Why visit Innsbruck
Innsbruck sits in a valley surrounded by the Nordkette range, with the Karwendel Alps rising dramatically straight out of the city centre. The compact medieval Altstadt is anchored by the Golden Roof, a late-Gothic balcony with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles built for Emperor Maximilian I. The Imperial Palace (Hofburg) and the Hofkirche, with its bronze 'Black Men' tomb monuments, sit nearby. The Hungerburgbahn funicular and Nordkette cable car — designed by Zaha Hadid — whisk you from the centre to 2,256m peaks in under 30 minutes, and the Bergisel Ski Jump is open year-round. Twice an Olympic host, the city remains one of the great winter sports bases in Europe, with the Stubai and Axamer Lizum ski areas within easy reach. Don't skip Swarovski Crystal Worlds in nearby Wattens.