72 Hours in Innsbruck
FRIDAY
11:00am
Stroll around the medieval city centre, snap a selfie at the famous Golden Roof and then head into the cobbled side streets to check out some of the best boutiques selling regional produce like Tiroler Edles (Seilergasse 13), feinheiten (Pfarrgasse 8) and the soaps and candles at Seifenmanufaktur Walde (Pfarrgasse 5).
3:00pm
As you wander through the city centre, stop at the Strudelcafé Kröll where locals can be found enjoying a wide variety of strudels (Hofgasse 6; try their crumbly nut strudel!). Then head to Hofgasse, go to Burgriesenhaus (Hofgasse 12). It has a whispering archway that is popular for murmured sweet nothings. Just don’t confess anything that you don’t want strangers to overhear! Another must-visit is the Court Church (Universitätsstraße 2), This is Emperor Maximilian’s mausoleum, in which his empty tomb lies surrounded by 28 larger-than-life-sized statues of acolytes.
7:30pm
Situated in the heart of the old town, the Ottoburg Restaurant (Herzog- Friedrich-Straße 1) is a wonderful place for dinner. If you’re not ready to go home yet, order a nightcap at the Blaue Brigitte (Herzog-Friedrich-Straße 31) bar or sink into one of the leather chairs at the 360 Grad (Maria-Theresien-Straße 18) rooftop bar and take in the breathtaking views over the city.
SATURDAY
10:00am
The small but perfecly formed Faktorei hotel (Mariahilfstraße 36) is open to non-residents for breakfast from Friday to Sunday. On the menu are all manner of healthy and hearty options. Full of energy and raring to go, it is time to explore the south of the city. An architectural masterpiece in its own right, the Tirol Panorama (Bergisel 1-2) offers a journey through the history of Tirol. A huge 360-degree cyclorama painting tells the story of the Tirol's dramatic battle for independence against Napoleonic troops in 1809. The museum is located on the exact spot where the fighting took place over 200 years ago.
4:00pm
The Bergisel ski jump, built by visionary architect Zaha Hadid, is a short walk from the Tirol Panorama museum. Visitors can see where each year the world's best ski jumpers compete as part of the Four Hills tournament. Take the lift to the Bergisel SKY café and restaurant at the top. Visitors in the summer months may be lucky enough to see ski jumpers (including many Olympic hopefuls) training.
8:00pm
One of the most in-demand dining locations in Innsbruck is Die Wilderin. Combining exquisite cooking with local ingredients, it offers not only a range of Austrian classics but also some unusual dishes. In autumn it is known for its fresh game. A great eatery right in the centre of the city (Seilergasse 5)
SUNDAY
09:00am
You've seen the mountains from below – now it's time to experience them up close! From the city centre, catch a gondola up to the top and enjoy the view of Innsbruck as you’re carried up, up, up and away. Hungerburgbahn gondola speeds you up to the Nordkette Mountains in a matter of minutes. If you can tear yourself away from the Jazz Brunch and have appropriate hiking gear (sturdy boots!), take a walk along one of the many trails. After all that hiking you’re going to need to refuel, so why not stop at a local hut as you enjoy some of the best local delicacies such as the Tirolean grey cheese (Graukäse), a strongly flavoured cheese made in the Tirolean Alps that is super low in calories. Return to the valley on foot or by cable car.
5:00pm
Time to say goodbye. To do so with just the right amount of melancholy, whip out your smartphone and search for Heinrich Isaac’s classic song “Innsbruck ich muss dich lassen” (“Innsbruck, I Must Leave You”). An emotional way to end your time in Innsbruck. We hope to see you again soon!
Dazzling lights and beautiful cityscapes: Ines Mayerl loves the exciting, fast-paced big city life. But no matter how far she may travel, she always returns home to escape to the mountains, to discover stylish, new cafés in Innsbruck and to hit the slopes.
