Long before Innsbruck was a ski capital, Tyrol was a mining region, and Schwaz was its richest town. In the late Middle Ages and the early Renaissance the mines around Schwaz produced silver and copper on an enormous scale, financing the Habsburg emperors and the great banking families who lent them money. At its peak the town was one of the largest in the Habsburg lands, and its wealth built the churches and merchants’ houses you can still see in the centre. The Schwazer Silberbergwerk, on the edge of town, lets you step into that world. A guided tour takes you underground, typically beginning with a ride on a small train into the mountain, and then on foot through galleries cut by miners with hammer, chisel and fire. Guides explain how ore was found and extracted, how water and air were managed, and how dangerous and demanding the work was. Exhibits and demonstrations show the tools and techniques of different periods, and there is a surface area with displays of minerals and mining history.
How to visit
The mine is at Alte Landstraße 3a in Schwaz, a town about half an hour east of Innsbruck by regional train or by car. From the station the mine is a short bus ride or a walk through town. The venue’s website has an online ticket shop, and booking ahead is wise in busy periods and for groups.
The ticket office is open daily during the day, but tours run on a timetable, so check the schedule before you travel. Families can buy family tickets, and infants and small children are generally admitted free.
What to expect
It is cool and damp underground all year, so bring a warm jacket even in summer, and wear shoes with good grip because the galleries can be wet. The tour is guided and the pace is relaxed, but it involves some steps and uneven ground, so it is not ideal for anyone with limited mobility, and the narrow passages may not suit people who dislike enclosed spaces.
The guide’s commentary is the heart of the visit, with a mix of history, geology and humour, and language options vary by tour, so ask when you book. Allow around an hour and a half in total including the surface displays, and extra time if you want to see the town centre afterwards.
Making the most of it
Combine the mine with a wander through Schwaz, whose centre has a large Gothic parish church and rows of handsome houses that reflect the silver boom. In winter the mine is one of the best indoor outings in the Inn Valley, and it is a rewarding half-day trip on a day when the cloud sits too low for the cable cars. Children from about the age of six generally enjoy the train ride and the sense of adventure, while younger ones may find the dark passages unsettling.
Pair it with Hall in Tirol or the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, which lie on the same side of Innsbruck, for a day trip along the Inn Valley that tells the story of Tyrol’s wealth from salt to silver to crystal. Check the current opening times and tour schedule before you go, as hours change by season.
What to expect
The experience
A guided underground tour through medieval silver mine galleries, usually starting with a train ride into the mountain, plus surface displays.
Best time
A cold or wet day, when an indoor and underground outing is ideal, with a morning start.
How long
About an hour and a half on site, a half day with travel.
Tips
Dress warmly and wear grippy shoes, and check the tour schedule and book online in busy periods.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Curious travellers who like history with a hands-on, adventurous feel.
- Families
- Children from around six enjoy the mine train and the miners’ stories, and family tickets are available.
- Couples
- A distinctive half-day outing, finished with a stroll through the historic centre of Schwaz.
- Pair with
- Hall in Tirol or the Swarovski Crystal Worlds on the same side of Innsbruck.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
How far is the Schwaz Silver Mine from Innsbruck?+
It is about half an hour east of Innsbruck by regional train or car, in the town of Schwaz. From the station you can take a short bus ride or walk.
Do I need to book ahead?+
Booking online is recommended in busy periods and essential for large groups. The venue’s website has a ticket shop.
What should I wear?+
A warm jacket and shoes with good grip, because the mine is cool and damp all year round.
Is it suitable for children?+
Generally yes from about six, with family tickets available, though very small children may find the dark passages unsettling.
Is it accessible for people with limited mobility?+
The galleries involve steps and uneven ground, so it may not suit everyone. Ask the venue about your needs before you go.
