This is the perfect guide for your next trip to Innsbruck. ⛰️
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the best things to do in Innsbruck in winter!
Innsbruck has everything a modern city needs – yet it’s so compact that the funicular railway in the city center can whisk you up into the high mountains in just 10 minutes.
If you’re looking for some winter activities or just want to explore what the city has to offer this time of the season, this list of the 10 best things to do in Innsbruck in the winter is here to help! 👇
#1 Visit the Old Town of Innsbruck (Innsbruck Altstadt)
Innsbruck has a wonderful Old Town (Altstadt) with winding streets, lots of charming restaurants and cozy cafés, and is also great for shopping! It’s the perfect place to marvel at the medieval architecture and take in the colorful houses.
Enjoy the fresh air and snow, and take a stroll through 500 years of history in this beautiful, pedestrian-friendly area.
#2 Skiing in Innsbruck
Innsbruck is also renowned for its skiing in winter, which is an incredible experience and definitely one of the best things to do in Innsbruck!
There are 13 ski areas in the region, including Axamer Lizum, which is popular with free riders, the family-friendly Rangger Köpfl, and the 3,210-meter-high Stubai Glacier. The versatility is huge because all 13 have their own character – and unite in the unique “Ski plus City Pass Stubai Innsbruck.” A pass that’s not only valid in these ski areas, but in various museums in the region, some swimming pools, ski buses, and in the Innsbruck “Sightseer” bus.
At our MEININGER Hotel Innsbruck, we have plenty of room for you to store your ski equipment. You can even buy your ski pass directly at the hotel.
#3 Take the Nordkettenbahnen
You might be surprised, but it only takes 20 minutes to get from Innsbruck city center to the surrounding Nordkette mountains.
Take the Innsbrucker Nordkettebahn cable car up to the snowy mountain for some jaw-dropping scenery. The cable car makes several stops along the way, so you can get off and on wherever you like. You can go hiking, enjoy the views of Innsbruck and its snow-covered surroundings, or just watch the skiers and snowboarders speed by.
#4 Visit the Christmas Markets
If you’re staying between mid-November and late December, visiting the Christmas Markets is a must. Innsbruck’s four main Christmas Markets are known all over Europe.
Stop by the Old Town Christmas Market, where booths line the cobblestone streets. Go see the Christmas Market at Maria-Theresien Straße, along the main shopping street of Innsbruck, that’s perfect for picking up last-minute Christmas presents. Drop by the Family Christmas Market at Marktplatz for a fun outing with the whole family. Here, you’ll find a petting zoo and carousel. Finally, don’t miss out on the Panorama Christmas Market, where you can take a railway up the mountain for stunning views of the city’s countless Christmas decorations.
#5 Ice skating at the SILLPARK Ice Rink
Ice skating should definitely be on your bucket list of winter activities in Innsbruck. This rink is located in one of Innsbruck’s major squares, right in front of the SILLPARK shopping center.
Here, you can skate with friends and family throughout December and January, do some last-minute shopping, or go for a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants.
#6 The Tyrolean Museum
Even if you’re not big on museums or only have time for one, be sure to visit the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum.
This museum is a must-see! It’s located right next to Hofkirche, and includes an exhibition about Tyrolean culture, art, history, and agriculture, as well as traditional clothes from all over Tyrol that you can try on yourself! It’s one of the most renowned museums in Europe.
#7 Visit the Golden Roof
Visit the Golden Roof or “Goldenes Dachl,” an Innsbruck landmark and one of Austria’s most famous attractions. The Golden Roof is a building with an actual gold roof! It was built in 1500 for the marriage of Maximilian I. Impossible to miss, it’s located in the Old Town at the end of Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse.
If you’re lucky enough to stop by while the sun is shining, you’ll be rewarded with the most breathtaking view.
#8 Visit the Bergisel Ski Jump
If you’re looking for a fun and exhilarating winter activity in Innsbruck, drop by the Bergisel Ski Jump and watch athletes speed down and fly through the air.
The Ski Jump was used in the Olympic Games as well as the World Championships. You can climb to the top, or take a lift and enjoy the scenes from the viewing platform. At the top, you’ll find a café where you can take a break, have a snack and drink while watching the skiers.
If you’re a cake lover, we recommend ordering the Bergiseltorte, a special cake shaped like the ski jump.
#9 Visit the Alpine Zoo
If you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure, be sure to swing by the Alpine Zoo. This Zoo is unlike any other you’ve visited before. It’s home to native animals of the region, as well as animals that live in mountainous areas around the world.
The Zoo helps enrich species diversity and provides a habitat for endangered animals – from bears and otters to wolves and vultures. There’s a large adventure playground for kids of all ages, while parents can enjoy the peaceful park – surely something to be under the best things to do in Innsbruck!
# 10 Visit Tirol Panorama
If you’re a history buff, you may know Bergisel as more than just a ski jump. It’s also home to the famous battle of Bergisel, where the local Tirol rebels fought off Napoleon’s Army. The battle is depicted in the Tirol Panorama, a famous painting!
Not to be confused with the panorama view, but just as impressive: the Tirol Panorama isn’t just a painting, it’s a massive 360-degree, 1,000-square-meter piece that makes you feel like you could step right into it! What’s more, the painting and museum can be found right where the actual battle took place.
Where to stay in Innsbruck?
MEININGER Hotel Innsbruck Zentrum is our first property in the middle of the Alps, located in the heart of Innsbruck. Admire the Goldenes Dachl, Triumphpforte and Bergisel Skisprungschanze, and easily connect to the main station and airport from the bus and tram lines that stop right in front of the hotel.
Our Innsbruck hotel offers central accommodation, reliable comfort, and contemporary amenities at affordable prices.
