Stadtturm

The Stadtturm (City Tower), situated in the Old Town, rises high above the town and offers spectacular views of the city and mountains.‍

Museums

Ferdinandeum is one of Innsbruck's most popular and noted museums and houses an extensive art collection from the Middle Ages to modern day. The Zeughaus used to hold the former armoury within its walls and now offers a journey through Tyrol's history.

On the outskirts of Innsbruck, in Wattens, is the Swarovski Crystal Museum (Swarovski Kristallwelten). The displays include designs by Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol and are well worth a visit.

The Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art showcases cultural treasures from the region's past.

Goldenes Dachl

The Goldenes Dachl gleams above the city of Innsbruck and is prominent in its skyline. It is a former royal residence and its name, meaning Golden Roof, derives from the canopy of gilded copper tiles which gleam like gold in the sun.

Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace (Kaiserliche Hofburg) stands at the centre of the town and is a testament to Innsbruck's former glory. The interior rooms with their decadent and opulent décor make the Imperial Palace a must-see for any tourist.

Court Church

The Court Church houses the cenotaph of Emperor Maximilian I. Twenty-eight larger-than-life bronze statues of the Emperor's relatives and ancestors flank the monumental tomb.

Alpine Zoo

The Alpine Zoo is home to over 2000 Alpine animals of 150 species from the entire region of the Alps.

Casino

Innsbruck's Casino is the largest in Austria. It is attached to the Hilton Innsbruck and is open for elegant gaming. The crowd that frequents the casino is smart and jackets are required to enter.

St Anne's Column

This landmark was built along Maria Theresien Street to mark Tyrol's liberation from Bavaria. It features a statue of St Anne on the top and many other saints around the bottom.

Cathedral of St James

Also known as Innsbruck Cathedral, this important building was a site of Christian Medieval pilgrimage. Today it holds the tomb of Archduke Maximilian III, the Innsbruck peace bells and a popular painting of Madonna and the Child by Lukas Cranach the Elder.

Ambras Castle

This former residence of Archduke Ferdinand II houses his collection of armour and antiques, as well as the Hapsburg Portrait Gallery in the upper castle.

Wilten Basilica

Known as the most beautiful Rococo church in the whole of Austria, Wilten Basilica sits on the site where Romans were thought to have worshipped as early as the 5th century. The main highlight is the 'Our Lady under the Four Columns' sculpture.

Funicular and Cable Car

To enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Karwendel Nature Park, you can first take the Hungerburg funicular to Hermann Buhl Platz. You can then walk across to the Nordkettenbahnen cable car to make your way to the top of the Seegrube.

Bergisel Ski Jump

This piece of modern architecture was created by Zaha Hadid and plays host to annual winter sporting events. You can climb to the top for fantastic views or watch the daredevil jumpers.

Helbling House

This Gothic mansion is named after Sebastian Helbling who used to run a small cafe from inside. It is a great example of the grandeur that used to be found all over the Old Town.

Triumphal Arch

This eye-catching monument was created by Empress Maria Theresa. It both depicts and was built in honour of her son Emperor Leopold II's marriage to Maria Ludovica of Spain.

Olympia Ski World

If you're a fan of winter sports then this is where you need to head. The area features no less than nine different ski resorts, which can all be accessed together when you buy an OlympiaWorld lift pass.

Numerous Würstelstandl (sausage stands) are scattered throughout the city. They offer quick and simple snacks and cheap drinks, making them very popular with both locals and tourists. They can be found opposite the Golden Roof, on Maria-Theresien-Straße in front of the Kaufhaus Tyrol, at the triumphal arch, and a late-night address well known among locals, 'Franz' on the Südring.

Stiftskeller and the Ottoburg offer traditional Austrian and Tyrolean food at reasonable prices.

Innsbruck is also host to numerous international culinary restaurants. For example, there are many Italian restaurants ranging from self-service restaurants, such as Salute, the Prendi branches or Innrain to the more gourmet Da Peppino, situated close to the Old Town.

Thai cuisine is also popular in Innsbruck. Thai Li is a small, award-winning establishment that serves inexpensive lunches and is situated in the outer walls of the Old Town.

Papa Joe's and Chili's serve American-Caribbean and an American-Mexican cuisine.

In Innsbruck, there is a culture of part-restaurant, part-cafe and part-bar establishments which are open all day and some throughout the night. Some examples include Krahvogl, Elferhaus or Theresienbräu.

The café culture in Innsbruck is also thriving. Cafe Katzung has a relaxed atmosphere where coffee can be drunk at leisure, passing away long afternoons. Cafe Central is much larger and more rustic and serves warm meals.

The main shopping centres in Innsbruck include the centrally located Rathaus Gallerien, along with the nearby malls of DEZ-Einkaufszentrum and Einkaufcenter Sillpark. There is also an open-air shopping mall that can be found in the centre of Innsbruck.

To have a unique shopping experience visit the Old Town, where shopping and sightseeing can be combined. Go along the pedestrianised Maria Theresien Strasse and Herzog Friedrich Strasse, where numerous souvenir shops can be found. In one of the oldest buildings of the town, Swarovski is housed, where beautifully made crystalware from the Tyrol region can be purchased.

Close to Innsbruck and within the neighbouring village of Neu-Rum are a number of converted shopping warehouses, which are well worth a visit.

Innsbruck's most popular bars and night-time hot spots are the Europa-Bar in the Europa Hotel and the 5th-floor bar at the modern Hotel The Penz in the city. Perhaps even more popular are Gössers and Havanna which are interestingly located in the town hall gallery. For panoramic views, visit The Roof Top Wine Bar 360°.

Theresienbräu and the Elferhaus are for the younger crowd. In Theresienbräu, there is an actual brewery where you can watch the beer being made. Piano Cafe/Bar is for a more mature crowd. It is relaxed and comfortable with an antique interior and paintings that cover the walls.

Café Club Dine & Dance is a large Victorian bar with high ceilings and a smoking club atmosphere. The club has a large and spacious interior with seating in a loft over the main floor and a quieter, more intimate bar to the side.

Treibhaus is tucked in a back alley just outside the Altstadt. It is Innsbruck's real bohemian hangout for all ages and is visited by tourists and locals alike. A spacious upstairs has a kitchen serving pizza and the basement is known for playing hot local jazz and ethnic music.

Bögen-Lokale is where you can dance and party until morning.

Bacchus is a former 80s disco and now one of the gay/lesbian meeting places in Innsbruck. It's open until dawn.

Prometheus Keller is divided into a café and a cellar. The cellar hosts the oldest dance club in Innsbruck. This club has a unique style, you won't find cheaper drinks in Innsbruck and the DJs provide a modern and interesting sound.

Water Fountains

Around the city, you will see plenty of water fountains. These carry water direct from the mountains and are perfect for refilling your bottle on a hot day.

Swimming In The Lakes

When temperatures start to rise, the locals like nothing more than relaxing in one of the many lakes. Baggersee and Lanser See are closest to the city centre.

Mountain Yoga

Muttereralm Park hosts morning yoga sessions with the Alps as a stunning background. For 27 Euros you get a yoga class, breakfast and access to the cable car.

Kneipp Pools

These small pools of cold water have been soothing aching limbs since 1850. Sebastian Kneipp first came up with the idea and locals have been reaping the benefits ever since.