This Alpine town's 15th-century town hall has painted ceilings and a local history museum. Its old quarter contains narrow streets lined with medieval buildings.
In Hall in Tirol, 5 km east of Innsbruck, you can walk through narrow cobblestone streets lined with 15th-century buildings, strike your own commemorative coin at the medieval mint, or hike to Alpine dairy farms in the Karwendel mountains. The town's weekly farmers market brings local cheese makers and vegetable growers to the upper square, while the 45-meter Mint Tower gives you views across the Inn Valley to the surrounding peaks.
Exploring the Medieval Streets
Walk through Hall's old town, where more than 300 buildings from the 13th to 16th centuries still stand. In the upper town square, you'll see merchant houses decorated with painted facades and projecting bay windows. The 1406 town hall retains its Gothic elements, including pointed stone arches and a steep-pitched wooden roof. Every Saturday morning, farmers from surrounding valleys sell fresh vegetables, mountain cheese, and fresh-baked bread in the square.
The Story of Salt and Coins
At the Mining Museum, you can explore actual mining tunnels and slide down the wooden chutes once used by salt miners. The museum explains salt extraction methods with working equipment demonstrations. Visit the Burg Hasegg to see the mint that produced silver coins from 1477 to 1809. You can operate the world's first mechanical coin press and create your own commemorative coin. Climb the 45-meter Mint Tower for views extending across the Inn Valley to the Karwendel mountain range.
Religious Architecture
The green dome of St. Nikolaus Church rises above the medieval rooftops. Inside, you'll discover 15th-century frescoes, baroque altars, and a 1689 pipe organ. Walk to St. Magdalen's Chapel to see Tyrol's oldest wall paintings from 1330 - biblical scenes painted in red, blue, and gold. The Jesuitenkirche combines Renaissance and Baroque elements, with marble columns supporting gilded altars and detailed ceiling paintings from the 1600s.
Mountain Activities
From Hall, follow marked trails into the Karwendel Nature Park's Alpine meadows. The path to Walderalm farms at 1,500 meters takes about two hours, where you can try fresh dairy products while looking out to the mountains. Cool off at the Freischwimmbad with its multiple pools, diving platforms, and children's swimming area. In winter, take the 15-minute drive to Glungezer ski area, where 23 kilometers of slopes suit both beginning and intermediate skiers.
Getting Around
Catch buses 504 or 4123 from Innsbruck's main station - they run every 20 minutes. If you're driving, park in the lot behind the old town, as the historic center allows only pedestrians. Stop by the tourist office in the lower town square for maps and to join English-language walking tours, available on weekday mornings.
