I have been lucky enough to call Innsbruck and Axamer Lizum (the little ski resort that sits just above it) my second home for the past 18 years. Before you have even landed at the airport you are treated to a spectacular descent through the Austrian Alps as you soar down the valley between the snow-capped peaks.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck is a city bathed in culture, split into the old city and the new city, fusing the very best of traditional and modern Austrian architecture in a city filled with life. Regardless of the length of your stay, I highly recommend taking at least 1 afternoon (or perhaps even a whole day) to explore the city and maybe even do some shopping.
First stop on any tour of Innsbruck should be the Goldenes Dachl (or Golden Roof). Completed in 1500 and located in the old city, the roof was built with 2,738 fire-gilded copper tiles for Emperor Maximilian I to celebrate his wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza. It is often considered to be the signature landmark of Innsbruck and is a stunning piece of history, artwork, and architecture (especially when you catch it glistening in the alpine sunshine).
Take a stroll down Marie Theresa Strasse, and you’ll find an amazing array of shopping, including the Kaufhaus Tyrol, the biggest shopping centre in the centre of Innsbruck, or if you are feeling hungry there are plenty of options here. If you want a more modern take on European food check out the Breakfast Club café, a great place to relax and have a coffee morning or afternoon, or alternatively, for something more authenticly Austrian, you could try the Bar-Restaurant Krahvogel. They even have a 360 degree panorama tour on their website if you want to take a little virtual visit before your trip. Further up the street you can enjoy Innsbruck’s answer to the Arc De Triomph.
Triumphpforte is a giant stone arch built to frame the mountains in honour of the wedding of Archduke Leopold (Son of Marie Theresa), and the death of his father Franz Stephan. The arch was built upon the gate exiting the old city in 1765, and to this day it remains a striking part of Innsbruck’s architecture and culture in the city centre. If you’re interested in seeing more of the city you can buy a cheap day ticket for the tram and bus system, or walk if you’re feeling up to the challenge – while in Innsbruck is packed with life it is a relatively small city, so you can walk to most places with very little effort. Strolling along the river is a beautiful way to fall in love with Innsbruck, watching the crystal clear mountain water wind it’s way through the city, with the spectacular backdrop of the Austrian Alpes and the tops of Innsbruck’s old city buildings.
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