Datum: 02.04.2019
Ort: Region Innsbruck
Ressorts: Reise
Kunde: Innsbruck Tourismus
Alpine & urban perspectives: city and
mountain in one tour
From city to mountain summit
in under half an hour? No problem at all in Innsbruck! Simply leave your heavy
mountain climbing equipment at home and take the Nordkettenbahnen from the
Congress station. This makes the ascent a piece of cake, and from the summit
station it’s just a 15-minute walk to the Top of Innsbruck at Hafelekar summit.
Not only that! You can also explore some real highlights at various stations
along the way - such as the Path of Perspectives not far from the Seegrube
station. This hiking trail, designed by Snøhetta, the renowned Norwegian
architecture firm, is a true inspiration, not just with its magnificent views
but also with the stimulating quotations from the Austrian philosopher Ludwig
Wittgenstein along the way. The diversity of animals in the alpine habitat can
be explored in the Alpine Zoo, which is also a stop on the Nordkettenbahnen.
From here, it’s an easy walk back to the Congress station along the River Inn,
and you‘re back at your starting point after a total of four to six hours.
Further information:
https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/tours/tour/stadt-und-berg.html
Huge tower, deep ravines: from ski jump to the
Sill gorge
As soon as you set off from
the Triumphal Arch, built by Maria Theresia, towards the Bergisel, you’re
immediately aware of how impressive this walk is going to be in terms of
history and architecture. You pass by the impressive Wilten Basilica and Wilten
Abbey and, when you reach the Tirol Panorama car park, you head down into the
Sill Gorge, Innsbruck's very own "canyon". The
"Panoramarunde" circular walk takes you past the
"Drachenfelsen", a viewing platform with transparent floor, and the
"Sonnendeck", a challenging crag for climbers. You then come to the
Bergisel ski jump, a true architectural highlight, designed by the
internationally renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Both the jump and the nearby
Tirol Panorama Museum are really worth a visit. The museum houses the Giant
Panoramic Painting, a 1,000 m² canvas with a breath-taking 360° perspective,
showing scenes from the Tyrolean freedom struggle of 1809 led by Andreas Hofer.
It’s easy to get back into the city by catching the tram from the Bergisel stop
opposite Wilten Abbey. You should allow half a day for the tour or, if you want
to include the museum visits, a full day.
Further information:
https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/tours/tour/zwischen-schanze-und-schlucht.html
Maximilian, Sisi & Co.: in the footsteps of
the Habsburgs
Fancy a tour through the
history of Innsbruck? This walk is perfect if you’re interested in exploring
the city’s rich history. You should allow 90 minutes and, with museum visits,
the whole day. You start at the well-known Golden Roof and then head east to
St. James Cathedral, one of the most important Baroque churches in Tyrol, and
past Innsbruck‘s Cultural Centre. You can’t fail to be impressed by the Tyrolean
State Theatre - unmistakable with its iconic yellow Habsburg colour - but don’t
forget to have a look at the impressive Leopold’s Fountain with its beautiful
bronze figures. Opposite is the Imperial Palace, which even in 1500 was as
large as it is today. Emperor Maximilian I loved his residence which looked out
on a jousting field. Just around the corner is the Court Church, known for the
"Schwarze Mander" (black men) flanking Maximilian’s imperial tomb.
You can immerse yourself in the world of Maria Theresa by studying the
Triumphal Arch, one side of which depicts the wedding of Maria Theresa's son
Leopold to the Spanish princess Maria Ludovica, and the other side portrays the
death of Maria Theresa's husband Franz Stephan. The Order of Noble Ladies, founded
by Maria Theresia after his death, is also dedicated to him, and the task of
the noble ladies was to pray for the deceased emperor. The institution still
exists today and is inhabited by two collegiate ladies. The Stiftskeller
restaurant is now located in the building where, at the end of the tour, you
can enjoy some typical Tyrolean specialties in a traditional atmosphere imbued
with a sense of history.
Further information:
https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/tours/tour/habsburger.html
Young Innsbruck: bike tour of skating rink,
climbing paradise and bathing lake
You can explore the students’
Innsbruck by taking a day trip by bike (stadtrad.ivb.at). There‘s a lending station,
for example, at the SOWI, the University of Innsbruck’s Faculty of Social and
Economic Sciences. From here you ride north through Saggen, a district with
some amazing mansions, and past the viaduct arches which are transformed into a
"party mile" at night. You then come to the Innsbruck Climbing
Centre, one of the largest and most modern climbing facilities in Europe. A
climbing area of 5,700 m² gives you every opportunity to test your strength and
skill both indoors and out. After your exertions you can then enjoy a gentle
ride along a shady bike path by the River Inn and then cool off at the Baggersee
lake. This is an area of unspoilt nature with a large sunbathing lawn, bathing
island and restaurants. Refreshed by the cool water, you now set off back to
Innsbruck city centre, but now on the other side of the Inn. You pass through
the St. Nikolaus and Mariahilf neighbourhoods and cross the Freiburg Bridge and
come to the typical student Inn promenade, a popular meeting point, behind the
university. You then head towards Eduard Wallnöfer Square where you might catch
skaters and BMX riders showing off their tricks. You can then drop off your
city bike just round the corner on Bozner Square.
Further information:
https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/tours/tour/junges-innsbruck.html
Explore modern Innsbruck: world class
architecture fused with Tyrolean artistry
You should allow two hours for
a journey through Innsbruck's architectural heritage. You start at the
Congress, where you can marvel at the event centre itself and also the
Hungerburgbahn valley station, designed by Zaha Hadid, the award-winning
architect. Diagonally opposite is the new House of Music, a meeting place for
all music lovers in Tyrol. From Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck's splendid
main avenue, it’s just a short walk to the financial district where you can
then admire the Sparkassenplatz, a lovely urban space, and BTV Stadtforum with
its remarkable three-dimensional facade and corner tower. The IKB building,
Innsbruck's first skyscraper, was designed by Lois Welzenbacher and is
reminiscent of the early years of the 20th century. The Former Federal State
Parliament, built in 1938 in a sober style reduced to the essentials with allusions
to the ancient world, recalls the National Socialist regime. By way of
contrast, you can relax by the Eduard Wallnöfer Square in front of the
parliament building and watch the skaters and BMX riders having fun. As you
shop in Innsbruck you’re also surrounded by modern architecture. The Kaufhaus
Tyrol department store, designed by the British master architect David
Chipperfield and winner of several architectural prizes, and the
Rathausgalerien, designed by Dominique Perrault, make it very difficult to
resist temptation. The perfect way to end the tour is by calling in at the
newly renovated Tourismus Information Innsbruck. The three-aisled hall with
Renaissance vaults once served as the court stables for the Imperial Palace's
horses, but today it shows how appealingly contemporary architecture can be
mixed with digital technology. Do drop in. It‘s well worth it!
Further information:
https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/tours/tour/architektur.html
Authentic Innsbruck: escape the Old Town bustle,
linger in the quiet historic surroundings
Take just a few steps from the
Old Town and you can escape from the bustle of the city by setting off on a
tour of St. Nikolaus, Mariahilf and Hötting, which takes about 3 hours, and
immerse yourself in the original Innsbruck. You start at the market hall and go
past the Ottoburg, one of the oldest buildings in the Old Town, and cross over
the Inn Bridge heading west to the Mariahilfkirche church. This is a tour which
will appeal especially to church lovers. The Old Hötting Parish Church, first
documented in the 13th century, the neo-romantic New Hötting Parish Church and
the St. Nikolaus Parish Church all feature on this walk. Other highlights
include the Waltherpark, from where Albrecht Dürer painted the skyline of
Innsbruck in 1496, and the Bäckerbühelgasse and St Nikolaus Gasse, two of the
oldest alleyways in Innsbruck which have retained their original character.
Returning to the other side of the River Inn, you then cross the Emile Bétouart
Bridge, named after the general who, as commander-in-chief of the French
occupying forces between 1945 and 1955, rendered outstanding service in
promoting understanding and reconciliation with the Tyrolean population. You
then head upstream past the Imperial Gardens, which have been open to the
public since the 19th century, and conclude your tour outside the Golden Roof.
Further information:
https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/tours/tour/urspruengliches-innsbruck.html
(Early) Christmas special:
With a unique blend of modern
life and quiet reflection, the six Innsbruck Christmas markets are certainly
something very special. This afternoon tour, which takes about three to four
hours, is an absolute must in the run-up to Christmas. You start at the Congress
station and take the Hungerburgbahn for the first stop on the Christmas tour,
where you can enjoy not only mulled wine and "Kiachl", traditional
Austrian pastry made from yeast dough, but also amazing views of the city. You
return on the funicular, get off at the Löwenhaus station and proceed to St.
Nikolaus where, on Hans Brenner Square, you’ll encounter a place of true
pre-Christmas reflection. As you relax next to a warming fire, you can sample
home-baked Christmas biscuits. Then it’s a short walk through the Waltherpark
and across the Inn Bridge to the Christmas market on Innsbruck‘s market square.
This market offers fun and games especially for children, including an
old-fashioned roundabout and Swarovski Christmas tree! You now continue to the
classic: the Christmas market in the Old Town. With a magnificently lit fir
tree outside the Golden Roof as well as the Fairy Tale and Giants' Alley, the
magical Christmas atmosphere is quite unmistakeable here. Classics such as
snowball biscuits and original Zillertal doughnuts can be tasted at the stands.
The next Christmas market is close by on Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck's
splendid main boulevard. In an avenue of sparkling crystal trees you can
rummage through the handmade wooden, knitted or felt goods at the stalls,
before finally making your way to the last market on the tour on Wiltener
Platzl. This market in Innsbruck’s trendiest district is a place for quiet
contemplation with a bohemian and multicultural twist. But there’s one thing
you can always count on: it’s typically Tyrolean! And if you’re in the city at
the weekend, you should not miss the Kaiserweihnacht near the Bergisel Olympic
ski jump. From Friday to Sunday arts and craft exhibitors display their
wonderful creations at the small, but rather fine Christmas market above the
rooftops of Innsbruck.
Further information:
https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/tours/tour/the-christmas-markets
Enquiries:
Innsbruck Tourismus
Burggraben 3, A-6020
Innsbruck, Austria
+43 512 59850
office@innsbruck.info
www.innsbruck.info
Peter Unsinn
Head of Market Management
Market Manager UK, USA, China,
Korea
p.unsinn@innsbruck.info
www.innsbruck.info
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