Innsbruck, Tirol, and Vorarlberg
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Innsbruck, Tirol, and Vorarlberg - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Galzigbahn
The state-of-the-art Galzigbahn cable car rises from the heart of St. Anton up to the Galzig mountain, where it connects with the two-part Vallugabahn and climbs even higher, crossing from the province of Tirol into neighboring Vorarlberg. As well as offering spectacular mountain vistas all along the way—the panoramic mountain views from the platform at 9,222 feet are simply breathtaking—there's also a great selection of hiking and biking trails, as well as restaurants and refreshment huts along the way. It's open in the summer from July through early September, and in winter as part of the St. Anton ski resort.
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2. Goldenes Dachl
Any walking tour of Innsbruck should start at the Goldenes Dachl, which made famous the late-Gothic mansion whose balcony it covers. In fact, the roof is capped with 2,657 gilded copper tiles, and its refurbishment is said to have taken nearly 31 pounds of gold. The house was built in 1420 for Frederick IV as the residence of the Tyrolean sovereign. The legend persists that he added the golden look to counter rumors that he was penniless, but the balcony was, in fact, added by Emperor Maximilian I in the late 15th century as a "royal box" for watching various performances in the square below. He had the roof gilded to symbolize the wealth and power of Tyrol, which had recently undergone massive financial reform. The structure was altered and expanded at the beginning of the 18th century, and now only the loggia and the alcove are identifiable as original. Maximilian is pictured in the two central sculpted panels on the balcony. In the one on the left, he is with his first and second wives, Maria of Burgundy and Bianca Maria Sforza of Milan; on the right, he is pictured with an adviser and a court jester. The magnificent coats of arms representing Austria, Hungary, Burgundy, Milan, the Holy Roman Empire, Styria, Tyrol, and royal Germany are copies. You can see the originals (and up close, too) in the Ferdinandeum. The Golden Roof building houses the Goldenes Dachl Museum with memorabilia and paintings from the life of Emperor Maximilian I.
View Tours and ActivitiesHerzog-Friedrich-Strasse 15, Innsbruck, Tirol, A-6020, Austria0512-5360–1441Sight Details
Rate Includes: €4.80 (Goldenes Dachl Museum), Oct.–Apr., Tues.–Sun. 10–5; May–Sept., daily 10–5, Closed Mon. -
3. Pfänder
The Pfänderbahn cable car takes you up to this 3,491-foot peak overlooking Bregenz, one of the most famous lookout points in the region. From here, you can see four countries—Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland—and almost 240 Alpine peaks. It's a breathtaking view, with the city directly below on the shores of the Bodensee and the lake stretching for 64 kilometers (40 miles) into the hazy distance. On your left lies the Rhine valley, and you can see the hills of Liechtenstein and Switzerland in the distance. Just across the water from Bregenz you'll notice the ancient and fascinating German island-city of Lindau in Bavaria, once a free state (a status it lost in 1802). The restaurant at the top is open throughout the summer, while children will enjoy the Alpenwildpark, a small outdoor zoo with Alpine ibex, mouflon, and wild boar that's open year-round.
Pfänder 3, Lochau, Vorarlberg, A-6911, Austria05574-421600Sight Details
Rate Includes: Cable-car round-trip €13.60, Daily 8–7; service on hr and half hr -
4. Seepromenade
Sweeping along the southeastern shore of the Bodensee, this peaceful lakeside promenade is the perfect place for a stroll any time of year. It runs all the way from the Festspielhaus to the harbor and is lined with charming cafes, hip bars, and tree-shaded benches all the way. As well as enjoying sweeping lake views in one direction, there are also city landmarks to see in the other, from the Neoclassical Post Office, to the glass-cube Kunsthaus, to the local mountain Pfänder. If you want to wander even farther, the Pipeline promenade continues northward from the harbor all the way to Lochau, near the German border. Or, in the other direction, the lakeside gets more natural with some lovely picnic and swimming spots.
Seepromenade, Bregenz, Vorarlberg, A-6900, Austria -
5. Stubai Glacier
At the southwesterly end of the valley lies Austria's biggest glacier. It's also one of the country's most popular ski resorts, with miles upon miles of snow-covered slopes open all year round, even in the height of summer. For warm-weather visitors who prefer hiking boots to ski boots, there's an extensive network of trails throughout the area.
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6. Upper Town
Just a short walk but a whole world away from the lakeside, Bregenz's Upper Town is its historical heart. Walk all the way up Maurachgasse to the Stadttor, complete with a scary mummified shark (supposedly caught in the Bodensee). Through the gate is Ehregutaplatz, a pretty market square flanked by remains of the ancient city wall and overlooked by Martinsturm, a tower with an enormous onion dome. Built in 1601, it was the first Baroque construction on the Bodensee, though the chapel below dates back even further; step inside to see 14th-century frescoes. From here, amble along Martinsgasse to Graf-Wilhelm-Strasse and the Altes Rathaus, the old town hall. This ornate, brightly shuttered, half-timber construction was completed in 1622. Behind here, on Eponastrasse, are the remnants of a wall fresco that depicts St. Christopher, St. Peter, and a kneeling abbot. Around the corner lies the 400-year-old castle Deuring Schlössle. This is now a private residence, but you can still admire its beautiful whitewashed facade. Better yet, head down the nearby Meissnerstiege passageway for a wider view of its majestic southwestern side. From here, you can also see the 16th century Beckenturm, named for bakers who were imprisoned here after short-changing their customers.
Ehregutaplatz 1, Bregenz, Vorarlberg, A-6900, Austria -
7. Wolfsklamm
If you're driving from Hall in Tirol to Zell am Ziller, this impressive gorge hike is the perfect stop along the way. Exhilarating and spectacular (but very safe), the climb starts in the village of Stans, follows walkways hewn from the mountainside and across bridges spanning the tumbling river and beside waterfalls—all protected by railings—and finally reaches the Benedictine monastery of St. Georgenberg. The whole thing takes about 90 minutes and features 354 steps. At the top, the monastery's sumptuously decorated Baroque church, precariously perched on a rocky peak, is worth a few minutes of your time. There is a decent restaurant, too, with a terrace dizzily located above a sheer drop of several hundred feet.
Stans, Tirol, A-6135, Austria -
8. Adlerwarte
Nature Preserve/Wildlife RefugeEagles and other birds of prey demonstrate their prowess in free flight May–September at 11 and 2:30.
Bregenz, Vorarlberg, Austria0664-905–3040Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5 -
9. Alpinarium
Following an avalanche of catastrophic proportions on February 23, 1999, which took 31 lives and destroyed many centuries-old homes and guesthouses, the community of Galtür undertook a massive building project. The result? The Alpinarium; a memorial, museum, conference center, café, indoor climbing hall, library, and, most significantly, a 1,132-foot-long wall built of steel and concrete designed to prevent such an accident from occurring again. On summer Saturdays, 10–4, the Bauernmarkt (farmers' market) sets up in front of the Alpinarium, bringing produce, cheese, meat, and specialty products.
Hauptstrasse 29c, Galtür, Tirol, A-6563, Austria05443-20000Sight Details
Rate Includes: €9, Museum: Tues.–Sun. 10–6, Museum closed Mon. -
10. Alpine Flower Garden Kitzbühel
Take the cable car up the Kitzbüheler Horn to this lovely garden at 6,500 feet. Amid glorious mountain scenery you will see hundreds of varieties of Alpine flowers in their native habitat, including varieties from other parts of the world. Guided tours are offered daily at 11 am from June to early September.
Kitzbühel, Tirol, A-6370, Austria05356-6951Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; cable car: one way €22, round-trip €27.50, Always accessible; cable car runs 8:45–5 -
11. Altes Rathaus
Government BuildingAmble on along Martinsgasse to Graf-Wilhelm-Strasse and the brightly shuttered Altes Rathaus, the old town hall. The ornate half-timber construction was completed in 1622.
Rathausstrasse and Anton-Schneider-Strasse, Bregenz, Vorarlberg, A-6900, Austria -
12. Annasäule
St. Anne's Column, erected in 1706, commemorates the withdrawal of Bavarian forces in the war of the Spanish Succession on St. Anne's Day (July 26) in 1703. Along with the Triumphal Arch, it is one of the two most important sights on Maria-Theresien-Strasse. From here there is a classic view of Innsbruck's Altstadt (Old City), with the glorious Nordkette mountain range in the background.
Maria-Theresien-Strasse 18, Innsbruck, Tirol, A-6020, Austria -
13. Beckenturm
Notable BuildingFrom the hill outside the church there is a wonderful view of the southwestern wall of the Old City, including the Beckenturm, the 16th-century tower once used as a prison and named after bakers imprisoned there for baking rolls that were too skimpy for the town fathers.
Bregenz, Vorarlberg, A-6900, Austria -
14. Bergisel Ski Jump
This ski-jumping stadium towers over Innsbruck with a gloriously modern, concrete-and-glass observation deck and restaurant designed by world-celebrated architect Zaha Hadid. It opened in 2003, replacing the old stadium that no longer complied with modern requirements for ski jumping and crowd safety. There's a café at the base area, and if you're lucky you can have a beer while watching ski jumpers practice, even during the summer when they heavily water the slope (so they can still ski despite the lack of snow).
View Tours and ActivitiesBergiselweg 3, Innsbruck, Tirol, A-6020, Austria0512-589259Sight Details
Rate Includes: €10, Nov 29–May 31, daily 10–5; June–Nov. 2., daily 9–6, Closed Tue. Nov.–May. -
15. Burg Hasegg and Hall Mint
Built to protect the salt mines and trade on the River Inn, Burg Hasegg was enlarged into a showpiece castle by Duke Siegmund and Emperor Maximilian I. Meanwhile, the first silver coin in Tyrol, the thaler—say it quickly and you'll realize it was the root of the modern word, dollar—emerged from the Münze (mint) in the center of Hall. In 1567, Ferdinand II moved the mint to Burg Hasegg, and thereafter the fortunes of the mint and the castle became intertwined. In the 18th century, 17 million Maria Theresa thaler were minted here and became a valued currency throughout the world. Today, you can visit the mint museum where you can even mint your own coin, as well as climb to the top of the Mint Tower for splendid views.
Burg Hasegg 6, Hall in Tirol, Tirol, A-6060, Austria05223-5855–520Sight Details
Rate Includes: €11 (inc. tower), Closed Mon. all year; closed Sun. in Nov.–Mar., closed except groups mid-Jan.–mid-Mar., Apr.–Oct., daily 10–5; Nov.–Mar., Tues.–Sat. 10–5 -
16. Church of St. Catherine
Built around 1350, this historic church houses a Gothic winged altar dating from 1515. Kitzbühel is also blessed with several other beautiful churches, including St. Andrew's (1435–1506) with its lavish Rococo chapel, and Christuskirche (1962) with its striking white bell tower.
Kitzbühel, Tirol, A-6370, Austria -
17. City Wall
RuinsRemains of the ancient city wall are to the right of the tower on Martinsgasse. The coats of arms of several noble Bregenz families can still be seen on the house standing next to the wall's remains.
Martinsgasse, Bregenz, Vorarlberg, A-6900, Austria -
18. Damenstift
Archduchess Magdelena, sister of Ferdinand II, founded the Damenstift Abbey, home of the silent order of Carmelite nuns, in 1567–69. While the abbey was abolished in 1783, the order survived, and today the remaining (mostly elderly) nuns can be found praying in the Collegiate Church (Herz-Jesu-Basilika) at the top of Eugenstrasse. A tiny plaque on the dramatic church facade—an example of the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque style—confirms its links to the historic Damenstift. Sit quietly at the back of the church and witness the silent and extensive devotions of the nuns amidst the glorious interior of wood, marble, and gold.
Eugenstrasse 14, Hall in Tirol, Tirol, A-6060, AustriaSight Details
Rate Includes: Free, No formal open hrs -
19. Domkirche zu St. Jakob
Innsbruck's cathedral was built between 1717 and 1724 on the site of a 12th-century Romanesque church. Regarded as possibly the most important Baroque building in Tyrol, its main attraction is the painting of the Madonna by Lucas Cranach the Elder, dating from about 1530 and displayed above the high altar. The tomb of Archduke Maximilian III, Master of the Teutonic Knights, dating from 1620, can be seen in the north aisle.
Domplatz 6, Innsbruck, Tirol, A-6020, Austria0512-583902Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Mon.–Sat. 10:15–6.30; Sun. 12:30–6:30, except during worship -
20. Ferdinandeum
This state museum with a striking Florentine Renaissance Revival--style facade houses Austria's largest collection of Gothic art and 19th- and 20th-century paintings, including works by Rembrandt, Brueghel, and Klimt. There are also musical instruments and medieval armor, along with special exhibitions. Here you'll find the original coats of arms from the Goldenes Dachl balcony. Chamber music concerts are offered throughout the year.
Museumstrasse 15, Innsbruck, Tirol, A-6020, Austria0512-59489–109Sight Details
Rate Includes: €12 combined ticket with Hofkirche, Volkskunstmuseum, and Zeughaus, Closed Mon., Tues.–Sun. 9–5
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