Innsbruck offers a festive winter escape just a short flight from London, filled with charm, adventure, and holiday spirit
Innsbruck: I recently took a trip to Innsbruck, Austria, and wow, it felt like stepping into a snow globe! The city was buzzing with festive cheer, and there was mulled wine everywhere. Seriously, it was like a scene from a holiday movie.
Picture this: snow-covered mountains, sparkling lights, and a vibe that just screams Christmas. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to cozy up with a hot drink.
And guess what? It’s only a 90-minute flight from London Gatwick. Perfect for a quick holiday getaway!
On our first day, we landed around 10 am, and it was like gliding through a winter wonderland. Just 20 minutes later, we checked into our stylish hotel, Stage 12, right in the city center. Talk about convenient!
Our first adventure was a ride on the Nordkette Cable Cars, taking us up to Seegrube, which is about 1,900 meters high. The views were stunning, even with some clouds hanging around. It felt like being in a postcard!
After that, we had lunch at the Seegrube Restaurant. I tried Spinatknödel, which are cheese dumplings in beef broth. So warming and delicious!
In the afternoon, our guide Monika showed us around Innsbruck’s charming city center. We wandered through the Christmas markets, checking out local food and clothing stalls. The atmosphere was just magical.
One of the highlights was visiting the Imperial Palace. The stories of Maximilian I came alive in the beautiful rooms, especially the golden ballroom.
We wrapped up the day with a festive performance at the Golden Roof. It was such a lovely moment, like something out of a Christmas film.
Then came the Krampus parade in the Old Town. It was hilarious and a bit scary, with these shaggy figures rattling chains. One of them even tried to steal my hat!
For dinner, we went to Weißes Rössl, where I had my first schnitzel. It was crispy and so tasty!
The next day, we visited Swarovski Crystal Worlds. It felt like being in a treasure chest! My favorite part was the Hollywood Room, with sparkling replicas of celebrities in Swarovski outfits.
After a yummy lunch at Daniel’s Restaurant, we explored Ambras Castle. The grounds were stunning, and the artwork inside was impressive.
One of the best parts was the wine tasting at Weinhaus Tyrol. We tried several wines and enjoyed delicious antipasti. Our sommelier, Anna, taught us how to really savor each sip.
On day three, we had breakfast at the Bergisel Ski Jump restaurant. I even sat on the “tremble bench” that ski jumpers use before their big leap. It was intense!
In the afternoon, we strolled through the Christmas markets again and visited Lumagica, a beautiful illuminated walk through the gardens.
We ended the day with a festive dinner at Brasserei, where I had a delicious fillet steak. So satisfying!
On our last day, we hiked the Franz-Josef-Trail in Kühtai. The views were breathtaking, and the fresh winter air was the perfect way to say goodbye to Innsbruck.
After lunch at Dorfstadl, we did some last-minute Christmas shopping and relaxed at the hotel spa before our farewell dinner at Zum Wilden Mann. It was a fantastic end to a magical trip.
Innsbruck is truly a winter wonderland, with its stunning views, festive markets, and cozy atmosphere. If you want a place that feels like a living snow globe, this is it!