Innsbruck - Shopping

Photo: Shadowgate

Innsbruck has many boutiques and department stores in which to find souvenirs or Tyrolean clothing. The best places for retail therapy are on Herzog-Friedrich Strasse, in the Old Town. Along the cobbled streets, shops overflow with Tirolean knick-knacks. At Tiroler Heimatwerk and Tirol Haus, buy wood carvings, wrought-iron candlesticks, loden hats and lederhosen if you’re in need of some Austrian mementos.

In the newer parts of town, haute couture establishments are springing up – try out Cristas in the centre, if you’re in need of a bit more glamour. Petera also caters for all ages, selling upmarket men’s, women’s and children’s fashions.

Shopping malls are also a feature, the best of the bunch being Rathausgalerie. This glass building houses clothing stores and cafés galore, all packed into one area. Nearby at the Swarovski Crystal Gallery, dozens of gems sparkle enticingly.

For bargain hunters, Innsbruck offers a few good markets mainly situated on Franziskanerplatz near the Hofburg. A flea market on Saturday mornings and the Thursday morning farmers’ market are worth wandering through.