Things to do in  Innsbruck

Perhaps most famous for playing host to the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, the town of Innsbruck is the perfect base from which to explore the pistes and valleys of the Austrian Alps—St. Anton, St. Christoph, and Solden are all within easy reach. Inside the city, though, there’s no shortage of ways to amuse yourself year round, with a diverse range of tours suited to travelers of all ages, and guides on hand to bring the city’s colorful history to life. In Innsbruck itself, top attractions include the Hofkirche (a Gothic church); the Hofburg (a former Habsburg palace); 16th-century Goldenes Dachl (the famous Golden roof); and Ambras Castle, widely considered a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. And while diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, you can't miss the famous Swarovski Crystal World, which showcases the dazzling beauty of these sought-after sparklers. For some of Innsbruck’s most scenic views, stroll along the banks of the Inn River or take one of the cable cars to Hafelekar, Hungerburg, or Seegrube—where you can gaze out over the rooftops of Innsbruck to the mighty peaks of the Swiss Alps beyond. From up there, bold travelers can experience the best of the Nordkette mountains, which form part of Austria's largest natural park.