The city of Innsbruck stands in the mountainous west of Austria. It is the capital of the province of Tyrol and forms part of an important north-south route through the Alps, from Munich to Verona, via the Brenner Pass. If you hire a car in Innsbruck you'll find that just four miles south is the Patscherkofel ski resort; the Glungezer ski area is 14 miles south. Other local highlights include the heart-shaped Herzsee Lake, the awe-inspiring Arnspitze mountain chain and the dramatic rocky valleys of the Sagbach and Viggarbach rivers.
The Alpine city of Innsbruck has become a major tourist destination thanks to its impressive location among the mountains and collection of spectacular old buildings. Visitors with a hire car in Innsbruck can fully explore the sights. Among the old streets, palaces and towers, the tourist highlights of Innsbruck include the Goldenes Dachl Museum with its gilded roof, the magnificent baroque Imperial Palace and gothic Hofkirche, packed with Renaissance sculptures. Elsewhere in the city look out for Europe's highest zoo, the romantic Ambras Castle in the mountain foothills and the views from the landmark Bergisel Ski Jump.