After making the move to Bavaria, I have had the luxury of being able to visit Austria with ease. One of my favourite discoveries is the city of Innsbruck: surrounded by snow-capped mountains and insta-perfect views, it should definitely be on your Europe bucket list!

Natural wonders

Innsbruck – the capital of the Tirol region – is beautifully protected by the Austrian Alps. Nordkette, the mountain at Innsbruck’s core, is easily accessible from the city centre. Take the Nordkette gondola and enjoy panoramic views over Innsbruck – there’s even a café at the top so you can take in the views in style! On ground level, be sure to walk or cycle (take your pick) along the river Inn…the colourful houses that line the river make for a wonderful backdrop! The crystal clear waters are quite spectacular.

Sights to see

If the mountains are not enough reason alone to visit Innsbruck, there are some bucket list sights to tick off. Below, I have included 3 sights that I managed to see:

1 – The ‘Goldenes Dachl’ (Golden Roof): probably the most famous picture spot in Innsbruck. A beautiful golden roof designed for Emperor Maximilian 1, it’s worth a trip to see it glimmering under the sunlight!

2 – Bergisel Ski Jump: fans of the Winter Olympics should definitely make a beeline for the ski jump! Towering in the distance as you travel into Innsbruck, the climb to the terrace is worth it for the incredible views. Sport enthusiasts should aim to visit in January, when Innsbruck hosts the annual Four Hills Tournament.

3 – The Hofburg: beautiful both inside and out, the ‘Imperial Palace’ was once owned by the famous royal Habsburg house.

Cafe Culture

No trip is complete without a visit to a blog-recommended cafe! Unfortunately, I have not made it into every cafe in Innsbruck, however here are a few recommendations from the places I have sampled!

Coffeekult

 

I’m not normally one to recommend chain cafes, but Coffeekult hits the spot – great coffee, presented simply on an adorable little tray: you can’t go wrong! I especially liked the unique decor with coffee machine tables and bags of beans hidden in corners. There are 5 venues in Innsbruck to choose from and they also sell their own coffee packs!

 

 

Hitt und Sohne

A favourite discovery of mine, I was fortunate enough to visit Hitt and Sohne during the winter – a warm oasis above the bustling city of Innsbruck. Take the Nordkette bahn to reach the cafe and enjoy coffee up above – there’s a great range of sweet treats on offer too for any sugar addicts (like me!).

The Breakfast Club

Exactly what it says on the tin – a great stop for breakfast (or any other meal for that matter) just off the main shopping street of Maria-Theresien-Strasse. The menu offers a wonderful range of omelettes (I can highly recommend), as well as a variety of vegan and vegetarian alternatives.

Innsbruck isn’t a city that takes long to explore, but it’s certainly a city well worth visiting, even just for the incredible views.

Happy Travels, K x