Holidays in Bolzano: sights and much more

1. Shopping under the arcades in Bolzano

Buy a few items, discover new trends, look into shop windows and watch passers-by: this famous shopping street under the arcades in Bolzano is a popular meeting place for people of all ages. You’ll find stylish restaurants, old taverns, picturesque streets and historic buildings with delightful shops.

2. Piazza Walther & Bolzano Cathedral

Enjoy a good cup of coffee, relax in the sun, admire the abundance of spring flowers: the central square in Bolzano is named after the “Minnesänger” (singer of love songs) Walther von der Vogelweide, and is the ideal place for a pleasant break. The square also serves as the venue for various events. The impressive Cathedral in Bolzano is well worth a visit, too.

3. The Christmas market in Bolzano

There’s a magical, exciting atmosphere, with the cheery sound of logs crackling in stoves; you can hear Christmas songs in the background, and the air is filled with the scent of fir-trees, biscuits and mulled wine: Bolzano’s wonderful Christmas market is the largest in Italy and really shouldn’t be missed!

4. South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

You’ll find him in the South Tyrol archaeological museum, and he’s known as Ötzi, the Ice-man. At the South Tyrol archaeological museum, you can learn all about his life, his journeys and the period in which he lived, as well as admiring this well preserved glacier mummy and many other exhibits.

5. Messner Mountain Museum in Castel Firmiano

Castel Firmiano is one of the largest fortresses in South Tyrol. It was here that extreme mountaineer Reinhold Messner chose to open his fourth “Messner Mountain Museum”, calling it “The Enchanted Mountain”. The permanent exhibition illustrates the important relationship between mountains and human beings. Another section, housed in the so-called White Tower, documents the history of the castle and its many vicissitudes.

6. Walks near Bolzano

The “Guntschna” and “Oswald” Promenades offer a delightful setting and splendid views. The walks take you through the green parts of the city, sometimes hilly and sometimes flat, with lots of exotic and Mediterranean plants along the way: definitely an excursion not to be missed!

7. Castel Roncolo (Runkelstein Castle)

Welcome back to mediaeval times, and welcome to Castel Roncolo, the so-called “painted manor”. Here you can admire a huge cycle of frescoes with secular themes. These priceless wall-paintings constitute a unique legacy for the history of art in South Tyrol. The visit also allows you to admire a breathtaking view from the top of the rocky spur onto the city of Bolzano below.

8. Castel Mareccio (Maretsch Castle)

Surrounded by vineyards, the castle is in a picturesque setting just outside the historic centre of Bolzano. The oldest part dates back to the 12th century. Today, the castle is mainly used for events, exhibitions and weddings and can be visited on request.

9. The cableway up to Renon

The cable car between Bolzano and the sunny Renon plateau leaves every four minutes. It is definitely worth a visit! There are lots of attractions: the earth pyramids, the Ritten cog railway, the Corno del Renon with its impressive views of the Dolomites (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Sciliar massif and the Odle group. On clear days, you can even see as far as the “king” of the South Tyrolean peaks: Mount Ortler.

10. Museion - the Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art

Are you keen on art? Then you’ve come to the right place. There are over 4,500 works of modern and contemporary art on show, plus frequent temporary exhibitions featuring artists from all parts of the world. Families with children will also find much to enjoy.

A useful tip: The Bolzano Card

• It allows you free use of all public transport for 3 consecutive days, and includes entry to Bolzano’s 9 museums and to the 80 museums all around South Tyrol.
• The card costs € 38.00 and is available at the Tourist Office in Bolzano.