"Memorable Innsbruck" Innsbruck by dinhyen

Innsbruck Travel Guide: 1,472 reviews and 2,458 photos

In front of the Goldenes Dachl - Innsbruck

Innsbruck is most well-known as a winter resort and as the site of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. As we visited in the summertime, we couldn't experience any of its winter wonderland. However, to us it still exudes old-world attraction together with a vibrant mix of culture and charming architectural style.

Places like Salzburg and Rothenburg are known for their lovely cast-iron signs that adorn shopfronts. I was pleasantly surprised to see such a splendid array of them in Innsbruck.

Celebrity sighting

"Girls just wanna have lunch"

The square in front of the Goldenes Dachl is a pedestrian-only zone filled with cafes and restaurants. While here I had my sole celebrity sighting on this trip. As I walked towards the Old Town Tower, I almost ran into a tower.. the Fawlty Tower himself: it was John Cleese! At least I thought it was my favorite Python (well, actually I like Palin more). He had the right height, the right look, the moustache, and clear glasses. He was with a much shorter woman I did not recognize. Of all the places to run into him. To this day I'm still kicking myself for my reaction, which was none, nada, nichts. I just stood there dumbly. "Cleese" held out his hand, politely motioning me to move past him. So I numbly did. He strode away as I look back. Hmm, his walk did not look funny at all.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots of museum; great pedestrian zone; attractive architecture; to-die-for cast-iron signs
Cons:Altstadt may be hard to find from the motorway; Few parking spots
In a nutshell:Irresistible Austrian charm

Last visit to Innsbruck: Jun 2003
Intro Updated Jul 16, 2003
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Reviews (8)

Colorful houses along the river Things to Do (8)

The river Inn is just steps away from the old town. Here you'll find the row of colorful facades. more travel advice

The Hofkirche Things to Do (8)

This splendid Baroque church contains the tomb of Duke Ferdinand II. Its most unique feature is the array of 28 bronze... more travel advice

The Stadtturm Things to Do (8)

The City Tower is the tallest structure in the Old Town and gives you a wonderful panorama of the city. Innsbruck... more travel advice

The Triumphpforte Things to Do (8)

The Triumphpforte rises at the south end of Maria-Theresienstrasse, the main tourist drag in Innsbruck. Like many... more travel advice

Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 6, 2003

8 photos

Promenade in Innsbruck

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Comments (6)

mvtouring Oct 21, 2007 at 10:02 PM Report Abuse

Going there in June 2008 and your tips are surely gonna come in handy ;-)
Maurizioago Nov 3, 2006 at 9:43 AM Report Abuse

I'll spend some days there next december. Ciao!
heywinks Aug 9, 2003 at 5:33 AM Report Abuse

Innsbruck is so quaint! I spent so little time there myself, too. Your pictures are great :) Hofburg looks amazing.
Phalaenopsis03 Aug 6, 2003 at 11:19 PM Report Abuse

rub any private parts of statues lately?
jessicadf Jul 24, 2003 at 2:01 PM Report Abuse

Funny that Mickey Dees would try to fit in. I, too, avoid them...
herzog63 Jul 18, 2003 at 12:18 PM Report Abuse

I remember those cast iron signs! They are so cool! Innsbruck was bigger than I thought it was going to be!