This year in Innsbruck, you're in for a summer you won't soon forget. From July 24 to August 30, the city is transformed into a very special place by the “Innsbruck Festival of Early Music”. We'll show you where you can treat yourself to some great food in Innsbruck.
Every year, Tyrol’s capital city becomes a stage for all culture lovers during the “Innsbruck Festival of Early Music”. This year's festival will be something very special, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the event. This anniversary year has a few special surprises in store. We've compiled the most important details for you and will also show you where you can explore Innsbruck's culinary scene during the festival.
The series kicks off on July 24 with the 1st Ambras Castle Concert featuring the “Ensemble La Cetra”. The ensemble, which once grew out of a group of students, reflects the history of the Festwochen in a special way: Originally founded as a summer academy, the Festwochen continue to embody the ideals of learning, growth, and making music together. The focus of the evening is the “La Cetra” collection by Giovanni Legrenzi, whose 400. Birthday 2026 which is celebrated and after which the ensemble is named. A rich, resonant dialogue unfolds between four violins and the obbligato bass: festive, colorful, and radiating Baroque splendor. The result is a musical journey through time and cultures —from the splendor of Venetian music to the splendor of the Viennese imperial court.
In addition to the concerts, you can also look forward to opera of the highest caliber—most notably “Il pomo d’oro”, the monumental festive opera in five acts with a prologue by Pietro Antonio Cesti. It premiered in Vienna in 1668. The work is famous above all for its spectacular sets and elaborate stage technology, which made it one of the most magnificent operas of the Baroque era. Although “Il pomo d’oro” has always held a special place among connoisseurs, the opera remained incomplete for centuries because parts of the music had been lost. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Innsbruck Festival, Ottavio Dantone reconstructed the missing sections based on fragments and other works by Cesti. This extraordinary festive opera will be performed in its entirety for the first time since its premiere—magnificently staged by Fabio Ceresa and his team.
We’ve got something for our youngest guests, too: The workshop “How Is a Violin Made”? lets children ages 5 to 15 dive into the exciting world of violin making.
Innsbruck has plenty to offer even outside the concert halls. The city’s culinary scene is sure to delight all visitors, and they can explore the best of Innsbruck both before and after the events. The hot weather of the past few weeks makes one thing especially appealing: eating ice cream. There are three “Gelateria Tomaselli” locations in Innsbruck. In addition, the streets are lined with numerous ice cream vending machines where you can conveniently buy ice cream to enjoy at home. For over 20 years, the company has been bringing the Italian way of life to Innsbruck and developing exciting creations using the finest ingredients. Sustainability is a top priority, and the company is always striving to implement new ideas—for example, the spoons and cups are made from 100% compostable materials.
It all started in 2002 with ten flavors of ice cream; now the display cases offer 23 flavors. In addition, there’s a new “Ice Cream of the Week” every week—currently, the “Kinder Joy” flavor is a big hit with many customers.
The restaurant “Das Innsbruck” is also considered a real hidden gem. Here you can enjoy traditional Austrian and international dishes after the concerts. In the heart of the city, Alpine charm meets timeless international elegance. With its elegant marble and carefully selected artwork, the interior creates an exclusive yet cozy atmosphere where you immediately feel at home. In addition to classic beef consommé with Frittaten or Kaspressknödel, the menu also features more unusual dishes such as wild mushroom and soy soup and potato and truffle soup. The appetizers and main courses range from steak tartare, authentic Wiener schnitzel, and beef tenderloin to scallops, swordfish, and pappardelle with fermented lemons. Vegetarian and vegan guests won't be left out either: burrata with kumquat and peach, spinach dumplings, and fregola sarda make for a perfect meal. The extensive wine list offers the perfect wine to pair with every dish and is perfectly tailored to each individual dish.
The “Fuchs & Hase” wine bar is located very close to most of the events, where you can enjoy a pleasant end to your evening. Here you'll find exciting cocktail creations like the “Pink Panther” with gin and blackberries or the “Tijuana Toy Boy”, as well as classics like the Espresso Martini and Negroni. The beverage menu also features a wide selection of wines, especially natural wines, which are the perfect choice for balmy summer evenings. For a quick snack between meals, bar snacks such as hummus and sandwiches are available.
This way, you can spend your summer nights in Innsbruck enjoying not only cultural events but also culinary experiences.
