Innsbruck is Austria’s Alpine gem and perfect for a festive city break
With miles of mountain ranges, Innsbruck is one of Europe’s most popular skiing and hiking destinations
MEDIEVAL Innsbruck was a key stopping point between Europe’s north and south.
Now extended far beyond its original walls built in 1420, the alpine city is one of Europe’s most popular skiing and hiking destinations.
With miles of mountain ranges, children here are hurtling down ski slopes almost before they can walk.
Merging picturesque landscapes with lively crowds fuelled by local bars and restaurants, Innsbruck offers variety at a price that won’t break the bank.
How's the food?
All that exercise and fresh mountain air gives you an appetite.
Luckily, Austrian portions skew large and restaurants are relatively inexpensive.
Cafes sat on almost every corner, serving traditional fare, from schnitzel to strudel, cheese raclette and käsespätzle (a kind of Austrian mac and cheese).
If you have a sweet tooth, Café Sacher is a must-go to try the world famous Sachertorte, a decadent chocolate cake invented in the 1800s to satisfy the appetites of Prince Wenzel of Vienna.
Ottoburg Restaurant encompasses the best of Austria. The 900-year-old dining room serves up traditional Tyrolean food, from schnitzel to strudel, at around £25 a head.
If you are looking for something fancy, the new Das Brahms restaurant at the Haus der Musik concert hall mixes tradition with gastronomy.
While prices may be high, the menu offers the choicest bits of local cuisine, sourced from the farms you can see on the mountains.
And to drink?
Winter brings Christmas markets, and with that comes Glühwein (a type of mulled wine), for only a couple of euros.
Refills can be bought at dozens of shops across the town once you have paid a small deposit for a traditional mug.
Though the invention of the Aperol Spritz will always be contested, with both the Italians and Austrians fighting over its origin, they can agree that the soft summer aperitif is a favourite in both regions.
The price is a bonus, too, at around £4 a glass.
If you like wine, Austria is the place for a dry white.
The smooth Grüner Veltliner grape pairs perfectly with most traditional dishes and should cost no more than £13.
Popular with the local university students, cocktail bars and outdoor beer houses are always popping up all over Innsbruck.
What is there to do?
Its charming cobbled streets are lined with six Christmas markets from November to January, offering Austrian favourites from handmade wooden trinkets to homemade culinary delicacies.
Walking distance from the centre of town is the Hofburg Imperial Palace, with stately rooms open for viewing, a series of art galleries and even an open air lightshow celebrating the 500th anniversary of the death of former resident Maximilian I, the Holy Roman emperor.
The pride and joy of Tirol, the Grassmayr Bell Foundry is one of the oldest bell-makers in the world, and holds a world record for the largest bell ever made at 26 tonnes.
If you are looking for picturesque views and a breath of fresh air, trains and cable cars run every 15 minutes from the station just outside town to Hafelekar, the peak of the North Chain mountains.
Winter sports lovers should take a visit to the Bergisel Ski-jumping Stadium, used for the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics.
Direct from town, a 20-minute bus ride can take you to Swarovski Kristallwelten, Wattens — a museum built to showcase art and fashion inspired by Swarovski.
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Where should I stay?
The Stage 12 city hotel sits in the new town, just metres from Innsbruck’s original city walls.
A blend of 700-year-old historic foundations and hotel-front designed and built last year, it is an affordable touch of luxury with its generous breakfast buffet and a traditional Austrian spa.
For a more authentic stay, The Goldener Adler is one of the oldest hotels in Europe, dating back to 1390, and has a rich history of famous guests including Mozart in 1773.
It is closed for renovations until March but is definitely worth a visit when it reopens.
Go: Innsbruck
GETTING THERE: EasyJet flies direct from London, Manchester and Bristol to Innsbruck, with winter fares starting from £23.16. See .
STAYING THERE: Hotel Stage 12, with its mountain views, spa and urban bar, has double rooms from around 100 euros a night. See .
OUT & ABOUT: The Innsbruck Card offers one-time admission to multiple museums and attractions in the city. Find out more at .
- MORE INFO: See .