The city of Innsbruck is in western Austria and is the capital of the state of Tyrol. It is located in the Inn valley amidst high mountains famed for the practise of winter sports. It is one of the great alpine cities, which has been host to the winter Olympics on two occasions. Nowadays, it is a big tourist centre thanks to its proximity to the ski slopes, but also to its magnificent medieval centre and its exceptional museums and churches. The ski zones around Innsbruck have been completely transformed. It is possible to ski and do snowboarding all year round at the Stubai glacier; some places offer complete packages to go to the glacier.
In summer, it is also an excellent starting point for a great deal of fun exercises of all kinds. Mountain biking, in particular, is experiencing a boom. Other adventure sports that are really growing in popularity are ski carving, hydro-speed, summer bobsleigh, hang gliding, bungee jumping and rafting. 

Although Innsbruck is less well-known than Salzburg in the musical sphere, it is host to a great number of concerts.
The Festival of Early Music, in the second fortnight of August, takes place in different historic places in Innsbruck. Music from the XVI, XVII and XVIII centuries.
International companies take part in The Festival of Dance, during the first week of July.
The Festival of Early Music at the castle of Ambras takes place from the middle of June to the beginning of August. There are concerts every day.
The Castle of Ambras is well worth a visit. It is an impressive Renaissance castle that was built in 1563 by Fernando II in the middle of a large park.
In order to enjoy a good view of the city you have to climb the Stadtturm, the city tower, built in the XIV century. After crossing the square, you come to the famous Goldenes Dachl, with its 2,657 golden copper tiles dating from the XVI century. The baroque cathedral is one minute to the north of the Goldenes Dachl.
After visiting these places, you can go back in a southward direction, passing in front of elegant buildings from the XV and XVI centuries and go down Maria Theresien Strasse until you get to the Triumphal Arch, built in 1767.
The Hofburg, the Imperial Palace, has been rebuilt and refurbished on several occasions; you mustn’t miss the huge baroque Giant’s Hall. Crossing the Universitätsstrasse diagonally we come across the Hofkirche or imperial church, which houses the empty sarcophagus of Maximilian I and 28 statues of the Hapsburgs.
The Swarovski Crystal Worlds are a series of caves containing the famous Swarovski crystals. Some of the sparkling pieces were designed by great artists, such as Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol.