City and mountains just a heartbeat apart short summer break:24, 48 or 72 hours in the Innsbruck region

One moment you’re window shopping in the city, next moment you’re enjoying the view from a box seat up on the mountain, having called in at in a charming street café halfway up. In Innsbruck, the vibrancy of the city and the beauty of the mountains are just a heartbeat apart. What is it that makes the Innsbruck region in the heart of the Alps so exciting, and which are the sights you really have to see during a short summer break? The Innsbruck Card for 24, 48 or 72 hours provides all the answers.

Datum: 27.05.2018
Ort: Region Innsbruck
Ressorts: Freizeit, Kultur
Kunde: Innsbruck Tourismus

INNSBRUCK IN 24 HOURS

10 am: Warm up for your tour of Innsbruck with a leisurely stroll through the city. Start outside the Golden Roof in the Old Town, wander beneath the arcades past lots of small shops and continue into the adjoining Maria-Theresien-Strasse with the light-flooded Town Hall passage and the ever popular Kaufhaus Tyrol. Why? Because both shopping malls represent a perfect fusion of contemporary architecture and fine shopping.

11 am: See Innsbruck from above - and there’s no better place than from the top of the Stadtturm (City Tower) which commands a magnificent view. Walk round the corner and you come straight to the Hofkirche (Court Church), and the larger than life Renaissance bronze figures inside are a history book you can walk through.

At noon we start to climb or, to be more precise, up to 1,900 m above sea level. At the heart of the city centre, the futuristic-looking valley stations (designed by Zaha Hadid) are most impressive. From here you can take a cable car up to the Seegrube, and then enjoy lunch gazing over the rooftops of the city, with a splendid panoramic view and invigorating fresh air.

2 pm: On your return trip, call in at the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo and marvel at the fascinating animal world.

3.15 pm: Now it’s time to visit Ambras Castle, but don’t worry - the Sightseer Bus provides free transport! On warm summer days it’s well worth enjoying a walk in the beautiful park with duck pond, peacocks and Renaissance herb garden.

4.30 pm: Come on, you’re not tired yet! It’s now off to the Bergisel, a small hill south of Innsbruck. Eye to eye with the imposing Bergisel ski jump (also designed by Zaha Hadid), you can admire the intrepid ski jumpers who dare to make the leap and hurtle down.

From 8 pm: Even on a short visit, there’s still time to make your way to Casino Innsbruck, where the Innsbruck Card entitles you to a welcome drink and welcome token.

INNSBRUCK IN 48 HOURS

DAY 1

10 am: Meet at the Golden Roof and breathe in the holiday air as you start your short break. Be ready to experience the Middle Ages and the Renaissance (house facades, arcades) and a first encounter with "urban feeling" (lovely shops). Innsbruck's Maria-Theresien-Strasse is a splendid avenue where you simply have to shop and stroll and shop ... And go into the Town Hall passage and Kaufhaus Tyrol to see more exciting architectural highlights.

11 am: After a cappuccino and apple strudel in the morning sun, the Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum (Regional Heritage Museum) is absolutely not to be missed. The museum excitingly brings costumes, parlours, nativity scenes and rituals to life. And go one better by adding a visit to the adjoining Hofkirche (Court Church) and marvel at the fantasies of the Renaissance.

At midday we meet for a quick snack and you choose where! Street café, quality burger, Asian delight, Tyrolean inn ...

2 pm: Please be punctual for the Per-Pedes city tour (part of the Innsbruck Card).

3.15 pm: The sun is shining, the valley station of the Nordkettenbahnen is near-by. So it’s off up into the mountains. Here, on the Hafelekar (2,300 m), the air is sparkling, the views stunning, the 10-minute walk to the summit the ultimate thrill. Make sure you factor in a refreshment stop on the Seegrube just below!

On the way back we stop at the Innsbruck Alpenzoo to observe the bears, lynx, eagles, chamois etc before returning to the city on the Nordkettenbahn funicular.

7 pm: Set the mood for a lovely evening by enjoying some music at the Innsbruck Promenade Concerts (July) in the Hofburg courtyard. Then indulge in some fine dining before rounding off the perfect day with a visit to Casino Innsbruck.

DAY 2

10 am: "Amazement" is what it’s all about. A 20-minute ride on the free shuttle bus takes us to Swarovski Crystal Worlds where a giant guards the underground crystal worlds. It’s a sparkling and glittering world, a firework display for the senses, and the enchantment extends outside into the park. The attraction is also great for families!

At midday we take the shuttle bus back to Innsbruck where you have time to enjoy a short walk in the Hofgarten (Imperial Gardens). Close your eyes in the shade of old trees or have a picnic on the beautifully manicured grass.

2 pm: The Sightseer Bus heads south out of the city. Wilten Abbey Church and Wilten Abbey Basilica are on the way to the Bergisel, and such a wealth of Baroque splendour demands a short stop. The Grassmayr bell foundry, with 400 years of tradition, is close by, and the Bell Museum gives you the chance to trace the history of sound as you walk round.

3.30 pm: Once we reach the Bergisel we take the lift up to the platform of the Bergisel ski jump (designed by Zaha Hadid), a manifestation of the perfect symbiosis of design and sport. Enjoy the view but make sure you visit the Museum Tirol Panorama where you’ll be amazed at the Giant Panoramic Painting which depicts an impressive battle on a stunning scale.

5 pm: It’s well worth making a detour to Ambras Castle in the glorious evening sunshine. It may be too late to visit the Chambers of Wonder, but the Renaissance park is a visual delight and an uplifting experience.

7 pm: In July and August, lovers of early music can listen to outstanding international music at the Ambras Castle Concerts and the Innsbruck Festival. You can also enjoy cinema under the stars and New Orleans Jazz or the Tyrol Easter Festival in spring.

INNSBRUCK IN 72 HOURS

DAY 1 as for INNSBRUCK IN 48 HOURS.

DAY 2

10 am: We begin the day with the sparkling adventures of the Swarovski Crystal Worlds and give ourselves time to marvel at the magic of the garden with its crystal cloud.

At midday we take the shuttle bus back to Innsbruck where you have time to enjoy a short walk in the Hofgarten (Imperial Gardens). Close your eyes in the shade of old trees or have a picnic on the beautifully manicured grass.

2 pm: If the weather’s fine, we explore the mountains to the south of the city. We take the Patscherkofelbahn cable car and head heavenwards. Make sure to include a short hike (trainers are fine) on one of the most beautiful mountain trails in the world. You’ll come across stands of ancient pine and enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the Swiss stone pine path which, in June and July, is lined with brilliant alpine roses in full bloom.

Weather alternative: it’s not only in the Bell Museum of the Grassmayr bell foundry that you can gain an auditory museum impression; the Audioversum interactive world of experience also appeals to every sense.

6 pm: How about leaving Innsbruck to have dinner elsewhere? You can catch a tram or bus to Igls or Lans, two small villages on a low mountain plateau. Breathe in the village air, take a walk across the fields and call in at a beautiful inn to round off the day with some extraordinary regional food.

DAY 3

10 am: We take the Sightseer Bus to Ambras Castle. The magical Chambers of Wonder from the Renaissance, the magnificent knights’ armour and the castle rooms are all well worth a visit, not to forget the park with its peacocks and ducks.

At midday we take some time out and, if the weather’s nice, dangle our feet in some cool water. We drive to the Natterer See lake holiday paradise to cool off. Alternatively, we walk to Wilten, an "urban village", only 5 minutes from the Maria-Theresien-Strasse, and a charming district with a fine range of excellent food.

2 pm: In fine weather we head once again into the mountains of the Innsbruck region to explore the cable cars in Kühtai, Austria's highest ski World Cup location, the Muttereralmpark (a great place for families) or the Oberperfuss cable car up to the Rangger Köpfl (for an easy hike and a refreshment stop in a lovely mountain hut).

Alternatively a visit to the Bergisel is an essential part of the 3-day programme. The cobra-like silhouette of the ski jump (designed by Zaha Hadid) is just as impressive as the view from the incredibly high platform, or the complete amazement you’ll experience as you contemplate the Giant Panoramic Painting in the Museum Tirol Panorama.

6 pm: If you still have the time - and energy! -  you can sit in one of the bars and enjoy a cocktail. Try the 360o bar on top of the Town Hall Galleries and enjoy one last look at the city and mountains before sadly saying "Goodbye, Innsbruck!"

INNSBRUCK CARD

The Innsbruck Card is available for 24, 48 and 72 hours. It is valid from the time the first service is used. It includes one visit to each of the museums and sights in the region of Innsbruck and Hasegg Castle Münze Hall; one ascent and descent on each of the cable cars in the Innsbruck region (Glungezerbahn and Drei-Seen-Bahn Kühtai only in summer); travel on the "Sightseer Bus” to all attractions; a visit to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds and Crystal Worlds shuttle; free travel on the trams and IVB buses; one guided city walk; city bike rental for 3 hours; a welcome token and drink at Casino Innsbruck’ and Natterer See lake swimming holiday paradise and Olympia World ice skating. It also entitles the holder to discounts on many other tourist attractions.

Prices: 24 Hours - €43.00; 48 Hours - €50.00; 72 Hours - €59.00. 50% reduction for children aged 6 to 15.