Austria

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Innsbruck

Nestled deep within the alps, Innsbruck sits amidst the mountain peaks – its location is easily accessible from Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Many make their way up here for the annual vacation or ski-trip. We were very surprised to see how big this place really is – it has its own airport, train station and is home to over 100 000 people. This place is also home to towering peaks that can be seen all around the city. Several ski resorts are nearby with some just a distance away. Its beauty and grandeur is unmistakable and I truly enjoyed our short but sweet stay here.

We stayed only 4 nights and it felt like we were just scratching the surface. Its culture, vibe, and atmosphere is unique. The lifestyle here is definitely geared towards the outdoors and nature. Popular activities include skiing, hiking, mountain biking, running and many more. During our stay here, we decided to splurge on one ski day. I loved our stay in Innsbruck and it will forever have a place in my heart.

Recommendations in Innsbruck

Montagu Bed and Beers Hostel – One of the best hostels I have ever been to – and one of the only affordable ones in the city. Innsbruck is an expensive place to visit to begin with so don’t be surprised during your stay. We combed through our options and this hostel was our best option. It is rated highly and it is relatively affordable. They provide a great service and you can tell they know their business. They know what makes a great hostel tick and how to provide all of these services. The cleaning is good, the service is good, the location is unbeatable and the design is unmatched. They know exactly what they are doing. I would recommend staying in building 1 (the one right above the bar) as we stayed in both buildings 1 and 2 and while both were good – building 1 is far superior. I would also recommend staying at the top floor where the kitchen and the views are. If you’re looking for a great and affordable place to stay, check this place out!

Hagis Pizzeria – is the perfect spot for a late night kebap or pizza. Its location is great with it being so close to downtown. It was also right next to our place of stay. The owner is kind and patient and it seems like a down-to-earth family-owned business. Not only are their prices reasonable, but the quality of their product is also top-notch. I would highly recommend this spot.

DIE BOERSE – is the main gear rental spot in Innsbruck. They have a great variety of rental options from beginner, to advanced. They can provide you with everything you need and are flexible with pick-up times. DIE BOERSE is a great spot to rent your gear as it is just right next to a ski-express bus pick up and drop off spot. Their prices are quite expensive since they dont seem to have much competition. However, they always provide ways to lessen the rental by renting less gear that are unnecessary. Nonetheless, it is a solid spot to rent gear in Innsbruck.

MPREIS (trainstation) – When one is travelling on a budget, we rely heavily on grocery stores and our skills to cook a decent meal on the cheap. When one travels in Innsbruck on a budget, it is easy to notice the difference between the grocery stores in town. I visited over 10 stores in the city to see which one is best and I must say, hands down, that the MPREIS in the train station is the best. It has the most space, the most options and the best prices. It is also centrally located to be right under the train station. It also has the best store hours as it is open most of the time – whereas many other stores fully or partially close on the weekends. If you’re looking for a grocery store, this MPREIS is a solid candidate.

Der Bäcker Ruetz – this bakery is a great spot to get your daily dosage of delicious bread and pastries. Better yet, they offer a nice and wide room to hang out in while having a bite. There are ample seating, comfortable environment and a good service. They also serve some good coffee here.

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Skii-ing in Innsbruck

During our stay in the city, we decided to splurge on one ski day. With it nearing the end of the season and the snow forecast drying up, we decided to go skiing where there is guaranteed to be snow – we decided to spend our day on top of a glacier.

Stubaier Glacier is a ski resort sitting deep in the alps, on top of a – as the name suggests – glacier. This place has got ice and snow all year round and is a solid place to ski. Straight from the get-go, there was snow even at the very bottom whereas the other ski resorts was completely bare. The ascent towards the gondola is gradual and long but consistent nonetheless.

Pros and Cons

Having a hard time deciding whether it is worth it to ski Stubaier? We hope this column helps!

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