Innsbruck’s holiday villages
Innsbruck, which means bridge over the Inn River, is the capital of Tirol, one of Austria’s nine states. This city renowned for its alpine scenery and recreation was the site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games and 2012 inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games.
In summer there are many special events, like the folklore festivals, open-air concerts, dance and theater performances. From September into October there are celebrations of Tirolean traditions like Almabtriebe, when cows decorated in flowers and bells are brought down from high altitude summer pastures.
Many holiday villages are found on the mountains to the south, which, unlike the limestone mountains to the north of Innsbruck, are granite and gneiss and have a climate favorable to the many varieties of flowers that grow here. Although we traveled by car, there are buses that run from the city and cable cars that go up the mountains.
Whether stopping for a leisurely meal or for an extended vacation, picturesque holiday villages are well worth a visit. As in the Old Town, many homes and other buildings are decorated with religious imagery.
Carved wooden figures of saints top lamp posts and fountains.
Corn mounted in the shape of a cross adorned facades, in thanks to God for the crops.
The Hotel Restaurant Grünwalderhof, in Patsch, which was painted with beautiful frescoes and murals.
It is a delightful place for enjoying Tyrollean specialties.
It is on Römerstrasse, which was used by Roman soldiers and was a major trade route from the 14th century.
There is a spectacular alpine view from the terrace.
Locals and vacationers come to these mountains for a meal, active recreation, health resorts or a relaxing getaway in the beauty of nature. There are hiking buses and a complimentary mountain hiking program with certified guides for enjoying an active hike or a leisurely stroll along the network of trails through meadows and forests.
It is a good place to sip Almdudler, an Austrian soft drink with 32 natural herbs.
It is a place to savor foods like schlutzkrapfen (ravioli with spinach and ricotta filling), kalbsgulasch (beef goulash), and shared Kaiserschmarren, a sweet shredded pancake with rum-soaked raisins and plum sauce sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Stop for refreshments at a place like Landgasthof und Restaurant Lärchenwald in Mutters.
Popular campgrounds like offer opportunities to relax in the beauty of nature. Golf courses abound.
Paragliding is a popular sport.
It is a place to be active as you choose to be. Whether strolling the medieval lanes of the Old Town, enjoying sports, or relaxing with a spectacular mountain view, Innsbruck is a natural vacation choice any time of year.
Interested in visiting?
Innsbruck Cards include entrance to Innsbruck’s museums, IVB public transportation — including trams to holiday villages — the Sightseer Hop-on Hop-off bus, a bicycle rental, and the lifts and cable cars around Innsbruck.
To book a guide go to the Tourism Innsbruck site.