Innsbruck, Austria
The capital of the Austrian Tyrol
The capital of the Austrian Tyrol is a legendary alpine town. With some of the world’s best (and most reliable) skiing, it’s one of only a very few places to have hosted an Olympics more than once (in 1964 and 76). With direct access to the Austrian Alps, it’s surrounded by three peaks each of over 2,000 metres, not to mention proximity to the Brenner Pass. There’s a chill in the air – particularly as the nights start to draw in – but the welcome’s every bit as warm as you could wish.
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Destination overview
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| Language: | German | |
| Currency: | Euro | |
| Time zone: | GMT +1 hour (GMT +2 hours in summer) | |
| Flight Time: | 1h 50 | |
| Holiday type: | City break | |
| Weather: | Average maximum temperature: 8.8°C Rainfall: 869.8mm |
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Must see:
Take Bus route J – the Olympiaexpress – to Patscherkofel, the Olympic skiing area south of town, and make like Franz Klammer. Even after the snow has gone, it’s a great area for hiking in.
Must eat at:
Cammerlander, not far from the river in the old town, is the place to go if you want to treat yourself to a mix of international dishes and local specialities.
Must be there for:
The Tyrol Easter Festival (also known as the Osterfestival), held every March, brings the sights and sounds of creativity to Innsbruck and its hinterland, as the worst of the winter snows begin to clear. Expect concerts, dance, theatre and more.
Well-travelled tips:
The Innsbruck-Card can be a good way of making the most of your time in the city... but only if you’re planning to do a lot in a short space of time. It offers free public transport and free entry to most of the major sights.
Innsbruck Zoo is a different experience to the norm. Specialising in Alpine animals – including a large collection of Alpine fish – it concentrates on what it can do well.
Visa:
British citizens do not need a visa to visit Austria.
