The city of Innsbruck and Austria in general is so beautiful that it is high on our bucket list to go back. There is so much history and art and culture in this small city you could easily spend a few days. You will see for yourself why this capital of Tyrol is considered the Capital of the Alps and a impressive destination for the entire family.
Lodging and Location
We started our day after a night spent at the Gasthof Olberg Inn. While the lodgings were adequate we really booked this location for its amazing views of the city. Still run as farm today the Inn sits on the hillside overlooking the city along with the farm land needed for the present day owners Scottish Highland cattle. You will not have trouble finding lodging options in the city itself either. Friends of ours loved their stay at the Best Western Plus Hotel Goldener Adler in a 14th century downtown hotel within walking distance of the Hofburg Palace, museums and cafes. This is not your American Best Western!
The city of Innsbruck surprisingly doesn’t feel very city-like. It sits in a broad valley between the north chain of the Alps mountain range. The setting is absolutely stunning whether morning or night. When the sun sets behind the Alps it’s truly a feeling of a peaceful oasis away from the outside world.
Innsbruck’s Old City Center
High on our list was of course a walk through the old part of the city towards the beautiful River Inn which runs through the city center. The buildings and architecture are very colorful and inviting. 
The famous visitors of the past such as Mozart are commemorated on buildings and statues throughout the city. The Maria-Theresien Strasse is a wonderful boulevard for shopping and the featured statue of the much loved Empress Maria Theresa of the 18th century. By the river is a charming marketplace area we stumbled upon filled with stalls of local Austrian specialties and steins of beer. This made a very pleasant spot to sit and savor the views of the Alps and enjoy our treats. After shopping and admiring the city center we moved on to one of the highlights of this trip I had been looking forward to.
The Hofburg Imperial Palace
The Dynasty of the Habsburgs of course goes much further back in Innsbruck beyond their existence to the Emporer Maximillian I who had the palace built in the early 1500s. 250 years later the popular Empress Maria Theresa visited and declared it beyond the times and began extensive renovations that were completed after the Seven Years War in the 1770s.
Austrian Royalty is well known for many famous residents of the Hofburg. The Empress Elizabeth’s apartments and dresses are available to be seen on the tour. As well as the would be future and last Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. She was the youngest daughter of the Empress Maria and the tour gives interesting insight to think of her here in happier times growing up with her 10 brothers and sisters when the family was in residence.
No photos are allowed on the tour unfortunately! But check out the Hofburg Palace official website for more details and an interactive map of the interesting history of these rooms! After our day of European royalty immersion we rewarded our 4 year old with much needed run and play time at the nearby park. This definitely ranks high among what we love about traveling as a family and especially in a country where there is a language barrier. What a culturally rewarding experience to watch him play as children do with no prejudice or need to speak the same language. Just innocently the most important thing and that is having fun.
Recommended sights
If you are given more time to spend in Innsbruck here are other areas of this city well worth visiting.
- We would recommend yet another palace to visit in the Ambras Castle. This is regarded as the oldest museum in the world and as such has an impressive collection of European history.
- For absolutely stunning views of the Alps and Innsbruck we highly recommend a ride in a cable car up the Nordkette mountain at the heart of Innsbruck. The Hungerburg funicular enables visitors to reach the top in just 8 minutes with a stop at the Alpine Zoo along the way. Then from there you can reach the cable car station. On a clear day this attraction is a must with breathtaking views of the entire valley.
There are many ski resorts and mountain activities that can keep you busy for a week or more. Innsbruck is truly the capitol of the Alps and a captivating destination at any time of year.
