It is certainly October, but it is going to be time to start preparing for its Christmas holidays. More confidential than other winter destinations, Innsbruck is a good idea to enjoy the spirit of Christmas and practice winter sports. Austria's fifth largest city is a thriving alpine metropolis to the enviable location nestled in the heart of the Tyrol Mountains. A huge and legendary ski area, the Olympia Ski World, extends to its doors, including 9 stations, ski runs from December to early May. As for its old town with centuries of fortifying architecture, it turns into the enchanted suburbs of six Avent markets, which plunge visitors and inhabitants into the magic of Christmas.
Olympia Ski World, Eldorado of Slide
Innsbruck promises an exceptional alloy from the winter season: that of the city in the mountains… and of the mountain to the city. What a challenge that of a metropolis of some 130 000 inhabitants offers the same benefits as a high mountain station! Olympic City, in 1964, 1976 and 2012 for the Youth Olympics, Innsbruck saw the greatest champions piercing its ski slopes. 90 ski lifts and more than 300 kilometers of tracks are available to the visitor, spread over the 9 stations included in the Olympia Ski World.
This spectacular area, which includes all types of slopes and all levels of difficulty, is a paradise for all the fans of skiing and snowboard. Its access is facilitated by the existence of a single package which gives access to the 9 ski areas, connected by free shuttle buses. The Olympia Ski World, which surrounds the city of Innsbruck, is in constant renewal.
From Kühtai to Altstadt, high quality accommodation
You will be able to experience a Christmas slide in Innsbruck while having a varied and qualitative accommodation. In the heart of the city, the hotels of Altstadt have put their talent on the quality of their performances. Whether you are looking for modernity or tradition, or both combinations, you will certainly find satisfaction in the pleiade of facilities available. Between large hotels housed in historic buildings or in ultra-modern buildings, but also small family pensions that will welcome you in traditional Tyrol houses, all tastes will be satisfied! Innsbruck adapts to all the criteria: from the hotel in a lively street within the perimeter of a Christmas market to the peaceful pension of the quiet and green neighborhoods, passing through the sports hotel at the foot of the slopes in one of the 9 ski areas. Among these, Kühtai offers the full experience of the high mountain. You will stay at more than 2,000 meters and less than 30 min from Innsbruck city center. You will be home directly from the slopes, on foot, after experimenting with night skiing or sliding on the 2.5 kilometers of luge tracks, also practicable at night. You can spend your nights in the prestigious «Hunting Lodge», a place once expensive in the Habsburg, in the luxurious Alpin Lodges or in the Igloos Village if you dream of an unusual stay!
Savoring Christmas Magic on a Christkindlmarkt
True to the Germanic tradition of the Avent markets, holding from mid-November to Christmas, Tyrolean capital is one of Austria's most beautiful Christmas markets.
These are six different places where, for 3 weeks, the party will beat its full up in the expectation of Christmas, and delight the hearts in hibernation with its culinary delights, its warm wine, its artisanal products and its many possibilities of shopping. Games, toys, decoration, art crafts, jewelry, wooden objects, fashion articles: a variety of quality items are offered on the hundreds of stands that make up the Christkindlmarkt
(«Children's Markets Jesus»).
You will have the privilege of listening to the Christmas chant from the Small Golden Roof, a gothic-style balcony covered with golden gold shingles to fine gold, architectural jewel of the city. For you will experience the experience of Tyrolean know-how and glory in Innsbruck in a trustful atmosphere. Intense cultural life beats on the markets, with concerts at the Innsbruck Conservatory, a walking theater, a theater of puppets, storytellers and a host of other shows.
Your papillae will not be there and you will have to taste the Kiachln, a doughnut specially prepared for the period of Avent, Christmas cookies, marzipan balls and other specific delicacies at the time. Of course, warm wine, called Glühwein will warm you up and, on the multitude of stands, you can enjoy among other sausages, Schnitzel, rösti, goulasch, soups and all dishes of the friendly Tyrolean cuisine.
Six Christmas markets and six atmospheres to discover Innsbruck
Each Christmas market in the Tyrolean city highlights a typical theme of Tyrolean Noës and allows you to discover a street, a neighborhood, the various aspects of the city. The most central Marktplatz market will be dominated by the stunning luxury of the Swarovski Christmas fir, dressed by the famous Innsbruck house, transformed by thousands of stones into a giant crystal. To best live Christmas fairy tales, you will have to go to the market of the Märchengasse («rue des Contes»), which offers real-sized tales for small and large people.
The elegant avenue of the Maria-Theresien-Strasse also boasts its splendors every year. Under the crystal sign, its tree driveway is decorated with sparkling stones and giant rock crystal. Lovers of intimacy will go to the market in the Saint-Nicolas district, on the banks of the Inn. It is the most refined, the most peaceful and the most spiritual. That of Wilten Square highlights this place of greenery in the heart of the city and invites cosmopolitanism to Innsbruck with this year products from Sardinia.
Finally, to crowning your stay in landscape splendor, it is on the scenic Hungerburg market that you will have to come warm and admire Innsbruck from the top; Accessible by a very picturesque cable car!
In short, offering the pleasures of the high mountain and those of the big city, Innsbruck will bring you in the atmosphere of Germanic fairy tales and will allow you to indulge in an exceptional Christmas shopping, half an hour after having stripped your skis and robbed the sensational slopes of the Nordn. Kette or Patscherkofel!
Smart News
When is it? The Christkindlmarkt works full-time from November 27 to December 23. Some open on November 15, and only one remains open until January 6. The ski season runs from early December to early May.
Go there. The airport is located 4 km from the city, connected to the city center every 20 minutes by the bus on line F. It is served by regular Tyrolean Airways flights from Zurich, Frankfurt and Vienna. Flights from Paris with 1 stopover, minimum time: 3 hours.
INNSBRUCK AIRPORT - More information on the site
Find your flight at the best price - Compare
Rent your car at the best price - Compare
Useful. To prepare his getaway best.
INNSBRUCK TOURISMUS - More information on the site
TIROL TOURS - More information on the site
Book your hotel at the best conditions - Compare
Find cultural or sporting activity - Find
