The name probably goes back to Vogt Eigilis from the Tegernsee region, who had possessions in today's Igls. Grave finds from the Migration Period at nearby Goldbichl testify to early settlement.
In addition to the originally Romanesque parish church, later rebuilt in Gothic style and baroqueized in the 18th century, the Hohenburg Castle estate is considered structurally outstanding. The oldest predecessor building was a watchtower from the 13th century, which secured the goods road in the direction of the Brenner Pass.
For a long time Igls was purely a farming village, but in the 19th century it developed into a tourist and health resort, which can also be attributed to the climatically favorable conditions. Igls became internationally known in the course of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, during which skiing, luge and bobsleigh competitions were held on the Patscherkofel. The bobsleigh and luge track is still used today for international sports competitions.