Welcome to my third part of a five-part story covering our 10-day train Journey from Italy, through Austria and Czechia to Germany
Innsbruck & Wilten in Just a Day
Our short stay in Innsbruck was meant to be both easy and adventurous. With that in mind, we chose the 4-star Hotel Neue Post, located in the Wilten district. Stepping off the train at Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, the city’s main railway station, it was a delight to find our hotel just a 10-minute walk away. For future travellers, it’s also conveniently located about 15 minutes by car from Innsbruck Airport.
The hotel itself charmed us with its Art Nouveau style and traditional décor. The staff were welcoming and allowed us to store our backpacks until check-in; a small gesture that let us explore the city unburdened. Our room was comfortable and charming, though the lack of air-conditioning in the August heat was noticeable. Perhaps Innsbruck summers are growing hotter with climate change, and hotels that once didn’t need cooling may soon need to adapt. Still, the hotel’s central location was ideal for everything we wanted to see.
A stroll along Maria-Theresien-Straße
From Wilten, we began our discovery of Innsbruck with a walk along Maria-Theresien-Straße (Maria Theresa Street), one of the city’s most beautiful avenues. Named after Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, the street runs from the Triumphal Arch at its southern end straight toward the Old Town. We loved the historical architecture and the beautiful landmarks along the way, with the impressive Nordkette mountains always in the background.
Two landmarks drew our attention along this street:
- The Triumphal Arch, built in 1765 to celebrate the marriage of Archduke Leopold and Princess Maria Ludovica.
- St Anne’s Column, a striking red-marble pillar topped with the statue of St Mary, commemorating Tyrol’s liberation from Bavarian troops in 1703.
From Maria-Theresien-Straße, we paused at the Inn Bridge before entering the Old Town. This wide bridge spans the River Inn and offers one of Innsbruck’s most photographed views: the pastel-coloured houses of Mariahilf lined along the riverbank.
The Old Town’s treasures
We wandered into Innsbruck’s Old Town, alive with visitors on a Saturday afternoon. The streets were full of energy, with a wide choice of hotels, bars, coffee shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, and other stores. Many of them were located under medieval arches, which offered a welcome escape from the August heat.
Highlights of the Old Town included:
- The Helbling House, with its white rococo façade, standing out among its Gothic neighbours.
- The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), completed in 1500 for Emperor Maximilian I, which gilded copper tiles shimmer as they did five centuries ago.
For lunch, we stopped at Dengg Patisserie Bistro, a chic spot in Herzog-Friedrich-Straße offering a mix of Tyrolean and international cuisine. It’s a popular area, especially at lunchtime, so advance booking is wise.
Back to Wilten: Abbey & tram
After lunch, we returned to our hotel to check in properly, swap into swimsuits, and set out again. This time, our destination was the Bergisel stop to catch the scenic tram line 6 (Waldbahn).
While waiting for the tram, we admired the striking Wilten Abbey, with its bright yellow-and-orange façade. Though closed when we arrived, its history and legends remain ever-present. Built on the site of the Roman fort Veldidena, the abbey is said to have been founded by the giant Haymon. After slaying his rival giant Thyrsus, Haymon built the monastery as penance. Statues of both giants still guard the abbey church entrance today.
A swim in Lanser See Lake
The red Tram 6 carried us from the city into the forest, where we got off at Lanser See and walked a few minutes to reach the lake. Its tea-coloured water, fed by peat-rich springs, was surrounded by shady lawns, a bathing area, a playground, and a small snack bar. For us, coming from an island surrounded by sea, it felt like a dream to swim in a lake, quietly embraced by forest, with mountains rising in the distance. After our swim, we walked up to Igls Bahnhof, the tram’s final stop, before riding back to the city.
Dinner by the river
Back at the hotel, we changed and headed out for dinner at Fisch Peer (Marktschiff Fischrestaurant), a riverside eatery with terrace views over the River Inn. Known for its fresh seafood — thanks to the owner also being a fishmonger — it lived up to its reputation. I enjoyed salmon carpaccio followed by a baked Norwegian salmon fillet, while Jason opted for Gillardeau oysters and a pot of mussels. The atmosphere was friendly, the dishes superb, and the view unforgettable. Since restaurants here close by 10.00pm, it’s best to book ahead, especially on weekends.
For dessert, we walked back into the Old Town for a scoop of Tomaselli ice cream, luckily, still open after 10.00pm! This Italian ice cream made from fresh Tyrolean dairy and fruit, was the sweetest way to end the night
