Innsbruck has snowcapped mountains, a charming village and even Emperor Maxmillian I lived here when it was the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. Innsbruck is known for skiing and hiking along with being a medieval capital under the Hapsburgs.

Golden Dachl (Golden Roof)  The most famous landmarks in historic old town Innsbruck. The name for the balcony comes from the 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles that adorn the roof. Emperor Maximilian, who very much enjoyed the view, built it. It is worth getting close to check out the richly adorned variety of figures and images. The front of the structure is decorated with a man and his two wives: Emperor Maxmilian is portrayed next to his wife of the time Bianca Maria Sforza. He didn’t like her much, however, and that is why his first wife – Maria von Burgund – also looks out from the relief. Also, look for small men with twisted limbs. They are morisco dancers, which according to this Youtube video link must have been pretty awesome to watch back in the day!

Hours: May to September: Monday to Saturday10 am – 5 pm. To open again starting Jan. 11, Tuesday to Sunday 10 am – 5 pm.

Admission: €4.80 Euros, family card or combined ticket Golden Roof-Municipal Museum available €6.

Address: 799V+F8 Innsbruck, Austria

Hofburg (Imperial Palace): In 1465 Archduke Sigmund the Rich created the palace in Innsbruck. The Gothic castle was extended under Emperor Maxmilian I then rebuilt in baroque style with rococo detailing during the 18^th century on the orders of Maria Theresa. The most beautiful stateroom is the Giant Hall. It is embellished with white and gold stucco and a ceiling painting by Franz Anton Mualbertsch from around 1770 that show the “Unification of the Hasburg and Lorraine dynasties” and “Regalia of Tyrol.”

Hours: Daily from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m; last admission 4.30 p. m. Times subject to change.

Admission: €5 adults, €4 reduced admission and kids and young people up to the age of 18 are free.

Sunday is Family Day: Free admission for children, young people and accompanying persons (up to 2 adults!) – Audioguide included (also for children). Every Sunday at 2 p. m. – guided tour for families – tour fee: adults €3 / children €2

Address: 799V+MR Innsbruck, Austria

Dom St. Jacob (Cathedral of St. James): 18^th-century baroque cathedral with an ornate interior. High-baroque ceiling frescoes by Cosmas Damian Asam depict scenes from the life of St. James. The highlight is the important work of art by Lukas Cranach d. Ä. – the image of grace “Maria Hilf” became the most popular image of the Virgin Mary in the Alps and has been widely copied all over the world.

Hours: Oct. 26 – May 1, Monday to Saturday: 10.30am – 6.30pm; Sundays and public holidays: 12.30pm – 6.30pm.

Admission: Free Admission

Address: 799V+QM Innsbruck, Austria

Hofkirche (Court Church): This church holds the tomb of Emperor Maxmillian I surrounded by life-sized Renaissance statues. He is not buried here since the statues were too heavy to be placed at Wiener Neustadt. His grandchild, the Emperor Ferdinand I, had this separate church with an empty grave (cenotaph) established. Among the statues are members of his family, his wives, representatives of Christianity such as the crusader Godfrey of Bouillon, as well as aristocrats of other courts of Europe. Archduke Ferdinand II is buried here in a silver chapel with his beloved wife, Philippine Welser.

Hours: All-the-year – from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sundays and public holidays from 12.30 to 5 pm.

Admission: Adults €7 Euros, combined ticket for the Tyrolean State Museums available (€11).

Address: Universitätsstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Schloss Ambras (Ambras Castle): The castle is on the outskirts of Innsbruck. The castle was heavily influenced by Archduke Ferdinand II who promoted the arts and sciences. The castle includes art, an armory, medieval sculptures and curiosities, such as a stuffed shark. The grounds include a recreated waterfall, peacocks and manicured gardens.

Hours: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission till half an hour before closing time.

Admission: Adults €10 and children and teens free under the age of 19.

Address: Schloßstraße 20, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Alpenzoo: From the zoo you can gain a panoramic view of the Innsbruck area. The zoo contains only animals indigenous to the Alps. 800 animals find their home here.

Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily

Admission: Adults €11, Students/Pensioners €9, Children (6-15) and Students with ID €5.50, Infants (4-5 years) €2

Address: Weiherburggasse 37a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

LANDMARKS:

Triumphpforte: (Triumphal Arch): It is modeled after ones in Rome and stands in the main shopping area of Innsbruck. Marie Theresa had it built in 1765 to honor the marriage of her son, the duke of Tuscany, who became Emperor Leopald II, to a Spanish princess. The frontside the interlock rings of a happy couple. Although, the backside has mournful statuary, Marie Theresa’s husband died the day after the wedding. She wore black for the rest of her life after his death.

Address: Leopoldstraße 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Annasaule (St. Anne’s Column): The column celebrates the 1703 withdrawal of the invading Bavarian armies during the War of Spanish Succession. At the top of the Corinthian column is the Virgin Mary along with a crescent moon surrounded by the saints Cassianus, Virgilius, George and Anna at the base.

Address: Maria-Theresien-Straße 18, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Other Sites: Tyrolean Museum of Popular Art (Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum), Bergisel Ski Jump, Stadtturm (Town Tower), Tirol Panorama and Kaiserjäger Museum, Nordkettenbahn (Innsbruck Cable Cars) and the Olympic Bobsled.