As part of our Oktoberfest road trip through Europe, our journey took us from Switzerland into the heart of the Austrian Alps — Innsbruck, Austria. With dramatic mountain scenery, rich Tyrolean traditions, great beer, and just enough adventure, Innsbruck turned out to be the perfect short stop before heading on to Munich.

But before we dive into our 38 hours in Innsbruck, let’s rewind just a bit.

From Zurich to the Austrian Alps

Our Oktoberfest road trip began in Zurich, where we shared five things to do if you’re short on time. After leaving Switzerland, we hit the road and made a couple of memorable stops — including beautiful waterfalls and an old medieval town — before continuing toward Austria.

The drive itself was part of the experience. As the Alps rose around us, it was impossible not to feel like you’d stepped into The Sound of Music. After about 4.5 hours, we arrived in Innsbruck and were ready to explore.

Checking Into Our Innsbruck Airbnb

Since we were only spending 38 hours in Innsbruck, location and convenience were key. We chose an Airbnb that:

Fit all three of us comfortably
Included a parking spot (essential for a road trip)
Was well-located for exploring the city on foot

Travel tip: When staying at Airbnbs abroad, be prepared to pay local taxes or fees in cash upon arrival.

Once checked in, we headed straight out to explore.

Exploring Innsbruck’s Old Town & River Views

Innsbruck is a picturesque alpine city where much of what you’ll want to see is centrally located. The main shopping street runs through Old Town, lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, while side streets reveal even more hidden gems — including smaller boutiques and an indoor mall.

At the edge of town flows the Inn River, which runs through Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Cross the river and you’ll find the iconic colorful houses of Innsbruck, one of the most photographed views in the city.

Tyrolean Evening with the Gundolf Family

After a long day of driving and sightseeing, we stopped by a local wine shop to pick up some Austrian wine, beer, and charcuterie — just a preview of the night ahead.

That evening, we attended a Tyrolean Evening with the Gundolf Family, a traditional dinner-and-show experience that highlights local music, dancing, and folklore. While it may look simple at first glance, it’s an authentic and entertaining cultural experience that has been performed by generations of the Gundolf family.

In fact, this experience is so iconic that Austria’s official tourism site includes it as the final night in their recommended 3-day Innsbruck itinerary.

Innsbruck Nightlife (or the Lack Thereof)

After the show, we planned to grab another drink — but were surprised to learn that Innsbruck doesn’t have much nightlife. We did manage to find one bar still open and enjoyed a couple of drinks before heading back to rest up for the next day.

Breakfast in Innsbruck: A Hidden Gem

The next morning brought another surprise: breakfast spots are fairly limited in Innsbruck. After some searching, we found Aydin Bakery, a Turkish bakery that ended up being one of our favorite meals in the city.

The three of us shared a meat-and-egg omelet, and it was more than enough — delicious, filling, and perfect fuel for a big adventure day.

Going to the Top of Innsbruck

One of the most popular experiences in Innsbruck — and highly recommended by tourism officials — is Going to the Top of Innsbruck via the Nordkette.

To reach the summit, you’ll take:

A funicular to Hungerburg
Followed by a series of cable cars into the Alps

At around $69 per person, it’s not cheap, but the experience is absolutely worth it. Along the way, you’ll find restaurants, scenic viewpoints, and even a zoo.

The funicular ride ends in Hungerburg, where you transfer to the cable car. On the way up, our cabin wasn’t crowded, giving us incredible views of Innsbruck before we disappeared into the clouds.

After about 15 minutes, we arrived at the top — where it was snowing. The temperature difference was dramatic, so be sure to bring a jacket, even if it’s warm in the city below.

You can spend as much time as you like at the summit:

Walking around and taking photos
Exploring hiking trails
Or even hiking down the mountain

In winter, this area transforms into a ski destination, making Innsbruck a great year-round location.

Before heading back down, we stopped for a couple of beers at the restaurant — because honestly, that felt necessary.

Austrian Beer Culture in Innsbruck

If you haven’t figured it out by now, we’re really into beer. So our next stop was a small beer shop - BierWelt Tirol - where we sampled local Austrian brews and learned more about Innsbruck’s beer culture.

Luckily, John found a very comfortable seat while we conducted our “research.”

Dinner & Final Night in Innsbruck

For our last night, we headed out to dinner at Fischerhausl — and with so many food options in Innsbruck, it’s hard to go wrong. Everything we had was fresh, flavorful, and delicious, making for a great final meal in the city.

Autobahn Adventures on the Way to Munich

After 38 hours, it was time to continue north toward Munich, officially entering the Oktoberfest portion of our trip.

One of the biggest perks of driving in Germany is the Autobahn — something John had been waiting a very long time to experience. Unfortunately, the moment the speed limit disappeared… traffic appeared instead.

Major disappointment (not pictured).

Still, there was plenty of road trip left, and Munich was next.

Innsbruck Travel Recommendations

If you’re planning a short stay in Innsbruck — or adding it as a stop on a larger European road trip — these are the experiences we’d recommend most.

Innsbruck Tourism: Flexible 3-Day Itinerary

The Innsbruck Tourism website offers an excellent 3-day itinerary that can easily be narrowed down based on how much time you have.

👉 https://www.austria.info/en/austria-s-beauty-secrets/innsbruck/innsbruck-in-3-days

Tyrolean Evening with the Gundolf Family (2 Hours)

A must-do cultural experience featuring traditional Tyrolean music, dancing, and folklore.

👉 https://www.tiroler-abend.com/en/

Visit the Top of Innsbruck (Half-Day to Full-Day)

Ride the Nordkette funicular and cable cars for incredible alpine views, hiking opportunities, and seasonal skiing.

👉 https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/the-nordkette.html

Breakfast Recommendation: Aydin Bakery

One of the best breakfast options we found in Innsbruck — casual, affordable, and delicious.

👉 https://www.aydinbaeckerei.at/

Where We Stayed: Innsbruck Airbnb

Comfortable, well-located, and included a parking spot — ideal for a road trip stop.

👉 https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/16957800?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=6ac37143-522e-4bd2-9a06-2c540a0410ad

Coming Up Next: Munich & Oktoberfest 🍺

Next stop: Munich, where we’ll be exploring the city by bike in all kinds of weather and attending our first-ever Oktoberfest. Stay tuned for the next adventure!

38 Hours in Innsbruck, Austria: Oktoberfest Road Trip Stop