Two days in Innsbruck, Austria
Innsbruck: Where Every Corner Unveils a Picture-Perfect Moment
Innsbruck is a city that truly takes your breath away. The divine river Inn flows through it, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. It's not too small or too big, making it perfect for a leisurely bike ride or a casual stroll. And let me tell you, there are postcard-worthy picturesque locations around every corner and step.
One of the most iconic spots in the city is the Old Inn Bridge, where you can capture classic photographs of the city's stunning scenery. With mountains surrounding the city, it's no surprise that Innsbruck is known as the capital of the Alps.
I can still remember the incredible journey I took from Salzburg to Innsbruck by train. The views were nothing short of majestic - a true feast for the eyes! It took me between 2 to 3 hours on the train, and I savored every moment of it. Those who have more time can opt for the longer route, which offers even more stunning scenery. If driving is more your style, it takes about two hours to reach Innsbruck by car. But trust me, the views are worth every minute of the journey.
Old Inn Bridge, Innsbruck
Buying train tickets for Innsbruck at Salzburg train station is easy. Just find a ticket vending machine at the train station and choose English language, then type in your destination and finally pay. Keep your tickets handy as they will be checked in the train.
You can zoom in or out of the map above to get a clearer picture of the route. This will allow you to see every twist and turn of the road, as well as the breathtaking scenery that awaits you along the way. Whether you're traveling by train or car, you won't want to miss a single moment of the majestic views. So, be sure to take advantage of this feature and plan your journey accordingly to ensure you make the most of your time in this beautiful part of Austria.
Day 1 in Innsbruck, Austria
The moment you step out of Innsbruck train station, you'll feel like you've landed in a city unlike any other. When I visited, I decided to book a hotel in the city centre, which turned out to be a great idea. You can pretty much walk everywhere, and it's the best way to take in all that Innsbruck has to offer. After checking into my hotel and having a quick shower, I was ready to hit the streets.
My first stop was Maria-Theresien Straße, which is one of the main and busiest streets in Innsbruck. This street has everything you need to experience the city's vibe. You can shop, relax at any outdoor café, or simply observe Innsbruck's way of life. The best part is the incredible views of the Nordkette mountain range that you can see from here. It's a place that's truly timeless.
As you keep walking in the direction of the mountains, you'll eventually reach Alstadt, also known as Old Town. This is the heart of Innsbruck city and an absolute must-visit. Some of the buildings that have been preserved here date back to medieval times, and it's a stunning sight to see. Don't miss out on seeing The Golden Roof while exploring the old town. This iconic landmark is a true gem.
Maria-Theresien Straße, Innsbruck
From there, head towards the Inn river and take heaps of photos. The views are absolutely incredible from the bridge, and it's a great spot to capture some picture-perfect moments. In fact, I could have spent the whole day walking up and down along the river, as it's such a picturesque postcard walk along both sides. So, if you're looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of Innsbruck, the Inn river is a great place to start. Just take your time and enjoy everything this charming city has to offer.
Following places are must
Triumphal arch
It is located at the southern end of the city. You can't do much at this place except for taking photos.
Nordkette
The Hungerburg funicular takes you to Hungerburg in just 8 minutes. Must-visit.
Imperial Palace
You are not allowed to take photos from inside. But you'd love the inside.
Panorama Museum
The Giant Panorama Painting, which fills the entire room, is the museum's most well-known exhibit
All these places are just highlights of the town. There's much more to discover. I'd suggest don't search the internet anymore for those places. Just discover few places accidently while exploring the city. You'd love that experience. And when you think you have had enough of the city, go to your hotel and relax. Have a dinner somewhere in the old town. A day well spent will bring you very good sleep I promise you.
Day 2 in Innsbruck, Austria
I got up in the morning, got ready and thought to head out for a little walk along the river. That's when I took this picture on Herzog-Otto-Straße.
If you're having trouble understanding "Straße", don't worry it simply means Street and ß is pronounced as SS.
Everywhere you look, it's picturesque. This city kept giving me the same vibes as I get at home in Perth, Australia. Peaceful, quite and idyllic.
Be mindful though and don't spend too much time in the city again as it has the captivating ability to keep you there forever if you let it.
For those planning a trip to Innsbruck, I highly recommend visiting in November. Contrary to popular belief, the weather is not too cold, and the mountains have a beautiful dusting of snow on top. The colors of Autumn provide the perfect backdrop to this stunning city. However, be prepared for a few rainy days, so make sure to account for some spare days in your holiday itinerary.
Herzog-Otto-Straße, Innsbruck
There are not many tourists around at this time of the year, which is a good thing if you come from my school of thoughts. Less touristy months also tend to have cheap accommodation options at your disposal. Now let's go and spend day two in Innsbruck.
Let's go
Swarovski Kristallwelten
The Swarovski Crystal World is a fantastic location, filled with wonder and delight. This is the location to go to if you enjoy the brand or colourful and engaging displays.
Feste kufstein
Only an hour's drive from Innsbruck, it's worth adding to your itinerary. Popular holiday resort with charming lake views and excellent hiking and climbing in the Kaiser Mountains.
Stubaital
It's an alpine valley. It is a true paradise for fantastic hiking. It's a kind of place where all poetic and romantic thoughts and ideas can easily be conceived. It's only half an hour away from Innsbruck if you're driving and an hour and half if you like to go there using public transport. It is breathtakingly gorgeous. The River Reutz runs through this valley. You should spend the rest of your day here. Spend the night there if possible.
Now I didn't stay the night at The Stubai Valley. I had plans to go to Venice, Italy from here, but weather had other plans as it was raining in Venice for next few days. I could have gone to Zurich, Switzerland from Innsbruck and that's what I recommend but it was raining there too. Of all the places I wanted to go in the surroundings, Amsterdam was the only place where it was not raining. It had always been on my bucket list anyway. So I decided to go there and to save time I took aerial route. It's only 1hr and 45mins flight from Innsbruck, Austria to Amsterdam, Netherlands and there are more canals there than in Venice. Click here if you plan or decide to go to Zurich Switzerland from here and plan on spending three days there like I did.