Free things to do · Innsbruck · Austria
6 free things to do in Innsbruck
Innsbruck without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daniel Wagner at de.wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Innsbruck without paying an entry fee: Golden Roof, Maria-Theresien-Straße and St. Anne's Column, Innsbruck Cathedral and Hofgarten are all free. The Innsbruck Card pays off if you combine the Nordkette with two or three paid museums in a day.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- April–May and October–November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Altstadt
1.Golden Roof
Come early in the morning or after dark, when the square is quiet and the roof is lit.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Street · Innenstadt and Maria-Theresien-Straße
2.Maria-Theresien-Straße and St. Anne's Column
Stand by St. Anne's Column and look north for the classic photo of the street with the Nordkette above.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Religious site · Altstadt
3.Innsbruck Cathedral
Look up at the painted dome illusions before approaching the altar.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Garden · Saggen
4.Hofgarten
Bring lunch from the old town and eat it by the ponds.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
Religious site · Wilten
5.Wilten Basilica
Combine it with Bergisel, a 10-minute walk uphill.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · Mariahilf and St. Nikolaus
6.Inn riverside and Mariahilf houses
Cross the Innbrücke at dusk for photos when the houses are lit and the mountains still glow.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Views
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Altstadt | Golden Roof and Innsbruck Cathedral | 30 minutes + 30 minutes |
| Innenstadt and Maria-Theresien-Straße | Maria-Theresien-Straße and St. Anne's Column | 45 minutes |
| Saggen | Hofgarten | 45 minutes |
| Wilten | Wilten Basilica | 30 minutes |
| Mariahilf and St. Nikolaus | Inn riverside and Mariahilf houses | 45 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Altstadt
Hofkirche
A combined ticket covers the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum in the same building.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · Altstadt
Tyrolean Folk Art Museum
Head upstairs to the reconstructed panelled rooms from Gothic to Biedermeier periods.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Wilten
Tirol Panorama
Visit with the Bergisel Ski Jump next door on the same afternoon.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Altstadt
Stadtturm
Climb it on a clear day for photos of the Nordkette above the rooftops.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Kids
Museum · Wilten
Grassmayr Bell Foundry
It is a 10-minute walk from the Hauptbahnhof and pairs well with Wilten Basilica.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- The Innsbruck Card pays off if you combine the Nordkette with two or three paid museums in a day.
- Weekday lunch menus in inns are much cheaper than dinner.
- Many free sights cluster in the old town: the Golden Roof, the cathedral, the Hofgarten and Wilten Basilica.
- Visit in May, June or late September for lower room prices than in ski season.
- Stay near the station or in Wilten for better-value hotels within walking distance of the old town.
- Fill a bottle from public fountains; the tap water is excellent.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Innsbruck expensive to visit?
Innsbruck is moderately priced for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Innsbruck?
Golden Roof: Come early in the morning or after dark, when the square is quiet and the roof is lit.