Sightseeing Rafting Tour on the Inn River

When it’s hot, we’re drawn to the water. When we go on a city trip, we want to explore the sights. But what if I told you that in Innsbruck, you can do both at the same time? Thanks to the Inn River! Starting this year, the Area47 has been offering some really cool rafting-sightseeing tours. Of course, I checked it out for you myself—entirely selflessly, mind you. And I can already tell you one thing: My recommendation rate is 100 percent.

From Trade Route to Rafting Adventure

Did you know that the Inn River used to be heavily used for shipping and rafting? Even before the railroad was built, it was one of Tyrol’s most important transportation routes. It’s hard to imagine that today. But starting this summer, river travel on the Inn is experiencing a bit of a revival. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But honestly, rafting is way cooler than “just” chugging along the Inn on a boat anyway.

The starting point is in Völs. The experienced rafting guides from Area47 will be waiting for you there. After a brief introduction, you’re all set to go. The best part: The tour is truly suitable for almost everyone—provided you can swim and are at least six years old. “The tour is even accessible —meaning it’s also suitable for wheelchair users,” explains Peter Svoboda, Head of Marketing at Area47.

No prior experience required, no stress—just lots of fun!

By the way, you don’t need to bring anything special. Comfortable clothing is all you need. While a wetsuit is usually worn for classic rafting, you can do without one here. The Inn River is at its calmest on this stretch, and the likelihood of falling into the water is extremely low. You won’t stay completely dry, though: some water can collect at the bottom of the raft, which is why you’ll be given special rafting shoes. And even though an accidental dip in the Inn is rather unlikely, a life jacket is, of course, required. Safety first!

Warning: Wet!

Of course, you don’t have to worry about your own shoes or valuables. They’ll be safely stowed away and taken to the finish line by Area47 staff, where they’ll be waiting for you after the tour. If—like me—you want to take photos along the way, you can, of course, bring your cell phone on board. However, it’s not necessarily recommended—and for good reason. Although I was determined to take lots of pictures for you, I was a little nervous the whole time that my phone might end up taking a dip in the Inn River. And as you can imagine, taking photos while paddling isn’t all that easy. But oh well— no risk, no fun! And thank goodness, I still have my phone.

Teamwork on the Inn

We set out in three boats, each carrying about eight people and a guide. I’m a complete beginner when it comes to rafting. But after they explained how to paddle properly and what to do in an emergency, I felt perfectly prepared. Admittedly, I was still a little bit nervous. But after just a few minutes on the water, my nervousness had completely vanished. Instead, I was just having fun. The guides certainly played a big part in that. On the one hand, they always made us feel like we were in good hands. You could tell right away that they knew exactly what they were doing. On the other hand, they were also up for anything fun: We spun the inflatable boats in circles, engaged in little “ramming maneuvers,” and one of the guides even jumped from boat to boat on the spur of the moment. This tour is definitely never boring.

Sightseeing with a Twist

Fun and action are, of course, the main focus of this tour—but that’s not all! There’s definitely no shortage of sightseeing. Quite the opposite: you’ll experience Innsbruck from a whole new angle and a different perspective. As you leisurely paddle down the Inn River, Innsbruck’s sights glide by: the colorful row of houses in Mariahilf, the market hall, the Nordkette and the Patscherkofel. You’ll paddle under bridges and eventually arrive at the “ Löwenhaus ” and the famous Hungerburgbahn by star architect Zaha Hadid.

If you’d like to delve even deeper into the city’s history and unique features, you can also book the tour with a guide. I think that’s a great idea. I recently took a classic city tour while on vacation. I’m pretty sure it was very interesting—but I can’t really say for sure. That’s because I didn’t understand a thing. It wasn’t because of my English skills, but because I couldn’t hear the tour guide at all. That can’t happen on the rafting sightseeing tour. Via a Bluetooth headset, you’re connected directly to your guide and can hear all the information loud and clear—even out on the water.

My takeaway: With temperatures like these, rafting is probably the coolest way to explore Innsbruck. So hop in the boat, grab a paddle, and let's go!

All the info at a glance

• Sightseeing Rafting Tour for Beginners
  Duration: approx. 1 hour, including
• briefing
• Certified rafting guide
• Bookable soon in the Innsbruck Tourism online experience shop
• Start: Völs
• Meeting point: Please arrive at the starting point 15 minutes before the tour begins
• Drop-off: Depending on the water level, at the “ Löwenhaus ” or at the Baggersee
• Both the entry and exit points are located in close proximity to public transportation for a convenient journey
• No wetsuit required—appropriate footwear will be provided
• Valuables are kept safe during the tour
• Website: area47