Other activities

Innsbruck shares with Grenoble the distinction of being a town in the Alps with more than 130,000 residents; as noted, it’s a provincial capital and has a wealth of art and historical treasures. It is also on the way to the Brenner Pass, gateway to the Italian Lakes and Venice.

Innsbruck is accustomed to visitors in ski outfits, whether inside a museum or at a fine restaurant. Visitors always head for the heart of town along the Maria-Theresien-Strasse for the outstanding view of the Karwendel mountain range.

The best way to see Innsbruck is to walk through the old town. Allow about two hours. The most photographed house in the old city is Goldenes Dachl, a former royal building from the 16th century, with gold-plated copper shingles on the roof.

Visit the Hofburg Palace where Maria-Theresia lived and Marie Antoinette was born. At St. Jakob’s Cathedral baroque illusion is fascinating. Look at the façade—though it looks like there are five round windows over the door, there are only three; two are painted. Plus, the ceiling of the cathedral appears to be a series of domes—all but the one over the altar are flat as a pancake. The Hofkirche (photo above) houses the tomb of Maximilian I, comparable to the burial spots of ancient pharaohs. The massive tomb is surrounded by 28 large bronze statues of the emperor’s heroes, friends and family the emperor wanted to have escort him in death—both of his wives made the list. The Tyrolean folklore museum gives a glimpse into the rustic small huts you see sprinkled on the mountain side. On the south edge of town, the terrace and coffee shop on the top of the modern ski jump built by the famous architect Zaha Hadid is very popular. People come for the applestrudel as well as the magnificant view of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountain ranges.

The money-saving Innsbruck Card costs €24 for 24 hours or €29 for 48 hours and €34 for 72 hours. These passes are discounted by 50 percent for children ages 6–15. The card provides limited access to cablecars and public transportation around Innsbruck/Igls and Halls. It also gives entrance to 18 major sightseeing attractions in and near the city. These include the Imperial Palace, the Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art, the Provincial Museum, Ambras Castle, The Bergisel ski jump, the Alpine Zoo, the Court Church and the multimedia displays at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. Contact the Innsbruck Ticket Service (5356) for more information.

A good selection of classical music concerts takes place at the Concert House, the Konservatoriumsaal (music school) and at different festivals like the traditional and famous Innsbruck Festival Weeks in August.

Cinematograph and Leokino are good art cinemas, offering relatively contemporary and classic films in original language, not dubbed. The only cinemas in Innsbruck for this and something of a rarity in Austria.

Just outside Innsbruck, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds (05224-51080) features a spectacular array of the colorful glass, from the world’s largest crystal (alas, at 300,000 carats, it is a bit large for Elizabeth Taylor’s neck), collections of costumes and artifacts made with innumerous pieces of crystal and a 122-meter long wall filled with 12 tons of brilliant crystal.

For an unique experience head to Sinne which has a dark museum, through which you are led by blind people.

Speed demons can barrel down one of Innsbruck's tobogganing runs at hair raising speeds. There are nearly 100 kilometres of toboggan runs. The longest runs are in Birgitz (Birgitzer Alm; 11 km) and from the Rosskogel mountain hut near Oberperfuss (10 km). . The much more gentle run from the Rinner Alm is ideal for those who are more mellow or for romantics who cruise down by moonlight twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday). Here is a list of tobogganing statistics and contact numbers.

For €30 per person, ages 14 and older can take a trip with and experienced pilot down the 1,270-meter Olympic bobsleigh run in Igls. For €95 per person, two people (ages 16 and older) can take a ride in a 4-man bobsleigh with an experienced pilot and brakeman. For further Information and booking contact Bob- und Rodelbahn Igls,(377525 od. 0676-88338270, fax 33838-200).

Climbing is also big in Innsbruck. There are three indoor climbing halls. Innsbruck has the Kletterzentrum Tivoli climbing hall (0512-397340, fax 398550). Axams has the boulder hall at the "Ruifach" stadium (05234-67725), open Tuesday – Friday, Sunday 5 pm – 9.30 pm. and costing € 4 per adult and € 3.50 per child. Rurn (0664-3508231) has the wall at the "Hauptschule" school in Rumon. It's open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 6 pm – 9.30 pm (during school semesters) and on the first Sunday in the month 2 pm – 6 pm, at. Price: adults from € 6.00, children from € 3.00 / per person (reduction for holders of the club Innsbruck Card). Ice climbing on the Stubai Glacier (05226-8141, fax 8141-150): Friday, 1.00 pm, Gamsgarten. Price from €10 per person. You can also ice climb in Kuhtai.