HofGarten (Court Garden), Innsbruck

The Court Garden is one of Innsbruck’s most pleasant green spaces, a protected 25-acre park on the edge of the Old City, close to the Imperial Palace, the Congress House, and the Tyrolean State Theatre. Its history stretches back around 500 years, when it served as a courtly garden reserved for the rulers of Tyrol. In the 16th century, Archduke Ferdinand II developed the area beside the River Inn into one of the most elaborate gardens north of the Alps, with ornamental planting, kitchen gardens, fountains, arcades, a maze, and even a pheasant garden.

Over time, the Court Garden changed with European tastes. It began as a Renaissance garden, later took on the formality of a French-style layout, and eventually became a more natural English landscape garden in the 19th century. This layered history makes it more than just a park; it is a quiet reminder of Innsbruck’s imperial past.

The Court Garden offers a restful break from the busy Old Town. Stroll along its shaded paths, admire mature trees and flowerbeds, and pause by the benches and lawns. The former Imperial Summer House now serves as a music pavilion, while the Palm House, a glass conservatory built in 1964, shelters part of the Botanical Collection of the Austrian Federal Gardens. Visitors will also find a children’s playground and peaceful corners ideal for a short pause. Please stay on the paths where indicated, as some lawns are vulnerable.