3 DAYS

Innsbruck
City Break

Day 1. Arrival & Old Town

Arrive in Innsbruck — the capital of Tyrol and one of Austria’s most beautiful cities, dramatically set in a narrow Alpine valley between the Inn river and the Nordkette mountain range, whose limestone peaks rise 2,000 metres directly above the city centre — one of the most spectacular urban settings in the Alps. Begin in the Altstadt (Old Town) — the extraordinarily well-preserved medieval and Renaissance city centre. The most famous sight is the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) — a magnificent 1500 oriel window with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, built for Emperor Maximilian I as a royal box from which to watch tournaments in the square below. Walk the arcaded Maria-Theresien-Strasse with its remarkable views of the Nordkette and the magnificent Annasäule (St Anne’s Column, 1706). Overnight in Innsbruck.

Day 2. Nordkette & Ambras Castle

After breakfast, take the spectacular Nordkette cable car system (2012, designed by Zaha Hadid) — from the city centre to the Hungerburg (860 m), Seegrube (1,905 m) and finally the Hafelekarspitze (2,334 m) — directly above Innsbruck, for breathtaking panoramic views of the Inn Valley and over 100 Alpine peaks. Hike on the Nordkette ridge in summer, or enjoy the extraordinary panorama from the terrace restaurant. Afternoon: Schloss Ambras — a Renaissance palace and collection (1563–1589) built by Archduke Ferdinand II of the Tyrol on a hill above Innsbruck, housing one of the most extraordinary of all Renaissance Wunderkammern (Chambers of Wonders), with the world-famous portrait collection, the Collection of Curiosities and the extraordinary Spanish Hall. Overnight in Innsbruck.

Day 3. Bergisel Ski Jump & Crystal Worlds

Morning: the extraordinary Bergisel Ski Jump (2003, designed by Zaha Hadid) — a magnificent structural sculpture rising above the memorial of the 1809 Tyrolean uprising, with a panoramic viewing tower and café. Afternoon: optional excursion to Wattens (10 km east of Innsbruck) to visit Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds) — an extraordinary underground world of 17 ‘Wonders’ created by artists and designers from David LaChapelle to Brian Eno, with the largest crystal in the world and an extraordinary giant ‘Crystal Cloud’ installation. Transfer to Innsbruck Airport.

Must see

ATTRACTIONS

Options

ACCOMMODATIONS

Innsbruck

★★★★★

Hotel Weisses Rössl Innsbruck
Adlers Hotel Innsbruck
Grand Hotel Europa Innsbruck

★★★★

Radisson Blu Hotel Innsbruck
NH Innsbruck
Marriott Hotel Innsbruck

★★★

ibis Innsbruck
Hotel Ibis Budget Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof
Hotel Maximilian Innsbruck

Must try

FOOD

Schlutzkrapfen

A semi-circular stuffed pasta, similar to ravioli or pierogi; the dough is usually made of white flour and rye flour, mixed with eggs and olive oil; typical fillings include cheese, spinach or mushrooms.

Bergisel Cake

A proprietary signature dessert shaped like the famous Zaha Hadid ski jump, served at the Bergisel Sky Restaurant; a creative variation of an alpine cheesecake or layered torte featuring distinct local flavors and often layered with chocolate.

Kiachl

A traditional fried yeast pastry from the Tyrol, known for its thick golden edges and thin, crispy center; the sweet version is dusted generously with powdered sugar and paired with cranberry jam or fruit compote; the savoury version is served warm with warm sauerkraut in the centre.