What is the best area to stay in Innsbruck?
The heart of the Alps, Innsbruck is a great destination for travelers of all kinds. Whether it’s skiing, hiking, or culture that you’re interested in, the city has something for everyone. Situated only half an hour from the Italian border and one hour from Germany, Innsbruck is a good base for traveling around the Alps and making day trips. Salzburg, Austria’s other great Alpine destination, is also easily reached in under two hours. Whatever your reason for going to Innsbruck, you’ll fall in love with it as soon as you arrive and see the mountains.
Though Innsbruck is a small city, there are several areas to choose from when it comes to accommodation. The best, however, is without a doubt the Innenstadt, which refers to the inner city. The Innenstadt is comprised of the historic Altstadt, or Old Town, and the area surrounding it. As public transportation is easy to access and free for hotel guests, staying in the heart of town is very practical. For those looking to go skiing or hiking, an Olympic ski route is less than half an hour from the center of town, and the bus leaves right from the center of the Innenstadt!
Locals love coming to the center of town for dinner and drinks. Even on a weeknight, local pubs and cafes will be full with students. There is no shortage of traditional restaurants, either. Just about any restaurant that you walk into will have Austrian specialties like Wiener Schnitzel and goulash waiting for you! Make sure to try a local specialty, Tirolean groestl, a very filling dish of fried potatoes with a bacon and egg on top. And you’re only minutes away from the city’s cultural highlights, the famous Golden Roof and the imperial palace.
In Wilten, you aren’t that far away from the Innenstadt, but you’ll be away from the noise. Though there is a thriving nightlife in Wilten, it’s a much quieter scene. It’s also a cheaper one, too. It’s a popular area for students to live. Wilten is mostly a residential neighborhood, but you’ll find some cozy hotels and apartment rentals. If you’re into living like a local, Wilten is the place to go. You won’t find as many tourist shops, and you can visit the local farmers’ market on Saturday.
This tiny town is perfect for a luxury getaway in the mountains. Though Igls may seem like it’s far away from the city, it’s technically part of Innsbruck and is connected to the city by the J bus route. It has several high-end hotels, but there are a few more affordable options and many apartment rentals. It’s very convenient for hiking and skiing as the cable car to the top of Patscherkofel, the “home mountain” of Innsbruck, departs from here.
The next town over from Igls, Lans is even a bit farther away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a bit up the mountain, so you have a great view of Innsbruck and the Nordkette mountains. It still has all of the same amenities as Igls. The same J bus that leaves from the city center goes all the way to Lans, and the cable car is only a five-minute ride away. Lans has several spectacular hotels, one of which has even been run by the same family for over seven hundred years!
For ski lovers, Axams is the place to be. One of Austria’s most popular skiing areas, Axamer Lizum, is only a short drive up the mountain. During the ski season, there are buses that leave for the ski area every half hour. Most hotels offer shuttle services for their guests, too. Axamer Lizum is a favored ski area for locals and tourists alike. It was the sight of the women’s Olympic downhill ski race and is home to the classic Olympic train that goes up the mountain.
Hungerburg is a very expensive area of the city to live in, but it can be one of the cheaper areas to stay. There are lots of apartment rentals in the area, especially for long-term guests. For hikers, the area is perfect. There are many hiking routes that start here.
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