Imagine snow-capped mountains, twinkling Christmas lights, and the cosy atmosphere of a city that knows how to do Christmas right.
Top of Innsbruck (Image: Poppy Huggett)
And the best part? It’s only a 90-minute flight from London Gatwick, making it the perfect getaway for a festive escape.
Day 1: A sky-high start to our winter adventure
Other adventurers and I, on a trip courtesy of Innsbruck Tourism, landed in the city nestled below the Alps around 10am, gliding through the snow-capped mountains before touching down in the heart of the city.
Just 20 minutes later, we arrived at our sleek and stylish boutique hotel, Stage 12 in the middle of the city, ready to dive into this magical winter escape.
Our first adventure took us to the Nordkette Cable Cars, whisking us up to Seegrube at an impressive 1,900m above sea level.
Although the low-hanging clouds obscured some of the panoramic views, the sight of the mountains under the sun was breathtaking – it was like stepping straight into a Christmas postcard.
@poppyhuggett This hidden city nestled in the Alps makes you feel like you’re inside a snow globe. It’s such a beautiful place to visit any time of the year, but even more so at Christmas. ⛄️ ❄️ #fyp #christmas #Innsbruck #austria #myinnsbruck ♬ original sound – Christmas Countdown🤶
We then headed for lunch at the Seegrube Restaurant, where I opted for Spinatknödel (cheese dumplings) served in a hearty beef broth—a traditional Austrian dish that was as warming as it was delicious.
In the afternoon, our lovely tour guide Monika took us through Innsbruck’s charming city centre, where we stopped by the bustling Christmas markets, and passed many independent Austrian food and clothing stalls.
One highlight of the tour was the Imperial Palace, where the stories of Maximilian I came to life through the stunning interior design and the opulent golden ballroom.
To top it off, we caught a festive performance by wind players at the Golden Roof, a moment so enchanting it could have been plucked straight from a Christmas movie.
The day ended on an unexpected note with the Krampus parade in the Old Town. Equal parts hilarious and terrifying, the shaggy, chain-rattling figures grimaced their way through the streets. One mischievous Krampus took a particular liking to my hat and tried to steal it multiple times—a close call for my winter wardrobe.
Dinner that evening was at Weißes Rössl, an intimate restaurant where I tried my very first schnitzel, a perfectly crisp and flavourful Cordon Bleu.
Day 2: Sparkling wonders and historical treasures
The next day, we were up bright and early, heading off to Swarovski Crystal Worlds, where we wandered through glittering exhibits.
I felt like I was inside a real-life treasure chest. My favourite room was the Hollywood Room, where we saw sparkling replicas of celebrities like Elton John, Katy Perry, and Marilyn Monroe in their customised Swarovski outfits.
After a delicious lunch at Daniel’s Restaurant in the museum, where I savoured a divine burrata rigatoni, we made our way to Ambras Castle. It felt like royalty as we explored its stunning grounds and admired the artwork and antiques inside.
One of the highlights of the trip was the wine tasting at Weinhaus Tyrol, where we indulged in delicious antipasti and tried around seven glasses of white, rosé, and red wines – although by glass five, I was starting to think I could probably start a wine connoisseur career.
Our sommelier, Anna, who is also part owner, gave us a crash course in tasting wine—turns out, it’s not just about gulping it down but savouring each sip like we were on a classy cooking show.
Day 3: Ski jumps and Christmas cheer
Day three started with a delicious breakfast stacked with bread, cheese, and cold meats at the Bergisel Ski Jump restaurant and even got to sit on the “tremble bench” used by ski jumpers before their big leap.
I found this experience nerve-wracking, intense and utterly mesmerising – a definite top favourite moment of mine on the trip.
In the afternoon, we strolled through the Christmas markets and visited Lumagica, an absolutely stunning illuminated walk through the imperial gardens.
Then it was on to a festive dinner at Brasserei, where I devoured a delicious fillet steak, feeling full, content, and very much in the Christmas spirit.
The day ended with drinks in the Old Town, where we sang, danced, and drank shots in the local Irish bar – because nothing says “festive fun” like belting out classic tunes and having an absolute blast with a side of chaos.
Day 4: A winter hike and farewell dinner
On our final day, we ventured to Kühtai for a winter hike along the Franz-Josef-Trail, right next to the skiers taking on the red and black slopes.
The scenery was just jaw-droppingly beautiful, and the crisp winter air was the perfect way to say goodbye to this magical city.
After a lovely lunch at Dorfstadl on the ski resort, where I enjoyed a rich tomato soup, we returned to the city for some last-minute Christmas shopping and relaxation in the hotel spa, before heading to Zum Wilden Mann in Lans for our farewell dinner.
Zum Wilden Mann was a traditional, exceptional Austrian restaurant perched on the mountains—it was the perfect end to a trip that was nothing short of magical.
From the breathtaking views of snow-covered mountains to the festive Christmas markets and all the charming little touches along the way, Innsbruck is a must-visit during the holiday season.
It’s small enough to feel comfortable yet packed with enough activities to make it a full-on winter adventure.
If you’re looking for a place that truly feels like a living snow globe, Innsbruck is the answer.
