Loading...
Loading...
Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck's setting is extraordinary — the compact old town sits in a valley floor with the dramatic Nordkette mountain range rising directly behind the pastel-colored facades. The Golden Roof, a Gothic oriel window covered in fire-gilded copper tiles, anchors the pedestrian old town of arcaded streets and painted houses. The Hofburg Imperial Palace and Court Church (with its famous Black Men bronzes) reflect the city's Habsburg history. Maria-Theresien-Strasse offers grand views of the mountains framed by Baroque architecture. The Hungerburgbahn, a futuristic funicular designed by Zaha Hadid, connects the city center to the Nordkette alpine terrain in stages. The Bergisel ski jump, also by Hadid, offers panoramic views. Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics twice and retains an athletic, outdoor-loving character.
explore by interest
The old town is tiny — you can see everything on foot in two hours, then take the Nordkette cable car for high-altitude Alpine walks above the city.
June through September for mountain hiking weather and old town strolling, or December through March for combining city walks with world-class skiing.