From outdoor recreation to museums, Innsbruck has it all.

Within the span of two days, I went from never hearing of this random town in Austria to Innsbruck being one of my favorite places I've ever visited.

While staying in Verona, in northern Italy, I was perusing Google Maps to see which towns were reachable by a short train ride. I came across a town just across the Italy-Austria border that showed up in just bold enough text to catch my eye. It didn't look too terribly far away and pretty accessible by train.

After briefly looking into this town in the Austrian Alps and referencing TikTok for further research, I decided I couldn't leave this part of the world without visiting this jewel of a town tucked into the mountains.

My original plan was to wake up early in the morning, take the train to Innsbruck, cram everything into a day trip, then head back to Verona that night. I was already paying for my Airbnb in Verona, so I didn't want to have to pay for a place in Innsbruck, too.

I realized quickly how difficult it would be to do everything I wanted while also squeezing in eight hours of travel. I decided to get the cheapest (but highest rated and in the safest area @mom) hostel to make the most out of my experience in Innsbruck.

So, here is how I spent 24 hours in Innsbruck:

I arrived at the train station around 6 p.m. and had a quick bite to eat, then got a taxi to my hostel. Innsbruck is pretty walkable, so after settling into your accommodation, I recommend heading over to the Imperial Gardens before calling it a day. This area would be perfect for an evening stroll before sunset in the summer. If you're visiting during winter, the gardens turn into a park of lights with a kilometer's worth of twinkling light displays.

To make the most of your next day, wake up early and catch the first cable car up to Nordkette, also known as the top of Innsbruck. This is a big attraction in the area, so you'll want to get a head start to beat the crowds that start to form at the cable cars later in the morning.

It takes a series of three cable cars and about 30 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. Bring a hat, gloves, a good coat and boots, especially if you want to take the short trek to the mountain's peak.

The views from the top are breathtaking, especially on a clear day when you can look down over the town of Innsbruck, making it look much smaller than it feels. If you are up for a hike, there are several routes. I, however, snapped some pictures and returned to the cable car because my Converse and rain jacket were not protecting me much from the freezing temperatures and penetratingly cold wind (shocking, I know).

After reaching the bottom of the mountain, I walked to the city center and warmed up with a coffee and pastry at Der Bäcker Ruetz, a bakery with multiple locations across town. After finally being able to feel my fingers again, I took a stroll through the city and along the river, admiring the mountainous views and colorful facades of the medieval Old Town.

I then went to the Imperial Palace, also called Hofburg. Built in the 15th century, its stunning Renaissance exterior and glamorous interior showcase the wealth and influence of the Hasbrug rulers of the time. My favorite part was the Giant Hall, filled with frescoes and captivating designs from floor to ceiling.

From the palace, I walked to the bus station, where I hopped on the bus that goes to Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystal World). This was an incredible and immersive experience consisting of a museum, impressive displays and a garden. Every room had a different dazzling display and aroma from the next. There's even a room that mimics a snow globe with a snow machine, and it is significantly colder than the other rooms, making Swarovski Kristallwelten an experience that stimulates all senses.

After Swarovski, I took the same bus back into town, where I picked up my backpack from the hostel and found an authentic Austrian restaurant to have dinner before my train ride back to Verona.

If I had more time (and more cold-weather-appropriate gear), skiing and hiking would have also been priorities. I absolutely cannot recommend visiting the beautiful Innsbruck enough. Whether you are an outdoors aficionado or prefer historic sites, this lesser-known Austrian city has something for everyone.