4 Best Day Trips from Innsbruck
Innsbruck is one of my favorite European mountain towns. Innsbruck itself is small and can easily be explored in a short trip, but it’s also a great place to base yourself for exploring some of the nearby highlights. There are many great day trip options, I’ve compiled my 4 favorites here!
Also, see my full Innsbruck travel guide here for where to stay, what to do, best restaurants & more
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
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Neuschwanstein Castle
Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle is iconic, and stunning in any season. It’s in Germany, but is easily doable as a day trip from Innsbruck. It’s most famous for being the supposed inspiration for Disney’s iconic castle logo.
You can visit the inside or just admire the views from the outside (my recommendation) I found the outside way more impressive than the inside, and the outisde is free! The best views are from Marienbrücke, a bridge that offers panoramic views. The bridge is not open in the winter unfortunately, as a heads up!
From Innsbruck you can rent a car and drive (it takes about 2 hours) I did this, but in retrospect I think a guided tour would have been easier, renting cars is time consuming and can be a hassle, it also started snowing, making the drive more complex!
This guided tour is a good option if you don’t want to rent a car! Check availability here.
Salzburg
Austria
Stunning, UNESCO world heritage site Salzburg might already be on your Austria itinerary, but if it’s not it’s an easy day trip from Innsbruck! The train is just under 2 hours and Salzburg can easily be explored in a day!
Salzburg is most famous for being the birthplace of Mozart, or potentially even moreso, being the filming location of the Sound of Music! While you’re there explore Old Town, take the funicular up to the Salzburg Fortress for the most stunning views, try a beer at one of Salzburg’s infamous breweries (I like Augistiner Bräu)
Dolomites
Italy
Innsbruck is super close to the stunning Dolomite Region in Italy. I highly recommend having a car to explore the Dolomites or doing a guided tour. It’s hard to see much without a car. You can either rent a car n Innsbruck or take the train to Bolzano (gateway to the Dolomites) and rent a car there!
If you’d prefer to not rent a car, try a full day guided tour that will bring you to some of the highlights of the Dolomites & back to Innsbruck! Check availability here.
Just driving through this region is stunning, but some highlights of the Dolomites:
- Lago di Braies
- Tre Cime di Lavaredo
- Seceda
- Santa Maddalena
Munich
Germany
Munich is one of the funnest cities to visit and is doable as a day trip from Innsbruck. The train is only an hour and a half. My personal recommendation would be to visit Munich for at least 1 or 2 nights, but if you’re short on time it can be done as a day trip from Innsbruck.
Things to do on a day trip to Munich
- Explore Old Town highlights (Marienplatz, St Pete’s Church, Frauenkirche
- Explore the City on a Guided Bike Tour – this will also cover the English Gardens and the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm
- Visit the infamous Hofbräuhaus
