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Innsbruck resort information & après-ski

Après-ski

Being a university town as well as a city and a major tourist destination, it’s no surprise that Innsbruck has a buzzing nightlife, with around 200 bars and pubs spread across the city.

With so many establishments trying to build a reputation, the variety of fun après-ski in Innsbruck is vast. For example, there’s Brazilian nightlife at Arcos (tel: +43 512 582 423) and an Irish theme in Arthur Bailey (tel: +43 512 251 541).

If you’re after a more local flavour however, Theresien Brau (tel: +43 512 587 580; www.theresienbraeu.com) serves locally-produced ales to a friendly regular crowd.

Eating out

With more than 300 different restaurants in Innsbruck and its surrounds, the enormous choice means that pretty much every taste, style and budget is catered for somewhere in the city.

One of the most popular in town, remarkably considering the Austrian love of meat dishes, is Chez Nico (tel: +43 650 451 0624; www.chez-nico.at), a small vegetarian establishment ran by Nicolas Curtil. The restaurant creates dishes using the finest ingredients and has a French theme, with Mr Curtil having mastered his trade at restaurants in London and Paris.

However the elegant Europastüberl restaurant in the 5-star Grand Hotel Europa (tel: +43 512 5931; www.grandhoteleuropa.at) retains the prize for critics’ favourite gourmet option in the resort. The multi award-winning restaurant has been decorated in typical Tyrolean style.

Those on a budget should head down to the Breakfast Club (tel: +43 512 307 959) for the best breakfast in town, or the much-loved Strudel-Cafe Kroell (tel: +43 512 574 347), for delicious sweet and savoury offerings of the signature dish.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Given its scale, it’s no surprise that there are a multitude of things to do in Innsbruck besides skiing and boarding, so much so that the resort is one of the best choices for mixed-interest groups that include both skiers and non-skiers. Innsbruck’s Guest Card gives visitors free or reduced access to some attractions and services in the city, including a popular lantern-lit hike.

Among the activities and attractions in Innsbruck are sports centres, swimming pools, cinemas, a concert hall, theatre, galleries, a casino, no less than 24 museums, and an Alpine zoo. There are also excursions organised to Salzburg, Munich and famous Bavarian castles.

The city’s Olympic winter sports heritage is very much alive, with many other winter sports (besides skiing and boarding) staging world-class competitions throughout the season. In many cases it’s possible to have a go. Ski jumping, bobsleigh, ice skating and hockey are all popular, while the brave can ride down the bobsleigh run as a passenger.

Family fun

The city has lots of activities and attractions for families – the competition between establishments and the low season effort to attract business results in visitors being given a higher standard of accommodation, dining and entertainment than the ski resort norm.

The downside, as for all beginner skiers, is that families with young children will face getting to the slopes by bus, which may not be the ideal start and end to a day on the slopes.

It therefore may be less stressful – efficient though the service is – to stay on the mountain at Igls itself (or another of the more family-friendly areas such as Mutters or Oberperfuss).

Retail therapy

With 400 shops in Innsbruck, the resort is arguably the world’s best ski destination for those who like to shop as much as ski and board. As would be expected, there’s a vast choice, from quirky historic backstreet shops to boutiques and giant shopping centres such as Kaufhaus Tyrol (tel: +43 512 901 115).

The Christmas holiday season is particularly popular for shopping with its magical ambience, advent concerts and a giant Christmas tree at the heart of the Christmas market.

Splashing out

Anyone aged 12 and over can take a trip down the Olympic bobsleigh run in Innsbruck (tel: +43 512 3383 8221; www.olympiaworld.at) – assuming there’s no competition or training taking place during the time of visit. Passengers will hit speeds of over 100km/h (62mph) on the 1,210m (3,600ft) track in Igls, taking in 14 turns in just one minute.

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Hotels

There is a wide choice of accommodation, from apartments and guesthouses to hotels in Innsbruck; and as a result, there is something to suit all budgets and tastes.

Show hotels in the

following price range

Luxury Moderate Cheap

Adler’s Design Hotel

+43 512 563 100

A sparkling new hotel in the heart of the city, the design-conscious Adler’s Hotel features a 12th-floor restaurant, and bar with panoramic views of the resort.

Bruneckerstrasse 1, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

Alpinpark

+43 512 348 600

This popular 4-star hotel is 15 minutes from the station and has a ski bus stop directly outside. The hotel boasts various dining areas and a well-appointed health and beauty centre.

Pradlerstrasse 28, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

Hotel Goldener Adler

+43 800 393 130

This Best Western hotel is located in the pedestrianised city centre of Innsbruck. Facilities at the hotel include complimentary Wi-Fi access and an on-site restaurant.

Herzog - Friedrich - Strasse 6, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

Ramada Innsbruck Tivoli

+43 512 890 404

Architecturally stunning, the Ramada Innsbruck Tivoli is located close to the railway station and all central amenities. Facilities here include a spa and on-site restaurant, and there are splendid views of the city and surrounding mountainscape from the 11th-floor terrace.

Olympiastraße 41, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

Youth Hostel Innsbruck

+43 512 346 179

One of numerous budget accommodation options in the city centre, this youth hostel is a little on the basic side, but is clean, comfortable and welcoming.

Reichenauerstrasse 147, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria

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following price range

Luxury Moderate Cheap

Getting there and around

Getting there

Nearest airport: Innsbruck Airport (INN).

Distance to resort: 4km (2.4 miles).

Driving time: 15 minutes.

Nearest railway station: Innsbruck.

Distance to resort: Within the resort

Getting around

Innsbruck is a city with a modern public transport system, including a bus and tram service – parts of which are included in the ski pass cost. Taxis are another option and charge a reasonable flat rate within the city limits.

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.