Innsbruck: on the trail of history, culture and more.
Museums and architecture of the capital of the Alps
Innsbruck also has several cultural attractions to offer: the city can look back at a long cultural history. A colourful blend of museums, galleries, concerts and a range of exhibitions round out the cultural life of the Alpine metropolis. We have chosen a selection of our personal favourites - Innsbruck cultural highlights that are well worth a visit - although we certainly aren't going to claim that it's a complete list. There is of course much, much more to discover…
Regular guided tours of the city: discovering the city "per pedes"
Regular guided tours of the city offer an ideal opportunity to learn about the history of Innsbruck. These tours are free with the Innsbruck Card but can also be booked on an individual basis. Together with a "Per Pedes" guide, you can discover the hidden beauties of the historic old town - on foot, of course, as the name suggests - and see some highlights of Innsbruck's eventful history in passing. The Altstadt Imperial Tour sets off each day at 11am, while the Altstadt Classic Tour in English departs daily at 2pm. No prior booking is required for the Per Pedes tour - simply meet at the Innsbruck Information Centre at the appropriate time with your ticket. You can also purchase your ticket from the Information Centre shop. Both tours take approx. one and a half hours.
The Tyrolean State Museum, or Ferdinandeum – from the Stone Age to the present day
A visit to the Tyrolean State Museum, also known as the Ferdinandeum, will take you on a journey through time from the Stone Age, through the Middle Ages and up to the time of Tyrolean people's hero Andreas Hofer. The museum also houses an extensive collection of art, art history, cartography and items from the daily life of Tyrol's early history. Finds from archaeological digs across Tyrol are also displayed. A point of interest: did you know that the instruments of Tyrolean violin-maker Jakob Stainer are at least as highly sought-after as those of the famous Antonio Stradivari? His instruments are also on display in the museum. Art aficionados will enjoy seeing paintings by artists such as Lucas Cranach, Rembrandt van Rijn, Franz Defregger, Albin Egger-Lienz and Max Weiler.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Audioversum: listen, listen... that's what it's all about in this interactive experience
The Audioversum is a science centre containing audio experiences and marvels for both adults and children. Visitors are invited to participate, wonder and ultimately understand at the 18 activity stations of the main exhibition "The World of Hearing". Become more aware of your sense of hearing and be inspired to experience more aspects of this sense through play. A new element of the exhibition is the Sound Labyrinth, which visitors navigate by sound alone while wearing Microsoft HoloLens mixed-reality glasses. Also new is the Singing Wall, which converts your movements into melodies - the body itself becomes a musical instrument. Temporary special exhibitions also cover the other senses of the human body.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Hofgarten – the green heart of Innsbruck
Fancy a romantic picnic by the lily pond? Or are you looking for a little peace and quiet and an opportunity to read a good book? Perhaps you just want to sit on a bench in the shade of a majestic old tree and watch the colourful world go by? The Hofgarten gardens, located next to the Imperial palace and not far from the valley station of the North Chain railway, are the living green heart of the city. The gardens have occupied this piece of land since the early 15th century, but in those days only imperial majesties, princes and members of the court were permitted to visit them. Even the Habsburg empress Maria Theresia enjoyed "gardening" here - she had a section of the gardens redesigned. Today the Hofgarten is open to everyone. You can play open-air chess or take in a little music in the pavilion. Don't miss a visit to the Hofgarten Café, which offers a comfortable Biergarten ambience during the day. In the evenings, the café transforms into a happening nightspot.
Opening hours: The gardens are open daily from 6:00 am. In winter they are closed at 5:30 pm while in summer the hours are extended to 10:30 pm.
Are you looking for more culture tips for your holiday in Innsbruck? Just ask at reception - you are sure to find the right advice there!
Are you interested in the history and culture of Innsbruck? Send us your obligation-free enquiry or call us on +43 512 589667 to secure your room in Innsbruck at the unique Hotel Zach.
