09/07/2019

The Capital of the Alps‘ unique iconic blend of urban and imperial attractions, provides every ingredient for the perfect summer getaway.

Here are the top five reasons why you should visit Innsbruck this summer;

1. You won’t spend all of your holiday travelling – with direct flights from all major airports in the UK, you can reach Innsbruck in under two hours. Plus, the airport is only a 10-minute bus ride from the city-centre, so there’s more time for exploring.
2. There’s plenty to get your gears in motion – biking is to summer, what skiing is to winter in Innsbruck, and with 350 km of bicycle paths as well as 115 km of mountain bike trails, there’s no excuse not to have a go. Mountain bikers can test their nerve and follow in the footsteps of the Crankworx riders at Bikepark Innsbruck, whilst the road cyclists can take to the world-class routes of the 2018 UCI Road World Championship.  Plus, this September Gravel Innsbruck, the multi-terrain cycling festival, will give enthusiasts access to tracks usually not open to riders, including the Bergisel Olympic Ski Jump stadium, the Olympic bobsleigh track and the renowned 28 per cent gradient Höttinger Höll.
3. It’s a hiker’s heaven – whether it’s easy summit victories or something more challenging that you’re looking for, Innsbruck has it all. Hikers can explore the Path of Perspectives on Nordkette or the Zirbenweg Trail on Patscherkofel, offering breath-taking backdrops and stunning views of the Inn Valley every step of the way.  If you prefer to stay closer to the city, Innsbruck’s new Walks to Explore initiative gives walkers the chance to discover secret alleyways and imperial gardens.
4. It has a wealth of history and architecture to explore – Innsbruck’s historical significance over the centuries has seen cultural gems built throughout the city, including the Hofkirche Court Church, the Hofburg Imperial Palace and Ambras Castle, plus the world-renowned Golden Roof. However, the Capital of the Alps is a city of contrast and has an array of modern architecture highlights to discover, including the Bergisel Olympic Ski Jump, the Nordkettenbahnen and the funicular railway – all designed by late architect Zaha Hadid.  And if you purchase an Innsbruck Card when you arrive in the city, you can have free access to all of these and more, plus the use of public transport on all IVB routes and the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus.
5. There’s a food, drink and café culture to dip into – the coffeehouse scene in the city is every growing – plus its reputation for Sunday Brunch – but a visit to Innsbruck wouldn’t be complete without sampling schnapps, and there’s no better way of doing that than visiting the farms where they are produced.  Alternatively, if it’s culinary delights that you’re after, Innsbruck has launched two new food tours taking visitors on a journey through the flavours and culture of the Tyrolean cuisine.