Schloss Ambras, the Renaissance castle of Archduke Ferdinand II above Innsbruck, opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 and is closed throughout November. Adult tickets cost €16 online or €18 on site, and under 19s go free. Bus 540 from the Hauptbahnhof gets you there in about 10 minutes, and the castle park is free to walk in.
Ambras closes for the whole of November and reopens in December, then stays open daily 10:00 to 17:00 through the winter. The Renaissance halls and the Chamber of Art and Curiosities are indoors, so it is a good choice for a cold or grey day.
Two collections are summer-only: the Habsburg portrait gallery and the Gothic sculpture collection open from 1 April to 31 October. A winter visit is a little shorter as a result.
GetYourGuide · 4.6/5 from 253 reviews
Book this if you like history, art or simply curious things: Archduke Ferdinand II's castle holds one of the earliest museum collections anywhere, with armour, oddities and over 200 Habsburg portraits.
Departs from Schloss Ambras, Schlossstrasse 20, Innsbruck; bus M to Schloss Ambras or bus 540 from the Hauptbahnhof · At least 1 hour, more with the park
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 576 reviews
The best-value way to see Innsbruck if you plan a full day or two of sightseeing: the Nordkette cable cars, Swarovski Crystal Worlds with its shuttle, the museums and all the city buses and trams on one card.
Departs from Innsbruck Information, Burggraben 3, at the entrance to the old town
Our take on each: Ambras Castle tickets (Schloss Ambras Innsbruck) · Innsbruck Card with public transport.
Where to stay for this
Amras, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars · 62 rooms
Traditional family-run inn in Amras, close to the castle, with free parking
Traditional family-run inn in Amras with all-wood rooms, a sauna and free parking; suits drivers, families and skiers.
Amras, Innsbruck city centre · 3 stars
Good-value Amras hotel with free parking and tram 3 into town
A friendly, good-value hotel in Amras with free parking and tram 3 into town; for drivers, families and travellers with dogs.
From £131 a night
Summer is when Ambras is at its fullest. The Habsburg portrait gallery and the Gothic sculpture collection are open from 1 April to 31 October (the sculpture collection is free without a museum ticket), and the Schlosspark, an English landscape garden, is free and at its best. On 15 August the castle holds its Schlossfest; parking on Schlossstrasse is not possible that day and a free shuttle runs from the DEZ car park.
Children's tours run every Saturday at 14:30.
GetYourGuide · 4.6/5 from 253 reviews
Book this if you like history, art or simply curious things: Archduke Ferdinand II's castle holds one of the earliest museum collections anywhere, with armour, oddities and over 200 Habsburg portraits.
Departs from Schloss Ambras, Schlossstrasse 20, Innsbruck; bus M to Schloss Ambras or bus 540 from the Hauptbahnhof · At least 1 hour, more with the park
Our take on each: Ambras Castle tickets (Schloss Ambras Innsbruck).
Where to stay for this
Pradl, opposite Rapoldipark, Innsbruck city centre · Hotel · 10 rooms
Air-conditioned studios in Pradl, handy for families heading out to Ambras
Ten air-conditioned studios and flats with kitchenettes, attached to a long-running family hotel; good for longer stays and small families.
From £141 a night
Igls · 3 stars
Family-run bed and breakfast on the Igls plateau, tram 6 runs down towards the castle
Family-run three-star bed and breakfast with apartments on the sunny Igls plateau; good for families, hikers and longer stays.
From £114 a night
Adults €16 online or €18 on site; reduced €12 online or €14 on site; children and young people under 19 free. Tickets are valid until 17:00 on the day of purchase. Audio guide €5 (two for €7, family €9). Public tour €6 per person.
The castle is included in the Innsbruck Card and is among the city experiences in the SKI plus CITY Pass.
Innsbruck Card: prices, what's included and whether it is worth it
GetYourGuide · 4.6/5 from 253 reviews
Book this if you like history, art or simply curious things: Archduke Ferdinand II's castle holds one of the earliest museum collections anywhere, with armour, oddities and over 200 Habsburg portraits.
Departs from Schloss Ambras, Schlossstrasse 20, Innsbruck; bus M to Schloss Ambras or bus 540 from the Hauptbahnhof · At least 1 hour, more with the park
GetYourGuide · 4.7/5 from 576 reviews
The best-value way to see Innsbruck if you plan a full day or two of sightseeing: the Nordkette cable cars, Swarovski Crystal Worlds with its shuttle, the museums and all the city buses and trams on one card.
Departs from Innsbruck Information, Burggraben 3, at the entrance to the old town
Our take on each: Ambras Castle tickets (Schloss Ambras Innsbruck) · Innsbruck Card with public transport.
Bus 540 (VVT) runs from the Hauptbahnhof in about 10 minutes, and IVB bus M stops at 'Schloss Ambras'. Tram 6 to Tummelplatz or Schönruh leaves a downhill walk of about 6 minutes. Tram 3 to Philippine-Welser-Strasse or bus C to Luigenstrasse involve a steeper 10 to 15 minute climb.
Parking is limited: Schlossstrasse is paid daily 09:00 to 19:00 at €1 per half hour, capped at €8 a day.
Getting to Innsbruck: by train from Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Verona, by air and by car
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the castle and a stroll through the park, a little less between November and March when the portrait gallery is closed. Combine it with the Bergisel or the Old Town for a full day.
Ambras is considered the world's first museum: Archduke Ferdinand II built up Renaissance halls, the Chamber of Art and Curiosities and Renaissance gardens here. It is a short ride from the centre yet feels like a country estate, and families do well here because everyone under 19 goes in free.
Adults pay €16 online or €18 on site, the reduced rate is €12 online or €14 on site, and children and young people under 19 go free. An audio guide costs €5.
No. Ambras Castle is closed throughout November and opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 for the rest of the year.
Take bus 540 from the Hauptbahnhof, about 10 minutes, or IVB bus M to the 'Schloss Ambras' stop. Tram 6 to Tummelplatz is followed by a 6 minute downhill walk.
Yes. The Schlosspark, an English landscape garden, is free to visit. It can close briefly in storms or high winds.
Yes, Ambras is one of the museums included in the Innsbruck Card.
Sources: schlossambras-innsbruck.at, ski-plus-city.com, innsbruck.info. Checked October 2026.
