3 Different Ways to Spend 1 Day in Innsbruck Itinerary

Since Ambras Castle doesn’t open until later in the morning, I recommend spending the first part of your day in Innsbruck exploring the delightful Old Town.

This area is filled with museums, churches, and quaint palaces. Your focus will be on soaking up the culture, art, and architecture of this city.

Naturally, you’ll stumble upon a wealth of fascinating historical treasures along the way! Here’s a rundown of how you can make the most of a day in Old Town Innsbruck.

1. The best place to start your morning in Innsbruck’s Old Town is at the southern end of Maria-Theresien-Straße. It is only a short walk from the station, and it is home to the Triumphpforte, or Triumphal Arch. This landmark, which is decorated with historical figures from Innsbruck’s past, is an excellent introduction to the city’s rich history.
2. After marveling at the Triumphpforte, stroll northwards into Maria-Theresien-Straße to begin immersing yourself in the timeless charm of Innsbruck. You can admire the architecture, people-watch, or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
3. Just a 3-minute walk to the north from Triumphpforte, around the intersection of Maria-Theresien-Straße and Meraner Straße, you’ll find a cluster of beautiful buildings. Prepare to be wowed by Altes Landhaus (No. 43), Palais Troyer-Spaur (No. 39), Palais Fugger-Taxis (No. 45), and Palais Trapp (No. 38).
4. Keep walking north until you reach the pedestrianized section of Maria-Theresien-Straße. It’s one of the most beautiful and vibrant parts of Innsbruck, with colorful buildings and a bustling atmosphere. Take your time to stroll along the street and admire the unique facades of the buildings. Don’t miss the graceful and unique-looking buildings on the west side of Maria-Theresien-Straße, especially near its intersection with Anichstraße.
5. While you’re in Maria-Theresien-Straße, be sure to check out Annasäule (Anna’s Column) and Spitalkirche. The latter is a great place to get a preview of the stunning architecture you’ll find in other attractions around Innsbruck.
6. After exploring Maria-Theresien-Straße, head north into the historic center of Old Town Innsbruck. Cross Marktgraben road to reach Herzog-Friedrich-Straße, the main street in Old Town’s historic center.
7. The Golden Roof gleaming at the end of Herzog-Friedrich-Straße will undoubtedly tempt you to walk straight to it. However, instead, you should first turn left onto Schlossergaße to see some hidden gems. Schlossergaße leads to Keibachgaße and Seilergaße, where you will find picturesque scenes.
8. Just a few steps down Schlossergaße, you will immediately see Kolbenturm, one of the medieval towers in the historic center of Innsbruck. It is one of the city’s hidden gems, charming for its Trompe-l’œil-decorated façades.
9. After passing through Kolbenturm, you will arrive at a small square where Schlossergaße and Keibachgaße meet. If you look towards Keibachgaße, you will see a picture-perfect view of the Nordkette mountain range between the colorful houses that line both sides of the street.
10. Keep walking down Keibachgaße until you reach its intersection with Seilergaße. When you reach the corner, turn east and you will see another picturesque view: the Stadtturm towering over the narrow street.
11. Continue strolling along Keibachgaße to return to Herzog-Friedrich-Straße. When you reach Herzog-Friedrich-Straße, you will see the Goldener Adler restaurant, which is decorated with colorful murals. Take a few moments to wander around Goldener Adler for some picture-perfect shots.
12. Of course, be sure to admire the stunning appearance of the main attractions in Innsbruck, which are also located along Herzog-Friedrich-Straße: (1) the Golden Roof, the symbol of the city, and (2) the Hölblinghaus, the most beautiful building in the historic center.
13. Walk westward along Herzog-Friedrich-Straße until you reach Herzog-Otto-Straße, which runs along the Inn River. Continue to Marktplatz, where you can take in the picturesque view of the colorful houses across the river. This is one of Innsbruck’s most iconic views, so be sure to take a photo or a selfie!
14. Maria-Theresien-Straße and Herzog-Friedrich-Straße have a wide variety of restaurants, but the ones with the best views are in Marketplatz. Here you can find a few cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating that offer a stunning view of Nordkette and Innsbruck’s colorful houses. Make the most of this opportunity to satisfy both your eyes and stomachs by having brunch or lunch here!
15. After visiting Marktplatz, take a pleasant stroll along the Herzog-Otto-Straße riverside footpath. You will be rewarded with panoramic views of Nordkette. Continue walking downstream until you reach Badgaße, the street after Herzog-Friedrich-Straße.
16. Walk down Badgaße for a few minutes to reach Innsbruck Cathedral. After Badgaße, you will emerge into Pfarrgaße. Turn left onto Domplatz to reach the cathedral.
17. Step inside Innsbruck Cathedral and be amazed by the breathtaking frescoes and stuccoes on the ceiling. Explore the cathedral to find two of Innsbruck’s most important treasures: the portrait of Maria Hilf and the Tomb of Archduke Maximilian III.
18. To get to Hofburg from Innsbruck Cathedral, take the small path on the left side of the church (if facing the facade). This will take you to Herrengasse, which intersects with Rennweg to the east. Hofburg’s elegant facade & entrance can be seen on Rennweg.
19. Step inside Hofburg and wander through its stately halls and rooms. See the imperial apartments and don’t miss the incredible interiors of the Giant’s Hall.
20. If you feel that you have already explored the streets of Old Town Innsbruck too quickly, you might also want to check and enjoy the exhibition about Emperor Maximilian I in Hofburg.
21. Once you have finished visiting Hofburg, proceed to the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, which is also the entrance to Hofkirche. The church and the museum are located at the southern end of Rennweg, so you should be able to find them quickly and visit them.
22. Visit Hofkirche and be dazzled by Innsbruck’s most prized possessions: the Cenotaph of Maximilian I and the Black Men. You can also find the tomb of Andreas Hofer, Tyrol’s national hero, inside Hofkirche.
23. After visiting Hofkirche, you can continue exploring other streets in the historic center, such as Burggraben and Riesengasse, which are located next to Hofkirche. To get to them quickly, you can pass through the tunnel next to Hofkirche. As far as I know, flea markets are sometimes held in Burggraben. Reisengasse, on the other hand, offers more opportunities for street photography.
24. It is advisable to have your lunch before visiting Ambras Castle for the second half of your one-day trip to Innsbruck.

You can tour Old Town Innsbruck faster than you might think, depending on how quickly you move from one sight to another.

If you find yourself finishing the exploration of Old Town Innsbruck quickly, you might want to visit the museums in Innsbruck that showcase the city’s culture and history.

1. Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art: This museum has many cultural items that tell the story of the region’s history. You’ll see things like handmade crafts, painted chests, tools, and nativity scenes. They also have traditional costumes that show the local fashion.
2. Tyrolean State Museum: This museum has seven collections of items from different time periods, from prehistoric times to the Early Middle Ages. You’ll see a variety of arts and crafts in styles from Romanesque and Gothic to Modern.

You can find more information about these museums in the resources section.