Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck has always been a lively city. It has grown at a steady rate since the first settlements of 1180, which clustered in the area now known as the old quarter. Innsbruck's various districts (Altstadt, Pradl, Wilten, Saggen) were gradually amalgamated and became part of the city as it is today. Let's take a quick tour through individual districts.

Innenstadt (The Inner City)

The Inner City and the Old Town together make up the heart of historic Innsbruck. It is well worth going on a walkabout in the narrow streets to soak up the atmosphere. There are lots of fascinating historical sights to see, such as the Hofburg and the Hofkirche; the latter houses the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I. Other attractions also include the women's chapter founded by Maria Theresia, the legendary Goldene Dachl, the imposing baroque church Domkirche St. Jakob with its famous cathedral square, the Triumphpforte (commissioned by Maria Theresia in honour of her son's engagement to the Spanish princess Maria Ludovica), the Annasäule and the Leopoldsbrunnen.

Pradl & Saggen

These two districts ring the Inner City from the north, south and east. For an interesting and relaxing walk, try the Hofgarten with its parrot and butterfly house. During autumn and spring, the exhibition center attracts throngs of visitors from the locality as well as further afield. The autumn and spring fairs also bring in thousands of visitors every year who come to see novelties from Tyrol and beyond. By contrast, the Holiday Inn Casino offers games, drama and tension. Black Jack, Roulette, poker, and fruit machines keep visitors well occupied. The ultra-modern Cineplexx Kino caters for film buffs, whilst a coffee in Sillpark Einkaufszentrum is the perfect way to round off your day after a heavy bout of shopping.

Hötting & Höttinger Au

The district of Hötting lies on the northern bank of the river Inn which runs through the middle of the city. Formerly an exclusive residential area for the well-to-do, Hötting is today quiet and unobtrusive suburbia and home to the Alpenzoo. The founders of this zoo had a distinctive mission in mind: to find endangered species in the wild, rear them in the zoo, and then set them free again in their former Alpine habitats. The zoo has already scored several successes with this practice. You can get a rack-rail from the Alpenzoo to the Hungerburg, the base station for the cable railway that takes you to the lakes and valleys lying high above Innsbruck. There is even a restaurant at the top offering a superb vantage point from which to observe the magnificent spectacle of night falling over Innsbruck. A visit to the Botanischer Garten (botanical garden) or an evening in the observatory rounds off the day nicely.

Wilten

Wilten is situated at the southern extremity of the city center. The main road over the Brenner Pass goes through Wilten and presents an imposing view for motorists approaching Innsbruck from the south. Two outstanding edifices in Wilten are the Stift Wilten and the Wiltener Basilika, a splendid example of baroque architecture dating back to 1120. Stift Wilten church's cloister houses a valuable collection of art and a noteworthy church museum. For bell enthusiasts, a visit to the bell manufacturers Glockengießerei Grassmayr is a must. This family-run business has been making bells for generations.

Olympisches Dorf

The Olympic village, a recent residential development, lies to the south of the city. The Olympic village sprang up, and gained its name as a result of the winter games held in Innsbruck. The village contains the Olympia Eishalle. Originally only used for sporting events, it now also plays host to concerts and other non-sporting activities. A new football stadium was recently built on the unused land next to the Eishalle. The Tivoli sports complex lies just around the corner, with its stadium and the Tivoli Freischwimmbad. You don't have to be a member to come here and the choice of activities–including track and field athletics–is practically endless.

Amras

Anybody leaving the city by its southern approaches is certain to spot the huge DEZ Einkaufszentrum, the largest shopping center of its kind in North Tyrol. If you let your gaze drift a little further in a southerly direction, you will notice the 10th Century Schloss Ambras. This castle hosts a well-known collection of armory and a quiet park dating back to the Renaissance.

Reichenau

Reichenau is an unassuming residential area, whose only distinguishing feature is Innsbruck airport. As flying is the preferred method of travel for most of the city's visitors, the airport is always very busy. Despite this, its excellent design means comfort and easy transit for travelers on their way to their various holiday destinations in and around Innsbruck.

Sieglanger, Mentlberg

These purely residential areas lie to the south-west of Innsbruck. They are so similar as to be virtually indistinguishable. Whilst the greater part of Innsbruck is sandwiched between mountains, these two districts sprawl uninhibited by geographic obstacles. Mentlberg has a small animal home and a penal institution with a handful of old crooks serving out their time.

Igls

Igls is a pleasant, peaceful neighborhood populated by some affluent residents. In winter, the Olympischen Berg Isel Sprungschanze becomes the focus of intense competition between the best ski jumpers in the world. Bobsled and toboggan slopes are also nearby. Should you not be a professional sportsman, do not fret: there is a bobsled ride designed for amateurs and you can experience the adrenalin rush of the real thing without worrying about competing. All in all, Igls has earned itself quite a reputation amongst energetic and sporty holidaymakers, not least because of the hair-raising skiing opportunities on the Patscherkofel.

St. Nikolaus, Mariahilf, Vill, Mühlau & Arzl

These are purely residential areas with little to attract those in search of tourist entertainment, bar the shooting range Arzl. Gun owners will find plenty of shooting galleries to keep themselves occupied here. The architecture in these neighborhoods is varied, with everything from old villas to highly modern apartment blocks.