Innsbruck, sometimes known as “The Capital of the Alps”, has twice hosted the Winter Olympic Games (1964 and 1976).

However, Innsbruck, capital of the Austrian Tyrol, is no quaint ski village. This city of more than 130,000 residents in the valley of the emerald-green Inn River has such a collection of cultural attractions that skiing is not the dominant factor. Innsbruck just happens to be surrounded by a group of resorts with excellent skiing and it has linked its ski package offerings with two of the most famous resorts in Austria—St. Anton and Kitzbühel.

Here is the Innsbruck town map in pdf format.

For centuries, Innsbruck has been a crossroads of civilizations. The bridge from which the city gets its name has linked the north and south of Europe since the time of the Romans, who regularly used the Brenner Pass. New rail links made Innsbruck a major junction on the east-west rail links between the Alps and central Europe. And the silver mines made this a rich and busy commercial center.

In the ancient days, this was the center of the Holy Roman Empire, which ruled over most of Europe, from Italy to the Pyrenees and to the English Channel. When you look at a city map it is easy to see where the old castle walls once stood. Colorfully restored buildings give the town center a cheerful yet medieval feel. Old inn and shop signs still hang, arcades still shelter travelers from the storms, traditional restaurants still serve patrons today as they did in Mozart’s day, and merchants (all be they modern) still line the cobblestone streets.

Innsbruck is a great place to try out a lot of Austria’s skiing to get an idea of where to spend more time next season.

With a major university and lots of cultural history—castles, cathedrals, palaces and the like—Innsbruck has many sightseeing opportunities as well. It also has a great deal of beauty and charm, with the Inn River flowing through the city and good walking areas in the old city center, up and down the river banks and parks. There is a good tram and bus system up to Igls, to the Hungerburgbahn and to the winter hiking trails.

Those looking for the best restaurants and cafes will not be disappointed. Those looking for rollicking good all-night dancing and drinking can find it here. The city is also a good family environment, with lots of affordable restaurants and activities for kids like the zoo, gondolas and trains going up into the mountains.

Igls, (a part of Innsbruck) a small village on the south side of the Inn Valley, is only a 20-minute bus ride (or 30-minute tram ride) from the city. Commercialism hasn’t taken over. Attractive walking paths through meadows leading to nearby villages add to the relaxed charm and genuine sense of retreat. Not prohibitively expensive, it attracts a slightly older and sedate crowd. There are a few local nightspots, but this is more a place for a quiet dinner with drinks afterward than for a rocking party night of disco and barhopping.

Note: The Club Innsbruck Card covers everything from reductions on sightseeing and free lantern-lit hikes to free child-minding services in the ski kindergartens in Igls and K&Mac217;htai and reductions on lift passes. It is available free of charge from your place of accommodation provided that you are staying in Innsbruck or one of the holiday villages. If you stay in the city you have a longish ride to the lifts, but you can ski eight nearby areas, and can also strike out for a day to St. Anton or Kitzb&Mac217;hel. The free ski bus system has been perfected over the years and makes getting to the slopes quick and easy. Innsbruck is a great place to try out a lot of Austria’s skiing to get an idea of where to spend more time next season.

Innsbruck Tourismus, A-6021 Innsbruck, Burggraben 3, Austria.

Country code: 0043
Telephone prefix: 0512
Telephone: 0512-59850
Fax: 0512-59850107
Email: office@innsbruck.info
Internet: www.innsbruck.info

Note: All prices are in Euros unless otherwise noted.

For more information on skiing and staying in the country of Austria, click the map.