The vibrant city of Innsbruck is the capital city of the state of Tyrol, which is situated in western Austria. It is internationally known as renowned winter sports centre and also hosted the 1964 Winter Olympics. The name of the city ‘bruck’ is derived from the German word ‘Brücke’ meaning ‘bridge,’ with ‘Innsbruck’ meaning ‘the bridge over the Inn’. The city has a number of tourist attractions and places to see, which makes it a thriving tourist destination. Mountaineering or skiing are two of the most popular activities to try while in Innsbruck.

One of the most popular attractions is called Golden Roof, which is a major landmark in Innsbruck. Built in 1500, it is a three-story balcony decorated with 2657 fire gilded copper tiles. The balcony was used by the emperors to watch events, which were held in the square, below them. A visit to Hofkirche or the Court Church is well worth it, it is a Gothic style church, which was built by Archduke Ferdinand I of Austria. The church boasts a remarkable collection of German Renaissance sculptures.

Another wonderful attraction to visit in Innsbruck is Ambras Castle. The castle is both culturally and historically extremely important to locals and visitors alike. Ambras Castle was also built by Ferdinand I during the 16th century and houses the oldest museum in Europe. Its fascinating design, unusual number of windows and gorgeous gardens are part of what makes this castle extremely unique.

The city of Innsbruck is also home to a number of museums and art galleries. Some of the most popular include Riesenrundgemalde, Tiroler Landesmuseum and Kaiserjagermuseum. Explore the city’s rich history and culture with a visit to any one of these fine museums.

For sports enthusiasts, especially winter sport enthusiasts, the city serves as an ideal spot for cross-country or downhill skiing, skating and snowboarding. As it is nestled in between beautiful mountains, it is also a fabulous location to go mountaineering in the summer. The city served as host to the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2005, and also hosted part of Euro Cup in June 2008, a soccer tournament extraordinaire.

Whether you are strolling along the quaint streets of the city, enjoying a pint of local beer at a pub, or posing for a picture in front of Leopoldsbrunnen Fountain, Innsbruck is a city, which offers its visitors a plethora of activities to partake in and remember fondly for generations to come.