Things to Do in Innsbruck

Yet another castle with a love story behind it, after the Beast’s castle in Beauty & the Beast the Schloss Ambras will be your second favorite castle. The Schloss Ambras is essentially a 10th century castle that was revamped by the Archduke Ferdinand II for his bride, a commoner. Ferdinand II was given permission to marry Philippine Welser as long as the married couple would live outside the city limits.

Painting a perfect picture of a castle perched on a hill, the Schloss Ambras, a symbol of love if you will, makes for quite a heart-warming visit. The fortress turned castle sports a Spanish Hall 43 meters in length and a sunken bath that was the sign of royalty and wealth.

The castle for tourist purposes has been divided into two sections- the upper castle and the lower castle. The upper section houses serves as an art gallery where portraits of people of the Habsburg House whilst the bottom half of the castle is more like a museum where all the armaments are up on display including the Art & Curiosity Cabinet.

If all the songs are adages are to be believed and tested, diamonds are indeed a woman’s best friend. Out of the many coveted diamonds, the Swarovski rocks are somewhere on top of that list. It all started with one Austrian man and his quest to make it easier for men to placate the women in their lives with a star studded gem.

The Swarovski Kristallwelten has 14 chambers, rightly named the Chambers of Wonders, which display the precision-cut rocks the Swarovski brand is famous for, including the world’s biggest crystal that weighs around 62 kgs. A major tourist attraction, you’re greeted with a giant head with glittering eyes, spewing out water. Apart from diamonds for you to drool over, there are a variety of other multimedia interactions you’ll have with the diamonds- a 3D light show, art works with a crystalline touch and Alexander McQueen’s crystal tree to name a few. Be sure to keep an eye on the watch here else you won’t know when the day would have whizzed by.

A world class museum in Innsbruck Austria, Swarovski kristallwelten offers you an entry into a glittering world. Since it is a much coveted attraction, Swarovski kristallwelten tickets are always in demand. Tickets for Swarovski kristallwelten tours are readily available with us and offer you an exciting journey. As you book tickets for Swarovski kristallwelten with us, you get to know the place better. You won’t find Swarovski kristallwelten ticket prices at better deal anywhere else.

During the times of Maximillian I, the Golden Roof was considered the ultimate vantage point and rightly so, because the three storied balcony was from where the Maximillian enjoyed the view of the Alps as well as looked down upon the hustle bustle of the town.

Today, the Golden Roof is a major tourist attraction and an important landmark of Innsbruck. The roof has 2675 fire-gilt copper tiles to commemorate the marriage of Maximillian I and Bianca Maria Sforza of Milan. A museum was added much later (1996) to display the life and accomplishments of the ruler who is known to bridge the gap between the Middle Ages and the Northern Renaissance.

The Goldenes Dachl And Museum is not just a mere museum that gives all visitors a glimpse into the life of royalty years ago, but is also an excellent viewing point thanks to its superb location. Goldenes Dachl And Museum ticket prices are pretty reasonable and because of its beauty a number of people flock to the building every year eager for a visit. It is much easier to buy tickets for Goldenes Dachl And Museum online in advance to avoid last minute rushes. Goldenes Dachl And Museum tickets can be bought along with other tours to make tickets for Goldenes Dachl And Museum cheaper also.

Tyrolese art has never before been presented so beautifully. Some of the treasures of the Tyrolean Provincial Museum include the art works from the Bronze Age and original reliefs that were used to design the Golden Roof. The range of Austrian art on display here ranges from Gothic alter pieces to Klimt and Kokoscha; suffice to say, the Gothic period is well represented here. To mix things up a bit, the Dutch Masters too are on display alongside the frescos of Paul Troger, Alfons Walde and Egger-Lienz.

The one word guaranteed to come flying out of you as soon as you step into Austria’s finest royal court church is “wow”. The sheer grandeur will render you dum founded. But after you’ve gathered your wits about you, the beauty of the Hofkirche will become more apparent. Commissioned by Ferdinand I in 1553, the guest of honor is Emperor Maximilian I, though he actually isn’t buried here. The late Emperor’s tomb and its surrounding embellishments are one of the best examples of German Renaissance sculpting you will ever come across.

The tomb is carved out of black marble and depicts important life events of the Emperor; the tomb is set between 28 other statues, said to be of his ancestors- the most notable being King Arthur of England, guarding the tomb. The Gothic style church has a lovely Renaissance styled porch, a nave and a 16th century chapel with an altar and a statue of Madonna watching over the proceedings.

The best time to visit would be before the sun comes up as the sun shines directly on the altar, making it impossible to take a good picture.

The Imperial Palace, as it changed hands of ownership over the centuries has seen some extensive expansion and renovation. What you see today are the changes made by the last occupant of Austria’s top three historic buildings- Empress Maria Theresia. Does the name ring a bell? Well, the Empress mothered a child who was one of the most infamous queens of France- Marie Antoinette; look for the portrait of the primrose, the primal, which was Antoinette’s childhood nickname.

As you stroll through the palace, take time and let the Giant’s Hall sweep you off your feet. This is one time when your imagination won’t fail you- the 31 meter long Riesensaal (Giant’s Hall) will be just like how you imagined it to be. The Hall is adorned Rococo decorations, Habsburg family and of course the Empress’s and her children’s portraits as well.

Enjoy a glamorous view of the whole of Innsbruck and even the mighty Alps from the top of the 15th century Stadtturm Town Tower. Tickets for Stadtturm Town Tower are available on the spot, but may require some time in queues. You can buy tickets for Stadtturm Town Tower in advance from our ticket section and combine Stadtturm Town Tower tickets with a host of other touring options for some amazing fun!

Right opposite the Golden Roof lies a looming tower that was constructed to serve as a watch tower to keep a look-out for enemies and ensure that peace reigns in the city. Built in 1450, the Town Tower is 167 feet in height and your Herculean task is to tackle the 148 steps where the fruits of your labor will blossom right before you in terms of the breathtaking, jaw-dropping, picturesque views of the city complete with its spiral roofs, the Alstadt and the Nordkette Mountains waiting to greet you.

The Cathedral of Saint James is a fine example of baroque style architecture. Unfortunately the church was heavily damaged during the Second World War. From the outside, the cathedral doesn’t look anything out of the ordinary but step inside for a change of opinion. The nave is enclosed by three dome vaults. There are two main works of art that you should look for inside the cathedral. One is the painting of Madonna over the high altar; the other is a 1620 monument erected in honour of the Archduke Maximilian III, who passed way in 1618. The Cathedral is especially famous for its 57 peace bells that weigh an astounding 4,100 kilograms and ring daily at noon. Also the organ has a spectacular 3,729 pipes and is usually played during church performances.

Right next to the Hofkirche is the Tiroler Volkskunst Museum, one of the best heritage museums of Europe, which houses an impressive array of Tyrolean artifacts, folk art to be precise. Spanning over three floors, the exhibits cover all topics conceivable from national costumes to Christmas mangers and cribs to everyday items like furniture and cow bells. Each floor has a different theme to it. For example, the first floor is a Gothic Stube that has been restored complete with a low ceiling and wooden paneling.

One of the famous sights of Innsbruck, the Triumphal Arch commemorates a marriage as well as mourns for a death (pun not intended). The marriage being celebrated here is that between Archduke Leopold and Maria Ludovica, a Spanish Princess. Sadly, that was also the year the father of the groom unexpectedly passed away and that’s two sides of the Arch depict us extreme emotions. Unlike the other Arches built in those times, the Triumphpforte was made with blocks of stone.

One of the most under-rated senses is sound. A mere sound can convey so many emotions, and it’s played an important part in history be it a cry of war or declaration of independence. One instrument of sound that has been used to convey defeat or victory or impending doom is the bells. The 400 year old Grassmayr Bell Foundry tells you everything you need to know about the art of bell making, watch the casting process, hear them being tuned and even ring a few all of different musical notes.

Saint Anna’s Day is an important milestone in the history of Austria, more so after 1703 when the Austrians were successful in chasing the Bavarians across the border. The Tyrolese people erected a monument to show their gratitude to the people in politics who made this happen! The monument is topped by a statue of Virgin Mary on a crescent moon, looking like she’s watching over the city. It’s been almost 300 years now, but every Saturday, a light is lit at the top of the monument to convey the gratitude felt, to this very day.