Weekend Retreat: Two Days in Innsbruck’s Alpine Embrace

Innsbruck, known for being the capital of Tirol, but also one of the largest ski destinations in Austria. The city hosts a lot of charm, with easy access to neighboring ski areas. Here is how to optimize two days in Innsbruck with options of taking a photo tour, or skiing the numerous resorts.

Quick Trip Overview

• Location: Innsbruck, Austria
• Closest Airport: Innsbruck Airport
• Time of Year: January
• Time: 2 days
• Estimated Cost: $1,000

Best Views in Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a very picturesque town. Perhaps you want the winter charm, without the winter sports. If this is the case, then there are numerous photo locations in Innsbruck you can visit to get those photos. Below is enough to fill a two-day itinerary.

If you are looking to get some of the best views during two days in Innsbruck, then check out these following locations.

1. Nordkette

Other than being the lift to the closet ski resort, Nordkette is a great place to visit to capture a view of Innsbruck and the surrounding area. The lift is located conveniently in the center of the town and can be accessed with the Innsbruck pass.

The cable car will take approximately 15 minutes to reach Hungerburg. From there you can find the views of Innsbruck from the mountain range. Purchase a ticket in advance here.

To make sure you are getting your moneys worth, check out the webcam at the top of Hungerburg. You can see if the view from the top is worth spending the money to ride the cable car up. Check out the webcam here.

Address: Rennweg 3, 6020 Innsbruck

2. Top of Stadtturm Tower

Also located conveniently in the center of Innsbruck is the Stadtturm Tower, or City Tower. Pay a mere 4 euro to be granted access to the tower. After a walk up a winding staircase you will be greeted with views all over Innsbruck. Walk the 360 platform to take in the best views of the popular river front and mountains, or of the Bergisel Ski Jump. Purchase tickets in advance for entrance to the tower here.

Address: Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 21, 6020 Innsbruck

3. Tirol Panorama

This museum is most well known for the large panorama painting of Innsbruck. Given the name of the museum, it is no surprise that there is a great view of Innsbruck from it as well. Just stroll around the backside of the building to the gazebo for a view out over Innsbruck.

You can also check out the Imperial Army museum if the weather is particularly awful that day.

Additionally, the Tirol Panorama is just a short walk away is the Bergisel Ski Jump.

Address: Bergisel 1-2, 6020 Innsbruck

4. Old Town

Located around the Nordkette and Stadtturm tower is the famous Old Town. This area is filled with colorfully painted shop fronts which has made the area a popular photo spot. A classic area to visit during a stay at Innsbruck. A classic view is towards the back of the St. Anna’s Column down the row of store fronts with the mountains in the background. Take an Innsbruck classic tour to keep the highlights in one day.

The center of the town during winter is filled with little shops of Glühwein, pastries, and other delicious Austrian delicacies.

Address: Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck, Austria

5. Innsbruck – Inn River Front

The most famous view of Innsbruck are the colorful buildings along the Innsbruck River. This is just a block away from the Old Town area. A two-day trip in Innsbruck will not be complete without a photo at this popular spot.

If you want a different perspective, cross over the bridge and take a photo over the river of the Innsbruck Cathedral.

Address: Inn Bridge

6. 360 Bar

On the seventh floor of a mall located just outside of Old Town is the 360 bar. This bar, living up to the name, is complete windows offering views of all of Innsbruck from the center. Similar to the Stadttrum, the 360 bar offers views of the city area of Innsbruck – with a cocktail!

Be open to not being able to grab a seat. The bar is small, and always packed! Even if you cannot grab a seat inside, there is a terrace that walks around the bar so you can still get photos without the drink. Want a special food and coffee tour? Then check out this tour that will take your around Innsbruck sampling the cuisine.

Address: Rathaus Galerien, Maria-Theresien-Straße 18, 6020 Innsbruck

The Innsbruck Card

The Innsbruck Pass is available at the Train Station, Airport, and at most Hotels. This pass costs €43 for one day use, which seems like a lot but if you are looking at visiting the above locations then you will get your moneys worth.

For example, in one day you can visit:

• Nordkette: €50
• Tirol Panorama: €10
• Stadttum Tower: €4
• Total: €50.50

Just visiting these three places in one day and you will already meet the bottom cost of the ticket and save a few euros. Depending how much you run around town you will save even more as some bus routes are included with the pass.

The Innsbruck Card can be purchased in allotments of 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. Your clock will start when you use the card for the first time. Purchase a card in advance here for 24 hours

Card Prices:

• 24 hours: €43
• 48 hours: €50
• 72 hours: €59

Skiing in Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the center of nine different ski resorts. The Olympiaworld Skipass grants you access to any of these nine ski resort in Innsbruck locations, and there are pick up spots across the city to take a bus to the resorts.

While two days in Innsbruck is not enough time to visit all the ski resorts that you can access from Innsbruck; you can easily do a day of photo taking, with a day of skiing at one of the resorts. Or two days of skiing at any of the resorts.

The pass costs €140 for three days day. Anything shorter and you will have to buy individual passes from the resorts. You can pick and choose from these different resorts of which you would like to visit:

1. Nordkette
2. Patscherkofel
3. Axamer Lizum
4. Muttereralm
5. Kühtai
6. Oberperfuss Cable Cars
7. Glungezer
8. Schlick 2000
9. Stubai Glacier

 Check out more here to learn more about the skiing options at Innsbruck.

Commuting around Innsbruck

Innsbruck has well established bus routes. Most important is the Sightseeing Bus route, which you can use your Innsbruck pass to hop on and hop off from. The sightseeing bus will take you to all the previously mentioned locations for the best views of Innsbruck so that you can make the most of your two days in Innsbruck.

Map of Top Sites in Innsbruck

Where to Eat in Innsbruck

There are a lot of delicious places to eat in Innsbruck, here are some to check out:

• Soulkitchen: if you are interested in a large beer selection and some amazing burgers than this is a must eat location. While a bit of a hike away from the Old town area, it is worth the 20-minute walk for all the beer.
  • Address: Österreich, Egger-Lienz-Straße 118, 6020 Innsbruck
• Due Sicilie: Looking for some classic Italian pizza? Look no further than Due Sicilie. Located just across the bridge from the classic photo spot along the Innsbruck river.
  • Address: Höttinger G. 15, 6020 Innsbruck
• die Wilderin: If you are looking for a traditional Austrian meal then this is a great location to visit. Located in the old town area, you won’t have to go too far for the schnitzel.
  • Address: Seilergasse 5, 6020 Innsbruck

Then of course there are numerous food stands in the Old Town area with Curry Wurst and Glühwein that cannot be missed.

How to Get to Innsbruck

There are numerous ways to get to Innsbruck.

• By Plane: Innsbruck has a small airport that you can fly into. More than likely you will have to catch a connecting flight out of Munich or out of Salzburg in order to get to Innsbruck. While this seems convenient, the fact that you may have to layover in Munich can make this more time consuming than it is worth.
• By Train: Innsbruck is a hub to a lot of areas in the Tirol area. The train station is large, and trains from Munich commute often. This is the more ideal option of getting to Innsbruck. If you are coming from out of country, fly into Munich and commute by train to Innsbruck. You will be traveling from Munich HBF to Innsbruck HBF and it will cost €40 and take approximately 210 minutes.
• By Car: Of course, the town can be accessed by car, but if you are visiting during winter months then take into consideration the weather. The option of taking public transportation may be more convenient.

Check out these these other posts to help plan your trip to Austria:

• Ski Trip to Alpbach
• Ski Trip to Soll
• Ski Trip in Tirol Region
• Ski Trip to Kitzbuhel
• Two days in Salzburg
• Day Trips from Salzburg