My Great Escape: Inspiring Innsbruck

Reader Susanna Lewis samples the delights of Tyrol’s capital

With the recent relaxation in travel restrictions, I found myself visiting Innsbruck, the capital city of the state of Tyrol in Western Austria.

This stunning and underrated destination snuggles within snow capped mountains and is perfect for a short break. Even the approach to Innsbruck Airport by air is a breathtaking sight as the plane gently manoeuvres between the mountains on its journey to the runway.

The city is a combination of modern architecture and historic buildings, serving both as a thriving university town and a popular tourist centre. Weaving my way through cobbled streets and intricately designed buildings, I could not help but be impressed by this aweinspiring city.

I learned from my guide-book that Innsbruck was the Imperial capital 500 years ago when the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I resided here, and it still lives up to its royal connections today with its lavish and stunning architecture.

I wandered round this compact city which was easy to navigate on foot, amazed at the dramatic backdrop of the Nordkette mountain range which offers skiing, hiking via the Nordkettenbahnen cable railway which is just a 20 minute ride from the centre of Innsbruck.

The Goldenes Dachl (“Golden Roof”) a significant landmark in Innsbruck with its 2,657 gilded copper tiles that glimmer in the sunlight, can be viewed from the street, and took my breath away. Of course, no visit to Innsbruck is complete without sampling traditional Austrian food including my personal favourite— apple strudel with vanilla cream. Pavement cafés are plentiful in the city and there is nothing more relaxing than sitting in the sunshine, sipping coffee and watching the world go by.

Innsbruck stole my heart with its stunning architecture, majestic mountains and friendly people. I cannot wait to return to sample more of this delightful European city.

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