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June 2024 – Innsbruck, Austria

Ever since I booked the coolest hotel I could find in Innsbruck, I was impatiently looking ahead for our summer roadtrip.

Fast forward to June, we set foot in Innsbruck, Austria. It was exactly what we were looking for as a base. So we took a moment to just breathe and finally got into holiday mode.

Looking back now, all I remember is that we woke up every morning in a dreamy decor, surrounded by mountains. Pumped up by delicious coffee and abundant breakfasts, we were always ready to go out exploring.

WHAT TO DO IN INNSBRUCK

Innsbruck feels Alpine and imperial at the same time. There are plenty of things to do around, but you can also enjoy the city at a slow pace like we tried.

Here’s a short guide of our memorable summer stay in Innsbruck. Hope you like it as much as we did!

• Hofburg Castle

Starting with the Imperial Palace seemed like an obvious choice. It features Gothic and Baroque architecture, culminating with the amazing Giants’ Hall. I’ll let you discover by yourself what that is.

• Tyrolean Folk Art Museum

Mainly because it’s right next to the palace, we stepped into the regional heritage museum.

We had a blast checking out the restored wooden rooms, trying to guess from which region and historical period each was.

• Innsbrucker Hofgarten

The Hofgarten is a beautiful historic park located on the edge of Innsbruck’s Old Town. Laid out in the 16th century, the garden evolved through various styles, from Renaissance, French formal, to English designs.

While strolling on its alleys, it was the first time we spotted the surrounding mountains from up close.

• Stadtturm

If you feel like the ground view doesn’t do justice, climb up the City’s Tower. Look out over the rooftops of Innsbruck, as the guards did in the Middle Ages. They kept watch from the tower for almost 450 years, warning citizens of fire and other dangers.

Once we reached the viewing platform, the Nordkette mountain range revealed itself in all its splendor. “That’s where we’ll go tomorrow!” we both exclaimed.

• Hafelekarspitze

Reaching the Top of Innsbruck was no doubt the highlight of our stay. It only took a funicular and 2 cable cars to enter a completely otherworldly universe at 2300 meters.

Jumping with joy on piles of snow, running from one pathway to another, chasing the panoramic view of mesmerizing Alpine peaks, is what we did all day. Bonus, putting another jacket on, while a heat wave took over the city down below, could not have felt any better.

* the Innsbruck card is useful if you want to combine several visits and take advantage of free public transportation

HOW TO GET TO INNSBRUCK

• By plane

Innsbruck has its own airport, so taking a direct flight from another European city is the fastest way.

• By train

Innsbruck is well connected with Vienna, Munich, Zurich and Verona. The main train station Hauptbahnhof Innsbruck is a 10 minute walk away from the city.

• By car

Innsbruck is well connected to the highway that crosses Austria from east to west. We had a smooth journey driving from the Netherlands. Be aware, driving in Austria requires a vignette, as we found out when getting the fine. 🙂

WHERE TO STAY IN INNSBRUCK

Innsbruck is packed with lovely accommodations. I know that because I had a hard time choosing. But as soon as I saw one with a spectacular mountain view, across the road from the Inn riverside promenade, I knew that’s the place for us.

Chic, with modern and refined decor, free parking and an amazing breakfast, Rufi’s Hotel Innsbruck did not disappoint.

WHERE TO EAT IN INNSBRUCK

To start the day in style, Breakfast Club is a good choice for a healthy brunch. Well, at least until you add the waffles. 🙂

Our go-to place for lunch was Stiftskeller, a classic Tyrolean restaurant, right in the city center. Hearty food and beer are served in a nostalgic space with archways and wooden beams. The potato cream soup with grilled bacon, roast pork with dumplings and beef goulash were to die for! It was so good that we didn’t need to try another restaurant.

At dinner, Rufi’s surprised us with the best pizza we ate outside Italy. No reason to go out when you have Italian cuisine right at your feet, right?

WHEN TO VISIT INNSBRUCK

The best times to visit Innsbruck are summer and winter. May to September have pleasant temperature, although it can be rainy. However, this is rather a winter sports enthusiasts paradise, so November to February are quite popular for skiing. Peak period is definitely Christmas, when the city lights up and it’s filled with decorations and festive markets.

Have you seen the Christmas markets in Innsbruck? We’d love to hear from you!