2 Days in Innsbruck, Austria: 10 Unmissable Things to do in Innsbruck

Planning a dream vacation in Austria and wondering how to plan a perfect Innsbruck itinerary? The good news is that besides being packed with amazing things to do, it is possible to explore the main sites in 2 days in Innsbruck.

If you are still wondering if Innsbruck is worth visiting, the answer is YES! And you are about to find out why. Innsbruck is a small, charming town in Austria that has many interesting things to offer to visitors. The capital of Tyrol is also the fifth-largest city in Austria.

It sits in the valley and is surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountains, offering great views from the city, and it is well-known as the “Capital of the Alps” due to its scenic location.

This Innsbruck itinerary is packed with very helpful tips that will help you to make your Austria itinerary as memorable as mine. Here you will find not only the top things to do in Innsbruck, but also, all you need to plan your visit, the best places to stay, how to get around, and more. So, without any further ado, let’s discover the very best of Innsbruck with this awesome guide!

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Innsbruck was one of my favorite places that I visited in Austria, it is small and easy to visit, and the landscape around is just breathtaking. With its colorful buildings set against the white backdrop, it’s a magical city to visit, especially during Christmas time.

But before we jump to this awesome list of best things to do in 2 days in Innsbruck, check some tips that to help you plan your trip and to make sure you are prepared for the best experience. You can thank me later 😉

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1. Visit the Innsbruck Old Town – Aldstadt Von Innsbruck

This is the best way to start your 2 days in Innsbruck, especially if you are interested in learning more about the culture and history of Innsbruck, I’d highly recommend signing up for a walking tour with a local guide of Innsbruck. You will pick up so many interesting facts from your local guide and will get a detailed insight into what life is like here.

If you don’t fancy joining a group tour, look online at free walking tour routes and take yourself on a self-guided tour. I’d recommend doing this on one of your first days in the city, to get acquainted with the layout of the area. It will also help you find other attractions you may want to visit later on your trip.

The old town is very compact and scenic, and here you will find some of the most amazing things to do in Innsbruck. Here you will find colorful and inspiring architecture, and stunning facades, while you walk through cobblestone streets. Most of the monuments and important sights are very close to each other, and the town is very walkable, and many other sites in Innsbruck are within walking distance from the Old Town or are connected by tram.

PRO-TIP: A great option for anyone going to spend a 2-day in Innsbruck, is to purchase this Innsbruck PLUS. With this ticket, you can enjoy the highlights of Innsbruck’s Nordkette in a single ticket!

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2. Visit the Golden Roof Museum

Next on your list of best things to do in 2 days in Innsbruck should be a visit to the Golden Roof Museum, one of the most famous landmarks of Innsbruck! Here in this museum that was created by Emperor Maximilian I, you will learn about the history of the city of Innsbruck.

It’s a small but interactive museum that’s great for visitors of any age. Make sure you take some time to admire the building and its roof from the outside.

Made up of 2,657 gilded copper tiles, the Golden Roof’s lower balustrade is richly decorated with coats of arms, while the open balcony above shows ten figural reliefs. The house behind, the Neuer Hof, was a former ducal palace rebuilt in 1822.

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3. Discover the Swarovski Crystal World

If you are a Swarovski person – I know I am 😉 – you need to add this to your places to visit in Innsbruck. Catch a shuttle from the city center and head out to see the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. I’ve always admired their stunning world-famous jewelry and figurines, so it was incredible to visit this museum.

The highlight of the center is of course the Chambers of Wonder. Even if you have visited before, you’ll be pleased to know they regularly update their displays and designs. The artworks here are created by artists from around the world, and you’ll be amazed by the sheer scale of the displays in the museum. Make sure to check out the gardens as well.

PRO-TIP: I recommend booking a private tour in advance. Explore crystal in all its facets at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds museum in Wattens with a private guide, who previously had worked for Swarovski itself.

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4. Discover the Ambras Castle

Located high on the hills above the city, Ambras Castle is one of the most visited attractions in Innsbruck. This Renaissance castle was built in the 16^th Century and was home to Archduke Ferdinand II and his family from 1567 to 1595. Today visitors can enjoy seeing his collections of artwork in the Lower Castle’s museum.

The best part of my visit was the Chamber of Art and Wonders, however, I also enjoyed seeing the portraits in the very impressive Spanish Hall. In the Upper Castle, you will see the Habsburg Portrait Gallery, which features paintings of many rulers from the past. You can visit the site by bus, which will be about a ten-minute ride from the city center.

PRO-TIP: You can book your ticket in advance and skip the line. Head into the hills above Innsbruck and, with your entrance ticket in hand, enter Ambras Castle to begin exploring at your leisure

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5. Take the Nordkette Cable Car to Get to the top of Innsbruck

This gondola lift travels right from the city center straight to the top of the mountain. There are two different sections to the ride, but you’ll want to head all the way to the top station, called Hafelekar which is 7,400 ft (2256 m) above sea level.

You’ll be astonished by the views from the Top of Innsbruck. Especially if you’re visiting during the winter months, standing at the top of the mountain surrounded by white snow is indescribable and it’s simply a must-do! The cable car ride itself is also a lot of fun, and an amazing way to appreciate the sheer scale of the mountains!  

PRO-TIP: For full details on tickets in prices you can visit their official website. I also recommend purchasing your ticket prior to visiting as the prices are the same, and they have a 24-hour cancelation policy with a full refund. If you buy the Innsbruck Card you will get discount prices.

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6. Go Mountain Cart or Ski at the Muttereralm

If you’re visiting Innsbruck in the summer months, Muttereralm offers a unique attraction. Here you can slide down the 3 miles (5 km) long Mountain Cart track, which starts up at the mountain station and ends all the way down in the valley station. The carts are equipped with a dual-circuit brake system and offer a safe but thrilling experience for all ages.

Now, if you are visiting during wintertime, Muttereralm offers amazing opportunities for skiing and snowboarding, there are 10 miles (16 km) of slopes available. 6 lifts transport the guests. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 920 and 1,800 m.

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7. Watch the Tyrolean evening show with the Gundolf Family

Enjoy an evening immersed in the Tyrolean culture at the Gundolf Family’s show. This show has been taking place since 1967 and features traditional music, folk dancing, and yodeling. Performances take place between April and October, and they also put on some dates in Winter.

The Gundolf Family entrains you for about 1.5 hours with traditional music, dance, and drink a 3-course meal.

PRO-TIP: The venue is easy to reach from the old town with a ten-minute walk or by tram line number 1. You can visit their official website for more information. This is a very popular thing to do in Innsbruck and the tickets likely sell out, you can book your tickets in advance.

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8. Climb to the top of the Stadturm

The Stadtturm is the city tower, and it was built back in the 1400s. I recommend heading to the top of the building for the observation deck, which will amaze you with its stunning views of the city.

You’ll need to take 133 steps to reach the top, but the views will be well worth the climb and will cost just a few Euros to catch amazing views of the city!

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9. Bergisel Ski Jump Area

This is a must thing to do if you are planning to spend 2 days in Innsbruck, to visit the famous Bergisel Ski-Jump Area. The first ski jump was built on this historic ground in 1925. The sports facility has twice been honored with the task of hosting Olympic events: the Olympic flame burned on the Bergisel at the Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976.

While you are visiting, you will be surprised by the brilliant architectural masterpiece. The bridge construction of the in-run, the building construction of the tower, and the steel construction of the tower head beautifully combine different fields of architecture.

PRO-TIP: The best way to visit the arena is by booking a guided tour around the ski-jump arena, and then uphills with the funicular train. from the top, you will have a perfect 360° degree round view, with a restaurant on top, this is the only restaurant in the world on a ski-jump tower!

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10. Spend time in the Mountains is one of the best things to do in Innsbruck

This is a must-do if you are planning to spend 2 days in Innsbruck!

Take one of the many lifts available and spend some time up in the mountains in nature. There are so many lifts and trails you can choose from. The main cable car routes to start your adventure on are Patscherkofelbahn, Muttereralmbahn, and Glungezerbahn. After your ride, you can start your hike or simply enjoy some time in the mountain air.

If you are an active traveler like I am, I’d recommend hiking to one of the many peaks. One of the best things to do in Innsbruck is to climb the Via Ferratas, where you can go on an adventure into steep rock faces, and you will be rewarded with tons of adventure, and magnificent views of the unique nature around the Innsbruck region.

PRO-TIP: If you decide to go climb the via Ferrata, the good news is that you don’t need to have any previous experience, as you will be accompanied by a professional guide that will provide you with all the safety gear for the experience. You can check prices and availability here.

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If you are visiting Innsbruck during Christmas time, make sure to check the Best Christmas Market in Innsbruck. With 6 Christmas Markets and more than 200 stalls, Christmas time in Innsbruck is not only colorful and magical but also, very easy to walk around and visit the city and many Christmas Markets.

It is surrounded by the snowy Alps and it is a perfect fairy tale scenario when you visit the Christmas Markets. You can take the cable car up into the mountains for an amazing experience and views of the snow covering the roofs. You have the option to book a tour to visit Innsbruck Christmas Markets with a local guide.

If you have time to visit Innsbruck, make sure you check the other fun things to do in Innsbruck. I have selected the best tours:

I recommend booking your hotel as soon as you decide on the dates and your Innsbruck itinerary. It is a very popular time of the year o visit Austria and hotels tend to book up quickly.

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You can save on your rental car when you book through this site. I use and recommend Discover Cars because it is the most reliable rental car source, and it allows you to compare the prices of different places.

Restaurant Oniriq: Founded in 2017, Oniriq is a restaurant on Innsbruck’s Maria-Theresian-Strasse that focuses on inventive vegetarian fare.

• Address: Bürgerstraße 13, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
• Rating: 4.9 out of 5

Bierwirt: Inside a historic 4-star hotel in Innsbruck is Restaurant Bierwirt – a restaurant that has stood for Austrian tradition and hospitality for more than 300 years

• Address: Bichlweg 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Regiothek: Headed by top chef Anjo Ebene, this Innsbruck restaurant offers a modern spin on Tyrolean cuisine with meat dishes and vegetarian alternatives.

• Address: Herzog-Siegmund-Ufer 1 – 3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
• Rating: 5 out of 5

And the list of best things to do in Innsbruck goes on… There are so many wonderful things to do in 2 days in Innsbruck.

Even simply admiring its colorful architecture and mountain landscapes, your whole stay will be well worth it. There are so many delicious foods that you can try while in Austria and so many more cities and villages that you could visit.

I hope I was able to inspire you with this list to visit Innsbruck on your trip to Austria. Safe travels!

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