Innsbruck

Background

Innsbruck is the capital of the Austrian state of Tyrol, on the River Inn, with the Brenner Pass about 30 km to the south. The city is ringed by the Nordkette range and Patscherkofel, and its main sights are the Golden Roof, the Hofkirche, Ambras Castle and Maria-Theresien-Straße. It hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, the 1984 and 1988 Winter Paralympics and the first Winter Youth Olympics in 2012. The city name means "bridge over the Inn", and the town grew up around its bridge and crossing on the river. In 1363 Tyrol came under Habsburg rule, and Innsbruck later became an important residence of Emperor Maximilian I. In 1809 Andreas Hofer led a Tyrolean peasant army to victory in the Battles of Bergisel, and he came to be regarded as a Tyrolean hero.

Local customs

• Walk the old town to see the Golden Roof and colourful gabled houses
• take the cable car up the Nordkette for views
• see the Renaissance collection at Ambras Castle
• ski in winter
• shop on Maria-Theresien-Straße and rest at a café.

Travel tips

• Winter roads may be icy, so bring slip-resistant shoes
• ski pass and cable car prices are as shown officially. Before heading up the mountain, check the weather and cable car notices
• mountain weather changes quickly, so bring warm clothing.
• Innsbruck has an airport and a railway station with good connections
• the old town is best explored on foot
• rail and road routes lead south to the Brenner Pass. Winter is ski season, summer suits mountain hiking, and the mild spring and autumn are good for strolling the old town.