frankisthechamp

Actually more like one full day, and half a day on either side during the end of May. What would be a must see/do?

Thanks!

Oh...I should add as a solo traveller, fit, and in my 20s.

bettyk

Others can address Innsbruck. I would take a bus or the train and go a few miles away to Hall in Tirol. Hall was a major salt mining town with lots of wealth so there is much to recommend it.

http://www.austria-trips.com/Hall_in...allintirol.htm

bob_brown

Take a trip elsewhere in the mountains, e.g. Kitzbühl is an hour away.

Three times to Innsbruck and other than the Hapsburg residence, I have yet to find much to see or do.

J62

Spend about 15min in the historic center: photograph the Goldenes Dachl (little golden roof), go up the tower in the town hall.

Take cable car up the mountains to the north (Nordkette) or the single mountain to the south - Patcherkoffel.

The latter requires a bus out of town to get to the town of Igls, the former you can take a tram, then cable railway, followed by cable car.

Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it by hiking down either mtn on well marked trails.

mrgrumpy

just returned (2 days ago) from innsbruck. There is plenty to do and see without leaving the city. Tour the old town, stopping for a coffee or beer at one of the many outdoor cafes. You can take a horse drawn cab ride from outside the kongress, just by he river. A walk down the marie theresa strasse is pleasant just to look at the architecture. Turn left or right off it for more architecture.
If the weather is good go up the haflenker. You have to get the funicular from the station by the kongress and then the cable car from the next station. The views are sensational, there is a restaurant and bar there. If you are in innsbruck for a friday night the restaurant serves very good meals, but only friday also its best to book, go the nordpark website and carry on from there. Be warned you must get the funicular by 7pm as that is the last one up, you can get a bus but I am not sure where. Returning instead of the funicular a bus is parked at the cable car station and you can use you ticket. If you want a meal in town the restaurant at the Goldener adler is very good, it is just down from the golden roof also try Elferhaus between the golden adler and the golden roof. A very lively place.

bettyk

If you do a search on Fodor's for Innsbruck, you will see that it is not a favorite. Most will recommend that you bypass it for Hall. Not just my opinion. Because of its position as a salt mining town (and they had their own mint) Hall has a larger "old town" than does Innsbruck.

pja1

Hi,
We also prefer Hall in Tirol to Innsbruck. In our opinion, no comparison. We stayed in Hall on three seperate trips.
Very good place to stay in Hall is Gasthof Badl. Close to the station and the old town.
www.badl.at
Things to do in Innsbruck... The Hafelekar cable car, starts with a funicular from Innsbruck up to Hungerburg, where you'll get on the cable car. We thought Schloss Ambras was very worthwhile also.
We really like the area around Innsbruck, just not Innsbruck itself.

Paul

geebee14

1. Take the Stubaitalbahn (a narrow-gauge train) from downtown by the Bahnhof up to the end of the line at Fulpmes, a trip lasting about an hour and taking you through some great scenery. Spend a little time strolling around Fulpmes or perhaps take a cable car up the mountain for higher level hiking. Then return by the same train. The train ride alone is a delight.

or

2. Take the bus to Igles, the cable car up the Patscherkofel, and hike along the Panoramaweg. Great views.

frankisthechamp

Thanks, I'm going to look into all of these now.

These did raise another question though. I was hoping to stay in hostels throughout my trip. Are there hostels in Hall in Tirol? I am having little luck looking for accomodations there.

carolyn

St. Joseph's Cathedral in Innsbruck Old Town is absolutely gorgeous.

bettyk

We stayed in Gasthof Badl just a few minutes walk across the river from the old town. While not a hostel, it is reasonably priced with a great breakfast. Don't know if it's in your budget though.

http://www.badl.at/english/hotel.htm

thursdaysd

Well, I actually like Innsbruck. In addition to the other suggestions I'd recommend the Folk Museum and the Alpine Zoo. For day trips there's the Stubai glacier, or the Zillerthal, or the mountain railway up to Achensee. Trip report including Innsbruck here: fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35096856 and photos here: kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/419378/

seafox

It's been man years since I was last there, but there is a lake not to far up the opposite mountain where you can sun bathe. I'm sure your hotel could point you to the right bus.