Mountain in Innsbruck
The Nordkette is the mountain range directly above Innsbruck, accessible by a cable car (Hungerburgbahn + Seegrubenbahn + Hafelekarspitze) from the city center. The cable car is paid. Free hiking trails start from the intermediate stations. The view from the top (2,334m) covers the Inn Valley, the city, and the Brenner Pass route into Italy. Budget travelers ride to the Seegrube middle station (cheaper than the summit) and hike the free trails for Alpine scenery 20 minutes from the old town.
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Other places worth the walk, and what each one costs.
Zaha Hadid designed this ski jump tower on the Bergisel hill south of Innsbruck for EUR 15 million, and the cafe at the top is one of the best free-entry viewpoints in any Austrian city. The Four Hills Tournament (Vierschanzentournee) draws 28,000 spectators to the stadium below on New Year's Day and millions of TV viewers across Europe.
Innsbruck's most recognizable monument is a balcony covered with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles, built for Emperor Maximilian I in 1500 as a royal box from which to watch jousting tournaments in the street below.
Innsbruck's Altstadt (Old Town) is a compact area of colorful medieval and Baroque buildings, arcaded streets, and the Hofburg Palace (Imperial Palace, paid), all framed by the Nordkette mountains. Free to walk.
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The whole of Innsbruck