The alternative Sightseer Guide with insider tips

With the Hop-on Hop-off bus through Innsbruck? This may seem touristy at first glance, but at second glance there are plenty of advantages. The Sightseer stops at more sights on its route than any other bus line in Innsbruck – and it is included in the Innsbruck Card along with all other means of public transport. Especially practical is the good (direct) connection between the Old Town, Ambras Castle and Bergisel.

The best thing to do is to get the brochure at the Innsbruck Information (here you can get it as a PDF). This gives you a good overview of the route and the sights along the way. If you deviate a little from the path, you will find other highlights between the winding alleys and colorful houses that make Innsbruck so charming. All the little shops and sights that you won’t find in every travel guide. In short: all the things we love to write about here on the blog.

If you have the map in front of you, you can discover even more with this unofficial guide based on the number drawn in.

The alternative Insider-Innsbruck-Sightseer Guide:

1. Golden Roof

Innsbruck’s landmark is at its best when you take a few steps back and – weather permitting – enjoy the city’s showpiece balcony, complete with views of the Nordkette. Directly under the Golden Roof, a few steps to the left, there is a small shop that sells high-quality combs and brushes made of horn and wood that probably didn’t look much different in grandma’s day. The nice thing is that they are still Stastny Brushes without any hipster beards in the display. Station: Maria-Theresien-Str. or Congress/Hofburg

2. Ferdinandeum

Museums aren’t your thing, but Netflix documentaries are? Then try the Ferdinandeum with the #myferdinandeum App the app. An iPad with an app can be rented for free at the ticket office. The background information on selected works brings the past closer – a documentary to walk through, so to speak. Station: Ferdinandeum

This is what makes museums fun! Photo: Lea Hajner

3. Jesuit Church

The Jesuitenkirche is diagonally opposite the BASEFIVEa young Innsbruck company that offers functional fitness training and is refreshing the market with team spirit and lots of motivation. Station: Ferdinandeum

4. Tyrolean Folk Art Museum and 5th Court Church

After a visit to the museum and the “Schwarzmandern”, as the bronze figures in the Hofkirche are fondly called, turn into Hofgasse. Number 12 is one of many souvenir shops – with a special feature: the Whispering Arch. Station: Congress/Hofburg

6. Hofburg and 7th Congress

In the winter months before Christmas this is Fischerhäusl “the place to be” for mulled wine and punch. Whether it is the best in Innsbruck in terms of taste is debatable. Fact is, it’s the most popular – judging by the huge rush that happens every year when it opens in November. If you’re out and about in summer, it’s best to cross over to Franziskanerplatz, the city’s “unofficial ice cream mile”. Here, frozen yogurt shops line up with ice cream parlors, making it hard to choose. The benches opposite are ideal for sitting in the sun, people-watching and licking ice cream.

8. Court Garden

Many years ago there was once a little brochure with 100 things you must experience in Innsbruck. One of the items was “walk through the Hofgarten in love” and I wouldn’t want to add anything to that. As beautiful as the wild and romantic mountains around Innsbruck are, such a walk hand in hand through the Hofgarten… that can be quite something! Station: Congress/Hofburg

9. Hungerburgbahn

Instead of taking the Hungerburgbahn we walk over the Emile Béthouart Steg (some say simply “Franzosensteg”) and end up in the Haepinest, a small cafe with lovely decoration, damn good coffee and great breakfast offers. Stop: Congress/Hofburg or Löwenhaus/ORF

Well-hidden insider tip: the Haepinest. Photo Lea Hajner

10. Armoury

Not far from the Zeughaus you will find the finally* Storewhere young designers from Tyrol sell their work: from T-shirts to sewn Pixie book covers to homemade natural cosmetics. And a corner further on is the Bakery – Kulturbackstube, a café and meeting point for the creative scene in Innsbruck. Station: Bienerstraße

11. Ambras Castle Innsbruck and 12 Line 6

Instead of looking at the old walls, we turn our attention to the flora and fauna around the castle – or rather: we go “peacock watching”! Because the idiosyncratic inhabitants of the castle park are not only perfect photo models, they also like to pose on the car roofs at the visitors’ car park. Station: Ambras Castle

Hello peacock! Photo: Lea Hajner

13. Wilten Abbey

Wilten Abbey is a good starting point for a walk into the Sill Gorge. Along the river it goes further and further into the gorge. In summer, visitors barbecue and swim here. The odd illegal Goa party is also said to have taken place here at night. Station: Wilten Abbey

14. Tirol Panorama, 15. Pavilion, 16th Bergisel, 17th Wiltener Schützen and the 18. Panorama Bergisel

Instead of all these great sights, we just stop in at the Restaurant 1809 and treat ourselves to something good. The stylish restaurant serves delicacies such as Tyrolean Paunzen or poached rolled trout. Station: Tirol Panorama/Bergisel

Panoramic view from the 1809. Photo: Lea Hajner

19. Wilten Basilica, 20th Local Railway Museum and 21st Grassmayer Bell Foundry

A short walk and we are between the station “Basilika Wilten” and the “Triumphpforte”. Here lies the Wiltener Platzl – culinary meeting point for foodies. Now only the decision has to be made: vegan/vegetarian in the Olive, street food at the ROBO, feast at the Deliris or brunch at Immerland? Station: Basilica Wilten

Shop window Immerland. Photo: Lea Hajner

22. Triumphal Gate

Just a few metres away is Landhausplatz – a popular spot for skaters and BMXers during the day. If you grab a coffee-to-go, you can comfortably watch up-and-coming talents perform their tricks from one of the benches. Station: Triumphpforte

23. Maria Theresien Street/Annasäule

In the middle of the city, there’s always plenty to discover, of course. Brand new opened in autumn 2016 the cafe “Max Standard“(formerly Sir Max) at Anichstrasse 2. Station: Anichstrasse/City Hall Galleries

24. Mariahilf

The colorful row of houses is not only a nice photo motif, it also houses a lot of nice shops. It belongs to the district Anpruggen – learn more about it here. Station: Mariahilfpark

These are my personal tips for an alternative city tour – I hope you enjoy it!