The best things to do in Innsbruck are the Nordkette cable cars from the Old Town to Hafelekar, the Golden Roof, the Hofkirche and its 28 bronze figures, Ambras Castle, the Bergisel ski jump and the Hofburg. Give the city two or three days, come in summer for hiking or winter for skiing, and buy the Innsbruck Card if you plan three or more sights.
Innsbruck is a Habsburg capital with a mountain range at the end of its streets: a funicular leaves the Old Town and twenty minutes later you stand above 2,000 metres. Below are the ten experiences worth your time, plus the months, lifts and passes to sort first.
Zaha Hadid's funicular leaves from under the Old Town, and two cable cars continue via Seegrube to Hafelekar at about 2,260 metres. Go early on a clear day and walk the short path from the top station to the summit cross.
Maximilian I's balcony carries 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles and anchors the Old Town. The small museum behind it tells his story; outside, come early or after dark, when the lane is quiet.
The Hofkirche holds Maximilian I's empty tomb, guarded by 28 larger-than-life bronze figures known as the Black Men. It is the finest Renaissance monument in the Alps, and one ticket also covers the folk art museum next door.
Archduke Ferdinand II built the lower castle to house his collections, and his Chamber of Art and Curiosities still stands where he arranged it. The Spanish Hall and the portrait gallery upstairs fill the rest of a long morning.
Zaha Hadid's tower above the Olympic jump has a café and a viewing platform looking straight down the inrun to the city and the Nordkette. Take the funicular up, then walk down to the Tirol Panorama next door.
The Habsburg palace owes its look to Maria Theresa, whose Giant Hall is lined with portraits of her family. The state rooms take an hour; the courtyard hosts the city's summer promenade concerts.
About 2,000 animals of around 150 Alpine species live on the Nordkette slope, from ibex to bearded vultures. The Hungerburgbahn stops at its own Alpenzoo station, so it pairs with a ride up the mountain.
The Old Town's watchtower has a viewing gallery 31 metres up, reached on foot by a stone spiral stair. The view runs over the rooftops to the Nordkette and the Golden Roof below.
A 1,000 square metre circular painting puts you inside the Battle of Bergisel of 13 August 1809, when Andreas Hofer's Tyroleans fought the French and Bavarians. The building also houses the Kaiserjäger Museum.
Ride the Patscherkofelbahn up from Igls and walk about 7 km along the tree line through stone pine forest to Tulfein. It is easy, wide and level, and the Glungezer gondola takes you down to Tulfes.
A historic Old Town inn serving home-style Tyrolean cooking in wood-panelled Stuben.
A plain local inn for Gröstl, dumplings and schnitzel, two minutes from Maria-Theresien-Straße.
International cooking on the seventh floor of the Rathausgalerien, with a Michelin Plate.
A 3.5 km via ferrata along the Nordkette ridge from Hafelekar towards Frau Hitt.
The Bergisel jump hosts the tournament's third stop, with qualification and competition over two days.
Four days of trail races in the mountains around the city, at the turn of April and May.
Six days in early June and around 70 films from nearly as many countries, at the Leokino and Cinematograph.
Fires shaped as hearts and crosses burn on the mountainsides, a Tyrolean vow dating to 1796.
A month of evening concerts in the Hofburg courtyard, from symphonic to big band.
Baroque opera and concerts in about 30 historic venues, from late July to the end of August.
The Old Town market under the Golden Roof, with tower brass playing daily at 5 pm.
New Year's Eve across the city, with fireworks lit on the Nordkette at midnight.
About 4 km west of the centre. Bus F runs to the Old Town and main station in 15 to 20 minutes.
Railjets to Vienna, Munich and Zurich, and trains over the Brenner to Italy. A 10-minute walk from the Old Town.
IVB runs the city trams and buses, including the J bus to Igls. Buy tickets from machines or the app; the driver charges more.
24, 48 or 72 hours of free entry to the main sights, one Nordkette ride and city transport. Worth it from three sights a day.
Pan-fried potatoes, onion and pork or beef, topped with a fried egg.
Bread dumplings studded with Tyrolean bacon, in broth or with sauerkraut.
Flattened cheese dumplings, fried and served in clear soup or with salad.
Half-moon pasta filled with spinach and curd, finished with brown butter.
Egg noodles baked with mountain cheese and topped with crisp onions.
Cured, lightly smoked ham, sliced thin on a wooden board with bread.
Torn, caramelised pancake with raisins and plum compote, a hut staple.
Thin pastry rolled around apples, cinnamon and raisins.
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