A cool city break and alpine playground in one, there’s no shortage of things to do in Innsbruck with your kids this summer, and you can be there in less than two hours from the UK.
Iconic Mariahilf Houses, Innsbruck © Innsbruck Tourism/Christian Vorhofer
You don’t have to choose between things to do in Innsbruck
Summer mountains holidays are where it’s at this year, and Innsbruck is something special. As capital of Tyrol, it’s a proper city, boasting a medieval old town, buzzy hipster districts like Wilten (home to the stunning, Zaha Hadid-designed Bergisel Olympic Ski Jump) and a host of diverse family attractions to suit all ages.
The city’s rich historical heritage is easy to explore at sites such as the Imperial Palace, Golden Roof and Ambras Castle, with its beautiful gardens. Plus there’s a ton of other family attractions like The Swarovski Crystal Worlds Museum, Lake Lanser See, and the Alpine Zoo.
Factor in the nearby Nordkette mountain range as your summer alpine playground, a great culinary scene and a diverse range of places to stay, and you have a whole lot of reasons to head to Innsbruck this summer.
Nordkettebahn © Innsbruck Tourism/Christian Vorhofer
Buy an Innsbruck Card for discounts on travel and attractions
With an Innsbruck Card, you’ll get free travel across the region’s public transport including the hop-on-hop-off Sightseer bus, plus entrance to 22 local attractions and daily cable car rides including the Hungerburgbahn: a buggy-friendly cable car route taking you into the heart of the Nordkette mountains.
You can buy Innsbruck Cards online or at tourist information centres, hotel receptions, museums and Innsbruck airport.
Family fun, Muttereralm, Innsbruck © Innsbruck Tourism/Christian Vorhofer
Hike your way around the Nordkette and Patscherfokel mountains
When it comes to mountains, Innsbruck is hard to beat, and as mentioned, you can access the Nordkette mountain range, known as the ‘Jewel of the Alps’, from the city by cable car in just a few minutes.
There are loads of things to do in summer, including miles of hiking trails, with shorter hikes suitable for families, such as the Nordkette Perspective Trail on the Seegrube, and the ascent to Hafelekar summit: known as the ‘Top of Innsbruck’. Expect stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding valleys.
Kids will love the adventure playgrounds at Mutterer Alm. There’s even a nature trail here, with 15 activity stations promoting motor skills and coordination, as well as more lovely mountain views, a house on stilts, splash zones, and plenty of rest stops. It’s a proper kids’ paradise.
Patscherkofel mountain, twice-host of the Winter Olympics, sits south of the city, and has plenty of gentle hikes including a trail through one of the largest and oldest pine forests in Europe, and mountain huts aplenty for rest, relaxation and Tyrolean food. The Lanser Alm, not far from the summit, even has a summer terrace with panoramic views, and is well-known for its hearty local food, like bacon dumplings and cream cheese strudel.
Lake Lanser, Innsbruck © Innsbruck Tourism/Christian Vorhofer
Mountain lake summer swims are easy things to do in Innsbruck
You’ll also find several natural, outdoor swimming pools and lakes around Innsbruck, perfect for cooling off in summer.
Lake Lanser See is one of the prettiest, and just a short drive away from the city, in Lans village. It’s an alpine moorland lake covering an area of 70,000 m²: visit in June or July to see beautiful water lilies. A playground, along with a shallow swimming area in the lake, a diving platform, and ‘magical island’ in the centre, make this one heavenly for children.
Lynx family, Alpine Zoo, Innsbruck
Don’t miss the 2,000 alpine animals at the Alpine Zoo
At the foot of the Nordkette mountain range, but high above the city buildings at an altitude of 750m, you’ll find the Alpine Zoo. When the church bells ring in Innsbruck, the wolves at the Alpine Zoo howl along in unison, which might just mean they’re enjoying the music.
There are 2,000 animals from 150 species housed in natural enclosures here, including wolves, bears, lynx, and eagles. Younger kids can pet rare native breeds of cattle, pigs, goats and sheep in the show barn. And older ones will be interested to learn about the zoo’s commitment to conservation, protection of several endangered alpine species, and its range of successful breeding programmes .
Plus, Alpine Zoo couldn’t be easier to reach: the Hungerburgbahn cable car stops at its entrance.
Innsbruck old town © Innsbruck Tourism/Christian Vorhofer
Tick the old town off your list of things to do in Innsbruck
Another must-do in Innsbruck is exploring the picturesque old town, including Innsbruck’s most famous sight: the Golden Roof. This three-storey balcony, adorned with 2,657 gilded copper tiles, was built in 1500 during the reign of Emperor Maximilian I, and is a wonderful example of late Gothic to early Renaissance architecture. Pay particular attention to its 18 reliefs, they rank among the world’s most important examples of Tyrolean art.
Wander the narrow streets of the Old Town for colourful buildings and a lively atmosphere; don’t forget to factor in rest stops at pretty squares, like Maria-Theresien-Platz.
Pedestrianised Herzog-Friedrich-Straße in the heart of the old town is where to head for people-watching shops, cafes, restaurants.
Also unmissable is baroque masterpiece, St. James’s Cathedral. Then leave plenty of time to visit the Imperial Palace which houses several museums, including the Museum of Tyrolean Folk Art.
If kids are still feeling energetic, climbing the 133 steps up to the City Tower viewing platform is worth the legwork for its panoramic views of Innsbruck old town and surrounding mountains.
The Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Innsbruck
The Swarovski Crystal Worlds is unique to Innsbruck
The Swarovski Crystal Worlds is a unique museum showcasing the creativity of the world famous brand, well beyond crystals.
The centrepiece is Giant, a large head-shaped structure made of grass, which houses 18 ‘Chambers of Wonder’ filled with crystal art pieces and installations.
Don’t miss Silent Light, an icy chamber with snow all year round. And older kids will appreciate The Art of Performance chamber, which explores Swarovski’s Hollywood history.
Between children’s workshops, a labyrinth, carousel, play tower and gardens, there’s enough here to easily fill a day. And, of course, you can shop for Swarovski too. Although kids might be more interested in ‘Daniel’s Kristallwelten’: a cafe with its own patisserie. Cake or crystals? Not a tough choice!
Golden Roof, Innsbruck Old Town © Innsbruck Tourism/Christian Vorhofer
Find plenty of places to stay in Innsbruck this summer
Fancy a remote alpine lodge, or a hotel and spa? Innsbruck offers a good choice of hotels with family rooms and suites, as well as pools and play areas, childcare and children’s clubs.
Hotel Bon Alpina in the Igls district features spacious family rooms, both an indoor and outdoor pool, plus a playground. Alternatively, Hotel Innsbruck in the heart of the city, has family rooms and suites, plus a spa with sauna and steam bath.
If you want a bit more space, you’ll find plenty of apartments to rent around Innsbruck, but still within easy reach of the city.
Outside the city centre is also the place for friendly family guesthouses. Try Garni-Technikerhaus near the Technik Museum which offers spacious family rooms with kitchenettes, and a garden where kids can play. Or there’s Gasthof Innbrücke, a family-run guesthouse known for its cosy rooms, family apartments, and traditional Austrian restaurant.
Gastof Moosalm mountain restaurant © Innsbruck Tourism/Christian Vorhofer
Tyrolean food is fuel for summer mountain adventures
Hearty is the byword for Tyrolean cuisine is hearty, famous for classics such as Wiener Schnitzel and Tiroler Gröstl. Kids will particularly like Käsespätzle (soft egg noodles mixed with melted cheese and topped with crispy fried onions) and Kaspressknödel (cheese dumplings in a clear broth).
Other local specialities you have to try include speck – cured pork – alpine cheese in different levels of intensity, and Tyrolean bacon. Of course, you’ll also find everything from pasta and pizza to sushi and kebabs in Innsbruck too. Although if it’s experience and wonderful food you’re after, find a Tyrolean mountain hut for a lunch with traditional atmosphere and charm.