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Discover Austria: How to make the most of 24 hours in Innsbruck

Looking for a short break in Austria that combines city life with the great outdoors? Then make your way to Innsbruck, where you can explore the mountains by day and the city by night.

Published: 5 October 2022 13:07 CEST
Updated: 13 September 2023 13:51 CEST

Discover Austria: How to make the most of 24 hours in Innsbruck

In Innsbruck you can explore the great outdoors and get a taste of city life. (Photo by Alin Andersen on Unsplash)

Innsbruck is a small city nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps in Tyrol.

It’s surrounded by mountains and has a strong connection with nature. But at the same time it has a strong arts and culture scene and a vibrant nightlife.

Here’s how to make the most of both worlds with The Local’s guide to 24 hours in Innsbruck.

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Outdoor adventures

When it comes to outdoor adventures in Innsbruck, exploring the Nordkette mountain range is a must-do.

The Nordkette (or North Chain) is located just north of the city and is part of the stunning Karwendel Nature Park – Austria’s largest nature park covering 727 sqm.

This mountain range is easily accessible from the city centre with the Nordkettenbahn (Nordkette cable car). In just eight minutes, visitors can go from Congress Station on Rennweg (near the Golden Roof – see more below) to the Hungerburg Station via the Hungerburgbahn.

From there, you can visit Hermann Buhl Square to find out more about the famous Austrian mountaineer. Or simply take in the panoramic views across the city.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can then head to the Seegrube Panorama Trail or to the Seegrube Restaurant to try Tyrolean cuisine like homemade soups and Gröstl (a bacon, onion and potato fry up).

The cable car runs every 15 minutes from 7.15am to 7.15pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, the operating hours are 8am to 7.15pm.

Tickets for the Hungerburgbahn start at €10.90.

History and culture

The Goldenes Dachl (or Golden Roof) is a landmark structure. It’s located in the Old Town (Altstadt) and is considered Innsbruck’s most important and historic symbol.

The building was completed in 1500 and finished with 2,657 fire-gilt copper tiles on the roof, which give the effect of a roof made from gold (hence the name). It was built for Emperor Maximilian I.

Visitors can take in the structure from outside for free – or from the comfort of one the nearby cafes if you can get a seat on the terrace. Alternatively, you can pay a fee to go inside and explore the museum, depending on how much time you have.

From October to April, the Goldenes Dachl is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

While you’re at the Goldenes Dachl, it’s also worth taking some time to wander around the Old Town and then down to the river. There is a pretty view across the water of different coloured houses, all of which have stunning mountains as the backdrop.

(Photo by Harold Wainwright on Unsplash)

Food and drink

If you’re on a budget, or just want to sample some local and seasonal produce while you’re in Innsbruck, then add the Markthalle (market hall) to your itinerary.

The Markthalle has more than 40 vendors and sells everything from Speck (cured ham) to Austrian cheeses and fruit and vegetables.

On the weekend, the Markthalle is only open from 7am to 1pm on Saturday and is closed on Sunday. But it’s open from 7am to 6.30pm from Monday to Friday.

For craft beer fans, add Tribaun bar to your list of things to do in Innsbruck.

Tribaun is centrally located on Museumstrasse (about a five-minute walk from the Goldenes Dachl). It has around 16 different craft beers on tap, as well as a food menu with pizzas and burgers.

Tribaun is open Monday to Saturday from 6pm and customers can book a 90 minute beer tasting for the full experience.

Another recommendation for food is burrito hotspot, Machete, on Anichstrasse, where you can sample Mexican cuisine while sipping on cocktails.

Unfortunately, Machete does not take bookings, so it’s worth arriving early if you really want to get a table. Machete is open from 11.30am to 1am from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 11.30am to 12am on Sunday.

Shopping

Maria-Theresian-Strasse is the main shopping street in Innsbruck. It is home to Kaufhaus Tyrol and the RathausGalerien, both indoor centres with shops and cafes.

All the usual high street shops can be found on Maria-Theresian-Strasse. As well as some Austrian favourites, like Swarovski, and stores selling traditional dirndls and lederhosen.

If you want an alternative to high street stores then stroll through the Old Town where there are many small, independent shops selling jewellery, souvenirs and local food. This is the place to go to pick up some Tyrolean gifts.

And just outside of the city centre there is the DEZ shopping centre, where you can find stores like H&M, Zara, Humanic and even IKEA.

Got a recommendation for our 24 hours in Innsbruck guide? Let us know in the comments section below or email [email protected].

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Eleven unmissable events in Austria in May 2024

Long Night of Research

Long Night of Research, Lange Nacht der Forschung in German, takes place this year on May 24th all over Austria. It is a public event where you can spend the evening exploring the latest scientific research and innovation.

The event’s goal is to strengthen the connection between the scientific community and the general public. Universities, research institutions, organisations, etc., open their doors, and during the evening, you can listen to experts in their fields, explore interactive exhibitions, watch experiments, and connect with others.

The event is free, and you can look at the program to find out what is happening in your area.

Gauder Fest

Gauder Fest is a traditional spring festival held every year in Zell am Ziller, in the Zillertal Valley of Tyrol. It takes place May 2nd to 5th and is one of the largest and most famous spring festivals in the region, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

The festival celebrates the coming warmer weather and the rebirth of life in the Alpine region. It is rooted in local customs, traditions, and folklore and offers a unique glimpse into the region’s cultural heritage.

The festival’s name comes from the “Gauder,” a special type of beer brewed for the occasion. It is strong, amber-coloured beer, and the tapping of it kicks off the festival, which offers traditional folk music, parades, local food from the region and stalls with handicrafts.

Tickets to the festival cost between €27 and €57, depending on whether you would like to be seated. You can reserve your ticket online by filling out a form with some information.

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Salzburg Whitsun Festival

From May 17th to 20th, this yearly classical music festival takes place in Salzburg. The festival offers a wide program with concerts, chamber music and opera productions, among with other performances.

The festival is known for presenting both established artists and up-and-coming talent, and the events are taking place at various venues throughout the city.

The festival has earned a reputation for artistic excellence and innovation in the classical music scene.

The ticket price varies depending on the event. You can buy tickets online here.

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Alpine Trail Run Festival

This sporty trail running festival, Innsbruck Alpine in German, takes place in Innsbruck every year, this time from May 2nd to 4th. It celebrates running and outdoor adventure in the alpine landscape surrounding the city.

The festival arranges a series of trail running races of various distances and difficulty levels, where you can enjoy a run together with others while spending time in the beautiful surrounding.

In addition to the races, the festival also offers other outdoor activities such as guided trail running tours, mountain biking excursions, yoga sessions, outdoor workshops, food trucks and live music performances.

If you want to run, there are still last-minute spots left for the different races. You can sign up here.

Veganmania Festival

This vegan festival, the biggest street food festival in Austria, takes place in Vienna from May 30th to June 2nd. It is a great place to go if you want to explore new vegan dishes and be inspired by like-minded people.

In addition to the many food stalls, the festival also offers cruelty-free cosmetics, creative fashion, and a line-up of different DJs.

You can enter the festival for free, and you can find more information about it here.

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‘Lake Opening’ Mörbisch

At Lake Neusiedler in Burgenland, you can celebrate the start of the lake season in the town of Mörbisch on May 4th.

The lake season opening offers a celebration program during the whole day, including a volleyball tournament with an award ceremony, a digital art pop-up mile, a children’s musical called “The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats,” and DJs playing 80s/90s specials.

You can enter for free and here you can read more about it.

Ukrainian Food Festival

On May 1st, in the town of Hohenems near Bregenz in Vorarlberg, you can enjoy a Ukrainian food festival and, at the same time, support the organisation Association for Ukrainian aid, Einig – Verein fur Ukrainehilfe, by making some donations.

The festival invites you to try Ukrainian dishes, specialities and deserts and learn about Ukrainian culture.

You can find some more information here.

Theatre: Body [SIC!]

This theatre play, which will be performed in Klagenfurt from May 1st to 8th, explores the human body in connection with the society that envelops it.

The artists behind the exhibition are a young, up-and-coming collective that wants to offer an unconventional theatre experience. The project aims to engage the audience with the performance and invite them to reflect on the human body.

The play explores different associations with the human body and brings up topics such as body obsessions, fetishes and cannibalism.

A ticket costs around €25 and can be reserved via email or over phone.

Crossing Europe Film Festival

The Crossing Europe Film Festival is a six-day film festival held annually at the end of April in Linz. This year, it starts on April 30th and runs until May 5th.

If you are a film enthusiast, this could be something for you. The festival attracts international film professionals and enthusiasts and presents diverse contemporary European filmmaking, focusing on socio-political issues, youth, and music culture.

The festival wants to create a dialogue and cultural exchange by bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences through screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and networking events.

You can find more information and buy tickets or festival passes here.

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Lendwirbel Festival

This yearly neighbourhood festival takes place from May 2nd to 5th in the Lend district of Graz. It celebrates the cultural diversity and community spirit of the area.

The themes of the festival are inclusion and diversity, and the festival welcomes everyone, including both locals and visitors from other places.

During the festival, you can enjoy music, art, and food stalls. The festival is known for its many cultural performances with live music, dance, theatre, and visual art.

You can also go there to take part in workshops, often focused on themes such as sustainability and public space, where you can learn something new and meet others interested in the topics.

You can find out more here.

The Festival of Joy

The festival of joy, Fest der Freude in German, takes place May 8th at Heldenplatz in Vienna. It is an important annual event that celebrates the end of Nazi oppression and honours its victims.

The festival organises ceremonies and performances that honour the memory of the war’s victims and celebrate the triumph of peace over tyranny. Political leaders will hold speeches, and there will be readings of literary works related to the topic, as well as music by the Wiener Symphoniker.

The event is for free and you can find more information here.