The enchanting Austrian city of Innsbruck brings together the beauty of Alpine nature with the shops, museums, and restaurants of a thriving urban environment.
The capital of Tyrol, it is located in a valley and affords you breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains from the colorful city streets.
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If you’re planning your first visit to the city, you might be wondering what to do in Innsbruck in 2 days and how to plan your time. So we’ve put together this handy guide to help!
Read on to discover our suggested activities for each morning, afternoon, and evening of your visit. We’ve also shared our recommendations for some of the best places in Innsbruck to eat and stay.
Tip: We suggest buying the Innsbruck City Card to use during your visit. It gives you unlimited public transport on buses and trams operated by the IVB, along with the hop-on hop-off bus and the cable car ride at Nordkettenbahn.
Admission to a variety of attractions is also included, making it great value for money.
Day 1
On the first day of your weekend in Innsbruck you’ll be exploring the sights and museums in the Old Town, climbing the city’s tower, then enjoying the views from the top of a mountain!
Morning
Start the day with breakfast at Zimt and Zucker, a little cafe in the city center. It serves great coffee, wonderful fresh pastries, and unforgettable apple strudel!
From there you can start exploring Innsbruck Old Town (Aldstadt Von Innsbruck) – a great place to understand the city’s culture and interesting history.
It is very compact and easy to get around on foot, the streets lined with vividly painted buildings that stand out so beautifully against the snowy white mountains beyond.
Be sure to check out the 18th-century Dom zu St Jakob (cathedral). This beautiful baroque building has been restored to its former glory after extensive damage over the years.
It houses the tomb of Archduke Maximilian III along with one of the region’s most important religious artworks – The Madonna and Child. You can see this over the altar.
The cathedral is important for another reason, too – it is actually a stop on the medieval Christian pilgrimage route ‘the Way of St. James’.
Another ‘must see’ is the Goldenes Dahl. Its iconic copper-tiled golden roof was completed in 1500 to mark the marriage of Maximilian I and Bianca Maria Sforza. You can either look at it from the outside or enter the small, family-friendly museum to learn all about the city’s history.
From there, make your way to the Swarovski Crystal World. This unique attraction is totally magical, combining crystals, lights, modern art, and gardens.
It features different rooms designed by prominent artists from around the world and an impressive giant at the entrance. This is much more than a museum about crystals and definitely worth a visit!
As lunchtime approaches, head to the Innsbrucker Hofgarten. This 10-hectare garden at the edge of the Old Town is the perfect place for a picnic, with kids’ playgrounds, garden chess, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Afternoon
Climb the Stadtturm – the city tower – after lunch and see Innsbruck from a whole new perspective. Built in the 15th century, it costs a few Euros to enter and has a spiral staircase with 133 steps taking you to the observation deck at the top.
After that, it’s time for more magnificent views – but this time, they’re from the mountaintop!
To get there you need to take the Nordkette Cable Car, which runs right from the city center. You can use the Innsbruck City Card for this.
The station at the top – Hafelekar – is located 2.25 km above sea level. From the station, it’s just a short walk up a trail to the mountain’s peak.
As you can imagine, the views from this elevation are simply spectacular, especially if you’re visiting during the winter and surrounded by snow. Indeed, there are amazing photo opportunities at every turn.
If you’re feeling energetic, you’ll find there are some longer trails to explore, taking you to other mountain peaks. But you’ll need to plan ahead for this to ensure you have the right gear and supplies.
Evening
After enjoying the brisk mountain air you’ll have built up quite an appetite! So head to Fischerhausl restaurant in the evening for its incredible Tyrolean fare.
It is one of the oldest restaurants in the city and serves everything from Wiener Schnitzel to Tiroler Gröstl (a delicious bacon, potato, and onion fry-up)!
If you happen to be visiting in the winter, make sure you check out the famous mulled wine stall too!
Day 2
On the second of your two days in Innsbruck, you’ll visit the city’s famous ski jump area, tour its castle, and check out the architecture at the beautiful Imperial Palace.
Morning
The Bergisel Ski Jump Area is located on the wooded Bergisel Hill, towering high above the city. It is one of Innsbruck’s most popular attractions and quite amazing to look at, with a beautifully designed tower.
Olympic events have been hosted here twice, in 1964 and 1976, and each January the Ski Jump hosts the third competition of the prestigious Four Hills Tournament.
When visiting you can ride the inclined elevator, which takes you to a height of 250 meters over Innsbruck in just a couple of minutes. Here you’ll find a restaurant and viewing terrace with sweeping 360-degree views.
Depending on when you visit, you may even be lucky enough to see some of the ski-jumpers training!
Your next stop is Ambras Castle, located on the hills above the city.
Once home to Archduke Ferdinand II and his family, it was built in the 16th century and still houses his impressive collection of artwork in the Lower Castle’s museum.
The Upper Castle contains 200 portraits from the Hapsburg era and the entire building is surrounded by English-landscaped gardens, with peacocks roaming freely.
This is a great family attraction, too, and if you’re traveling with kids they’ll love the tours with knights and the exciting treasure hunts!
As the morning draws to an end, head back into the city for lunch at Weisses Rossl. It serves beautifully presented Tyrolean specialties and has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Afternoon
After lunch, head to the Imperial Palace at Innsbruck, one of the three major historic-cultural monuments in Austria.
Built by Archduke Sigmund the Rich and completed in the year 1500 under Emperor Maximilian I, it is an awesome structure that has appeared in several movies.
Now a world-class museum, it has been extensively restored, so it looks every bit as magnificent as it would have done in the past.
The Giant’s Hall is simply breathtaking in scale and opulence, and the Empress Elisabeth Apartment is beautiful, with 18th-century artworks, tapestries, and furnishings. You can also see portraits from the Habsburg Dynasty lining the walls of the lavish entry hallway.
After seeing the main sights of Innsbruck in 2 days, it’s now time to do some people-watching and shopping along Maria-Theresien-Strasse, one of the most famous streets in the country.
It is named after Empress Maria Theresa, the eldest daughter of Emperor Charles VI and the only female ruler of the house of the Hapsburgs.
Extending from the Triumphal Arch to the Altstadt, it is fully pedestrianized and lined with 17th and 18th-century baroque buildings. You’ll find plenty of bustling cafes and restaurants, beautiful churches, and some excellent shops.
And if you’re visiting near Christmas, it’s a great place to pick up some festive ornaments!
Be sure to stop and take a photo along the street, with the Alps in the background – it’s a unique and stunning perspective!
Evening
There really is only one way to end your 2 days in Innsbruck, and that’s at the legendary Gundolf Family’s show.
Established in 1967, this is the best place to experience the authentic Tyrolean culture, with a show including yodeling, folk dancing, and traditional music. You’ll even get to see the ‘shoe-slapping’ for which the region is famous!
The show lasts for around 1.5 hours – with a 3-course meal included – and there are dates available throughout the year. Just be sure to book your tickets in advance, as this is one of the most popular things to do in the city.
Are 2 Days In Innsbruck Enough?
2 days is just the right amount of time for a visit to Innsbruck. All the main attractions are close together and easy to walk to, so it is the ideal city to choose for a short break.
If you choose to follow our itinerary for two days in Innsbruck, bear in mind that you will need two FULL days.
If you have a late arrival time or leave early on your last day, we’d suggest adding an extra night to your stay.
Where To Stay In Innsbruck
Here are some of our favorite places to stay in Innsbruck, with a suggestion to suit every budget!
Best Budget Accommodation
With a convenient location on the outskirts of the city, the simply furnished Marmota Hostel has its own garden with a terrace and barbecue facilities.
Each room has its own private bathroom and toilet, and there is a shared common room, plus free storage for luggage and ski/snowboard gear.
Best Mid-Range Accommodation
The elegantly furnished Hotel Zach sits on a quiet side street just a 5-minute walk from Innsbruck’s Old Town. Each bright, clean room has cable TV, a work desk, and a private bathroom. There is also a courtyard with a seating area and a fitness room.
A buffet breakfast with fresh fruit, vegetables, and traditional Tyrolean bacon is served daily.
Best Luxury Accommodation
The traditional Hotel Mondschein is located just across the bridge from the Old Town of Innsbruck and sits right on the Inn River. The Inn Valley Bicycle Trail passes right by and the hotel is just a 3-minute walk from the Golden Roof.
Some rooms offer exceptional city views and all have elegant bathrooms decorated in blue marble and Swarovski crystals. A buffet breakfast using local ingredients is served daily in the cheerful breakfast room overlooking the Old Town and free tea and coffee are served all day.
Final Thoughts On This Itinerary For Two Days In Innsbruck
From snowy landscapes and jaw-dropping natural vistas to historic buildings and delicious cuisine, Innsbruck has it all!
We hope this itinerary has helped you plan your stay and that you enjoy everything the city has to offer.
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