Fresh and regional: Innsbruck’s farmers’ markets

29 March 2024

Post originally written in: Deutsch

Strolling through the market on a Saturday morning, chatting with the traders and farmers, just letting yourself drift while taking in the smells, colors and sounds. Doesn't that sound like a perfect start to the weekend? It certainly does for me! That's why I'd like to take you on a little culinary journey through Innsbruck in this post. We'll stroll through the city together and discover the many small - and sometimes larger - farmers' markets in our Alpine metropolis.

Discover the diversity of farmers' markets

From the hustle and bustle of the Market hall to the idyllic flair of the Wiltener Platzl - Innsbruck has the right market for every taste and preference. If you are plagued by the question "What am I cooking today?", you should be inspired by the fresh and regional products. Fresh wild garlic in spring, crunchy salads or sweet strawberries really make you want to cook, don't they? You can find the right recipes at Nadja's. Whether it's juicy apples from the fruit stall, tangy cheese from the Tyrolean mountains or fragrant bread: I'm sure of it, Innsbruck's markets will not disappoint you. And by the way: if you buy regional and seasonal produce, you are not only doing the local farmers a big favor, but also the environment. Win-win, I would say!

The market hall

Fresh fruit and vegetables, tasty cheese, high-quality meat, freshly caught fish, fine wines, the finest spices, colorful flowers and much more - all this can be found from over 40 vendors on a sales area of 1,875 square meters in the Innsbruck market hall. "The market hall family is made up of people with enthusiasm, passion and empathy. People with rough edges, self-confidence and a heart of dedication for what they do ..." That's what it says on the Markthalle homepage, and I can only confirm it. You simply feel at home. As soon as I enter the hall, Benjamin Graus from s'Gartl approaches me and lets me try one of his delicious tomatoes. The South Tyrolean trader offers fresh fruit and vegetables from the region and Italy. Like all the vendors in the market hall, he and his team stand for quality.

Gastronomic variety in the market hall

If you get hungry while strolling around, I recommend enjoying a snack in one of the restaurants. The poke bowls from pobo are particularly appealing. On my next visit, I'm determined to try a healthy bowl inspired by Hawaiian and Japanese cuisine. If you prefer oriental cuisine, Murat and his sister Cigdem serve falafel, pide, köfte, lamb kebabs or pizza. Lili's Vitaminbar is the perfect place for those who simply want to enjoy a quiet cup of tea, coffee or a delicious smoothie.

Quality and freshness all week long

In short: the market hall in Innsbruck is a central meeting point for anyone who appreciates freshness and quality, likes to stroll around, taste and meet up with friends for a drink. The market hall is open from Monday to Saturday and offers the great advantage of being able to buy fresh produce directly from farmers all week long - unlike weekly markets, which only take place on Fridays or Saturdays.

Friday is market day at Sparkassenplatz

On Fridays, Sparkassenplatz is a hive of activity when farmers and small regional producers present their delicacies. This market may be smaller than the market hall, but it is in no way inferior in terms of quality and regionality. A diverse selection of high-quality products awaits you here. A good example of this is the delicious honey from the Eberharter family. With 700 bee colonies "buzzing around" throughout Tyrol, Austria and parts of Italy, they produce high-quality honey in over ten varieties, free from any additives and flavorings. It also offers propolis, royal jelly, pollen, mead and propolis cream. For lovers of savory delights, there is farmer's butter, cow's and sheep's milk cheese from master cheesemaker Daniel Hollaus from Schulerhof or fresh or smoked fish from Geroldsmühle fish farm - to name just a few examples. No matter what you choose, the focus at Sparkassenplatz is on fresh, seasonal and typically farmed quality products from Tyrol.

Wilten - the village in the city

If you walk south through the Triumphpforte and leave the well-known tourist paths, you will find yourself in the beautiful district of Wilten - the village within the city. And what should not be missing in a village? The "village square", of course. The beautiful Wiltener Platzl is always worth a visit. Especially on Saturday mornings, when local farmers offer a variety of fresh produce. Fruit, vegetables, cheese, sausage, meat, bacon, fish, bread, eggs, honey, milk, flowers and much more - almost everything is home-grown. The motto of this charming farmers' market is: "Think regional - buy regional".

Small but mighty - the farmers' market in St. Nikolaus

The farmers' market on Hans-Brenner-Platz (also known as Brunnenplatzl) in the St. Nikolaus district is not very well known. Small but nice is probably the best way to describe it. My recommendation: it's worth a little stroll, especially on a beautiful spring day. I really enjoyed strolling from the old town over the Inn bridge to St. Nikolaus. In the morning, when there isn't so much going on and the city is only slowly waking up, there's something calming about it. And as a reward, there's fresh fruit and vegetables and a selection of meat at Brunnenplatzl. This is how every Saturday should start!

Farmers' market in the shopping center

In the Sillpark and in the DEZtwo popular shopping centers in Innsbruck, host small but excellent farmers' markets on Fridays. These markets offer a practical opportunity to buy fresh produce directly on site while you do your weekend shopping in the shopping center anyway. Whether fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat or other regional specialties: Here you can shop conveniently and directly from the farmer.