Innsbruck, Austria is an absolutely unique place, because it’s the only major city in the Alps where you can hop on a cable car straight from the historic center and within minutes be admiring views from a ridge at 2,300 meters above sea level. It’s precisely this combination of urban buzz and rugged mountain wilderness that makes it a destination that will instantly capture your heart. When searching for accommodation, you won’t just be considering price or distance from monuments, but mainly whether you want to stay right in the city or up in the mountains.
The old town is beautiful and full of history, but it’s also very compact and tiny, so you can easily walk through the entire thing in twenty minutes. For this reason, it doesn’t make much sense to overpay for hotels right in the center, as you might be used to in Vienna or Salzburg. Accommodation two stops away tends to be significantly cheaper, and you can reach the center on foot or by tram in just a few moments.
Plus, if you get the so-called Welcome Card at your hotel, you’ll have completely free public transport throughout the city and surroundings. So you can easily choose a quieter neighborhood at the foot of the mountains and invest your savings into excellent food or cable car tickets. Don’t forget to try traditional Tyrolean cuisine as well, and we vegetarians will especially enjoy the delicious cheese dumplings called Kaspressknödel or the sweet shredded pancake Kaiserschmarrn.
TL;DR
- Best overall: If you’re looking for exceptional design and excellent ratings, you’ll absolutely love NALA individuellhotel, where each room has its own unique style.
- For history lovers: Right in the heart of the old town lies Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz, where thirteen-year-old Mozart himself once spent the night.
- Best mountain views: The modern The Penz Hotel offers an absolutely breathtaking rooftop terrace you won’t want to leave.
- Golden middle ground by the station: Practically located Adlers Hotel boasts the title of tallest building in the city and features a renowned sky bar.
- For families with children: In a mountain village just outside the city, you’ll appreciate the quiet family-run Hotel Bon Alpina, which is an ideal base for nature excursions.
- Best value for budget travelers: Right in the historic center you’ll find Nepomuk’s Bed & Breakfast Backpackers Hostel, which offers an excellent balance of price and location.
- For mountain enthusiasts: If you’re mainly here for skiing or hiking, I recommend choosing Sporthotel IGLS in the peaceful village of Igls south of Innsbruck.
💡 Innsbruck is a small city with limited capacity and books up months in advance for Christmas markets and ski season. On this map you can compare what’s currently available — you’ll also see how much cheaper accommodation two stops from the center can be.
The full destination guide: Austria — guide and what to see
Which Area to Choose
Choosing the right neighborhood is absolutely crucial for your overall vacation satisfaction. Each part of this Alpine city offers a completely different atmosphere, and it’s entirely up to you whether you want to be in the center of cultural life or would rather wake up to the sounds of a rustling mountain forest. Innsbruck is unique in this regard because both options are separated by just about twenty minutes on public transport.
The historic core, or Altstadt (old town), is a guaranteed choice for a first-time visit or a very short weekend stay. Here you’ll find the most photographed landmarks like the famous Golden Roof, the imperial Hofburg Palace, and the historic City Tower with its beautiful views. The main disadvantage, however, is that it’s the most expensive and by far the busiest part of the city in high season. Given that you can easily walk through the entire historic center in twenty minutes, the high premium for a hotel there may not always be worth it.
The neighboring, more modern Innenstadt around the majestic Maria-Theresien-Straße represents an ideal compromise. This main shopping street offers stunning views directly onto the snow-capped Nordkette mountain range and you’ll find hotels across all price categories here. All the important monuments, cafés, and shops will still be within comfortable walking distance.
If you’re looking for absolutely the best value for an attractive location, definitely focus on the southern district of Wilten near the main train station. This is an extremely pleasant student area centered around the Wilten Basilica and Leopoldstraße. It feels much more authentic and you’ll find significantly fewer tourists than in the historic center, while still being able to reach the old town on a leisurely ten-minute walk.
For travelers craving divine peace and beautiful scenery, the Hötting and Hungerburg areas will be a perfect choice, which locals sometimes call the city’s sunny terrace. They’re located right on the steep slopes of the Nordkette mountain range, and there’s one very simple rule here: the higher you stay, the better panoramic views you’ll get. What’s more, you can easily reach the hills from the center using the unique Hungerburgbahn funicular railway.
The mountain village of Igls lying south of the city will delight all active sports enthusiasts looking for relaxation and close contact with nature. It’s an absolutely perfect choice for visitors primarily heading for winter skiing or summer mountain hikes. The daily hustle and bustle of the city is completely absent here, but you can still reach the center by bus. Finally, I must mention the outlying Tivoli and neighboring Amras districts, which you’ll appreciate especially when traveling by car, as here you’ll find affordable hotels with hassle-free parking.
When to Go and When to Book
Innsbruck is a fantastic destination throughout the year, but accommodation prices vary significantly depending on whether you hit the peak tourist season. This is definitely not a place you can carelessly head to at the last minute without pre-arranged lodging.
The winter months from December to March are unquestionably among the most expensive periods of the year. The city transforms during this time into a huge base for enthusiastic skiers from all over Europe who head out to the surrounding renowned ski resorts. During December’s Advent season, some of the absolutely most beautiful Christmas markets in all of Austria take place here, attracting huge numbers of tourists to the narrow streets. If you’re planning a winter fairy-tale stay, I strongly recommend booking hotels as much as six months in advance.
The summer months between June and September represent another major peak season, this time for lovers of hiking and trips to the majestic Nordkette mountain range. Hotel room prices tend to be surprisingly slightly lower than in the dead of winter, but it’s still definitely not worth leaving your accommodation booking to the last minute. The days are long, the weather in the Alps is most stable at this time, and outdoor restaurant terraces are bursting at the seams.
The spring months of April and May or the autumn months of October and November will offer you by far the cheapest accommodation of the entire year. However, you need to be very careful about one important detail. During this so-called shoulder season, the key mountain cable cars and many high-altitude huts have their regular long service breaks. So definitely check their current operating hours on official websites in advance, so you don’t find out that you can’t reach your dream mountain peak at all.
17 Best Hotels in Innsbruck, Austria
Let’s now look at specific accommodation recommendations that I’ve carefully organized by style and budget. With each of them you can expect excellent service, but I always recommend checking current prices on the popular Booking.com portal, where you can also conveniently book your hotel right away.
1. NALA individuellhotel
NALA individuellhotel is one of the highest-rated hotels in the city, and you’ll immediately understand why. It’s located in a very quiet part of Innsbruck, just about a ten-minute walk from the main train station and a short distance from the city center itself. Guests absolutely rave about the overall atmosphere here, because each room has its own completely unique design and you definitely won’t get that sterile chain hotel feeling. The biggest highlight is the beautiful green garden and also the rooftop terrace with mountain views, where you can relax perfectly after a full day of hiking or sightseeing.
From a practical standpoint, it’s worth knowing that the standard rooms are on the smaller side, though the space is used very cleverly. Some guests might also be a bit surprised by the glass partition in the bathroom, so if you value absolute privacy, you should probably take that into account. On the other hand, the staff here is incredibly friendly and will happily store your luggage or help you plan excursions. Travelers also appreciate the strong focus on ecology and sustainability, including such nice touches as a self-service bar on the terrace or an excellent games room.
💡 Tip: I definitely recommend paying extra for the local breakfast buffet. It’s really generous, you’ll find plenty of local ingredients, great coffee and fresh pastries, which will give you the perfect boost before heading out to the mountains.
2. Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz
Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz is right in the heart of the historic center, and if you love places with soul, you’ll probably adore it. It’s housed in a carefully restored building from the 15th century, and its greatest claim to fame is that thirteen-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once spent the night here with his father on their way to Italy. Today, the old-world charm meets modern amenities very sensitively. Guests at this boutique hotel most appreciate the incredibly friendly staff, who welcome you on arrival with a glass of prosecco or beer. Another big hit is the generous breakfast here, which combines buffet options with made-to-order dishes using quality local ingredients.
From the windows you’ll look straight out onto the old cobblestone streets, where you’ll find a traditional café or small souvenir shop at every turn. This romantic location has one practical drawback, though, that you need to factor in beforehand. You can’t drive directly to the entrance, so you’ll need to leave your car at one of the public parking lots nearby. But it’s made up for by the fact that despite the bustle of the old town, the rooms are beautifully quiet and you can walk to the main sights and the cable car station in just a few minutes.
💡 Tip: Book a room here if you want to soak up the city’s atmosphere right from the moment you wake up. From here, you’ll be literally just a few steps away from the famous Golden Roof.
3. The Penz Hotel
The Penz Hotel, made of glass and steel, is right by the historic center and is hands down one of the highest-rated hotels in the city. Most of all, guests love the rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the Nordkette mountain range panorama. The interior design is very clean and minimalist, with huge French windows letting in plenty of light, and from many rooms you can look straight out at the snow-capped Alpine peaks. On top of that, they serve an excellent breakfast here, where the chefs will make you fresh pancakes or an omelet right on the spot, and the coffee is really good too.
This place strikes me as perfect for a romantic weekend for two, especially when you encounter the incredibly friendly staff who will gladly ensure your maximum comfort. Occasionally some guests complain that the standard room cleaning seems a bit rushed and isn’t always absolutely perfect, but on the other hand the soundproofing works reliably, so you won’t be disturbed by street noise from below. In the evening, definitely head up to the rooftop bar for excellent cocktails. And if you’re traveling with a dog, you’ll be pleased to know that pets are welcome here.
💡 Tip: Definitely try to get up early at least one day and have breakfast on that rooftop terrace. Watching the morning sun slowly illuminate the high Alpine peaks is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
4. Hotel Das Innsbruck
Right on the edge of the historic center you’ll find Hotel Das Innsbruck, which is one of the highest-rated hotels in the city. Guests appreciate the combination of traditional Tyrolean atmosphere with relaxation. Most of them look forward especially to the excellent rooftop pool, from which you’ll have views right over the surroundings. After running around sightseeing or skiing, you’ll definitely appreciate the renowned wellness area with several saunas and a steam bath. The rooms radiate coziness thanks to warm colors, wooden furniture and soft carpets, and some have tiny lights on the ceiling reminiscent of the night sky.
The food here usually works out great and guests often praise the cozy restaurant and the friendly ladies at reception. But count on a few organizational hiccups. If you miss your paid breakfast and ask for a packed lunch to go, you’ll get pretty much just a plain cheese sandwich and a wafer. Some have also complained about poor communication when dealing with items forgotten in rooms. And if you like an evening drink, you’d better head out somewhere into the city, because at the hotel they probably won’t mix you a cocktail after ten o’clock.
💡 Tip: Since you’re sleeping a short walk from the old town, I recommend heading to the streets right after breakfast, before the tourist crowds arrive. Then save the afternoon purely for warming up in the sauna and swimming.
5. Hotel Maximilian Stadthaus Penz
Hotel Maximilian Stadthaus Penz is the smaller, more intimate sibling of the famous The Penz Hotel, located right by the main pedestrian zone. As soon as you step outside, you’ll have luxury shops, restaurants and cozy Tyrolean cafés literally at your fingertips. You’ll be a short distance from the Inn River or the cable car to the Top of Innsbruck summit. It seems to me that guests most appreciate the fantastic buffet breakfast here, though you do need to pay a bit extra for it these days. Besides the food, everyone praises the incredibly friendly staff, who will gladly help you even with more complex excursions into the surrounding hills.
The interiors feel very fresh and clean, with a strong emphasis on natural materials. After a long day you’ll enjoy the wooden floors, comfortable beds and especially the peace and quiet, which you’ll particularly appreciate if you’re not fond of huge impersonal complexes. But watch out for one design quirk—the bathroom is separated from the room only by a glass wall, so don’t expect much privacy. Also bear in mind that there’s a spiral staircase going upstairs and the local elevator is very small. If you arrive by car, you’ll find parking about two blocks away and the hotel will partially contribute to the cost.
💡 Tip: All rooms have fully functional air conditioning, which you’ll really appreciate especially during the sweltering summer months. The city center itself can get very uncomfortably hot in July and August.
6. Adlers Hotel
Adlers Hotel is located in the very tallest building in Innsbruck right next to the main train station, so you don’t have to drag your heavy suitcases through the cobblestone center after arrival at all. The biggest trump card here is the huge panoramic windows reaching from floor to ceiling in all the modern rooms. When you wake up in the morning, you have the historic city and snow-capped mountains right from your bed spread out before you, and from the higher floors you can even see all the way to the Bergisel ski jump by architect Zaha Hadid. Guests can’t stop raving about the generous breakfasts with local specialties, which are served on the twelfth floor, where a beautiful wellness area also awaits you.
It strikes me that it’s worth coming here even if you’re traveling by car, because you’ll avoid the narrow streets of the old town and can park quite easily in the underground garages. The bus stop, from where line J runs directly to the cable cars, is just around the corner. The staff is used to high traffic, so check-in usually goes lightning fast. But honestly, expect that when the hotel is full, the housekeeping can sometimes slip a bit, and a few guests have already mentioned in reviews days when they didn’t get clean towels or refilled soap.
💡 Tip: An evening drink in the famous hotel sky bar with views of the illuminated ski slopes and the city at night is apparently a fantastic experience. If you want to have the best possible view even in private, paying extra for a more spacious panorama-type room is really worth it here.
7. AC Hotel Innsbruck
AC Hotel Innsbruck will especially appeal to those of you looking for the reliability of the Marriott chain. It’s just a short walk from both the main train station and the historic center, so you have landmarks and cafés literally around the corner. I think it’s a great haven for anyone who values predictable quality. You won’t find the typical Tyrolean atmosphere full of wooden beams here, but instead you can look forward to very elegant furnishings. People praise most the views of snow-capped Alpine peaks directly from the room and excellent soundproofing. A huge plus is functional air conditioning, which isn’t entirely common here and will definitely save you in summer.
From a practical standpoint, the modern fitness center works perfectly and the helpful multilingual staff will give you a discounted Innsbruck Welcome Card right away. Bathrooms are spacious and you can even choose a pillow to your liking for the comfortable beds. If you’re traveling with children, the hotel can arrange connecting rooms. Keep in mind, though, that arriving by car can be a bit tricky, because unloading luggage at the entrance and finding the garage requires a bit of patience. Occasionally there’s also a complaint about detailed floor cleaning.
💡 Tip: Breakfasts here are very generous and varied, featuring traditional German and American treats. They’re a bit pricier, but they’ll reliably fuel you up before a full day of sightseeing.
8. Austria Trend Hotel Congress
Austria Trend Hotel Congress stands right next to the glass congress center and its absolute biggest advantage is the Hungerburgbahn cable car station. Designed by famous architect Zaha Hadid, you’ll find it directly across the street, so you can have a leisurely breakfast in the morning and in just a few minutes you’re already climbing into the majestic Nordkette mountain range. People especially praise this modern hotel for its spacious and bright rooms, which are surprisingly quiet thanks to excellent window soundproofing, even despite the nearby main road. If you’re lucky enough to get a room on the upper floors, a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains awaits you.
Keep in mind that this is more business-oriented accommodation, where cleaning occasionally might lag a bit, as some guests complained about minor shortcomings in the bathroom. Otherwise, it’s an incredibly practical place, especially if you arrive by car, because you avoid the narrowest streets of the old town and can park in the underground garage of the neighboring Spar supermarket for about twenty euros per day. The historic center is just a short ten-minute walk across the Inn River. After returning from a full-day trip, you’ll definitely appreciate the small but very pleasant hotel wellness area with steam bath and sauna.
💡 Tip: This accommodation seems to me like the absolute best compromise if your main goal is mountain hiking or winter skiing, but in the evening you long to stroll through the romantically lit city. Don’t forget to ask at reception for a guest card for free transport.
9. STAGE 12, Hotel by Penz
STAGE 12, Hotel by Penz you’ll find right on the busy main shopping street Maria-Theresien-Straße, but surprisingly there’s incredible peace here. Most modern rooms face the inner courtyard with a green garden, so you won’t hear the tram bells at all. From the windows or from the panoramic sauna in the excellent hotel wellness area, you can also enjoy the view of snow-capped Alpine peaks. People praise most highly here the absolutely fantastic breakfast, cleanliness and spacious bathrooms, as well as functional air conditioning that will save you during summer heat. It’s a fairly new project and at first glance it’s clear that someone really thought about the stylish design.
Lovers of city life will probably fall in love with it here, because luxury boutiques are literally under your nose and you can easily leave your car in the underground garages of the neighboring shopping center. In the evening definitely head to the hotel cocktail bar, where locals themselves like to come for crafted drinks after work. Keep in mind, though, that occasionally a small glitch might slip in—someone had no hot water in the morning and the luggage storage lockers were acting up. Even so, it’s a great place with very friendly staff and a fully equipped fitness center where you can also do laundry on a longer trip.
💡 Tip: As soon as you walk out the front door, you’ll find yourself right on the most important pedestrian zone in all of Innsbruck. You’ll be just a few dozen steps from the best traditional cafés and renowned restaurants.
10. Hotel Grauer Bär
Hotel Grauer Bär lies just a short distance from the old town and the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Palace, so you’ll be really close to the landmarks. From outside and inside it feels like a very pleasant mix of warm Tyrolean tradition and modern minimalism. What people praise most of all here, though, is the excellent renovated wellness area on the fifth floor. You’ll find a panoramic pool and rooftop hot tub with a charming view directly of the church, which comes incredibly handy after a full day’s hike or skiing. In winter you’ll definitely appreciate the practical room where you can store all your ski equipment.
Thanks to its generous size and good transport accessibility, families with children or larger groups often come here. Mornings here are made pleasant by a generous buffet breakfast with an excellent coffee bar, which you can enjoy outside on the terrace in nice weather. The reception staff is used to high traffic, so check-in goes smoothly and they’ll gladly help you with parking, for example. For dinner, head to one of the two hotel restaurants for local specialties. Usually everything is perfectly clean everywhere, but honestly, occasionally a complaint appears about perfunctory room cleaning, so expect that a bit with such a large hotel.
💡 Tip: You can walk comfortably from reception to the famous Golden Roof in just under five minutes. Staying this close to the center seems to me like an absolutely wonderful advantage for peaceful evening strolls through historic streets.
11. Hotel Sailer
If you’re looking for true Tyrolean hospitality, you’ll find Hotel Sailer just a short distance from the main train station. This family hotel from the nineteenth century quite elegantly combines rustic country style with modern comfort and people return here mainly because of the absolute comfort. What’s praised most here are the fluffy duvets, soft bedding and pillow menu, thanks to which you apparently sleep like a dream. On the way to your room you’ll also ride in a glass elevator from which you occasionally catch a glimpse of the Alpine peaks. Rooms are beautifully quiet, especially those facing the inner courtyard, and you can easily walk from here to the historic city center.
The absolute trump card of this accommodation, however, is the renowned restaurant with beautiful historic wooden décor, where local old-timers regularly come to eat. Although the menu is dominated by mainly meat roasts and schnitzels, we vegetarians can easily order delicious Tyrolean cheese dumplings called Kaspressknödel here. In summer definitely head out to sit on the outdoor garden under mature chestnut trees, where generous breakfast with local products probably tastes best. If you get a sweet tooth in the afternoon, right next door is Cielo Cafe with excellent Turkish coffee and pistachio cheesecake.
💡 Tip: I warmly recommend staying here to everyone who wants to soak up the most authentic Austrian atmosphere with all the trimmings, but also needs to be close to the train. For perfect relaxation after trips, the hotel wellness area will also come in handy.
12. Basic Hotel Innsbruck
If you’re traveling to the Alps on a tighter budget but insist on absolute cleanliness and peace, Basic Hotel Innsbruck will hit the spot. As the name suggests, you’ll find simpler and smaller rooms here, but they’re cleverly designed and after a day on the slopes you probably won’t miss anything at all. It’s located a short distance from the historic center by the Inn River, so you can comfortably walk to the sights and it’s only a fifteen-minute stroll to the Nordkette cable car. People absolutely love the incredibly friendly staff and from some windows you can even see straight to the mountain peaks.
From the main train station you’ll get here in just two tram stops and the whole neighborhood feels very safe even in the evenings. A delicious buffet breakfast awaits you in the morning, though you’ll also find fragrant bakeries nearby if you fancy breakfast outside in the sunshine. Don’t look for a traditional restaurant here—you’ll need to head into town for dinner, or the Subway next door will save the day. Just keep in mind that the elevator is really tiny, so two people with large suitcases probably won’t squeeze in together. But for active travelers it’s a fantastic base.
💡 Tip: If you’re arriving very late at night, you don’t need to stress at all. There’s a sophisticated self-service terminal at the entrance where you can handle check-in in just a few minutes completely on your own without needing to track down reception staff.
13. Nepomuk’s Bed & Breakfast Backpackers Hostel
Nepomuk’s Bed & Breakfast Backpackers Hostel is a carefully hidden gem for all undemanding travelers that you’ll find right in the very heart of Innsbruck’s oldest historic center. It’s housed in an ancient townhouse with vaulted ceilings, so centuries-old history breathes on you as soon as you enter, and from the windows you can even see the mountain peaks. People mainly love the absolutely brilliant location, which puts the entire old town at your fingertips, while still letting you enjoy wonderful peace at night. You also get breakfast included with your accommodation, which is a really nice bonus for such a friendly price.
Just keep in mind that it’s a very small place with only a few tasteful shared rooms and a single shared bathroom in the hallway, which is always meticulously cleaned. There’s also a small kitchenette available. The booking system is a bit old-fashioned because reservations are handled by phone and payment is cash only. Right on the ground floor there’s a popular little cafe called Cafe Munding, where over a cup of coffee you can easily meet other backpackers and where the friendly owner will gladly shower you with tips for cheap food in the area.
💡 Tip: The atmosphere here is overall very relaxed, homey and safe. That’s probably also why older solo travelers who usually prefer quieter private places in unfamiliar cities keep coming back here.
14. MEININGER Hotel Innsbruck Zentrum
MEININGER Hotel Innsbruck Zentrum balances somewhere between a classic hotel and modern hostel and you’ll find it just a short walk from the university campus. Right at the start I have to honestly warn you that this is very basic accommodation, so it’s better to adjust your expectations a bit beforehand. On the other hand it has a great international atmosphere and there’s a bus and tram stop right outside the door, which makes exploring the city much easier. What people praise most here is the brilliantly equipped shared kitchen. In such an expensive city as Innsbruck undoubtedly is, the ability to cook your own hot meal can really significantly stretch a tight travel budget.
Keep in mind that the rooms themselves are rather austere, quite cramped and you won’t find a fridge or kettle in them. Instead you’ll find pretty wild colorful murals on the walls and a surprisingly strong water pressure in the shower. If you choose a shared multi-bed room, prepare for one peculiarity where two beds are sometimes pushed together like a double bed, which won’t exactly add to your privacy. Otherwise you’ll definitely appreciate the secure luggage storage, common room with pool table and table tennis, and coin-operated laundry, though it can sometimes go on strike.
💡 Tip: Try this place if the lowest possible price is your absolute priority and you don’t mind a somewhat simpler student standard. The cooking facilities here are great and you can get to the sights by public transport in just a few minutes.
15. Sporthotel IGLS
In the high-altitude picturesque village of Igls on the plateau south of the city you’ll find Sporthotel IGLS, which draws you into a true mountain atmosphere as soon as you arrive. The rooms are spacious and furnished in classic Alpine style with plenty of wood, and from the balconies a beautiful view opens onto the Patscherkofel ski resort slopes. It hosted the Winter Olympics twice in the past, so there’s no shortage of sporting activities here. After a full day freezing on the slopes or hiking in the rain, you’ll probably appreciate the beautiful heated indoor pool and large warming sauna. People enjoy their stay thanks to the exceptionally friendly staff who can arrange early check-in, and they praise the fantastic breakfasts.
Just keep in mind that there are sometimes a few minor flies in the ointment. There are often sighs about slower service in the hotel restaurant during the evening rush and some guests have noticed missing WiFi in rooms or absence of English TV channels. But if you arm yourself with a bit of that holiday patience, your reward will be divine peace, quiet and absolutely clean mountain air. It strikes me as a nice retreat not only for skiers but also as a pleasant rest stop when traveling with a dog further into Italy.
💡 Tip: If you get a craving for coffee in central Innsbruck, the regular bus stop is just a short walk from the hotel doors. You can get into the city buzz comfortably in about fifteen minutes from here.
16. Hotel Bon Alpina
In the mountain village of Igls above Innsbruck you’ll find Hotel Bon Alpina, which strikes me as a great place especially for families with children seeking a calmer countryside atmosphere. People here most appreciate the wonderful mountain views, especially at sunset, and the relaxed holiday mood. An indoor and year-round heated outdoor pool with adjacent sauna are available for relaxation. What works brilliantly here is the food. Guests highly praise the rich breakfasts and half-board with really generous portions, which definitely hits the spot after running around outside all day.
The bus stop where you can easily ride down to the historic city center is right at the entrance, and just behind the building gentle hiking trails into the forests begin. I honestly have to mention a few flies in the ointment though. You won’t find a kettle or iron in the room, the morning coffee reportedly isn’t great and the wellness zone has limited opening hours. From some windows you’ll also see the neighboring chapel, so keep in mind that its bells will wake you up quite uncompromisingly at seven o’clock sharp in the morning.
💡 Tip: If you stay longer than three nights, you’ll get the local Welcome Card with free transport and activities. In winter you’ll especially appreciate the free ski bus that reliably takes you with your heavy equipment to the nearest slopes.
17. Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli
Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli is a large modern hotel that bears the city’s name but in reality you’ll find it on the outskirts by the Tivoli sports stadium. The atmosphere matches the well-known chain, rooms are exceptionally spacious, excellently soundproofed and occasionally you can peek out at the mountains. What gets praised most here are the rich breakfasts where you can make your own waffles and have plenty of fresh fruit. But the main trump card is absolutely hassle-free parking in the underground garages and easy exit straight from the A12 motorway. If you’re traveling by car and don’t want to wander through the narrow one-way streets of the center, it’s simply an immensely practical base.
Keep in mind that you have to take the local tram or bus to the sights, or take about a half-hour walk. I think it’s fair to warn about a few unpleasant flies in the ointment too—the WiFi apparently acts up sometimes, breakfast gets crowded due to large groups and the hotel laundry has only one washing machine. Sometimes the warmer attitude of the reception staff also falls a bit short. But if you’re looking for a place from which you can easily head out by car around the area and after a full day of driving you’ll appreciate warming up in the local sauna, you’ll really like it here.
💡 Tip: Head here especially when you’re planning daily star-pattern excursions by car around the area, or when you’re going to a concert or football match, because walking tours of the historic center from here aren’t the most comfortable.
How to Choose the Right Hotel
If you’re still hesitating a bit and can’t decide, try calmly answering one fundamental question over a cup of coffee: how exactly are you actually planning to spend your days? Families with young children or nature lovers most often and most happily choose the quieter mountain area of Igls (like the tried-and-true Hotel Bon Alpina). They have disproportionately more living space there, heated pools are available and they have Alpine nature literally right on their doorstep without needing to travel anywhere.
Conversely, for couples in love seeking romance, great food and evening strolls through historic streets full of lights, the area around the old town will be the absolutely most perfect choice. That’s exactly where I wholeheartedly recommend the stylish The Penz Hotel with its amazing terrace or the deeply historic Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz. If you’re arriving in Innsbruck by train and don’t want to waste even a minute of precious time, choose hotels located right by the main train station (like the unmissable iconic Adlers Hotel), from where you can simply walk everywhere comfortably.
And finally, travelers with a very limited budget should focus either on the excellently located Nepomuk’s Hostel right in the center, or look for hotels a bit further along the tram lines toward the city outskirts, where overnight prices really drop rapidly.
Where Next
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth staying right in the old town in Innsbruck?
The old town (Altstadt) is architecturally beautiful and full of historic monuments, but surprisingly it’s really tiny and very busy during the season. Given that you can walk through the entire thing in about twenty minutes, it often makes sense to choose accommodation in quieter neighboring districts, such as the popular Wilten. You’ll save considerable money and still be just a short walk from the historic center itself.
What is the Welcome Card and how do you get it?
The Welcome Card is an incredibly practical free discount card for guests that you receive automatically when staying at the vast majority of partner hotels, even for a minimum stay of two nights. It offers you free use of all public transport in the region and significant discounts on selected cable cars, which can ultimately save you tens of euros daily. You should always check in advance on the hotel’s website whether your chosen hotel actually offers it.
When is accommodation in Innsbruck cheapest?
You’ll get by far the cheapest accommodation during the spring (April and May) and autumn (October and November) months, when the main tourist rush subsides. However, you definitely need to be aware that during this so-called shoulder season, all the important mountain cable cars and some high-altitude huts have their regular service breaks. Options for more demanding high-altitude hiking can therefore be quite limited during this period.
Where should you look for accommodation in Innsbruck with a car?
Parking right in the historic center is generally very complicated, the streets are narrow and parking garages are extremely expensive. If you’re traveling by car, I strongly recommend looking for hotels in the outskirts, such as Tivoli or Amras. An absolutely excellent choice with huge hassle-free parking and incredibly easy access directly from the motorway is, for example, the modern Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli.
Which accommodation in Innsbruck has the best views?
If you’re craving breathtaking views on your vacation, focus on hotels located on higher floors or those built directly on mountain slopes. An absolutely unforgettable panorama of the snow-capped Nordkette mountains is offered by the luxurious rooftop terrace at the design-focused The Penz Hotel. Also amazing is the renowned glass-walled skybar in the tallest building in the entire city, which houses the popular Adlers Hotel.
Is it better to stay in Innsbruck or in the mountain villages nearby?
It depends purely on your plans. If you want to visit museums and monuments during the day and enjoy city restaurants in the evening, definitely stay in the city. But if you’re traveling primarily for winter skiing or summer mountain hikes, choose the quieter villages high above the city instead, such as Igls (e.g., Sporthotel IGLS). There you’ll have real wild nature literally right outside your hotel door.
Do I need to book hotels in Innsbruck far in advance?
During the sunny summer season and especially during the beautiful winter Christmas markets and peak ski season, hotel capacity fills up really fast. During these peak periods, I recommend booking accommodation even several months in advance. If you leave it to the last minute, you risk that only the absolutely most expensive rooms will be left, or alternatively those very far from the center.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
🚗 Car rental on the roadVerified rental cars in AustriaSearch with the DiscoverCars comparison engine — it compares prices from dozens of local and international rental companies, and most bookings come with free cancellation.
Compare car prices in Austria →Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (simple monthly subscription) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
