Tyrol Innsbruck
5
Day Itinerary •
Austria
Five days in Tyrol and Innsbruck give you the full sweep of the most extraordinary Alpine region in Austria, from the Nordkette peaks rising directly above Innsbruck's medieval streets to the extraordinary Zillertal valley with its glaciers and traditional villages, the legendary resort of Kitzbuhel with its extraordinary medieval old town, the Habsburg silver towns of Hall and Schwaz, and the extraordinary Stubai glacier just 45 minutes from the city centre. This route covers the complete Tyrol. Innsbruck's old town and Hofburg, the Nordkette panorama and Ambras Castle, the medieval salt town of Hall and the silver mines of Schwaz, the extraordinary Zillertal valley with Mayrhofen and the Hintertux glacier, the extraordinary alpine village of Alpbach, and Kitzbuhel's extraordinary medieval walled town with the most famous downhill ski race course in the world.
Best Time To Visit
June to September or December to March
Getting There
Fly into Innsbruck or Munich, train 2 hours
Getting Around
Innsbruck Card for city. Car recommended for Zillertal and Kitzbuhel
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 170 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, walking, cable cars and day trips
DAY 1
INNSBRUCK OLD TOWN
MORNING
INNSBRUCK OLD TOWN AND THE GOLDEN ROOF
Innsbruck's old town is the most extraordinary Alpine city in Austria, its medieval lanes and Baroque facades compressed between the Inn river and the Nordkette cliffs rising directly above. The Golden Roof, built in 1500 for Emperor Maximilian I with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, is the symbol of the city. The Stadtturm gives the finest panorama over the old town. The Hofburg's Giant Hall with its extraordinary Maulbertsch fresco and the Hofkirche with 28 Renaissance bronze figures are outstanding. Hofburg entry approx 9 euros. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
THE HOFKIRCHE, IMPERIAL CRYPT AND AMBRAS
The Hofkirche contains the most extraordinary collection of Renaissance bronze figures in Europe, 28 larger-than-life Habsburg ancestors including King Arthur and Theodoric cast by the young Durer. Emperor Maximilian's cenotaph in the centre is one of the finest works of Renaissance sculpture in Austria. The Schloss Ambras above the city, built by Archduke Ferdinand II, contains the extraordinary Armour Chamber and the finest Kunstkammer collection in Austria. Ambras entry approx 16 euros. Travel: 20 min walk to Inn
AFTERNOON
THE INN RIVER AND THE MARIAHILF QUARTER
The Inn river between the colourful medieval facades and the Nordkette peaks above gives the most extraordinary urban mountain panorama in the Alps. The Mariahilf quarter on the right bank has the finest authentic Tyrolean character in the city. The extraordinary Innbrucke view of the old town facade is the most photographed in Innsbruck. The Maria-Theresien-Strasse with the Annasaule column and the Baroque facade of the old town closing the view to the north is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Innsbruck Triumphal Arch was built in 1765 in a single day for a royal wedding, but its south face commemorates the death of Emperor Franz I Stephan who died during the celebrations. The north face shows joy, the south face mourning. The most extraordinary architectural ambivalence in Austria. The Annasaule column on the Maria-Theresien-Strasse gives the finest single view of the Nordkette from the city.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Sacher Innsbruck Outstanding coffee house on the Rennweg. Coffee and extraordinary Tyrolean pastries. | Lunch: Ottoburg, Innsbruck The oldest restaurant in Innsbruck in a 15th-century tower. Local venison and Tyrolean wine. | Dinner: Restaurant Philippine Outstanding modern Tyrolean cuisine. Local lamb and the finest Tyrolean Zweigelt wine.
DAY 2
NORDKETTE AND SWAROVSKI
MORNING
THE NORDKETTE TO 2,334 METRES
The Nordkettenbahn rises from the city centre by funicular to the Hungerburg at 860 metres, then by cable car to the Seegrube at 1,905 metres and the Hafelekar at 2,334 metres, the entire journey taking 25 minutes. The panorama from the Hafelekar over Innsbruck and the Inn valley is the most extraordinary urban mountain view in the Alps. The extraordinary ridge walk gives views over the wild northern face. The Nordkette is covered by the Innsbruck Card. Single return approx 36 euros. Travel: 25 min cable car and funicular down
MIDDAY
THE HUNGERBURG PANORAMA WALK
The Hungerburg panorama trail above Innsbruck gives continuous views over the city for 3km along the extraordinary shelf above the Inn valley. The descent through the Weiherburg gorge takes 45 minutes through extraordinary pine forest. The Alpenzoo at 727 metres is the highest zoo in Europe, with extraordinary Alpine animals in natural enclosures. The funicular from the zoo back to the city is covered by the Innsbruck Card. Travel: 30 min bus to Wattens
AFTERNOON
SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL WORLDS
The Swarovski Crystal Worlds at Wattens is 17 extraordinary underground chambers designed by different artists around Swarovski crystal, created in 1995. The crystal dome, the mirror room and the extraordinary giant head entrance are outstanding. The crystal cloud installation above the entrance is the most extraordinary outdoor crystal sculpture in the world. The extraordinary garden with crystal installations and playgrounds is outstanding. Entry approx 22 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bergisel ski jump rebuilt by Zaha Hadid in 2002 is the most extraordinary piece of contemporary architecture in Tyrol, its cantilevered tower giving a panorama over Innsbruck from the jump platform. The Bergisel is the site of the Battle of 1809 where Andreas Hofer led the Tyrolean resistance against Napoleon. Entry approx 11 euros. The four Hills Tournament is held here every January.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Seegrube restaurant Coffee at 1,905m before walking to the Hafelekar. Extraordinary mountain breakfast. | Lunch: Restaurant Seegrube Outstanding mountain restaurant. Local Tyrolean food with city panorama below. | Dinner: Stiftskeller, Innsbruck Outstanding traditional Tyrolean inn. Local Graukase and extraordinary Tyrolean wine.
DAY 3
HALL, SCHWAZ AND STUBAI
MORNING
HALL IN TIROL AND THE MINT TOWER
Hall in Tirol is the most extraordinary and least known medieval town in Austria, its entirely intact old town walls, towers and mint where the first Thaler coin was struck in 1486 giving it an authentic character entirely unaffected by tourism. The Burg Hasegg castle above contains the extraordinary Mint Tower museum telling the story of the Thaler that gave its name to the dollar. The Stadtplatz below is the finest medieval square in Tyrol. Castle entry approx 9 euros. Travel: 25 min bus to Schwaz
MIDDAY
THE SCHWAZ SILVER MINE
The Schwaz silver mine was the richest mine in Europe in the 15th century, producing half the world's silver supply and financing the Habsburgs' global empire. The extraordinary underground tour by narrow-gauge railway through 16th-century galleries gives the finest mining heritage experience in Austria. The Franciscan monastery church above with its extraordinary copper roof is the finest Gothic church in Tyrol. Mine entry approx 20 euros. Travel: 45 min bus to Stubai
AFTERNOON
THE STUBAI GLACIER
The Stubaier Gletscher at 3,210 metres above Neustift im Stubaital is the most accessible glacier in Austria, just 45 minutes from Innsbruck by bus and open year-round for skiing and glacier walks. The Gamsgarten cable car rises to 2,700 metres giving extraordinary views over the entire Stubai valley and the glacier above. The extraordinary Jochdole at 3,150 metres gives views into Italy. Glacier cable car approx 49 euros return.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Kellerjoch above Schwaz at 2,344 metres is the most extraordinary undiscovered summit in the Inn valley, its extraordinary panorama over the entire Tyrolean Alps entirely free of the crowds at the Nordkette. A cable car from Schwaz rises to the summit in 20 minutes. Entry approx 22 euros return. The finest undiscovered viewpoint in Tyrol.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Innsbruck Coffee before the bus to Hall. The first bus to Hall leaves at 7.30am. | Lunch: Cafe Herzog, Hall in Tirol Outstanding cafe-restaurant in the medieval town. Local trout and Austrian white wine. | Dinner: Gasthof Weisses Lamm, Innsbruck Outstanding traditional Tyrolean inn. Local Kasnocken and Gruner Veltliner.
DAY 4
ZILLERTAL AND KITZBUHEL
MORNING
THE ZILLERTAL RAILWAY AND MAYRHOFEN
The Zillertal is the most extraordinary side valley in Tyrol, its traditional villages, flower-balcony farmhouses and extraordinary glacier walls making it the finest valley in the Austrian Alps. The narrow-gauge Zillertal Railway from Jenbach to Mayrhofen takes 50 minutes through extraordinary traditional villages. Mayrhofen at the head of the valley is the finest base, its extraordinary Penkenbahn cable car rising to 2,095 metres. Railway from Jenbach covered by regional pass. Travel: 20 min cable car to Penken
MIDDAY
THE PENKEN AND HINTERTUX GLACIER
The Penken at 2,095 metres above Mayrhofen gives the extraordinary panorama over the Zillertal from the Gerlospass to the Hintertux glacier. The walk along the Penken ridge in summer gives extraordinary views of the Zillertal Alps. The Hintertux Glacier at the head of the valley at 3,250 metres is the only glacier in Austria open for skiing year-round. The extraordinary glacier walk on the permanent snowfield is outstanding. Hintertux cable car approx 52 euros return. Travel: 1.5 hour train to Kitzbuhel
AFTERNOON
KITZBUHEL OLD TOWN
Kitzbuhel is the most extraordinary medieval resort town in the Alps, its extraordinary 14th-century walls and towers enclosing one of the finest small old towns in Austria. The two parish churches on the hill, the Pfarrkirche and the Liebfrauenkirche, give the finest medieval townscape in Tyrol. The Hahnenkamm mountain above the town is the site of the most famous downhill ski race in the world, held each January. The town itself is extraordinary and entirely authentic.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The village of Alpbach east of Innsbruck is the most beautiful village in Austria, voted the most beautiful flower village in Europe multiple times, its extraordinary flower-covered balconies and entirely traditional Tyrolean architecture in a quiet valley between Innsbruck and Kitzbuhel. The Alpbachtal Seenland gondola above gives extraordinary views. The village is entirely free to walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gasthaus in Zillertal Coffee in a traditional Tyrolean gasthaus before the Zillertal Railway. | Lunch: Grillhof Penken Outstanding mountain restaurant at 2,095m above Mayrhofen. Local cheese and Tyrolean food. | Dinner: Restaurant Zur Tenne, Kitzbuhel Outstanding traditional restaurant in the medieval town. Local venison and Kitzbuhel wine.
DAY 5
KITZBUHEL AND DEPARTURE
MORNING
KITZBUHEL, THE HAHNENKAMM AND THE STREIFALM
The Hahnenkamm cable car above Kitzbuhel rises to 1,655 metres, the top of the most famous downhill ski race course in the world. The extraordinary Streif course, walkable in summer, descends 860 metres with a maximum gradient of 85 percent. The Streifalm restaurant at the top gives extraordinary views over the Kitzbuheler Alps. The Kitzbuheler Horn on the opposite side of town rises to 1,996 metres and gives the finest panorama over the entire region. Horn cable car approx 35 euros. Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
KITZBUHEL OLD TOWN AND THE PARISH CHURCHES
Kitzbuhel's extraordinary old town within its medieval walls contains the finest collection of traditional painted houses in Tyrol. The Pfarrkirche of St Andrew on the hill dates from the 14th century and contains the extraordinary Kitzbuehel Coat of Arms windows. The extraordinary Liebfrauenkirche beside it has a remarkable late Gothic lantern tower. The old town market square with its extraordinary painted facades is the finest in Tyrol. The Stadtmuseum tells the extraordinary story of the town. Travel: 1.5 hour train back to Innsbruck
AFTERNOON
DEPARTURE VIA THE INN VALLEY
The train from Kitzbuhel to Innsbruck passes through the extraordinary Inn valley with its dramatic combination of medieval towns and Alpine peaks above. The journey gives extraordinary views of the Karwendel mountains from the train window. The Innsbruck main station is connected directly to the airport by the extraordinary City Airport Train. The extraordinary view of the Nordkette above the city from the train window is the finest farewell to Tyrol.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Krimml Waterfalls in the Salzach valley on the western edge of Tyrol are the largest waterfalls in Europe, three tiers totalling 380 metres giving an extraordinary thundering spectacle visible and audible from 2km away. The walk along the waterfalls takes approximately 1.5 hours. Entry to the national park area approx 4 euros. The finest natural spectacle in the Eastern Alps.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Kitzbuhel old town Coffee in the extraordinary painted medieval square before the cable car opens. | Lunch: Streifalm, Hahnenkamm Outstanding mountain restaurant at the top of the world's most famous ski race course. | Dinner: Restaurant Schwarzer Adler, Innsbruck Outstanding farewell dinner in Innsbruck. Local venison and the finest Tyrolean Riesling.
Where To Stay
Innsbruck, Nights 1 to 3 Hotel Schwarzer Adler or Grand Hotel Europa. Old town location. Approx 100 to 300 euros. Kitzbuhel, Nights 4 to 5 Hotel Tennerhof or Weisses Roessl. In the medieval town. Approx 130 to 400 euros. Budget Option A&O Innsbruck or Nendwich Hostel. Excellent transport. Approx 50 to 100 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Take the first Nordkette cable car at 8am. The panorama over Innsbruck with nobody else at the top is extraordinary.
2. The Innsbruck Card gives the Nordkette, all city buses and the Hungerburg funicular. Buy the 48-hour card on arrival.
3. Hall in Tirol is 10 minutes from Innsbruck by bus and almost entirely unknown internationally. Medieval streets entirely authentic.
4. The Hintertux glacier above Mayrhofen is open year-round. Even in July the glacier is extraordinary and cold.
5. Kitzbuhel's medieval old town is best at 7am before the day visitors arrive. The Hahnenkamm course is free to walk.
6. The Alpbach valley east of Innsbruck is the most beautiful hidden valley in Tyrol, its extraordinary flower-balcony village entirely free.
Total Budget
90 to 170 euros/day