Why choose to stay in Tyrol?
At the crossroads of Italy and Germany, Tyrol is an iconic region of the Austrian Alps. With its breathtaking mountain landscapes and magnificent panoramas, this region will surprise you winter and summer alike with its great cultural and historical diversity, the friendliness of its locals, and the many activities it offers.
At a time when traveling abroad for the holidays is not always easy, Austria has opened its borders to French nationals without any special entry conditions since June 16. For a change of scenery that is both safe and exotic, Tyrol is definitely "the place to be"!
Indeed, if you want to avoid overly crowded areas, Tyrol is made for you. You can peacefully enjoy the entire Alpine space without worrying about too many tourists. You can also relax in the vibrant and iconic city of Innsbruck.
Innsbruck means bridge over the Inn, the name of the river flowing through the city. The Tyrolean capital is renowned for its many churches as well as its architecture blending Viennese and Alpine heritage. The colorful facades featuring both modern and ancient touches will delight your eyes.
Innsbruck and Tyrol are not only frequented during the winter for their ski resorts, the region is lively all year round, thanks in particular to the 30,000 students living in Innsbruck. These vacations will delight young and old alike, as well as sports enthusiasts and homebodies.
In short, Tyrol is truly an excellent choice for spending a vacation with family or friends.
How to get to Innsbruck and Tyrol?
The Austrian Alps are easily accessible. It is entirely possible to visit for just a long weekend or a short week. The majority of travelers take short breaks (4 to 5 days) to get away and recharge without traveling too far. Of course, it is also possible to stay for several weeks, and that is actually what I recommend doing if you have the time. Indeed, it is the only way to fully grasp and explore the richness of Tyrolean culture.
Innsbruck is located about 1000 kilometres from Paris, and there are 3 ways to get there: by car, by train, and by plane.
To make the trip by car from the French capital, you should allow about 11 hours of driving. It is not the fastest way to get there. However, you can stop and admire the alpine landscapes at your own pace. And if you feel like it, why not organize a little mountain road trip?
The train is the fastest means of transport for western Austria. Unfortunately, there is no direct line between Paris and Innsbruck, and a train change will be necessary in Zurich. Allow a total of 6 to 7 hours of travel between the Gare de Lyon in Paris and your destination, with departure from the Gare de Lyon in Paris. The whole journey takes between 6 and 7 hours.
The city of Innsbruck also has a small airport. However, I do not recommend taking the plane, as layovers are generally lengthy (more than ten hours in Vienna) and prices can sometimes be exorbitant depending on the season.
What language is spoken?
My last German lessons go back to middle school, is that a problem?
If your German classes are a distant memory or if, like me, you have never practiced the language, don't panic!
Francophones are few in the region, but our Austrian friends mostly speak English well. So if you speak the language of Shakespeare, you are all set! If you only speak French, you should know that the Innsbruck Tourist Office offers many brochures in French, and some tour guides also speak French. The tourist office is located at Burggraben 3, 6020 Innsbruck.
Where to stay and at what price?
Accommodations are not lacking in Tyrol, especially in summer when tourists are less present than during the winter season. There is a wide choice of lodgings depending on your desires and needs.
We must not forget that Austria is a country where the quality of life is impeccable and the standard of living is quite high, which makes accommodation costs a bit expensive. Rates generally range from 50 to 200 euros per night.
Mountain chalets and refuges
The most authentic accommodation remains the chalet or mountain refuge. Prices vary greatly depending on comfort and services. There are luxury chalets, as well as very basic chalets that generally just serve as a place for hikers to spend the night before setting off for a new leg of the journey.
Homestays
If you want to meet the locals, I strongly advise you to stay in a guesthouse or directly with a host family. You will be welcomed by Tyrolean families and will usually be able to share friendly moments during meals. Plus, the locals will be best positioned to give you the best tips and point out the prettiest spots to see. They will also be delighted to share their culture with you. This type of accommodation costs between 100 and 150 euros per night, but remains the best way to forge connections and soak up the local vibe. Airbnb has of course arrived on Austrian soil, but most of the time, the owners will not be living with you.
Youth hostels
For tight budgets, especially young people, there are a few youth hostels in Innsbruck. Prices are a bit more affordable, with nights hovering around 50 to 70 euros. Of course, you have to accept communal living and sharing your room with strangers. Personally, I really like youth hostels, I stayed in a few in Asia and it allowed me to make unforgettable encounters and spend very lively evenings. The youth hostel is the go-to accommodation for solo backpackers, as it encourages meeting people when traveling alone.
Hotels
The hotel that I really liked in Innsbruck is the AC Hotel Innsbruck. It is a very comfortable 3-star hotel with an unbeatable value for money! I only paid 90 euros for the night, which is really cheap considering the location and the quality of the hotel industry. I highly recommend it!
Camping
However, if none of my accommodation solutions have convinced you, it is always possible to camp either in a dedicated campsite or in the wild. That said, you must keep in mind that wild camping remains prohibited in Austria and if you do not know the mountains well, it can prove dangerous. So leave that to the regulars. The last possibility I can suggest is to ask Tyrol residents who have a garden if you can pitch your tent. Generally, you will always find someone willing to host you for a night.
Where to eat the best local specialties?
What would discovering a new country or region be without tasting the local cuisine?
To discover typically Tyrolean gastronomy, nothing beats a good traditional inn. In this case, I recommend Gasthof Gemse in the town of Zams. The inn has been run by the same family since the 18th century and the cuisine is typical of the region, everything is homemade with local products. A real treat!
If you want to have lunch in a slightly more upscale establishment offering slightly more sophisticated national and regional cuisine, I recommend Genießergasthaus Schulhaus. This gourmet restaurant is located 1h25 from Innsbruck, in the town of Zellberg. The dishes are cooked by a renowned chef in Austrian gastronomy and it is a Michelin-starred restaurant.
For both of these addresses, it is better to play it safe and book ahead, as these restaurants are very popular! A little suggestion when ordering: Schnaps (a spirit made from potatoes and local fruit and vegetable grains) as well as Surschnitzel (veal or pork cutlets cured in brine) are succulent dishes!
Things to do
Skiing
Activities available during active trips depend heavily on the season. In winter, the altitude and cold temperatures are ideal for skiing. It is true that the Austrian Alps are famous for their ski resorts and slopes. You can go cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, and for the more experienced, Innsbruck even has a ski jumping ramp.
Cycling
In summer, there are still plenty of activities to do and unusual places to discover. The weather is variable and temperatures hover around 20°.
Cycling is a must in the Austrian lifestyle. There are many well-maintained bike paths and you can easily rent a bike in most Tyrolean towns.
The glacier road (3 Michelin guide stars) can be explored by bike. However, this climb is strictly reserved for experienced cyclists. If that is not your case, you can always discover this road by car or do part of the way on foot. The glacier road is located in the Karwendel mountain range. A stone's throw from Innsbruck, this range remains the best spot to enjoy the outdoors. Big bonus, it is home to a good number of hiking and biking trails for all levels and all ages.
The highest point of the Karwendel range is the Hafelekarspitze, rising to an altitude of 2334 mètres. You can reach the summit by taking a trail departing from Innsbruck. After the effort, the reward! At the top, a wonderful surprise awaits you: a breathtaking view of Innsbruck and the Alps!
Heritage Tours
If you prefer history and culture over sports, Tyrol is also a region made for you. Its history is very rich, as is its cultural heritage.
You will greatly enjoy the Kufstein Fortress, the Schwaz silver mines, the Museum of Folk Art and Traditions, and more. The region has quite a few castles and fortresses, a true jackpot for lovers of ancient stone and medieval architecture!
Halfway between Italy and Germany, Innsbruck has been a prosperous city for over 500 years. Wanting to showcase the economic and commercial power of this city, Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor at the beginning of the 16th century, undertook major construction work. Notably, this included the complete renovation of the Imperial Palace in a luxurious Baroque style, whereas the building was originally a fortified castle used to defend the city. The projects also included the famous Golden Roof of Innsbruck, built in 1500, which is made of 2657 gold tiles.
Innsbruck is also famous for its roughly forty churches, most of whose bells were crafted by the renowned Grassmayr bell foundry. I recommend climbing up into the bell towers to admire the view and see the bells up close.
The Innsbruck Alpine Zoo and the Swarovski Crystal Worlds crystal and diamond exhibition are also places of interest.
Finally, if you feel like heading up to the Hafelekarspitze without tiring yourself out too much, you can take a cable car and reach the summit in 20 minutes, though it is quite expensive.
To conclude, Innsbruck and Tyrol are a corner of Austria where life is good and where everyone can thrive and spend an unforgettable vacation.
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