39 Best Sights in Innsbruck, Tirol, and Vorarlberg, Austria

The Nordkette is Innsbruck's most famous mountain and it's possible to reach it directly from the city center. Hop on the funicular—the main station is just around the corner from the Hofburg—and in just eight minutes you'll be at the Hungerburg station, 2,822 feet above sea level. But that's just the start: from here, two more cable cars lead high into the mountains to the "Top Of Innsbruck," a viewing platform at 7,546 feet with staggering panoramic views of Innsbruck and the surrounding peaks. Along with the spectacular views, you can also enjoy a range of hiking and biking trails for every ability along the way, as well as restaurants, shops, cafés, and play parks for kids. There's also the Alpenzoo, which is home to an unusual collection of Alpine birds and animals, including many endangered species. Entry costs €19, including the Nordkettenbahnen up to the Hungerburg station.

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 km (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.

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 cafés, 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.

Connecting the village of Mieders—9 km (5½ miles) northeast of Neustift—to the upper reaches of the Serles Mountain, this cablecar climbs 640 meters in a matter of minutes. At the top, a whole host of adventures await, from forest trail hiking to mountain lake swimming, as well as an excellent kids' area with lots of water play opportunities. Grab some lunch at the nearby Gasthaus Koppeneck, or set off on a hike to one of mountainside's four other restaurants: the käsespätzle at the Ochsenhütte is well worth the 20-minute walk (or short land-train ride). To get back down to the valley, you can either get back on the Serlesbahn or, if you're feeling adventurous, take a trip on the 2½-km-long (1½-mile-long) summer rodelbahn (toboggan run). It costs €11.50 a ride. Serlesbahn is just one of many cable cars in the Stubaital region, with other options including Neustift's Elferbahn—a popular choice for paragliders and offroad bikers.

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 (though skiing is limited to above 3,000 meters in the warmer months). Ski passes cost anything from €99.20 for one-and-a-half days to €648.80 for 21 days. For warm-weather visitors who prefer hiking boots to ski boots, there's also an extensive network of walking trails throughout the area. Access to the glacier is via a series of cable cars, starting with the Talstation Eisgrat and finishing at the Bergstation Schaufeljoch; you can get a ticket for the whole way up and down, or pay section by section.

If you're driving from Hall in Tirol to Zell am Ziller—or if you just want a half-day trip from Innsbruck (it's included in the Innsbruck Card)—this one-of-a-kind, crystal glass–themed attraction will entertain all the family. Located in Wattens, besides the headquarters of the world-famous Swarovski company, the main exhibition consists of 18 eye-catching "Chambers of Wonder", including an atmospheric crystal forest and an all-year-round Christmas scene (complete with fake snow and sub-zero temperatures). Perhaps the highlight is the collection of Swarovski crystal-covered costumes worn by the likes of Grace Kelly, Cher, and Elton John; keep an eye out for the red slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Outside, marvel at the water-spewing giant before exploring the gardens; kids will love the marble run play area, the carousel, and the labyrinth, as well as the Crystal Cloud Forest. Feeling peckish? Stop for lunch in Restaurant Daniel (named after founder Daniel Swarovski), which serves creative twists on classic Austrian fare.

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.

Another popular stop between Hall and Zell, this impressive gorge hike is a great way to stretch your legs. 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.

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.

Take the cable car up the Kitzbüheler Horn to this lovely Alpenblumengarten 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.

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.

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.

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.

Built around 1350, the historic Katharinenkirche houses a Gothic winged altar dating from 1515. This World War II memorial church has brass plaques commemorating those who resisted the Nazis, as well as an eye-catching stained glass window erected in memory of the United States' 42nd Infantry Division, known as the "Rainbow Division." 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.

Archduchess Magdelena, sister of Ferdinand II, founded the Damenstift Abbey, home of the silent order of Carmelite nuns, in 1567. 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.

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.

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.

A visit to this 400-year-old bell foundry includes a tour of the foundry and a fascinating little museum, which will give you an idea of how bells are cast and tuned. There's also a sound chamber where you can try your hand at bell ringing and a shop where you can buy a (smaller) bell of your own. Guided tours in English can be arranged.

The twin red-brick towers of the neo-Gothic Herz-Jesu Kirche are visible from far and wide. Built between 1905 and 1908 and entirely funded by the people of Bregenz, it is particularly notable for its bright and colorful stained-glass windows by Martin Hausle.

One of Innsbruck's most historic attractions is the Hofburg, or Imperial Palace, which Maximilian I and Archduke Sigmund the Rich commissioned to be built in late-Gothic style in the 15th century. Center stage is the Giant's Hall—designated a marvel of the 18th century as soon as it was topped off with its magnificent trompe-l'oeil ceiling painted by Franz Anton Maulpertsch in 1775. The Rococo decoration and the portraits of Hapsburg ancestors in the ornate, white-and-gold great reception hall were added in the 18th century by the Empress Maria Theresa. Look for the portrait of "Primal" (Primrose)—to use the childhood nickname of the empress's daughter, Marie Antoinette. Skip the 3D show at the end.

Close by the Hofburg, the Court Church was built as a mausoleum for Maximilian I (although he is actually buried in Wiener Neustadt, south of Vienna). The emperor's ornate black-marble tomb is surrounded by 24 marble reliefs depicting his accomplishments, as well as 28 larger-than-life-size bronze statues of his ancestors (real and imagined), including the legendary King Arthur of England. Freedom fighter Andreas Hofer is also buried here. Don't miss the 16th-century Silver Chapel, up the stairs opposite the entrance, with its elaborate altar and silver Madonna. The chapel was built in 1578 to be the tomb of Archduke Ferdinand II and his wife, Philippine Welser, the daughter of a rich and powerful merchant family.  Visit the chapel for picture taking in the morning; the blinding afternoon sun comes in directly behind the altar.

The tiered Krimml falls plunge down in three stages, with a total drop of 1,247 feet (380 meters), making it the highest waterfall in Austria and one of Austria's most popular natural attractions. By car, it's 35 minutes from Zell am Ziller over the Gerlos Pass; note that the last stretch is a toll road, costing €11 per day. You can park up in the village of Krimml and join an ascending path through the woods to see the cascades up close—it's about 10 minutes to the lowest fall and an hour to the highest—but you will pay again for the privilege. Alternatively, save yourself some euros by stopping at the park-up viewpoints on the road between the toll booths and the falls, which also allows you to the see the water feature in the context of the soaring peaks surrounding it. If you're coming from or leaving in the opposite direction, there are also public transport options: take bus 670 from Krimml to Zell am See (change in Mittersill for Kitzbühel).

This eye-catching, steel-and-concrete building with etched-glass panels was designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumtho, and is now used to showcase a series of ever-changing contemporary art exhibitions, with a big focus on video and multimedia (there's no permanent exhibition). The design is striking, with each room lit by sunlight that enters through the translucent glass all around, but is not always easy to navigate; good luck finding the staircase on your first visit.

Owned by the princely Thurn und Taxis family until 1915, this building, erected in 1848, now contains a modern art gallery. The park surrounding the house is one of the largest public gardens on the Bodensee, with a host of rare trees and plants from around the world.

The late-Gothic secular building that now houses the Zeughaus Museum was once the arsenal of Maximilian I. Today, displays include cartography, mineralogy, music, hunting weapons, coins, aspects of Tyrol's culture, and the province's wars of independence.

Built in 1757 to serve the city's fishermen and sailors, the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk has a richly decorated high altar and several paintings in the rococo style.

Just around the corner from the foot of the Meissnerstiege (Meissner steps) lies the parish church of St. Gallus, the oldest in the lower part of Vorarlberg, which combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Rococo elements. The interior is decorated simply but beautifully with pastel coloring and subtle stuccos and paintings, instead of the usual excessive gilding. Look out for the multiple depictions of legendary Irish monk St. Gallus with his bear companion, particularly on the remarkable silver altar in the left side chapel. Empress Maria Theresa donated the money for the main altarpiece; see if you can spot the monarch's features on one of the shepherdesses depicted there.