1 Day in Innsbruck Itinerary and Guide
UPDATED 9/22/23
If you’re using my How to See Italy and Austria in 2 Weeks Solo you’re ready to venture into Austria and find out how to spend an amazing 1 day in Innsbruck itinerary that’s full of amazing food and beer, outdoor activities, scenic Alps, history and beautiful architecture, and ideal for those traveling Innsbruck on a budget.
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All You Need for A Day in Innsbruck
Here are all of the sites you need to successfully book this perfect short-stay Innsbruck itinerary. I even give you my Innsbruck hotel pick and an Innsbruck budget hotel pick as conveniently located city center accommodations for a day in Innsbruck.
I recommend you bookmark and use these sites early to lock in your Innsbruck 1 day itinerary and get the best Austria travel deals.
If you’re a first-time traveler to Austria, also use my amazing Austria Solo Travel Guide full of tips on culture, entry requirements, currency, tipping, using electronics, safety, and a lot more.
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- Best of Austria and Italy in 2 Weeks Solo
- Fullest 4 Days in Munich Solo Itinerary
- How to See the Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castles
Innsbruck on a Budget (or Not)
It is possible to see Innsbruck on a budget as a single traveler. To help provide more Innsbruck budgeting options, peruse my Guide to Budget European Accommodations for additional accommodation-planning.
Let me state here that when I say “budget”, I mean your daily travel expenses could total €150 or less, which is possible. It’s up to you on where you wish to budget (accommodations, excursions, etc.), and how far in advance you book. Some attractions can be seen without a tour, which will save you money, of course.
This 1 day in Innsbruck itinerary and Innsbruck travel guide can work for anyone, however, budget or not.
Ok, now let’s get you to Innsbruck.
Innsbruck Solo Travel Packing Essentials
Why Go to Innsbruck?
Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrol region of Austria. Nestled in the Inn Valley on the Inn and Sill Rivers, between the Alps and the Nordkette mountain range, Innsbruck is surrounded by jaw-dropping, beautiful scenery. It is no wonder the Hapsburg Royal family chose Innsbruck as the location for their summer home, the Imperial Palace.
Visiting Innsbruck in one day offers indoor and outdoor activities in and surrounding the town to enjoy at any time of year, especially in winter with skiing and ski jumping being very popular. In fact, Innsbruck hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1964 and 1976.
Getting Around Innsbruck
Arriving Innsbruck
You could fly into the Innsbruck Airport, but since you’re using my 2 week Italy and Austria itinerary, you’re arriving by train into Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (Innsbruck Central Station) from Verona.
If you’re using my 14 day Austria and Germany itinerary, you’ll still be arriving by train into Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof but from Salzburg.
Innsbruck is Walkable
The Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof is on the east side of Innsbruck’s city center, from which you can easily walk to your city center hotel or hostel, or take a hotel shuttle if your hotel offers one.
Innsbruck’s historic center rests between the Sill River on the east and the larger, Inn River on the west side. The Innestadt (Downtown) and Altstadt (Old Town) sections of the city center holds Innsbruck’s main activities and attractions, all of which are doable on foot.
If are doing Innsbruck on a budget, don’t worry because you do not need a car rental. Walk, rent a bike, or take Innsbruck public transportation for activities within and outside the city. These are budget and eco-friendly modes of transportation.
CORR ECO-TRAVEL PICKS
More Eco-Travel Tips & Ideas
- 10 Easy Ways to Be an Eco-Friendly Traveler
- 15 Eco Long-haul Flight Essentials for Solo Travel
- Top 10 Eco-Friendly Carry On Luggage
- 10 Best Eco-Friendly Personal Item Bags for Flying
- 10 Amazing Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Swimwear Brands
- 15 Eco Friendly Products for All Travel
Where to Stay in Innsbruck
To save time on your one day in Innsbruck, I recommend staying within the circled area on the Innsbruck map:
Innsbruck Hotels and More
Innsbruck city center is not very large, so Innsbruck accommodations across all budget types may book quickly. Going in the off season, or booking well in advance, will get you the best Innsbruck accommodation choices and prices.
Many accommodations may not let you check in until 2-4pm, but if available, have them store your luggage until your room is ready so you can get out and enjoy 1 day Innsbruck itinerary.
Book a Travel Sustainable-rated property in Innsbruck, or at least employs these methods into their business to reduce your travel carbon footprint.
Innsbruck Hotels
For location, price, breakfast, amenities (including free-cancellation), eco-friendly and sustainable operations, and customer reviews and ratings, here are my best hotels in Innsbruck recommendations ideal for your 1 day in Innsbruck over 50 (i.e., where I would stay):
For budget purposes, but not as eco-friendly, my hotel recommendation with breakfast and taxes included at €65 per night is Hotel Goldene Krone Innsbruck. It is in a fabulous location – walking distance to the train station and Innsbruck attractions – with a very nice breakfast, friendly staff, and includes all of the amenities you would need as a mature single traveler.
Eco Travel Tips
In addition to Booking.com’s Innsbruck’s Travel Sustainable properties, Green Globe and Green Key Global also have eco-friendly certified lodging options.
Innsbruck Hostels
Innsbruck hostels can be where to stay in Innsbruck on a budget on over 50 single travel. Using the same conditions, with the ability to get a private room, however, I cannot find a suitable hostel to recommend that employ many sustainability initiatives.
The closest recommendation for a hostel in Innsbruck would be Montagu Hostel.
Budget Travel Tips
Hostels in Innsbruck could start from around €35-40/night, depending on what amenities and location you want. Note, these are usually for a bed in a dorm room.
A private room with a private or shared bathroom in an Innsbruck city center hostel may be hard to find and could cost the same, if not more, than a budget hotel.
Best Things To Do in Innsbruck
Much of the top Innsbruck attractions can be done in a one day itinerary should you be able to start early. Most attractions will open at 9 to 10am and close by 5pm, so the earlier you can start your day in Innsbruck the better.
To save time, it may help to get the Innsbruck City Card, which includes public transportation and access to museums, attractions, cable cars, and the hop-on hop-off bus. Get the Innsbruck Card in advance and you’re off.
Keep in mind that some of these are also free things to do in Innsbruck. Bonus if you’re on a budget.
- Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen – take the Hungerburgbahn funicular from the city center up the mountain, and in 8 minutes you’ll have great views. Then switch to the to a cable car for a ride to the top for spectacular views of Innsbruck.
- Schloss Ambras (Ambras Castle) – 4.5km southeast of the city center and perched on the hill, this fortress was acquired by Archduke Ferdinand II in 16th century, which he changed to a palace complete with beautiful gardens and the Spanish Hall (Spanische Saal) as its centerpiece. The gallery also hosts van Dyck and Velázquez original works.
- Innenstadt (Downtown) – stroll the Maria-Theresien Strasse, Innsbruck’s main shopping street filled with quaint shops and outdoor dining. In December to early January the Christmas Market is famous for drawing crowds with its holiday splendor.
- Innsbruck Aldstadt (Old Town) – Just west of the Innenstadt, Aldstadt is filled with more shops and restaurants in centuries old buildings.
- Annasaule (St. Anna’s Column) – on Maria-Theresien-Strasse, St. Anne’s Column, one of the iconic Innsbruck landmarks, was erected in 1703 and named for St. Anne’s Day when the Bavarian troops were driven from the region at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession.
- Hofburg Imperial Palace – originally built as a castle for Archduke Sigmund the Rich in the 15th century, it was expanded and upgraded by Emperor Maximilian I in the 16th century and Empress Maria Theresia in the 18th century where you can still see her baroque final touches and the Giant’s Hall done in the rococo style.
- Hofgarten – the adjoining, sprawling gardens idyllic for fresh air and natural beauty at the base of the Alps.
- Hofkirche Cathedral (Court Church) – a beautiful, 16th century Gothic structure built as a mausoleum for Maximilian I by Ferdinand I. You can see Maximilian I’s tomb housed in the Silver Chapel.
- Dom zu St. Jakob (Cathedral of St. James) – 18th century Baroque cathedral dedicated to the apostle Saint James.
- Stadtturm (Innsbruck City Tower) – Landmark watchtower built in the 1400s with an observation deck & a copper-clad onion dome. Offers amazing views of the Innsbruck skyline and Alps.
- Goldenes Dachl & Museum (The Golden Roof) – Gothic building built for Emperor Maximilian I showcasing 2657 fire-gilt copper tiles. You can tour yourself or purchase an audio guide.
Other Innsbruck Attractions
Here are other great attractions to see that you can see during your day in Innsbruck or on a second day should you have extra time.
Innsbruck Events Calendar
If it helps in planning what you would like to see, here is a list of annual events held in Innsbruck and the Tyrol region.
Make Sure to Do This on your Day in Innsbruck
Innsbruck Dining
If you need some help on trying to find out where to dine, you cannot go wrong with meandering along the Maria-Theresien Strasse restaurants and bars. Here are also some additional helpful dining and drinking suggestions:
- Like beer? Do a self-guided Innsbruck beer route to see and sample beers in Innsbruck’s breweries and taverns. Alternatively, make one stop into Tribaun for pizza and a wide selection of craft beers on tap.
- My recommendation for a solid, Austrian meal at a reasonable price is Stiftskeller Innsbruck. Try their warm cheesecake-strudel with vanilla sauce. Yum.
- Innsbruck also has cheap eats if you’re doing Innsbruck on a budget.
1 Day in Innsbruck Itinerary
Here is my suggested Innsbruck 1 day itinerary that is bound to keep you busy and completely entertained – from arriving early to after dinner – while enjoying the culture without sacrificing on comfort or activities.
Innsbruck on a Budget Tip
The itinerary below includes staying at the suggested Innsbruck budget hotel, but does not include lunch, dinner, or using the Innsbruck City Card, which could possibly save more money.
This itinerary is an example of how single travelers can see Innsbruck on a budget with top Innsbruck attractions, for possibly at €150 a day, if booked well in advance and the right tour or entry tickets are chosen.
- Maria-Theresien Strasse/ Anne’s Column / Innestadt exploring
- Innsbruck City Tower
- Goldenes Dachl & Museum
- Innsbruck Aldstadt exploring, shopping, and lunch
- Dom zu St. Jakob
- Hofburg Imperial Palace (free on Sundays)
- Hofgarten
- Schloss Ambras (with Sightseer Bus ticket) OR Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen
- Hotel, freshen up
- Dinner in Aldstadt or Innestadt restaurant of your choice
For a full 24 hours in Innsbruck, try catching any of the above that you may have missed, or just keep wandering within Innsbruck, to expand your Innsbruck experience before hotel check out.
DOWNLOAD This Innsbruck 1 Day Itinerary PDF
Save a ton of time planning. Download my has it all has it all at your fingertips Innsbruck 1 Day Itinerary PDF. A solo female traveler of 28 years, you know I did this Innsbruck solo travel. This Innsbruck Itinerary is from my actual, tried and true self-created and traveled Innsbruck itinerary, not AI-generated with stock photos, so you know it’s an itinerary you can trust.
Whether you’re a solo traveler, older traveler, or budget traveler, this 1 Day Innsbruck Itinerary PDF is a steal. Formatted for sleek use on all devices, it has clickable links to all of the below, taking out all of the guesswork for your visit to Innsbruck:
- Arrival transportation methods,
- Innsbruck airport transportation to the city center,
- Local transportation methods,
- City center accommodations recommendations (including budget stays),
- What to eat, and where to eat, dining suggestions,
- Dining apps,
- City food and beer walking tours,
- The Innsbruck City Card,
- Top things to do and attractions you’ll be doing in Innsbruck in 1 day with clickable walking maps for easily getting around on your Innsbruck itinerary,
- CORR Travel Austria and Innsbruck Travel Guides,
- Innsbruck events and holiday schedule, and
- Eco-travel and ecotourism resources.
Let Me Hear From You
I would love to hear if this 1 day in Innsbruck on a budget was helpful to you. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comment section below. Thank you!
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