The capital of the Alps hides a secret…
Innsbruck might just be one of the best summer destinations, at least if you’re more into mountains than beaches.
Here’s the crazy part: you can go from the city center to 2,256 meters above sea level in about 25 minutes and suddenly find yourself surrounded by a breathtaking panorama of the Alps.
And if you’re up for a little walk, you can go even higher: around 2,300 meters.
There are a few ways to get there, but let me start with the easiest one.
OPTION 1: Go all the way to the top
Take the train at Congress station and head up to Hungerburg. From there, you’ll switch to a gondola that takes you to Seegrube.
Once you’re at Seegrube, you can stop for a while, take some pictures, walk to the viewpoint suspended above the cliffs… or keep going straight to Hafelekar on another gondola.
My advice? Go directly to the top first.
The weather conditions can change really quickly up there, so I would rather spend most of my time at the highest point while the weather is good.
And on a beautiful summer day, trust me, it’s the kind of place where you completely lose track of time.
Then, on your way back down, take your time at the other stations. Stop for pictures, enjoy the views, grab something to eat, and just take it slowly.
Basically: go straight to the top, take your time coming back.
When you arrive at Hafelekar (2,256 m), you’ll probably want to find a bench, sit down, eat some snacks, and just stare at the view for a while.
After that, you can walk another 10–15 minutes to reach the highest point.
Sneakers can work if it’s dry, but I’d recommend bringing shoes with a good grip. Once you’re around 2,300 meters up, there isn’t much left to do other than breathe the clean mountain air and try to remember as much as possible of that view.
For this option, you’ll need a full train ticket from Innsbruck city center to the top, called the Nordkettebahn.
I recommend buying it directly from their website so you have a digital pass and can skip the line.
Price: €56.
OPTION 2: Take the bus
If you don’t want to take the train, there’s another option, and it’s considerably cheaper.
Head to Marktplatz and look for the J bus going in the Nordkette direction.
After about 20 minutes, you’ll reach Hungerburg. Basically, you get the same first mountain experience using public transportation €3,30.
From there, you can decide whether you want to continue up to Seegrube and Hafelekar. The whole thing will cost you around €47.60.
And if you’re already happy with the view from Hungerburg, you can simply stay there.
You can also take the train from the city center to Hungerburg instead of the bus, which costs around €14.
Honestly, even this first stop is worth it. And then there’s the best part… Later, as you’re walking around the old town of Innsbruck, you’ll suddenly look up and see this enormous wall of mountains surrounding the city.
And you’ll realize: Wait… I was up there.
That’s the Nordkette, the Northern Mountain Range, and one of the things that makes Innsbruck feel so special.
You get the city, the mountains, and this completely unexpected feeling that you’re much deeper into the Alps than you actually are.
And that’s exactly why I think Innsbruck deserves a spot on your summer list.
OPTION 3: There’s one more idea…
I’m all about finding ways to make the most out of a trip, so I have one more option for you, a bit more budget-friendly.
But this one only really makes sense if you’re staying 2–3 days in Innsbruck and want to squeeze as much as possible out of your time there.
Click here if you want access and send me the word “Innsbruck.”
