has a restaurant, where you can enjoy breakfast (reservation recommended) or a glass of prosecco with a beautiful view of the city and surrounding mountains. Hop on the Innsbruck Sightseer bus, but I drove since it was my last stop out of town. TIP: Don't miss the cemetery at the bottom of the jump! Quite an interesting architectural decision to make.
ADDITIONAL RELEVANT TIPS
I stayed in the Hotel Grauer Bär and really enjoyed it! It was within walking distance of everything and had spa facilities. I would stay there again.
As I already said, the Innbsruck Card was absolutely worth it. If you do everything I listed (cable car, ski jump, public transit, Court Church, palace tour and more), you will save money. I had never bought a city pass befure, but could tell that it made sense for my visit. See if it's worth it for your trip!
You don't need a car to get around, so keep that in-mind when planning your visit.
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