Innsbruck or Vienna

Personally, I prefer Innsbruck. More laid back, relaxing. Both are good, and I don't think you'll be disappointed either way.

We've been to Innsbruck twice and Vienna once in the last couple years. It only takes a day to see everything
in Innsbruck. It is nice, but not nearly as exciting as Vienna. As the previous poster said Innsbruck is more relaxing and beautiful, but my vote goes to Vienna.

I've been to both. I didn't find Innsbruck to be anything special, but Vienna was absolutely wonderful. I wouldn't go back to Innsbruck, but I would go back to Vienna again and again. Choose Vienna!

After reading the other responses, and thinking about it, I want to offer an alternative----- Salzburg. It has the "culture" of Vienna and the charm of Innsbruck. It is absoltely my favorite Austrian destination.

Well, if the choice is now Vienna or Salzburg... I agree with Salzburg... Vienna, while beautiful and fun was a lot bigger city than I tend to like.... but I do love Salzburg, and am going again soon for the Christmas Markets...I f the choice is still Innsbruck and Vienna, I would then vote Vienna

If you were in the area and could spare a couple of hours, we loved Hall in Tyrol, just a few miles from Innsbruck. Very quaint, small, and no tourists while we were there. But, like others have said, we really also loved Salzburg, but have never been to Vienna so we can't compare the two.

The question is sort of like asking "Should I go to the movies or should I bake a cake?" You would travel to Innsbruck to go hiking or skiing (depending on the time of the year), and you would go to Vienna for art, music and architecture.

Vienna, no brainer - even over Salzburg.........has way more to see and do. IMO.

If you have only one day, do Innsbruck (and possibly Hall in Tyrol down the road). It isn't on a par with Vienna but can be done quickly. If you have a few days to spend, Vienna is by far the better destination for art, culture, and history.

insbruck is good for a short sample of austria (no more than 2 days) but if you really want to get a feel for the country you visit vienna. you can easily spend a week in vienna on all things austrain-hungarian empire. right now it's about their thanksgiving, and you catch their celebration with drinking and dancing it's a lot of fun in vienna

Christine, There is a saying in Austria: Es gibt nur ein Wien, es gibt nur eine Kaiserstadt. (There is only one Vienna, there is only one Imperial city.) Everything else is Provinz. Choose Vienna! Besides, you'll hear that distinct Viennese accent and Wiener Dialekt.

VIENNA! VIENNA! VIENNA!!!!!!!!! No doubt, in my humble opinion. I enjoyed Innsbruck and found it very pretty and pleasent and a great gateway to the Alps......but Vienna---Now THAT is one of Europe's beautiful and grand cities. The art, culture, architecture, atmosphere, food, cafes, museums, cathedrals, sights, palaces, etc., etc. Innsbruck simply does not compare. If you have time to do both, great, but if not (as seems to be the case), Vienna is the clear choice (again, IMHO!). I know travel tastes and preferences are totally personal and subjective....but I'd be shocked if anyone who's been to both would vote Innsbruck over Vienna. I should also point out that I had a pretty long time for that trip, so was able to get a lot of Austria in (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, St. Anton am Arlberg, then proceeded on to Germany). I may be paraphrasing here slightly, but if I recall, in his guidebook on Germany and Austria, Rick writes of Innsbruck; "After Vienna and Salzburg, Innsbruck seems like stale streudel!" That funny line always stayed with me!