Bolzano/Bozen

The old commercial centre presents itself in a cheerful light. Arcades, windy lanes, a colourful fruit market, beautiful shops and piazzas. Accompanied by the happy-go-lucky atmosphere, la Dolce Vita is part of everyday life.

The Piazza Walther is Bolzano's meeting place. It takes its name from the greatest German poet who lived in the Middle Ages "Walther von der Vogelweide". Here, you can relax and enjoy a cappuccino.

Not far away from the Piazza Walther is the Cathedral of Bolzano/Bozen. It was build between 1340 and 1500 in Gothic style. Nearby, you can find the Dominican cloisters with Giotto frescoes. They are worthwhile visiting.

The fruit market and the arcades are the heart piece of this cheerful town. Directly at the fruit market, opposite the Neptune fountain, is a house from the 18th Century built in Neo-Gothic style. It is here that Herder, Goethe and Kaiser Joseph II spent the night. Stucco-decorated houses from the Rococo and New-Baroque periods line the market place.

Being the commercial centre in the Middle Ages, Bolzano/Bozen created a type of intersection between the North and South, a walkway into a developing history.
Today, Bolzano/Bozen is a modern town and the dynamic centre of the province. It is a meeting point for both cultures. 70% of the Bolzano/Bozen inhabitants declare that they belong to the Italian language group and make Bolzano/Bozen to the most Italian of all South Tyrol cities.

For a number of years, Bolzano/Bozen has been a university town. Culture can be found all over the place. Cinemas, theatre, concerts, exhibitions and other events bring movement into the former commercial centre. The new "Thuniversum" in Bolzano/Bozen Sud gives a insight to the wonderful world of Thun ceramics.
In the arcades of Bolzano/Bozen and the via Museo, delicatessens and shops with luxurious items line up with other beautiful specialist shops. South Tyrolean arts and crafts, exclusive ethnic fashion, "Loden" and hats are as easy to find as Italian fashion, design, furniture and shoes.
The best Italian, international and South Tyrolean grappas and wines invite you to stop and relax in the historic centre.
Numerous bars, restaurants, pubs and wine-bars revive the town centre.
Beautiful specialist shops and boutiques try to tempt you to spend your money. Italian design is dominate in the display windows. The southern ease points a way to the future.

Destinations in the surrounding area

The South Tyrolean Wine Road is the ideal starting point for beautiful destinations nearby or in the far surrounding area.
There are many scenic opposites to be discovered: the peaks and tops of the worldwide unique Dolomites are jagged, while the beaches at Lake Garda are soft and inviting:

Dolomites

An excursion to the Seiser Alm and to the Dolomites (ca. 60km) is not just an experience for mountaineers and adventurers. The wide, high alpine meadows and the jagged mountaintops have their own charm.

Meran/Merano

The former world-famous spa town has not lost its flair from former splendid days: the beautiful art nouveau architecture, the enchanting promenades and the Mediterranean vegetation.
Numerous cultural events and concerts are organised in the stylish "Meraner Kursaal".
With is exotic and magnificent variety of vegetation Castle Trauttmansdorff, the former winter residence of Empress Sisi, with his Botanic Gardens is certainly worth a visit.
The new opened Museum "Touriseum" shows in a very amusing way the 200 years' history of alpine tourism.

Lake Garda

Only about 80 kilometres separate Bolzano from the Lake Garda. With its lovely, characteristic villages and its idyllic places, the lake is a beautiful southern destination.

Verona

A varied summer programme in the Arena of Verona (approx. 120km) offers all opera fans exciting entertainment. Even without the arena, Verona is a city worth visiting.

Venezia

The only town in the lagoon, is only 220 kilometres from Bolzano and can be visited on a day trip.

Further information to organised trips from the local tourist offices.