Innsbruck Christmas Markets, Austria

There is Innsbruck airport you can fly directly into. Unless you are driving from elsewhere in Europe this is probably the best and only option.

I have no idea if you have been to Austria. It's a very pretty place with an interesting topography. At least the bit we will talk about. From the Swiss border moving into Austria, it is a long thin country before it starts to open up, and this long thin bit is mountainous, with a valley running straight through, west to east, this valley is where the main road runs and will take you from the Swiss border directly to Innsbruck. As you travel this stretch of flat land, it never appears so wide, and either side are huge mountain ranges, I guess it's the north and south Tirol. It looks amazing.

Innsbruck is a city, which by global standards is very small, placed on this flat valley land, with a river running through and flanked north and south by these huge mountain ranges. The photo opportunities you have here are endless, it is just so attractive. Along the river and into the old town are old, traditional, decorated and colourful houses and buildings.

It is small which makes it easy to get around. A hotel in the city means everything is walking distance. Like the city size, the Christmas markets are also small. I don't know if I would say they are split in two areas, but rather a feeder route down the shopping street leading to the main market area on the market square.

They are ok. They are not bad, but I think because they are small and limited, I didn’t rate them that highly. They are worth a look and to visit the city and area, but you will certainly visit bigger and better markets if you start to go to a few others around Europe.

Plenty of traditional drinks and foods to be had, with stands selling gifts and crafts. The size means you do them all, comfortably with eating and drinking in a few hours.

Should you make the effort to go for such a small market then?

Yes, absolutely! And here is why. Innsbruck is pretty, the city is nice to visit, the markets are good, just a bit small. What will allow you to fill a weekend there and enjoy it are some of the activities I will list.

Seefeld Am Tirol – We have been here a couple of times actually. On the cusp of a Covid lock down was one occasion. We stayed at Krumers Alpin, and I can recommend this. It is a great stay for a couple, and it's still quite good with children, but I digress! Seefeld Am Tirol is apparently quite famous, although until I went, I had never heard of it. I think it is used as a cross-country ski training location and camp for top athletes. It's half hour to 45 minutes' drive up the mountain from Innsbruck I think a train or bus will also get you there on public transport. And if you carried on this road, you would quickly get to Germany, Garmisch and eventually Munich.

It's a small mountain resort town. You can ski and hike if you so desire or just look around. It's small and has a mega small market, mainly for food and drinks. Some shops. It will probably appear as a 'go to' destination if you googled Innsbruck and things to do. I would agree, not really because it's amazing, it's not, rather it's so close to the city, and to have been into the mountains when you are so close, you probably should go.

Tyrolean Evenings Family Gundolf – Fun, odd, traditional, lively I would do this one evening while you are there, find the time. This is in a theatre or corner of an exhibition hall, inside is done to resemble a traditional beer hall, and of course they sell the beers, including the mass or liter of beer, as well as more manageable sizes, other drinks and the typical food. If you want it. You can just watch the show and not consume to make it cheaper if you want. When we went, they had a couple of show options. You could see the normal show or they had a slightly more Christmas themed show to see.

The cast, or family, perform various dances and play different instruments and songs, it is an evening full of traditional Tyrolean song and dance, with some food and drink if you wish. You can go with or without children, and the age doesn’t matter, ours was quite small at the time, cute enough it would seem to catch the eye of the performers, who had him up on stage with them. You can visit in a big group, small group, I would probably even go solo, it is really suitable for everyone, and everyone will have fun here.

This does get my recommendation. When we went it was not so busy, so I do hope it can continue.

Swarovski Kristallwelten – You cannot go to Innsbruck and not make the effort to visit this place – I forbid it! This is a must do, it's very cool. You don't need to have kids to enjoy it, however, if you do go with children, the colours, lights, sounds and smells are a sensation that allows any age of child to enjoy it. Located in Wattens a short journey from Innsbruck, we drove, only minutes in the car, but I think you can also take a bus, shuttle bus or probably even an Uber quite easily and cheaply.

You enter the experience through the giant's mouth and that's it you are whisked off to Swarovski's crystal world, what a place!

It is not a factory tour, which actually I wouldn’t mind having as well. It is rather entering a crystal world, a tour of various installations show casing their crystals and effectively their art, each room and level a different theme or installation. It is push-chair friendly.

We have done this tour and experience a few times, from our child being a new born to a toddler, I have taken my mother here. We all really enjoy it, all ages, and going back as a return visitor, is no problem, it's a great few hours and I am sure you and who ever joins you, will enjoy it.

Between visiting the city, shopping, spending time at the markets, maybe going to the Tyrolean show and the Swarovski Kristallweltten, you will easily fill 2 to 3 days, which I think is a perfect weekend or long weekend getaway before Christmas. The markets are ok, just small, you may not rate the markets as high as other you visit, but the entire few days you spend here, if you get the chance to do some of my suggestions, it will probably rank high for fun festive weekends. It is a beautiful place.