City Information

Innsbruck is the provincial capital of Tyrol. It has twice hosted the Winter Olympics, making it not only an interesting and beautifully situated city, but the “largest ski resort in the alps.” It was one of the eight host cities in the 2008 European Football Championships. It is located close to both Munich and northern Italy, making it a must-see alpine destination.

Sightseeing

For more information on these sites, please visit the Innsbruck Web site.

(Below are only a few highlights from the many unique and wonderful things to see and do in Innsbruck)

Golden Roof and Museum

Amidst the charming Old Town, a classic Austrian hybrid of Gothic and Baroque, you will find Innsbruck’s greatest tourist attraction and certainly its most characteristic landmark: The Golden Roof.

City Tower

Built between 1442 and 1450, this magnificent tower has a 16th century bulbous cupola under which lies the flat of the tower’s warden.

The tower offers stunning views over Innsbruck’s roofs and the surrounding Alpine scenery.

Helbling House

This original 15th century Gothic mansion is an outstanding example of bourgeois grandeur in the Old Town, richly decorated in its later years with stuccos.

Ottoburg-Golden Eagle

The “Ottoburg”—an ancient house grown over by wild wine—was erected by order of Maximilian I in the 15th century instead of a small castle of the Counts of Andechs. It is directly situated at the old city walls, parts of which can still be seen today.

Cathedral St. James

The huge two-towered front of the Parish Cathedral St. James dominates the Cathedral square at the northwestern side of the Royal Court.

Based on designs by the Baroque architect Johann Jakob Herkommer, this church was rebuilt between 1717 and 1724 on the site of an earlier Gothic church. It is roofed with domes and has a lavish baroque interior, part of which was executed by the Asam brothers.

Imperial Palace and Gardens

The Palace, flanked by a set of domed towers, is a fine example of Baroque secular architecture. The structure has four wings and a splendid two-story Riesensaal (Giant’s Hall), painted in white and gold and filled with portraits of the powerful Habsburg family.

Bell Museum

The Bell Museum is a unique combination of bell foundry, bell museum and a sound room. We recommend allowing yourself approximately one hour for your visit.

Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art

The Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art, which houses the most significant collection of cultural treasures from the Tyrol’s past, include arts and crafts, religious folk art, wood-paneled parlors, cribs, and festive costumes.

Olympic Ski Jump Stadium Bergisel

Towering high above Innsbruck on the wooded Bergisel Hill, the brand-new Bergisel Ski Jump is a sight to behold.

Ambras Castle

The Castle is divided into a lower and an upper castle set in the remains of a medieval fortress. This was Ferdinand’s favorite residence and the center of his court’s cultural life.

The lower castle was planned and constructed by the Archduke as a museum for his various collections, including arms and armor, art, and books, all of which can be seen today. The Wunderkammer (Gallery of Wonders) contains a display of exotic objects like coral, ivory, a rhinoceros’ horn, and other artifacts brought back to Europe by the early explorers. The upper part of the palace houses the Habsburg’s Portrait Gallery—an awe-inspiring collection of works by the likes of Lukas Cranach, Anton Mor, Tizian, Van Dyck, and Diego Velásquez. The Castle’s most striking and precious feature is the George’s Altar of Emperor Maximilian I.

Swarovski Crystal Worlds

14 subterranean Chambers of Wonder await you; created, interpreted or inspired by artists such as Brian Eno, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, and Niki de Saint Phalle. Unusual and curious, their presentations reflect the colorfulness of the world and enchant the sauntering visitor with boun dless joy that springs from the power of crystal.

Shopping

There are numerous shops in the central pedestrian street areas like Maria-Theresien-Straße, the Old Town, Franziskanerplatz, Sparkassenplatz, Anichstraβe, and Museumstraβte.

For more information please visit the Shopping page.

Dining

There are cafes, restaurants and specialty shops along the central pedestrian streets in the Old Town. Your concierge at your hotel can also help you with more specific dining recommendations.

A helpful dining guide can be found on the Dining page.

Weather

Average temperatures in September:

Average High is 66 Fahrenheit (19 Celsius)

Average Low is 47 Fahrenheit (8 Celsius)

SPS Travel Safety Tips:

From the American Hotel and Lodging Association

  • Don’t answer the door in a hotel room without verifying who it is. If a person claims to be an employee, call the front desk and ask if someone from their staff is supposed to have access to your room and for what purpose.
  • When returning to your hotel late in the evening, use the main entrance of the hotel. Be observant and look around before entering parking lots.
  • Close the door securely whenever you are in your room and use all of the locking devices provided.
  • Don’t needlessly display guest room keys in public or carelessly leave them on restaurant tables, at the swimming pool, or other places where they can be easily stolen.
  • Do not draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry.
  • Don’t invite strangers to your room.
  • Place all valuables in the hotel safe deposit box.
  • Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
  • Check to see that any sliding doors or windows and any connecting room doors are locked.
  • If you see any suspicious activity, please report your observations to the management.

Theft While in Travel Status

  1. Make copies of your passport/visa numbers. Keep a copy in your checked luggage and carry on luggage.
  2. Consider travel insurance that includes theft provisions.
  3. Leave your good jewelry and other valuables at home.
  4. Make a copy of your itinerary and give a copy to a family member or co-worker.
  5. Make sure your laptop is encrypted if you plan to take your laptop for an indefinite period of time. Make sure you have a backup of your critical data separate from your laptop back at your office.
  6. Use your laptop as a security tool; check the activity of your credit cards and bank accounts while traveling.
  7. Make sure your medical coverage is adequate for your travel needs.
  8. Make a list of telephone numbers of your insurance companies, banks, credit and debit card issuers, home police department, etc. so you’ll have them if needed.

Missing Luggage:

  1. Immediately report the missing luggage to the airline.
  2. If you used TSA approved locks, check your luggage to make sure it was not tampered with and for missing items.
  3. If items are missing report the theft to the airlines.