What to do in Innsbruck
Nordkette cable car
Fastest and easiest way to reach the highest elevations of Innsbruck (2300m) for some outstanding views. Restaurant and terrace at the mountain top. Also an excellent starting point for hiking, biking, and climbing.
How to get there: From the city center, take the J bus towards Nordkette or the cable railway named “Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahn” starting from Congress Innsbruck.
Open daily 9:00 - 17:00
Round trip: up to €36 depending on where you start, how high you go up, and your age. Students under 25 years get a discount.
Website: https://nordkette.com/en/home.html
Historical City Center of Innsbruck and Hall (10 km east)
Dating back to the 13th century, Innsbruck and Hall are the two largest historic centers in the state of Tyrol.
Self-guided tour of Innsbruck: https://www.thewanderblogger.com/historical-monuments-walk-innsbruck/
Self-guided tour of Hall: https://www.blog.tirol/en/2017/03/a-town-steeped-in-history-a-day-in-hall-in-tirol/
How to get there: From Innsbruck, take the bus 4130, 4162, or 504 towards Hall in Tirol (sometimes written “Hall i. T.” on buses); or a regional train (REX). Both buses and trains leave approximately every 10 minutes. It’s also easy to bike to Hall by heading east along the bike trails that run alongside the Inn River. Signs are limited along the bike trails, so it’s recommended to take a map.
Easy walk to Hochmahdalm
Rustic mountain hut in the Alps with traditional food, drinks, and an excellent view of the Inn Valley. Complete with peaceful alpine cows grazing with bells.
How to get there: From the city center, take the J bus towards Patscherkofel. The last stop is the Patscherkofel cable car station. A round trip ticket for adults is €23 (children are €13). From the top, head southwest following the yellow signs towards Hochmahdalm along the gravel road. In 20 minutes you will arrive at Hochmahdalm.
Open daily 8:30 - 17:00
Patscherkofel cable car website: https://www.patscherkofelbahn.at/en#summer
Hochmahd Alm website: https://hochmahd-alm.tirol/
Total elevation change while walking: 60 meters
Hiking level: beginner
Family-friendly activities in Innsbruck
Alpine Zoo
Small yet excellent zoo with animals endemic to the Alps and fantastic views of the city.
Open Daily 9:00 -17:00
Adults: €15; children up to 15 years: 8€
How to get there: 20 minute walk from city center, on route of bus W, or up the cable railway “Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahn” (see website for details and combination-tickets that include transportation)
Website: https://www.alpenzoo.at/en/
Audioversum Science Center
An interactive museum for all ages, with special exhibits on the science of sound
How to get there: Wilhelm-Greil-Straße 23, 6020 Innsbruck
Open Tuesday –Thursday 10:00 - 17:00
Adults: €9; children up to 15 years: €5.50
Website: https://www.audioversum.at/?lang=en
Mieders Alpine Coaster and free water park
Like tobogganing, only on a rail and in the summer! Check out this YouTube video to get a better idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=OckFSf4Wveg
How to get there: take the regional bus 590 from the train station to Mieders Serlesbahnen cable car (address for drivers: Waldrasterweg 1, 6142 Mieders).
Open daily 9:00 – 17:00
Adults: €14; children between 6-9 years: €6
Website: https://www.traveltyrol.com/mieders-alpine-coaster/
Day trips from Innsbruck
South Tyrolean Archeology Museum
Located in the beautiful town of Bolzano, Italy. See the Ötzi (the famous ice mummy!) and learn about his life in the Copper Age. An absolute favorite museum among the UIBK Quaternary Group members!
How to get there: take a 2 hour EuroCity (EC) train from Innsbruck to Bolzano (German name: Bozen). Trains run roughly every 4 hours. The museum is in walking distance from the Bolzano train station. Cheaper transportation options via FlixBus are also available.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 - 18:00. Booking in advance is strongly advised.
Adults: €9; students under 27 years: €7; children under 6 years: free
Museum website: http://www.iceman.it/en/
ÖBB train schedules and tickets: https://www.oebb.at/en/
Neuschwanstein Castle
Inspiration for the Disney Castle and built by the “Mad King” of Bavaria. Make sure to reserve your tickets online in advance!
How to get there: Requires a train to Füssen and a bus to Hohenschwangau, Germany. For transportation details see here: https://www.neuschwanstein.de/englisch/tourist/howtoget.htm
Note that reaching the castle requires a 20-30 minute walk uphill, or €7 horse-drawn carriage
Open daily 9:00 - 18:00
Adults: €13; children up to 18 years: free
Website: https://www.neuschwanstein.de/englisch/tourist/
Schwaz Silver Mine
Largest silver mine from the late Middle Ages! Located in the town of Schwaz, about 30 minute drive from Innsbruck.
How to get there: From Innsbruck, take the bus 4123 to Schwaz Steinbrüke. Walk 20 minutes or take bus 2 towards Schwaz Silberbergwek (address for drivers: Alte Landstraße 3a, 6130 Schwaz). Alternatively take the train from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof to Schwaz and then connect to Stadtbus 1, 2 or regional bus 4119 to Schwaz Silberbergwerk.
Open daily 9:00 – 17:00
Adults: €17; children between 5-14 years: €10
Website: https://www.silberbergwerk.at/en
Further Information
Innsbruck tourist website: https://www.innsbruck.info/en/
Innsbruck bus schedules: https://www.ivb.at/de/fahrgast/linien/linienuebersicht.html
Innsbruck train schedules: https://www.oebb.at/en/
More museum options: https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/sightseeing/museums.html
More hiking options: https://www.innsbruck.info/en/hiking.html