We visited Innsbruck in summer, expecting a quiet mountain town—and were blown away by the vibrant vibe and green Alpine scenery! While the city is famous for its winter sports, summer here is seriously underrated due to the many hiking trails, lively bars, and vibrant old town streets. From thrilling cable car rides to secret trails and castle visits, here are our favorite things to do in Innsbruck for a summer escape — including our top tips for hotels, restaurants, and travel.
Top Things to Do in Innsbruck
We honestly didn’t expect Innsbruck to be this cool. We had no real expectations, but it completely surprised us with its beautiful old town, stunning natural surroundings, and diverse range of activities.
Whether you’re into hiking, biking, culture, or good food, there’s something for everyone. And the student population contributes to a lively atmosphere with pop-up events, markets, and bustling streets.
Did you know? The population of Innsbruck is approximately 120,000, with 35,000 of these being students. This youthful vibe brings a lot of energy to the city, so expect to find plenty of pubs and clubs on your trip as well.
The entire area is not too large; you can walk from one side to the other — across the picturesque cobbled streets — in just 15-20 minutes. Take your time, though; dip in and out of the traditional shops and stop for a coffee and a bite of sweet fruit strudel.
Here were some of our must-dos in Innsbruck Old Town:
Cathedral of St. James
Inside this Baroque cathedral, you’ll find a ceiling artwork and marble carvings that are incredibly detailed. What’s wild is that the ceilings are totally flat—but the painting tricks your eyes into seeing curved domes. It reminded us a little bit of St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
Entry: Free! However, if you’d like to take photos, you need to pay 1 EUR.
The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl)
The Golden Roof is one of Innsbruck’s most famous landmarks, covered in gold-colored copper tiles. Apparently, there are over 2,500 tiles here! This is an iconic piece of history in the city, completed in 1500 in honor of the wedding of Emperor Maximilian I and Bianca Maria Sforza. It’s probably enough just to see the roof from the outside, but if you’d like to learn more, there’s also a small museum inside (covered by the Innsbruck Card).
What is the Innsbruck card? The Innsbruck Card is a ticket that grants you access to 22 sights in the city, as well as cable car rides and public transportation. It’s well worth it, as if you plan to see all the top things to do in Innsbruck, you can save with the card! Purchase your Innsbruck Card in advance here (available in 24, 48, or 72-hour options).
We saw this popular walking tour taking place at all the top sights in the Old Town.
Hannah is pretty nervous about heights, but she was completely ok with this, particularly as there is a separate staircase to go up and down (meaning you don’t have to pass people in narrow spaces). Tip: It’s best to save the watchtower for a clear day, so you can see the mountain views at their best!
Entry: 4.50 EUR or enter for free with your Innsbruck Card.
Shopping in Innsbruck Old Town
We were so surprised at how good the shopping is in Innsbruck, especially for a smaller city. Inside the Old Town, we spent a good few hours (Hannah would have spent longer if she could!) browsing the boutique shops, which showcased the work of expert artisans. We saw clockmakers, chocolate shops, and wooden toy stores.
Innsbruck has many fountains with fresh drinkable Alpine spring water so don’t waste money on bottled water.
Court Church, Innsbruck’s Hidden Gem
From the outside, the Court Church (Hofkirche) in Innsbruck doesn’t look like much—it’s easy to walk right past it without a second glance. But don’t let the plain exterior fool you. Step through the door and you’ll first find yourself in a peaceful courtyard surrounded by historic artwork, setting the tone for what’s to come.
Inside the church, prepare to be wowed. The interior is absolutely jaw-dropping, especially the rows of larger-than-life bronze statues lining the nave. These detailed figures are former kings, queens, and notable ancestors. The entry is 9 EUR or free with the Innsbruck Card.
We recommend setting your Google Maps to take you to the Innbrücke, which directly translates as ‘Bridge over the Inn’. This bridge is actually where Innsbruck gets its name from! Although the bridge itself isn’t the prettiest, it offers a lovely view of the colorful houses that line the riverbank. The architecture itself reminded us of Copenhagen, but was even more impressive with the great backdrop of the Alps behind it.
3. Ride to the Top of Innsbruck – Cable Car + Path of Perspectives Hike
Getting up high into the mountains was easily one of our favorite things to do in Innsbruck! The mountains are such an integral part of this city, whether you’re visiting Innsbruck in summer or winter. A funicular and cable car take you to the ‘Top of Innsbruck’: the summit of the Nordkette Mountains at 2,000 meters.
The route to the Top of Innsbruck (3 stages):
- Take the Hungerburgbahn funicular, which leaves from close to Innsbruck Old Town. This is the funicular stop on Google Maps. In just 8 minutes, you’ll be at the first stop of Hungerburg. Choose the front carriage for the best views!
- From Hungerburg, take the first cable car up to Seegrube (1905 meters), where you’ll already get great mountain views. There’s also a traditional restaurant with picnic tables and lounging chairs.
Tip: From this first cable car stop, we recommend hiking the short ‘Path of Perspectives’ (about 2.5 km) with seating and lookout points. Ideal for a picnic!
Optional Hikes
There are two hikes from the final cable car stop. The first one is to a religious cross; you’ll just need to follow signs for Hafelekarspitze, which takes around 15-20 minutes. From the cross, you can also carry on further. (See the complete route here)
The second hike takes you on a gravel path leading to two mountain huts. One is a shelter for hikers, where many people sleep to catch the sunrise or sunset.
Cable Car and Funicular tickets
To do the complete return journey to the Top of Innsbruck, tickets cost 52 EUR. You can buy them here in advance. However, if you buy the Innsbruck Card, it’s included!
Visiting Innsbruck in summer? If you’re staying at one of these partner hotels, you get an Innsbruck Welcome Card included in your booking, which offers you free public transport. We stayed at the Adlers Hotel, which included a Welcome Card. Very useful!
4. Hike the Zirbenweg Trail – Innsbruck’s Stunning Alpine Route
This is a beautiful 2.5-hour alpine hike (7 KM point to point) between two cable car stations, which you can do from either direction. The hike was Hannah’s favorite thing to do in Innsbruck!
Tip: We chose to take the Glungezer cable car up, hike the trail, and then descend using the Patscherkofel cable car.
Key Information
- Difficulty: The route is moderately challenging, as you’ll follow a narrow, rocky, and at times sandy path with a few inclines. It’s not too tricky, though, as it mainly just follows the tree line.
- Terrain: We passed through lush pine forests (one of the largest Swiss Stone pine forests in Europe!), and saw beautiful wildflowers and grazing cows adorned with bells. Next to the Patscherkofel cable car, you’ll also find Austria’s highest botanical garden, home to Alpine roses in June and July.
- Length and time: 7 KM from one cable car to the other and takes around 2.5 hours. You can choose the direction you’d like to do it in.
- Restaurants: We chose to end at the Patscherkofel cable car as it had better restaurant options. There’s one modern with panoramic glass walls and amazing views called Das Kofel (reserve your table here). Alternatively, book a table at the traditional Alpine restaurant Schutzhaus Patscherkofel for a cozy end to your hike.
- Transport: We recommend taking bus 540 to Glungezer. From Patscherkofel at the other end, take bus 530 back to Innsbruck.
- Cable car price: You can purchase an ‘Arolla Pine Trail Ticket,’ which includes both cable car and bus rides, for 41 EUR. You can buy this at the cable car station. Alternatively, check to see if the Innsbruck Card covers all/or part of your route.
- Top tip: Do this hike on a clear day, as the views are truly epic. Check the live webcams beforehand.
5. Watch Ski Jumpers at Bergisel + Breakfast with a View
Seeing the Bergisel Ski Jump up close was, without a doubt, a unique thing to do in Innsbruck! This professional ski jump is used year-round for practice, even during the summer in Innsbruck. It was great spending some time watching young athletes jump; it’s hard to put into words how wild this is until you see it in person.
Afterwards, soak in the epic views from the Bergisel Sky Restaurant, located inside the ski jump itself. It features mammoth floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to enjoy an unparalleled view of the mountains and Innsbruck below. We booked the unlimited breakfast (around 30 EUR per person). The food itself wasn’t our favorite on the trip, but the views are worth it!
Note: The restaurant is approximately a 10-minute walk uphill from the public transport stop. Here is the exact location.
How to Visit
Take the Hungerburg funicular from the center up to the top viewing platform, where you can watch the jump (using your Innsbruck Card or paying the regular ticket price of around 13 EUR round trip).
6. Visit Ambras Castle (Schloss Ambras)
Visiting Ambras Castle is one of the most popular things to do in Innsbruck. The outside of this castle was impressive; set in beautiful green gardens, the jagged mountain peaks in the background offset its impressive white façade. It felt a bit like we were in the Sound of Music!
The castle has two levels – lower and upper. In the lower, you’ll find various exhibitions like an armoury and a chamber of Renaissance art. The upper castle features an ornate ballroom with painted ceilings and an outdoor arched terrace offering great views.
Tip: After you walk around the castle, grab a coffee and relax at this pretty courtyard cafe on site.
Tickets and Transport
Included in your Innsbruck Card! If you don’t have a card and arxe visiting Innsbruck in the summer, you’ll need to pay 16 EUR to enter (book online, as it’s more expensive on-site). There is also an optional audio tour for 5 EUR if you’re interested in learning more about the castle’s royal history.
Getting there: It’s only a 15-minute public transport ride from the central station. You can see all travel options here.
7. Mountain Bike the Alps – Our Favorite Summer Activity in Innsbruck
The best thing about visiting Innsbruck in summer is being able to discover the mountains by bike! Without the snow, the peaks turn into a verdant green playground for outdoor activities — and this was my absolute favorite thing to do in Innsbruck. We cheated a little and hired e-bikes, which we highly recommend if you’re not accustomed to steep climbs.
You can go alone or do a guided mountain biking tour. We chose to do the latter so the local guide could take us to the best spots and hidden gems among the lush forests, mountain huts, and incredible viewpoints. Always accompanied by the resident mountain cows and sheep along the way!
Tip: We rented from a shop called Die Börse, which also helped arrange a guide. Highly recommend! A bike from their shop is also included in the Innsbruck Card.
Best Cafes and Restaurants
We were surprised at how diverse Innsbruck is in terms of cuisine. Of course, you can enjoy the traditional Austrian fare (Strudel, we love you!), but you also have other options, such as Asian and Italian cuisine. The Italian food is particularly good as it’s so close to the border.
Some of our favorites we tried on our trip:
- Restaurant Blum: This traditional Austrian restaurant is located just across the river. We loved the numerous fantastic vegetarian options available. Book your table here.
- Weisses Rössl: This hotel features an on-site restaurant, making it a popular choice among locals. Always a good sign! Reserve a table in advance.
- Woosabi: Tasty Asian fusion dishes. Book your table online.
- Das Brahms: The menu changes often, featuring a mix of Italian and Austrian dishes. Reserve online via this link.
This food tour in Innsbruck is still on our wishlist — it looks like a fun way to taste the city with a local!
Where to Stay in Innsbruck
Innsbruck is a small city, so you can really stay anywhere and still be within walking distance of the main attractions. We found the Old Town the prettiest, and it’s conveniently located close to the funicular station. (See all hotels in Innsbruck)
Tip: We stayed at Adlers Hotel, which was great! The rooms and amenities were lovely, and the location was also fantastic, being close to the train station. It’s one of the Welcome Card partners, so if you’re visiting Innsbruck in summer, you’ll have this included in your stay.
How Many Days in Innsbruck?
Innsbruck in summer is a perfect destination for a two or three-day stay. This allows you to enjoy all the city’s highlights, as well as experience nature in the nearby mountains.
We saw this Innsbruck walking tour taking place with a very enthusiastic guide and it looked great! Book your spot here.
How to Visit Innsbruck?
Innsbruck Airport is conveniently situated near the city and provides excellent connections to the Netherlands, Germany, and other major European destinations. Once you arrive at the airport, you can easily take bus route F into the city.
We visited Innsbruck by driving 10 hours from the Netherlands, as we wanted to have our own car for flexibility during our time in Austria. But didn’t use the car during our stay in the city because of the great public transport. We also saw some great train options. For example, you can take a night train from Amsterdam directly to Innsbruck.
We recommend to rent a car in Austria through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Where is Innsbruck?
Innsbruck is nestled at the base of the Nordkette Mountain range in the region of Tyrol. While it’s the fifth largest city in Austria, it’s the capital city of Tyrol and the largest of the Austrian Alps!
Getting Around
Traveling around Innsbruck in summer is super easy! There are excellent public transportation connections between all the best things to do in Innsbruck, including buses, trains, funiculars, and cable cars. Best of all, you can use the Innsbruck city card to get free travel on your trip. Here’s more information:
- This card is available all year round
- Includes all major sights, such as the Top of Innsbruck, Ambras Castle, museums, and essential cable cars.
- Choose from 24/48/or 72 hours. (Buy your Innsbruck Card online here)
- If you want to see all the things to do in Innsbruck, you’ll make a saving with this card.
Top tip: Check this list of partner hotels to see if it includes the one you’re staying at. If it does, you’ll get a free Innsbruck Welcome Card as part of your booking! This card is only available during the summer and offers free public transportation (including cable cars, depending on whether you’re staying for 2 or 3 days).
Budget for Innsbruck
Austria is on the more expensive side for European destinations, and Innsbruck’s prime location in the mountains and proximity to ski resorts mean it’s not a budget-friendly option. That being said, in the summer, you can budget by choosing free activities in nature, such as hiking and biking, taking picnics for lunch, and buying an Innsbruck Card to cover your transport.
Best Time to Visit
While many people visit the city during the winter to enjoy snow sports, we loved the different perspective of visiting Innsbruck in summer. We went in early July, and had sunny days that were perfect for doing alpine hikes, mountain biking, and city sightseeing.
Tip: Always check the live webcams before your hikes to ensure you get the best views!
Innsbruck is nestled at the base of the Nordkette Mountain range in the region of Tyrol. While it’s the fifth largest city in Austria, it’s the capital city of Tyrol and the largest of the Austrian Alps.
Innsbruck in summer is perfect for a two or three-day stay. This allows you to enjoy all the city’s highlights, as well as experience nature in the nearby mountains.
Absolutely! It’s a perfect mix of mountains and culture, with hiking trails, scenic views, and a lively old town vibe.
Yes! Especially if you plan to visit sights like the Top of Innsbruck, Bergisel Ski Jump, and Ambras Castle. It also covers public transport.
You can purchase your 24-hour Innsbruck Card in advance here – when purchasing through this link you support our work, thank you! If you need a Innsbruck card with a 48, or 72-hour option you can purchase that here.
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