Introduction
The dramatic rock faces surrounding the city are real. So are the colourful house façades lining the Inn in the valley below. Among Innsbruck's defining features is its old town, where the Middle Ages remain visible to this day. Above Herzog-Friedrich-Straße, the Golden Roof — built by Emperor Maximilian I and covered with 2,657 gilded copper tiles — rises above the rooftops.
Innsbruck combines its medieval heritage with art and architecture. Schloss Ambras impresses with elaborately decorated coffered ceilings and works by Rubens, Van Dyck and Velázquez. The Hofburg, whose origins date to the 15th century, was given its Baroque character under Maria Theresa. Around the Gothic residential tower of the Ottoburg — once part of Innsbruck's city fortress — shops, cafés and restaurants now define the streetscape.
The Innsbruck card - valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours - includes entrance fees to 22 museums and sights as well as free public transport.
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Exploring Innsbruck by bus, tram or bike
Innsbruck is easy to navigate by public transport: buses and trams run by IVB (Innsbrucker Verkehrsbahnen) connect the city and serve many of its key sights directly, making it straightforward to move between the old town, museums, mountain railways and day-trip destinations.
Those who prefer more flexibility can use the Stadtrad Innsbruck bike-share scheme, available at numerous stations across the city. Around 90 kilometres of cycle paths make for easy exploration — from the Inn riverside route to short hops between cultural sights, cafés and Alpine views.