Austrian Alps Innsbruck is located in the west of Austria, in an Alpine valley. It is the capital of the Tyrol region.
Buying things Innsbruck has a great variety of shops, with
several shopping malls within the town and a short distance outside it. There
are also pedestrian shopping areas in the town. There are a number of tourist
shops in the old town, but these can be overpriced so it's best to buy
souvenirs in one of the surrounding villages.
Churches There are churches of various
ages, styles and denominations in Innsbruck,
some of which are very popular with tourists, as they are really beautiful.
Hofkirche, which houses the tomb monument
of Emperor Maximillian I,
and St Jacob Cathedral are most commonly included on sightseeing trips.
Drinking and eating Full of places to eat, from the
cheap Magic Pizza Kebab, to the expensive Cammerlander. Italian food is very
popular in Innsbruck
but it isn't difficult to find good local food either. There are lots of bars,
many of which have live music, dancing, or other entertainment.
Events There are a number of
events which are held every year. These include The Four Hills Tournament (a
ski-jumping event), Bergsilvester (New Year's Eve), Weeks of Ancient Music, the
New Orleans Festival, the Christmas Market, and Tyrolean events. In addition
other events are held during the peak skiing season, as well as in the summer
months.
Ferdinand II Ferdinand II ruled parts of Austria from Innsbruck and Schloss
Ambras was built for him. Many of the artworks and possessions he collected can
now be viewed in the Kunsthistorisches
Museum.
Geography Innsbruck is situated in the Inn Valley,
with high mountains either side, including Patscherkofel and Serles.
Hotels With a variety of
hotels to suit all price ranges, as well as other accommodation options, it
shouldn't be too difficult to find accommodation in Innsbruck if you book ahead. One of the most
highly rated hotels in the city is The Grand Hotel Europa, but there are many
hotels available.
Innsbruck Innsbruck gets its name from the
river Inn and the word bruck which means bridge. So it is located on the
site of a bridge over the river.
Jumping Ski-jumping is very popular
in Innsbruck,
and one of the jumps of the Four Hills Tournament is held here. The Winter
Olympics have been held in Innsbruck
twice, and the world championships have also taken place in the Innsbruck area.
Kranebitten The suburb of Innsbruck where the airport is situated. It
is approximately 2.5 miles
from the center of the city and handles domestic and international flights, depending
on the season.
Limerick Bill's One of two Irish Bars in Innsbruck, the other
being The Galway Bay Pub. Both have staff who can speak English, and
sometimes have entertainment including open mic nights.
Museums As with most cities which rely
largely on tourism for their income, Innsbruck
has a number of museums and galleries.
Nightlife Innsbruck has a great après-ski atmosphere in
the winter, and the pubs and clubs are open throughout the year. In the late
spring there is an event called Sound
City where DJs play in
many of the venues, and buses transport people between them.
Old Town The city center of Innsbruck is 800 years old. Featuring the
landmark "Golden Roof" built for Emperor Maximillian I, the area is
now full of boutiques, cafes and galleries in the pastel-colored medieval
buildings.
Panoramic Views The Tyrol
is one of the most scenically spectacular regions in Austria. From the surrounding
mountains the views are incredible. Whether you are skiing, hiking, or just
taking a trip to the top of the mountain the views will astound you.
Quiet Innsbruck
can be a lively city, but there are quiet hotels, quiet restaurants, and for
real peace, head out on an excursion into the surrounding countryside.
Relaxation If sitting in a pavement café
with a coffee or a beer isn't your idea of relaxation, then why not try some of
the spa facilities in the city. The Romantik Hotel Schwarzer Adler and Grand
Hotel Europa both have spa facilities, and further outside the city is the Aqua
Dome, with extensive facilities.
Skiing Ski resorts surround Innsbruck, and you can
get to the Nordpark ski area by underground train from the Old Town.
This way you can stay in a lively centre and have easy access to great skiing
facilities. Whilst Nordpark is great for experienced skiers, Igls is very near
and is really good for those with less experience.
Transport With an airport and a major
train station, Innsbruck
is very easily accessible. Transport within the city includes buses, trams and
an underground train system.
Unusual A slightly more unusual
museum in Innsbruck
is the Swarovski Crystal Worlds where you will see some very unusual pieces,
including some designed by Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali.
Villages The villages around Innsbruck are home to
some great skiing. They are often called the "Innsbruck Ski Villages"
Weather The climate in Innsbruck is probably as
you'd expect. Winters are cold, and can be very cold at night, and due to the
central position, and the altitude, it can often snow. Summer temperatures
vary. They can be as low as 17 degrees C or as high as 34 degrees.
eXercise If skiing or snowboarding
aren't to your taste, then there are other activities available. There are
gyms, but the best forms of exercise in Austria are outdoor ones. Biking
and hiking are extremely popular and tourist information centres will have
details of trails.
Youth Olympics The Winter Youth Olympic Games will be
held in Innsbruck
in 2012. They are expected to draw great numbers of tourists, so if you are
planning to go during that time, book accommodation early.
Zimmers If you prefer a more
personal touch to your accommodation then why not book a zimmer in an Austrian
house? Value for money, and convenient they are an excellent alternative to
hotels.
