Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the fifth-largest city in Austria and the provincial capital of Tyrol, as well as one of the largest cities in the Alps. Its popularity as a winter sports resort was underscored by its hosting the Winter Olympic Games twice. Innsbruck offers the traveller an intriguing mix of contemporary and imperialist history, culture and architecture with a variety of architectural styles waiting to be discovered in every street.

Key highlights:

1. The Innsbruck-Card offers free entrance to all of Innsbruck's sights, free use of public transportation (including the TS line).
2. It also includes a one-time ascent&descent to Nordkette, Patscherkofel and Axamer Lizum, and a 10% discount to Swarovski Crystal Worlds in nearby Wattens.
3. The Innsbruck-Card is valid for 24/48/72 hours and can be purchased at Innsbruck Information (Burggraben 3), the TI in Hauptbahnhof, and several museums and tourist offices.
4. The latest Innsbruck card fare can be found here. since 1 mRates are €43/€50/€59 for 1/2/3 day cards for adults, and €21.50/€25/€29.50 for children 6-15 years old (2018).
5. And daily or weekly public transport cards are cheap - the "all inclusive" sales pitch is alluring to disoriented travellers, but make sure the discounts are worth the initial price.
6. If you are not seeing these major entrance-fee sites, remember that you may buy more than one daily card at a time, as the 24 hours only starts once validated.
7. Be sure to compare with the price of a weekly ticket too.
8. The bus line Sightseer (TS) connects the major sights in Innsbruck.
9. However, there is always a cheaper public transport line going to the same destination, though it might take you more time.
10. Innsbruck's Hofkirche has the most important emperor's tomb monument (of emperor Maximilian I) in Europe.
11. Especially characteristic are the larger-than-life bronzes ("schwarze Mander") that show members of different dynasties.