Schloss Ambras, Innsbruck: Practical guide with hours, prices & visitor tips

What is Schloss Ambras?

Perched in the hills above Innsbruck at 632 metres elevation, Schloss Ambras is a Renaissance castle with a rather romantic backstory. Archduke Ferdinand II built it in the 1560s as a love gift for his wife Philippine Welser — an Augsburg merchant’s daughter whom he had to marry in secret because she wasn’t of noble birth. The Habsburgs weren’t exactly thrilled about it.

Here’s the fascinating bit: it’s recognised as the world’s first museum at its original location, created over 450 years ago. While other Renaissance collections were plundered, scattered, or completely reorganised, Ambras has kept its character intact.

To buy skip-the-line tickets to Schloss Ambras, head this way.

What to see at Schloss Ambras

The Upper Castle and Habsburg Portrait Gallery

The Upper Castle (Hochschloss) houses the Habsburg Portrait Gallery — about 300 portraits spanning the 15th to 19th centuries. You’ll see masterpieces by the likes of Velázquez, van Dyck, and Rubens, featuring everyone from Emperor Maximilian I to Charles V and Ferdinand I. It’s essentially the Habsburg family album, but painted by some of history’s greatest artists.

Important note: The Habsburg Portrait Gallery is only open during summer months (April to October).

The Spanish Hall at Schloss Ambras

Built between 1569 and 1572, the Spanish Hall (Spanischer Saal) is one of the most impressive freestanding Renaissance halls you’ll find anywhere. At 43 metres long by 13 metres wide, it’s genuinely imposing. The hall features 27 full-length portraits of Tyrolean Counts and Habsburgs, an intricate wood-inlay ceiling that’ll have you staring upwards, and mythological scenes covering the walls.

The hall still serves as a performance venue for the annual Innsbruck Festival of Early Music — Renaissance music in an actual Renaissance hall.

Schloss Ambras Lower Castle collections

The Lower Castle (Unterschloss) is where Ferdinand’s collections live, and they’re extraordinary:

The armouries contain rare 15th-century arms and armour from Emperor Maximilian I’s collection. You’ll see tournament armour and pieces belonging to Bartlmä Bon, the court giant — his armour is absolutely massive and reminds you that he actually participated in tournaments.

The Chamber of Art and Curiosities is the only Renaissance Kunstkammer still in its original location. Others in Munich, Prague, and Stuttgart were plundered or dismantled. This one includes natural wonders, precious objects, scientific instruments, and the sort of curiosities that fascinated 16th-century princes — basically everything from narwhal tusks to intricate mechanical devices.

The Strasser Glass Collection is one of the world’s most important of its kind, featuring Renaissance and Baroque pieces from Venice, Bohemia, and other European glassmaking centres. If you appreciate delicate craftsmanship, this collection is gorgeous.

Philippine Welser’s bath gives you insight into 16th-century spa culture. Bathing was a social ritual back then — guests were served food and drinks whilst soaking, often spending several hours in the process. Rather civilised, really.

Visiting Schloss Ambras: practical information

Schloss Ambras opening hours and admission

Opening hours:

• Daily: 10.00am to 5.00pm.
• Closed: November.

Admission prices (December to March):

• Adults: €14.
• Reduced: €12.

Admission prices (April to October):

• Pre-sale online: Adults €16, Reduced €12.
• At ticket office: Adults €18, Reduced €14.
• Free for under 19 years.

Top tip: Buy tickets online to save €2 and skip the queues at the ticket office. It’s worth it during busy periods.

Getting to Schloss Ambras

Address: Schlossstraße 20, 6020 Innsbruck

By bus: Post bus line 540 from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (via Kaiserschützenplatz — Olympiaworld — Tivoli Stadion) to Schloss Ambras. Or take bus line M (direct, towards Aldrans Fagslung) to ‘Schloss Ambras’ stop.

By tram: Tram line 3 (towards Amras) to ‘Philippine-Welser-Strasse’ stop. Then it’s a 1.2km walk (10 to 15 minutes) via Amraser Strasse and Tummelplatzweg. Fair warning: it’s a steep climb.

By car: Schlossstrasse has paid parking daily 9.00am to 7.00pm (€1 per half hour, maximum €8 per day after 5 hours). There’s only one pay-and-display machine near the castle entrance, so have coins ready.

Schloss Ambras accessibility

The castle can’t provide barrier-free access to all areas due to its historical structure and monument protection regulations — Renaissance castles weren’t exactly built with accessibility in mind.

In the Lower Castle, the entrance, museum shop, ticket office, first three armouries, and Kunstkammer are barrier-free. The Spanish Hall is accessible via an external lift. The ground floor of the High Castle is accessible, though the Gothic collections are only reachable via steps. You’ll need an accompanying person to use the lifts — just ask for assistance at the ticket desk.

There’s public disabled parking in Schlossstrasse close to the entrance. The Lower Castle has a barrier-free toilet accessible from outside (Euro Key required). The Upper Castle toilets are barrier-free. Wheelchairs are available upon request.

How long to spend at Schloss Ambras

Plan at least one hour for your visit. Art enthusiasts often need two hours or more to properly appreciate the collections — there’s genuinely a lot to see, and rushing through defeats the purpose of leaving Innsbruck’s Altstadt to be here..

Dining at Schloss Ambras

Café & Bistro FERDINAND is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm (closed in November). It’s a pleasant spot for a break with views of the gardens.

Schloss Ambras castle grounds

The extensive castle grounds are free to explore without a ticket. You’ll find landscaped gardens, walking paths, rock formations, and waterfalls. It’s lovely for a stroll even if you don’t visit the museum.

Note: Due to thunderstorms and weather conditions, there may be short-term closures and path restrictions. Museum access via the main gate and shop area (Lower Castle) remains available at all times.

Contact information for Schloss Ambras

Phone: +43 1 525 24 4802 (Monday to Sunday).

Email: [email protected] (Monday to Friday).

Guided tours: +43 1 525 24 4804 or [email protected].

Tips for visiting Schloss Ambras

• Audio guides are available in multiple languages.
• Visit on weekdays or near opening/closing times to avoid crowds.
• Remember the Habsburg Portrait Gallery is summer only (April to October).
• The Innsbruck Card includes free admission.
• The castle is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna system.
• Allow extra time to explore the gardens — they’re genuinely beautiful.
• Check the website for weather-related closures in the grounds.

Why visit Schloss Ambras?

Schloss Ambras offers something genuinely rare: the chance to experience the world’s first museum exactly where it was created over 450 years ago. Whilst other Renaissance collections were plundered, scattered, or moved to modern buildings, this one has stayed put.

The combination of intact Renaissance collections, stunning architecture, the romantic story of Ferdinand and Philippine, and Alpine views makes it a great choice for anyone interested in art history or Habsburg culture. The armouries and Chamber of Art and Curiosities are particularly exceptional — seeing collections that have remained in place for over four centuries gives you an authentic glimpse into how a Renaissance prince thought about collecting and displaying the world’s wonders.

Plus, where else can you see a giant’s tournament armour and Philippine Welser’s bathing suite in the same visit?

More Innsbruck travel

Other Innsbruck travel articles include:

• A practical guide to the Innsbruck Alpine Zoo.
• Guide to getting the best out of Innsbruck’s Golden Roof.
• Is it worth climbing Innsbruck’s City Tower?
• What to expect at Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
• Guide to Innsbruck’s Hofkirche and Hofburg.