Innsbruck is one of those cities with which it is impossible not to fall in love. And this is regardless of the purpose for which you come to the capital of Tyrol: on a business trip, for a quality excursion, sports or non-sports pleasures. Innsbruck is one of the most popular alpine resorts, teeming with tourists all year round. But most of all, it receives guests in winter, when it meets fans of high-class alpine skiing and people who want to spend their Christmas holidays in an authentic Tyrolean atmosphere.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

Innsbruck in Austria is especially appreciated by “lazy” tourists and those who like to get everything at once. Proximity to the airport, interesting architecture, a lot of noteworthy sights, the extensive infrastructure that Innsbruck received from the Winter Olympics and access to up to nine ski regions – isn’t this true tourist happiness?

Our company invites everyone who wants to taste exquisite skiing joys seasoned with great service and sauce from attractions to Austria, to Innsbruck! We have yet to have a single customer leave this magical city disappointed!

Interesting about Innsbruck

Innsbruck is one of the most famous cities in Austria, the capital of Tyrol . Its age is close to eight centuries: the date of its foundation is considered to be 1239, but at that time Innsbruck had already received the status of a city, and the settlement at the confluence of the Scyll and Inn rivers existed even earlier. And with the accession to the throne of Emperor Maximilian I (middle of the 15th century), the city found the proud title of the permanent residence of the Habsburgs, which remained for several centuries. Is it clear now why Innsbruck has a rich cultural heritage that is carefully preserved to this day?

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

The modern history of Innsbruck is connected, above all, with sports. In fact, the small town was twice honored to host the Winter Olympic Games. True, it was a long time ago, in 1964 and 1976, but the heritage in the form of a well-thought-out system of lifts, an Olympic stadium, ski jumps, certified ski tracks, bobsleigh chutes and other sports facilities is in excellent condition. All this wealth is constantly being modernized, as Innsbruck regularly hosts world-class sporting events.

How will we get there?

One of the many charms of Innsbruck is its transport accessibility. Let’s consider the options:

  • By air. There are direct flights from Lviv to Innsbruck. You can get there via Kyiv, Vienna, Frankfurt am Main, Warsaw, Vilnius and other European cities. The minimum flight time with a connection is 6 hours. The asking price is from 200 euros both ways, if you fly low-cost, with long connections and without luggage. The airport is located 4 km from the city center.
  • There are no direct buses from Lviv to Innsbruck in Austria yet, but you can take a Eurolines flight to Munich (approximately 90 euros, 27 hours on the road). Meinferbus buses run from the capital of Bavaria (the station is within walking distance from the station) to Innsbruck: only 2 hours and 8 euros per ticket – and you are there. There are a lot of flights!

Where will we stay?

Despite its status as the capital of Tyrol, Innsbruck is not an extremely expensive resort. Of course, a lot depends on the location and class of accommodation, but local prices can be safely called average in Austria.

  • Hotels. Most hotels (about 80 in Innsbruck and its surroundings) are located in and near the Old Town of Altstadt. This is natural: the historical center is literally packed with architectural curiosities, museums, authentic restaurants and souvenir shops. The most fashionable and expensive are the local “fours” (the cost of the room is 80-350 euros). A continental breakfast is usually included in the price of accommodation. We draw your attention to the fact that not all “fours” have full-fledged spas at their disposal, and a swimming pool is a rarity in general. Neue Post, Innsbruck, Grauer Bar, Austria Trend Congress, Maximilian will please you with coziness, great service and location in Altstadt. “Twos” and “threes” offer more budget-friendly accommodation: quite acceptable options slip by at a price of 60-70 euros per day per room.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

  • Guest houses . There are plenty of family mini-hotels, guest houses and hostels both in the city itself and in nearby villages. The owners do their best to ensure the comfort and cleanliness of the rooms, the service is sometimes no worse than a multi-star service, the interiors in an authentic Tyrolean style provide a blissful rest from the artistic escapades of modern designers. Breakfast is often prepared by the hosts themselves, who take care of the comfort of the guests. Almost everywhere there are facilities for storing sports equipment. The asking price is from 50 euros for early booking.
  • Apartment. More than a hundred accommodation options for every taste, from studios to multi-room residences. A huge selection of apartments with their own kitchens. The price policy is the most diverse, almost everywhere there is free Wi-Fi. The only serious drawback of this type of accommodation is the reluctance of most owners to deal with paperwork, that is, to draw up and send invitations for visas.

If you don’t want to be close to the historic center, it’s much easier to find inexpensive accommodation: small family hotels and apartment complexes in the suburbs of Innsbruck are plentiful, and transport connections are excellent.

Transport connection

Innsbruck is a fairly compact resort with excellent transport connections. In the city, public transport runs almost 24 hours a day, with the exception of two night hours (2.00-4.00). There are several routes served by brand new silent buses and two tram lines. Ski buses deliver skiers to the skiing areas (from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). Public transport is very expensive: one trip costs 2.5-3 euros. That is why tourists who want to save often buy the Innsbruck Card: it is not only a ticket for all types of public transport, but also a pass to most of the city’s museums.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

As for taxis, they are not cheap, as everywhere in Europe: the cost of a trip around the city is 20 euros on average. And it is best to stop by bicycle: this environmentally friendly and good for physical form of transport is mainly used by local residents. And for the tourist – what the guide prescribed: you can leisurely enjoy the beauty of Innsbruck, stopping at the most interesting places.

If you have a desire to rent a car, we will help you do it at the most reasonable price. However, tourists rarely resort to this option in Innsbruck: the airport is nearby, the transport runs well, and you can get to the skiing areas without any problems.

Innsbruck skiing resources

The ski season starts in December and ends in April. Innsbruck is a resort with the widest possibilities: guests have nine independent regions at their disposal, which have a total of three hundred kilometers of colorful tracks, extensive systems of lifts, and a scattering of diverse sports, sports and entertainment facilities. Everywhere there are equipment rental points, there are a lot of ski schools and kindergartens for children.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

Any of the regions can be reached from the center by bus in 15 minutes to an hour. Free buses run from the station, and many fashionable hotels take guests on roller coasters right from the door. Let’s run through these regions briefly:

  • Nordkette . The majestic peaks of Seegrube and Hafelkar beckon with excellent but not too long tracks. Most of them are of medium difficulty, but there is also one vertiginous descent at a 70 ° slope – the steepest in Europe. There is a great family park on Seegrube, and snowboarders and freestylers are magnetized by a grandiose 120-meter superpipe with cool lighting and music. It has a skiing area located at altitudes from 860 to 2260 meters above sea level. But if we take into account glaciers, then in this case the upper limit rises to 3210 meters. The total length of the tracks here does not exceed 14 kilometers. Of them, 1 kilometer is reserved for easy descents, 8 kilometers for medium difficulty tracks and the remaining 5 kilometers for slopes that can only be used by ski professionals.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

  • Pacherkofel . Cool tracks for middle schoolers, where the “Olympic Express” will deliver. There is an Olympic downhill track, a lot of sports facilities and an area for children’s skating.
  • Muterer Alm . A typical family skating area: both children have a place to ride, and adults are not bored. And you can do it together, on a sled! Lots of playgrounds and cafes with a children’s menu.
  • Axamer Litsum . Another sports region in which international competitions are held. Cool lifts and certified tracks, guaranteed snow and plenty of opportunities for virgin skiing.
  • Rangger Kepfl . A town where it is great not only to ride, but also to hang out. In addition to well-maintained tracks, a modern snow park and a toboggan run, there is a constellation of cool cafes and restaurants with stunning views.
  • Kyutai _ One of the most high-altitude regions that delights with good snow and a prolonged season. The tracks are wide, there are not too many people on the slopes, the views are amazing.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

  • Glungetser . If you are interested in long tracks, this is the place for you! And you can also go to Glungetzer for nature: from the peaks you can see the entire valley of the river Inn and the nearby Innsbruck like on a Christmas card!
  • Stubai . This region includes a massive glacier within an hour’s drive of Innsbruck. Wide tracks of medium difficulty prevail, including the ten-kilometer “Wild Cave”. Unobstructed spaces for cross-country skiing and cross-country skiing, two snow parks and year-round skiing!
  • Schlick 2000 . The proximity to the Stubai glacier determines the popularity of this region and the guaranteed snow cover. This is an ultra-modern region, literally packed with all kinds of pleasures for skiers and sympathizers. Luxurious snow park, toboggan run, winter hiking trails, paragliding and much more!

Skiing fans who want to cover literally all the skiing riches of Innsbruck’s surroundings in a short time are recommended to purchase the OlympiaWorld Skipass – a total subscription to all skiing areas and their resources. The asking price is from 397 euros for 5 days, but this price, in addition to the use of lifts and ski buses, also includes breakfast (or half board). Not so passionate about alpine skiing? Ski passes for 5 regions and any number of days (from two) are much cheaper. The manager of our company will select the best accommodation option for you, according to your needs and budget!

Thus, the Innsbruck ski resort offers vacationers a skiing area with a height of 850 to 2,260 meters (with a glacier – 3,200 m) with a height difference of 2,550 meters. The total length of the trails is 282 kilometers, of which 91 kilometers are “blue” trails for beginners, 160 kilometers are “red” descents of medium difficulty, and 31 kilometers are the most extreme “black” trails. In addition, 200 kilometers of cross-country skiing tracks have been laid here, four snowboard parks have been opened, and special tourist trails have even been equipped. For the convenience of skiers, there are 78 lifts in Innsbruck, of which 40 are rope lifts, 27 are chair lifts and 11 are of the “gondola” type. The capacity is about 68,000 people per hour.

Snowboarding is like heaven!

If there is a snowboarder’s paradise on Earth, it is located in Innsbruck. Great descents of any difficulty, endless possibilities for virgin skiing and a whole constellation of fan parks, capriciously scattered across different skiing areas. It is not for nothing that the famous two-time snowboarding world champion Martin Freinademetz “chose” Innsbruck as his birthplace.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

The largest and most modern snow park is located in Akzamer Litsum. Its main features are a recently added high-speed descent and a natural hafapipe with the proud name “Weapon Barrel” – 2.5 km long, 10 m high. Moreboards Stubai Zoo, located at an altitude of more than 3,000 m, will delight board fans in Strubai: as many as 5 hectares of all kinds of joy. In general, Nordpark-Seegrube is proudly called the Promised Land for snowboarders, and Grubn never ceases to delight fans of freeride. Don’t forget Skyline with its colossal superpipe. There are smaller “home” snow parks in Ranger Kepfle, Mutterer Almi and Kütai. What else is there to do in Innsbruck?

Before getting to know Innsbruck, we recommend purchasing the Innsbruck Card: it will allow you to save a lot on transport, lifts and sightseeing. The guest subscription costs 24 euros per day, 29 for two, 34 for three.

So, what do we do?

  • Let’s take a walk along Maria-Theresien-Strasse and see the sights. The main historic street of the city has fully preserved its authentic appearance, crowned by the famous Golden Roof, which is the unofficial symbol of Innsbruck. It is worth taking a walk through the numerous souvenir shops, sitting in a cozy cafe with sausages and a beer. Worthy of attention are the Hofburg Palace, the Hofkirche, the magnificent St. Jacob’s Cathedral and many other interesting sights. And take a look at at least one museum, for example, a folklore museum: it is a must to understand the soul of Tyrol and get to know the customs of this region!
  • To enrich culturally. Interesting exhibitions and festivals are constantly held in Innsbruck. The main classical venue is the Concert House. And Cinematograph and Leokino will present real catharsis to sophisticated moviegoers. A separate article can be written about local museums.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

  • Let’s get excited about Swarovski crystal worlds. The Swarovski Crystal Worlds museum is located on the road to Mayrhofen (for Innsbruck Card holders, both travel and visit are free). There you can admire an equipped shiny wall, the world’s largest crystal weighing 60 kg, a collection of costumes decorated by Swarovski and other wonders. A piece of this crystal glow (not cheap, but incredibly beautiful) can be taken with you from a branded store.
  • Saddle a toboggan or bob. The speed of the fairway! In the vicinity of Innsbruck, there are a lot of toboggan tracks, where you can drink adrenaline from your heart and body. Their total length is almost 100 km, and there are descents 10 and 11 km long. Can you imagine the speed? And in Eagles, you can race on a bobsleigh along the Olympic chute. There is pleasure from the age of 14.
  • Let’s conquer the steep walls. There are as many as three indoor climbing rinks in the city and its surroundings, which work all year round and are available for a penny. Climbing the glacier under the guidance of an experienced guide can be done in Stubai or Kyutai.
  • Let’s swim. A swimming pool in the hotel, unfortunately, is a rarity for Innsbruck, but swimming enthusiasts will not be left without an active hobby. Hallenbad on Amraser-Stra & szlig; e is open all year round. Fans of unfrozen water can enjoy not only two swimming pools plus a pool for toddlers, but also saunas, massage and cosmetic rooms – in short, full-fledged wellness.
  • Let’s conquer the ice. There are several outdoor ice rinks scattered throughout the territory of Innsbruck: rental offices, artificial lighting, great music. The grandiose indoor skating rink in Olympiaworld invites everyone, but the entrance is, of course, paid. And in nearby Eagles, you can not only go skating, but also try your hand at the calmest of all winter sports, curling.
  • Let’s buy souvenirs. We have already talked about Swarovski crystals, but we should not forget about other, not so brightly shiny, souvenirs. If not everyone wants to buy a full Tyrolean costume (it is expensive), then it is definitely worth taking an authentic hat with you. We should not forget about Viennese porcelain, handmade ceramics, lace and embroidery with a national flavor.

Do not forget about the famous Viennese sweets, cheeses, smoked meats, as well as drinks that will warm the soul and remind you of Austria. Be sure to find a place for the wonderful “Sacher” cake, it will be packed in such a way in the pastry shop that you will deliver the divine dish safe and sound. And souvenirs with Olympic symbols are usually bought at the flea market, which unfolds on odd-numbered Saturdays on Alfred Pichler Square.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

Innsbruck is a typical city in Austria, mainly focused on sports and the tourism industry. It is simply impossible to get bored there!

And eat?

Despite the fact that Innsbruck is not distinguished by its grand size, it has more than four hundred diverse catering establishments, from world-class gastronomic restaurants to cute authentic coffee shops.

The general trend of Austrian cuisine is relative simplicity, high-quality seasonal products and satiety. In any case, they do not skimp when forming portions here: feel free to order one dish for two or even three. You should definitely enjoy pork ribs that melt in your mouth, Wiener schnitzel, game dishes, dumplings with all kinds of fillings, homemade cheeses, salads with greens, and, of course, the king of Austrian and German culinary traditions – His Majesty’s strudel.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

From drinks, coffee, beer (and its younger brother, radler) are especially revered here, and in winter, mulled wine and, of course, schnapps are especially revered. The average price of a good lunch is 20-25 euros per person. Don’t forget to leave a tip of about 10% of the check.

  • Austrian / Tyrolean cuisine. The most elite establishments, where you can enjoy masterpieces of traditional Tyrolean cuisine, are located in the historic center of the city. Among them, Kapeller, Europastudert and Schwarzer Adler are worth noting – the most expensive and fashionable canteens. Dengg, Goldener Adler, Riese Haymon, Ottoburg and Fischerhausl are no worse, but cheaper, so pre-ordering tables is recommended.
  • Italian gastronomy. In the evenings, the elegant Da Peppino welcomes guests. And if you want pizza or lasagna at a reasonable price, you should go to Pizzeria Romantica, Solo Pasta or Panini.
  • Oriental cuisine. Thai Li Ba specializes in Thai cuisine with a vegetarian accent. Sahib is, as expected, an Indian restaurant with excellent cuisine, while masterpieces of Chinese cuisine (NOT fast food!) can be enjoyed at Canton China for a similar price.

McDonald’s and Burger King are everywhere, but even the most ardent fans of “fast, tasty and unhealthy” food often avoid such establishments in Innsbruck. Don’t believe it, dear, it’s better to taste sausage and mustard for the same money! But folk paths are not overgrown in stunning Austrian coffee shops. These family enterprises with many years of history will delight you not only with super coffee and hot chocolate, but also with exquisite delicacies. The famous Sacher cake is something!

Nightlife in the capital of Tyrol

In search of evening and night entertainment, it is better to go to the heart of old Innsbruck again. The Europa-Bar in the hotel of the same name attracts a respectable audience, and it is simply impossible to bypass all the institutions of the City Hall Gallery. However, it is worth stopping at Gossers, Havanna or the stunning panoramic Bar 360 o . Beer-loving youth have long and reliably chosen Theresienbrаu and Elferhaus. For representatives of all generations, we can recommend the three-story Irish pub Limerick Bill’s with fiery live music and dancing until you drop.

A respectable audience gathers in more expensive towns, for example, in Piano Cafe / Bar or Cafe Club Dine Dance. The Early Bird will delight you with high-quality jazz, Treibhaus – with warm and ethnic music. For an intellectual and artistic atmosphere, you should look at Toscana, and for gambling – at Innsbruk’s Casino.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

When you feel like dancing until the morning, don’t hold back, head to Ebi’s Cocktail Bar or Bogen-Lokale – these are some of the few places in Innsbruck that are open all night. In addition, you can cool off at the Dachsbau discotheque.

What to do with kids?

Innsbruck is very popular among family tourists: it attracts a simple road, a large number of children’s entertainment facilities and ski schools. After all, a city, not a small village or a ski resort, open to all winds.

You can go with the whole family to the specialized bowling center Hollywood Super Bowling: children from the age of 3 are happily welcomed there. In the Nordkette , which can be reached from the city center even on foot, there is a charming zoo Alpenzoo, which has the best collection of representatives of alpine fauna (more than 150 species are represented). Lake and river fish swim in huge aquariums, terrariums are inhabited by snakes, lizards and turtles, mountain goats, roe deer and even bison, dear to the Belarusian heart, graze in spacious pens!

But the main thing, of course, awaits the little one at large. You can go sledding, both traditional and harnessed, play on a specially designated outdoor playground, go on a snowshoe hike, ride a snowbike or go skiing. In Innsbruck, learning to ski is possible from the age of two!

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

Ski schools in the region are open to both adults and children. It is most profitable to take a multi-day subscription (5 days): this way you can save up to a third of the amount for training. By the way, ski equipment and ski passes are provided to children with significant discounts. Training usually takes place for 4 hours a day, with a break for lunch, which can also be included in the price of the subscription.

Among the best schools:

  • Ski- & SnowboardschuleAxamerLizum. The school was founded before the first Innsbruck Olympic Games in 1963. It is possible to learn not only mountain skiing, but also snowboarding and telemark. Small groups, very professional approach.
  • Ski & Snowboardschule Innsbruck. A wonderful school with ancient traditions, author’s methods, instructors who specialize in teaching children. Competition based on the results of studies. A lot of additional services: rides on snow bikes, mini-bobsleds and sleds, hiking on snowshoes and a lot of other interesting things.
  • SkischuleIgls – SCHIGLS. Groups of up to 6 people. The children’s club accepts children from the age of 2 for 2 hours of alpine skiing lessons. A 4-6-year-old child has been skating for 4 hours, with a break for lunch. The school is located in Eagles, but people come there from all over.

Our company will organize your unforgettable vacation in Innsbruck. You will get to know the soul of Tyrol, be impressed enough, go for a great ride and taste local food and drinks – we promise. You should enjoy the trip, and our managers will take care of all the work on its preparation. Also, by the way, fans of mountain skiing!

Nordkette in Innsbruck (funicular and cable car)

Innsbruck is the capital of the Alps. Anyone who wants to see Innsbruck from a height can do so without difficult and long climbs. Thanks to the modern Hungerburg funicular and cable car, the 2,300-meter Hafelekar peak can be reached from the old town in a matter of minutes.

You definitely need to go up there! Climbing this mountain is a small journey in itself. The breathtaking views from the panoramic platforms will not leave anyone indifferent.

Funicular and cable cars Nordkettenbannen

Nordkette is a mountain in the center of Innsbruck. It is part of the largest nature park in Austria – Karwendel. Next to the Hofgarten theater is the Congress station (Nordkettenbahnen – Kongress), where the funicular starts. You can buy tickets here.

Ski resort - Innsbruck - Nordkette (Innsbruck-Nordkette), Austria

Hungerburg

The funicular allows visitors to reach Hungerburg at a height of 860 m in just 8 minutes. There are several stops along the way, including the Alpine Zoo (you can buy a combined ticket that includes a visit to the zoo).

Seegrube

After leaving the Hungerburg station, you can go to the cable car station that leads to the Seegrube mountain at a height of 1,905 meters. It is located a few minutes’ walk from Hermann Buhl Square, named after the world-famous Austrian mountaineer. You can rest and refresh yourself on Seegrube.

Hafelekar

The third Hafelkare station is at an altitude of 2258 meters. From the observation deck you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view and the beauty of nature. The breathtaking panorama leaves an unforgettable impression: the capital of the Alps on one side and the largest nature reserve of Tyrol on the other.