Christmas Markets in Innsbruck
Innsbruck is a wonderful place to visit for Christmas Markets! The quaint old town packed with stalls selling glühwein and festive wares, feels magical underneath Maximilian’s golden roof. Another Advent Market along the river stuns with a Swarovski crystal tree and is backed by colorful buildings along an icy blue river. You can’t miss Innsbruck’s stunning mountain backdrop, it is absolutely stunning. Innsbruck has a few markets nestled throughout the town and each area has it’s own special charms. After reading this you’ll wonder why you haven’t already rushed to the Christmas Markets in Innsbruck!
Snowy Innsbruck nestled in the Austrian Alps. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
How to Get to Innsbruck
Innsbruck lies at the base of the Austrian Alps. Its colorful old town is nestled in the peaks. You can fly directly into the airport in Innsbruck. Christmas in Innsbruck is an easy add on if you are already visiting Munich, Garmisch, or Salzburg. You can get here by car or by train easily from those cities.
I normally prefer to have a car because I enjoy the flexibility that comes with having your own transportation. Driving in Austria is easy but make sure if you will be using the highways (autobahns), you need to have a vignette for your car. You can purchase these at gas stations or online. If you want to purchase online, be sure to do so far enough in advance of your trip because it takes a couple weeks for the digital vignette to activate.
If you don’t have a car, taking the train is another option. The main train station (hauptbahnhof) is centrally located and an easy walk to the Christmas Markets in Innsbruck. The old town is very walkable and most of these markets can be reached on foot within a few minute’s walk.
Christmas Markets in Innsbruck Map
This map is designed for Innsbruck at Christmas and has the locations of each market saved. You’ll also see our preferred parking garage and recommended restaurants.
Where to Park for the Innsbruck Christmas Markets
Our go-to garage in Innsbruck is under the Congresshaus. It is an underground, paid parking garage with a very central location. It is right next to the Hofgarten if you are attending Lumagica (more on this later) and an easy walk to the main part of the old town. It is a safe, secure garage located very close to the Christmas Market Innsbruck.
Santa comes to the Christmas Markets in Innsbruck! Find him wandering around near the Golden Roof playing music and posing for photos.
Innsbruck Christmas Markets
Innsbruck is already a beautiful town but when the Christmas Markets in Innsbruck open, it takes it to a new level! There are several markets throughout the city. Below you’ll find a description, hours, and location of the main markets.
Old Town Christmas Market
This is the main Innsbruck Christmas Market. Wander amongst the booths selling unique handcrafts, ornaments, and culinary treats all underneath Christmas light chandeliers and Maximilian’s Golden Roof. The old town is decorated with twinkling lights and fairy tale characters adorning the buildings. Keep your eye out for Santa wandering around with his music box. If you give him a few euros, he’s happy to pose for pictures and give your kids a little treat.
The Old Town Market begins November 15 and runs until December 23. Open daily from 11:00 - 21:00.
Innsbruck’s old town is colorful and charming any time of year. The Christmas Markets in Innsbruck bring extra magic.
Market on the Maria-Thereisen Strasse
Continue down to Maria-Thereisen Strasse for more lights, booths, and Christmas spirit. Innsbruck Christmas shopping is easy to take care of near here. You’ll find a shopping mall and several big stores. Don’t miss the Lindt store for some chocolate treats!
This area will have Christmas festivities set up from November 25-January 6.
Daily from 11:00-21:00.
December 24, 11:00 - 3:00 PM
December 31, 11:00 - 7:00 PM
Have you ever take a Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride?? You can at the Innsbruck Christmas Markets!
Family Market Marktplatz
If you have kids, you’ll want to head over to the Christkindlmarkt Innsbruck at the Marktplatz along the river. Here you’ll find a carousel, games, and even a virtual reality sleigh ride! The VR Sleigh Ride was my kids’ favorite thing from the Innsbruck Christmas Market. Nothing says, “Innsbruck, Austria Christmas” like the 14-meter Swarovski crystal Christmas tree that glitters over this market!
The Advent Marketplace runs from November 15-December 23. Open from 11:00-21:00 daily.
Make sure to sample all the delicious treats you’ll find at the markets! Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
Hungerburg Panorama Market
Want a Christmas Market with a view? Head up the Hungerburg Funicular, which leaves directly from the downtown area to the Hungerburg. Up on the mountain, you’ll enjoy wintery views above Innsbruck along with food, glühwein, and Christmas crafts.
Open from November 24 - January 6
Monday - Friday: 1:00 pm - 19:00
Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 - 19:00
December 24: 12:00 - 15:00
There’s plenty of other hot drink options at the Christmas Markets besides glühwein. Try a variety! Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
Other Markets in Innsbruck
-Wiltner Platzl
-St. Nicholas Farmer’s Market
-Bergisel Ski Jump
Visit the Innsbruck Website for all the details.
Giant light displays amaze visitors young and old at Lumagica Innsbruck!
Lumagica Innsbruck
Lumagica Innsbruck is another fun, festive event to add to Innsbruck Christmas Markets. Lumagica is an interactive Christmas light display set in the Hofgarten in the center of Innsbruck. Walk along the 1-kilometer path in the garden from one light display to the next. Colorful and whimsical Christmas light displays are around every corner and will delight visitors young and old.
Some of the displays invite kids to touch and manipulate them. One tree had a wheel to change the colors of the lights, some lights could be touched, and the finale had an interactive display that also synced to music.
Lumagica is a ticketed event and I recommend you buy tickets in advance to avoid the event selling out and to avoid waiting in line.
Visiting the Swarovski Kristal Welt is really a treat! You’ll be impressed by the art and all the interactive fun.
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Other Things to Do in Innsbruck
Alpenzoo-Ride the Hungerburg Funicular from the center of Innsbruck up the mountain to the Alpine zoo where you can see native animals to the Alps!
Nordkettenbahn-continue up from the Alpine zoo and change over to the cable car to ride up for an amazing 360-degree view over Innsbruck and the Karwendel Nature Park.
Swarovski Kristalwelt-Innsbruck is famous for its connection to Swarvoski and there is a whole Crystal World displaying their beautiful crystals. The Kristalwelt is half a modern art display and half an interactive play area. It is truly so much more than a museum and very fun for kids. There’s plenty of green space, a free carousel, and two playgrounds-one indoor and one outdoor. There’s even a restaurant on site and of course a gift shop where you can purchase your own crystal items. It’s about a 20-minute drive outside of Innsbruck. They also have their own shuttle bus that you can catch from the Innsbruck train station or near the Hofgarten/Congress. Find the shuttle rates here.
Ski-Did you know Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976? A short distance away from downtown Innsbruck are many ski resorts. Depending on when you visit, not all ski resorts will be open. However, Stubai Glacier surely will as it typically opens in October for skiing. You can find out more about skiing near Innsbruck here.
Find entrance tickets, tours, and the Innsbruck City Card with Get Your Guide.
Old town Innsbruck setting up for the Christmas Markets.
Innsbruck Restaurants
Of course, you can always eat from the stalls at the Christmas Markets in Innsbruck, and you should! Sample the delicious local fare and the hot drinks! However, sometimes you will want to go inside and have a sit-down meal too. Here are some restaurants in Innsbruck to try.
Mamma Mia-delicious Italian food right in the center of the old town, perfect for families with kids. Pizza and pasta are always crowd-pleasers.
Himal-Nepali kitchen where you can even get a table on the floor. They have tables and chairs too. The food is excellent, make sure to bring cash as it is cash only.
Die Wilderin-modern take on traditional Austrian alpine food
Innsbruck Hotels
It’s been a long time since we stayed at a hotel in Innsbruck. We live so close now that we just make it a day trip. Here are some hotels that look centrally located and like they have nice rooms. When you come for the Innsbruck Christmas Markets, you’ll want to be walking distance from the old town.
I link hotels directly when possible because it is the best way to get the lowest rate.
Dress warm for the Christmas Markets! If you’re cold, it won’t be nearly as enjoyable.
What to Wear to Christmas Markets in Innsbruck
Christmas Markets are cold! To ensure you’ll have the best possible visit, you’ll need to dress warm and comfortably. Nothing ruins a market faster than someone being too cold.
The key items you’ll need are:
Base Layers-wear base layers on top and bottom, wool base layers are the gold standard, but you can get away with some fleece-lined leggings under jeans or under another pair of leggings
Wool Socks-keep the toes warm with wool socks, I like SmartWool socks. They come in different weights (thickness) so you can get thinner ones for tighter shoes and thicker ones if you have more room
Waterproof Boots-wearing waterproof boots are ideal in case the weather turns and starts raining or snowing. Sometimes it can catch you off guard! For more fashionable waterproof boots, I like Blondo. I also have Sorel snow boots, and Sperry duck boots.
Warm Coat-I can’t stress this enough! I know it’s tempting to want to wear a cute coat but you definitely want to wear something that will keep you warm. I wear my long Columbia parka with a fur hood. The fur hood isn’t just for fashion, that fur will cut the wind and helps keep you warm. Ideally, your coat is also waterproof or water-resistant in case of wet weather. I prefer coats that are a little longer and that cover my bum-it keeps you a lot warmer!
Hats, Gloves, Scarf-don’t skimp on the accessories, they really help keep you warm too! Hats that have fleece lining keep you extra warm and cozy. I find mittens to be warmer than gloves but also harder to do things with your hands. Hats, gloves, and scarves are also a way to change up your look when you’re wearing the same parka over and over again.
This advice is all valid for kids too. I recommend the cozy style leggings that are fleece lined, double-layered pants/jeans, waterproof everything, and definitely hats and gloves for them too.
Colorful buildings along the icy blue Inn River. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
Though Salzburg and Vienna might get all the notoriety for Christmas Markets in Austria, Innsbruck is also a magical spot worth putting on your Christmas Market Itinerary! Christmas Markets in Innsbruck are sure to leave you feeling merry and bright. Couple the markets with the other fun to be had in this Austrian city and you are sure to have a memorable trip.
Have you been to the Christmas Markets in Innsbruck? Tell me about it in the comments!
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