Innsbruck's Architectural Jewels, Innsbruck

Innsbruck's Architectural Jewels (Self Guided), Innsbruck

Coveted by empires, republics and ruling dynasties over the centuries, Innsbruck has been a living treasure house of history and culture. Undoubtedly this is one of Europe's most idyllic cities, nestled amid the craggy peaks in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Innsbruck equally scores as an Alpine playground and a showcase for Hapsburg imperial heritage, and is famous for its ancient, predominantly Gothic architecture, distinguished by its pointed arches, flying buttress, and ribbed vaults.

The majority of local buildings are old, some dating as far back as the 12th century. Architectural gems like the splendid Kaiserliche Hofburg (The Imperial Palace) lurk around every corner. Its worthwhile Giant’s Hall and Baroque Cellar give visitors a palpable sense of the elegance and wealth of the former Hapsburg Dynasty. Originally built by Archduke Sigmund the Rich in 1494, this is now an official residence of Austria’s president.

The nearby Gothic Hofkirche (Court Church), aka “Schwarzmanderkirche“ (Black Men's Church), houses the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I, and is one of Europe’s finest royal court churches; built from 1553 to 1563.

Ottoburg (Otto Castle) is an architectural landmark and one of Innsbruck’s most beloved restaurants, serving traditional Austrian cuisine.

Stadtturm (Town Tower) – this over 51-meter (150-feet) tall Gothic structure once formed part of the Old Town Hall, serving as an observation point.

Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch) – an intricate construction built in celebration of Emperor Leopold I and Maria Ludovica of Spain’s engagement, which was shaded by a tragic passing of Emperor Franz Stephan I; hence the presence of joyful scenes on one end of the Arch and figures in mourning on the other.

To acquaint yourself more closely with these and other architectural jewels of Innsbruck, take our self-guided walking tour.

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Tobias Klenze.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Innsbruck

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Innsbruck's Architectural Jewels
Guide Location: Austria » Innsbruck (See other walking tours in Innsbruck)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Innsbruck?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Innsbruck Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Innsbruck?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Innsbruck, Austria

Create Your Own Walk in Innsbruck

Creating your own self-guided walk in Innsbruck is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Innsbruck Introduction Walking Tour

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol, Austria. It lies in a broad valley on the river Inn, not far from the Brenner Pass. The name "Innsbruck" means "Bridge over the Inn." In the 4th century Romans established a military outpost there, calling it "Bridge over the Oeni" ("Oeni Pontum" in Latin).

In 1180 the Counts of Andechs took over the town. The Brenner... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles