Feeling spontaneous? Then how about packing a bag and heading to a stunning urban alpine city, surrounded by mountains, with festive markets, winter sports, cosy restaurants and much more?

Innsbruck ticks all the boxes as a Christmas getaway with direct on Christmas Eve flights from Edinburgh Airport.

Here are our five top reasons to visit Innsbruck this winter…oh and make sure you grab a Welcome Card it’s like a key to the city!

Ski holidays with a difference

1.The Ski plus CITY pass Stubai Innsbruck offers 13 ski resorts, with just one ticket, allowing the chance to try a new destination every day. This includes Kühtai, the highest ski village in Austria, Mutteralm, the family mountain in the picturesque village of Mutters, and Innsbruck’s own ski mountain, Nordkette, which offers incredible views of the cityscape from the slopes. Innsbruck operates a free ski bus, which takes skiers to the slopes daily on multiple routes between Innsbruck and several of the ski resorts covered by the Ski plus City pass Stubai - Innsbruck.

2. Legendary skier Franz Klammer flew to gold in the 1976 Winter Olympics at Patscherkofel, a striking mountain to the south of Innsbruck, with a unique rounded shape. Home to legendary Olympic skiing and bobsleigh action in the 1964 Winter Olympics as well as 1976, there’s a chance to follow in the tracks of champions here.

3. Axamer Lizum offers 40 kilometres of slopes and nine lifts, including the new 10-seater gondola Hoadlbahn, which takes winter sports enthusiasts directly from the car park to the highest point of the ski area at 2,340 m in just six minutes. It’s also home to the panorama restaurant Hoadl-Haus, which has the largest covered sun terrace in Austria giving a breath-taking view of Innsbruck and the surrounding mountains.

4. Hikers can enjoy Innsbruck’s mountains to the full, even in the colder months. The region’s winter activity programme includes a free winter hike accompanied by a certified guide, who takes walkers directly from Innsbruck’s old town into the forests at the foot of the Nordkette range. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing excursions are also included – all free of charge - with Innsbruck Tourism’s Welcome Card, provided with a stay of at least two nights at selected partner hotels and accommodation providers

Christmas markets

A cornerstone of the winter experience in Innsbruck is its seven stunning Christmas markets located in the city and surrounding districts. Enjoy a warming drink and local specialities, such as Kiachl - freshly baked farmers’ donuts served with sweet or savoury toppings. The medieval streets are filled with the glow of twinkling lights, traditional Austrian brass bands play out from the towers and traditions abound, such as the Krampus parades (when demon-like creatures from Alpine folklore parade through the streets in elaborate costumes).

Light fantastic

Beat the winter blues with LUMAGICA Innsbruck, a magical light park in the wintry Imperial Gardens, where visitors can experience a journey through all five continents on a 1.5-kilometre circular path amid colourful, interactive light displays.

Where old meets new

Few cities balance imperial and modern architecture as well as Innsbruck. As the Capital of the Alps, the city’s significance over the centuries has left a legacy of cultural gems including the Hofkirche Court Church, the Hofburg Imperial Palace and Ambras Castle. In the heart of the city is the world-famous Golden Roof, the symbol of the city which Emperor Maximilian had built for his wedding around 1500AD. More modern attractions include the Bergisel Olympic Ski Jump, Nordkettenbahnen (cable cars) and the funicular railway – all designed by the late architect, Zaha Hadid.

Walk on the wild side

For visitors who fancy a walk with a difference, a guided alpaca hike around Oberperfuss, a village located in the Innsbruck region.

Christmas Getaway