7 Best Sights in Innsbruck, Tirol, and Vorarlberg, Austria

Galzigbahn

Fodor's choice
The state-of-the-art Galzigbahn cable car rises from the heart of St. Anton up to the Galzig mountain, where it connects with the two-part Vallugabahn and climbs even higher, crossing from the province of Tirol into neighboring Vorarlberg. As well as offering spectacular mountain vistas all along the way—the panoramic mountain views from the platform at 9,222 feet are simply breathtaking—there's also a great selection of hiking and biking trails, as well as restaurants and refreshment huts along the way. It's open in the summer from July through early September, and in winter as part of the St. Anton ski resort.

Goldenes Dachl

Fodor's choice

Any walking tour of Innsbruck should start at the Goldenes Dachl, which made famous the late-Gothic mansion whose balcony it covers. In fact, the roof is capped with 2,657 gilded copper tiles, and its refurbishment is said to have taken nearly 31 pounds of gold. The house was built in 1420 for Frederick IV as the residence of the Tyrolean sovereign. The legend persists that he added the golden look to counter rumors that he was penniless, but the balcony was, in fact, added by Emperor Maximilian I in the late 15th century as a "royal box" for watching various performances in the square below. He had the roof gilded to symbolize the wealth and power of Tyrol, which had recently undergone massive financial reform. The structure was altered and expanded at the beginning of the 18th century, and now only the loggia and the alcove are identifiable as original. Maximilian is pictured in the two central sculpted panels on the balcony. In the one on the left, he is with his first and second wives, Maria of Burgundy and Bianca Maria Sforza of Milan; on the right, he is pictured with an adviser and a court jester. The magnificent coats of arms representing Austria, Hungary, Burgundy, Milan, the Holy Roman Empire, Styria, Tyrol, and royal Germany are copies. You can see the originals (and up close, too) in the Ferdinandeum. The Golden Roof building houses the Goldenes Dachl Museum with memorabilia and paintings from the life of Emperor Maximilian I.

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Historic Home Fodor's Choice
Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 15, Innsbruck, Tirol, A-6020, Austria
0512-5360–1441
Sights Details
Rate Includes: €4.80 (Goldenes Dachl Museum), Oct.–Apr., Tues.–Sun. 10–5; May–Sept., daily 10–5, Closed Mon.

Pfänder

Fodor's choice

The Pfänderbahn cable car takes you up to this 3,491-foot peak overlooking Bregenz, one of the most famous lookout points in the region. From here, you can see four countries—Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland—and almost 240 Alpine peaks. It's a breathtaking view, with the city directly below on the shores of the Bodensee and the lake stretching for 64 kilometers (40 miles) into the hazy distance. On your left lies the Rhine valley, and you can see the hills of Liechtenstein and Switzerland in the distance. Just across the water from Bregenz you'll notice the ancient and fascinating German island-city of Lindau in Bavaria, once a free state (a status it lost in 1802). The restaurant at the top is open throughout the summer, while children will enjoy the Alpenwildpark, a small outdoor zoo with Alpine ibex, mouflon, and wild boar that's open year-round.

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Seepromenade

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Sweeping along the southeastern shore of the Bodensee, this peaceful lakeside promenade is the perfect place for a stroll any time of year. It runs all the way from the Festspielhaus to the harbor and is lined with charming cafes, hip bars, and tree-shaded benches all the way. As well as enjoying sweeping lake views in one direction, there are also city landmarks to see in the other, from the Neoclassical Post Office, to the glass-cube Kunsthaus, to the local mountain Pfänder. If you want to wander even farther, the Pipeline promenade continues northward from the harbor all the way to Lochau, near the German border. Or, in the other direction, the lakeside gets more natural with some lovely picnic and swimming spots.

Stubai Glacier

Fodor's choice
At the southwesterly end of the valley lies Austria's biggest glacier. It's also one of the country's most popular ski resorts, with miles upon miles of snow-covered slopes open all year round, even in the height of summer. For warm-weather visitors who prefer hiking boots to ski boots, there's an extensive network of trails throughout the area.

Upper Town

Fodor's choice
Just a short walk but a whole world away from the lakeside, Bregenz's Upper Town is its historical heart. Walk all the way up Maurachgasse to the Stadttor, complete with a scary mummified shark (supposedly caught in the Bodensee). Through the gate is Ehregutaplatz, a pretty market square flanked by remains of the ancient city wall and overlooked by Martinsturm, a tower with an enormous onion dome. Built in 1601, it was the first Baroque construction on the Bodensee, though the chapel below dates back even further; step inside to see 14th-century frescoes. From here, amble along Martinsgasse to Graf-Wilhelm-Strasse and the Altes Rathaus, the old town hall. This ornate, brightly shuttered, half-timber construction was completed in 1622. Behind here, on Eponastrasse, are the remnants of a wall fresco that depicts St. Christopher, St. Peter, and a kneeling abbot. Around the corner lies the 400-year-old castle Deuring Schlössle. This is now a private residence, but you can still admire its beautiful whitewashed facade. Better yet, head down the nearby Meissnerstiege passageway for a wider view of its majestic southwestern side. From here, you can also see the 16th century Beckenturm, named for bakers who were imprisoned here after short-changing their customers.
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Ehregutaplatz 1, Bregenz, Vorarlberg, A-6900, Austria

Wolfsklamm

Fodor's choice

If you're driving from Hall in Tirol to Zell am Ziller, this impressive gorge hike is the perfect stop along the way. Exhilarating and spectacular (but very safe), the climb starts in the village of Stans, follows walkways hewn from the mountainside and across bridges spanning the tumbling river and beside waterfalls—all protected by railings—and finally reaches the Benedictine monastery of St. Georgenberg. The whole thing takes about 90 minutes and features 354 steps. At the top, the monastery's sumptuously decorated Baroque church, precariously perched on a rocky peak, is worth a few minutes of your time. There is a decent restaurant, too, with a terrace dizzily located above a sheer drop of several hundred feet.