Bolzano: Things to Do and See in Bolzano in 10 Must-See Places

"Bolzano is opulent, modern, yet its beauty is Gothic," wrote Guido Piovene in his Journey Through Italy. The writer was fascinated by the long streets lined with arcades, where the beauty of individual buildings is less striking than the plays of light that "create theatrical backdrops, light games".

It will be the same for you as soon as you set foot in the capital of South Tyrol. The atmosphere is relaxed, the city is very orderly and quiet, with a rhythm typical of those accustomed to living in harmony with the natural cycles, which show their lushness as soon as you look towards the Dolomites.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral, the Arcades, the market at Piazza delle Erbe, the Archaeological Museum, and then move towards the hills and further on, towards the Lake of Carezza and the Dolomites.

For those who love skiing or the mountains in the summer, the Christmas markets, or nature in spring, Bolzano is a perfect destination for any time of the year. On this page, we recommend the 10 things to do and see in Bolzano.

If you are looking for a hotel in Bolzano, we recommend choosing from those offered by Booking.com. There are about 80 hotels with prices, photos, and reviews from those who have stayed before you. Go to Booking.com

1

With its precious green and gold covering, the Cathedral of Bolzano towers over Piazza Walther and is the most important religious building in the city. Restored in 2008, this remarkable example of late Gothic style was completed in 1420, but its origins are much older.

The cathedral actually stands on top of three superimposed churches: a Paleochristian one dating back to the 4th century A.D., an Early Medieval one from the 8th century, and a Romanesque one from the 11th century A.D.

In 1517, the tower of the bell tower, 65 meters high, was added, which since 2010 every Saturday and Sunday at 11 o'clock plays different melodies thanks to 25 bells.

The Cathedral of Bolzano is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and conceals precious treasures. On the outside, one can admire the cladding of red and yellow marble with Gothic elements, the portal, and the wine door: here, with a special permit, winemakers were authorized to sell wine.

Under the tower, there is also a 15th-century fresco made by students of the Giotto school. The interior also houses part of the original frescoes from Giotto's workshop, dating back to 1370 that once covered all the interiors.

The cathedral is also worth visiting for the Gothic pulpit, the polychrome marble altar from 1720, and a Pietà from 1424. The most precious items such as gold, silver, parchments, and relics are, however, preserved in the Cathedral Museum: located at the foot of the bell tower, it testifies to the wealth and devotion of the faithful over the centuries.

Opening hours: every day from 10 AM to 5 PM; the museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Full ticket: the entrance ticket to the Cathedral Museum costs 4 euros for adults and is free for children up to 7 years old.

How to get there: on foot in the historic center.

2

Since 1295, Piazza delle Erbe has hosted the vibrant fruit and vegetable market, which takes place every day except holidays and Saturdays and Sundays. Even today, just like 800 years ago, the locals come here to shop: a stroll along this square, with the alleys and the famous arcades branching off from here, is the best way to breathe in the tranquil Central European atmosphere of Bolzano.

Take the opportunity to discover some typical delicacies, but also to admire the Fountain of Neptune, one of the 100 most beautiful fountains in Italy: the locals affectionately call it Gabelwirt, the innkeeper with the fork (Neptune's trident), but it is actually a precious fountain from 1725, made of marble and bronze, depicting the sea god with three dolphins, resting on three large shells.

On the neo-Gothic building at the corner with Via Museo, you will find a plaque commemorating the hotel "Al Sole", where, among others, Goethe, Mozart, and Emperor Joseph II stayed.

3

From Piazza delle Erbe, the arcades branch off, a 300-meter pedestrian alley that has always been the heart of shopping and the commercial center of the city. The arcades are the oldest street in Bolzano: very busy since 1180, when Bolzano was founded. Wandering under the arcades is like reading the history of the city.

The locals under the arcades served as residences and warehouses, as they developed for at least three levels underground to store goods.

The northern arcades mainly housed the goods of Italian merchants, while those in the south were dedicated to German traders.

Today they overlook, carved from the ancient medieval warehouses.

The street and the buildings have been expertly renovated: you will find boutiques, shops, cafes, and restaurants, but we recommend looking up from time to time.

You will notice stuccos, frescoes, and in some cases portions of the original Romanesque wall that closed off the historic core of Bolzano, for example in the alley of building 51.

Between purchases, you can also admire the Gothic and Baroque decorations of the old Town Hall of Bolzano, and the original marble counters of the ancient fish market.

4

When visiting Bolzano, one should not miss a visit to the Dominican Church, located in Piazza Domenicani just a hundred meters from the Cathedral. Don't be fooled by the façade that is not particularly beautiful: it is inside that the church captivates with masterpieces of 13th-century Bolzano painting.

The building dates back to the 14th century and features three naves with Gothic vaults supported by pillars. Originally (in the 13th century), the convent of the Dominicans was adjoining the church.

The true masterpiece, which is the main point of interest of the Dominican Church, are the frescoes from the Giotto school in the Chapel of St. John.

This is the first example of Giottesque painting in Bolzano, created under the inspiration of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, painted by Giotto.

The cycle was commissioned by a family of Florentine bankers and depicts scenes from the history of the Madonna, of Saints John the Baptist and Nicholas, the "Triumph of Death", the "Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew", the "Wedding at Cana", and a "Nativity".

The Giottesque frescoes continue in the Chapter House and in the Chapel of St. Catherine of the cloister, which can be accessed from the outside. Of interest is the Chapel of the Merchants with the Gothic choir and Rococo stuccos.

Among the must-see works are the "Madonna Castelbarco" and the fresco "Castelnuovo", both on the right nave, the altarpiece from the 17th century of Guercino and two Madonnas with child from the 13th and 15th centuries. Lastly, some works by local painters from the early 1500s are also noteworthy.

The Dominican Church is a short walk from some of the most famous attractions in the historic center of Bolzano. During Christmas, the charming market stalls are set up nearby the church.

5

The South Tyrolean name, Sigmundskron, means "Sigismund's crown" and derives from Sigismund the Rich, Count of Tyrol, who bought it in 1473. The nickname does not seem to have brought him much luck, as the castle was soon foreclosed and changed hands multiple times, beginning to fall into ruin.

Today, few elements of the original structure, predating the year 1000, remain, but it is still one of the most important examples of defensive architecture in South Tyrol.

Firmiano Castle stands in a strategic and panoramic location: on a large rock, at the confluence of two rivers, it dominates the valley and Bolzano.

Besides its historical value, Firmiano Castle is also a beloved place for the South Tyroleans: right here, in 1957, amid the cry of "Los von Trient", more than 30,000 South Tyroleans protested to claim autonomy from Trento.

Since 2007, after careful restoration, the White Tower of the castle houses the most important museum among those founded by the climber Reinhold Messner, the current owner of the manor: a collection of objects from all over the world that showcases the fascinating relationship between man and mountain.

Opening hours: open every day except Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM, from March to November.

Full ticket: the ticket for the Museum costs €10, €8 for students and seniors over 65, and groups of 15 or more. Children aged 6 to 14 pay €4, and those under 6 enter for free.

How to get there: Firmiano Castle is located in the area of Frangarto, near Bolzano. The castle can be reached by car via the A22, exit Bolzano South, continuing along the MEBO expressway to Frangarto.

6

The Archaeological Museum of South Tyrol is located in the historic center of Bolzano and is justly famous for Ötzi, the Ice Man. The mummy, unique in its kind, is that of a man who lived in this area more than 4,000 years ago.

The Man from Similaun, named after the place where he was discovered, is the only naturally mummified body that has survived to this day so well preserved, along with all his gear: to grasp its importance, just consider that it predates Stonehenge and the pyramids of Cheops.

Ötzi was discovered by chance in 1989 by some tourists, almost intact thanks to the layers of ice and snow that have protected him over the millennia.

At the museum, you can admire the Ice Man with his original equipment: clothes, quiver, backpack, and a series of tools that allowed for a precise reconstruction of his daily life.

In addition to the fascinating discovery of the man from the ice, the museum documents in great detail the history of these regions, from the Paleolithic onward, up to the Early Middle Ages.

Opening hours: the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. In July, August, and December, it is also open on Mondays. The visit lasts about two hours, and the entire structure is accessible to disabled individuals. Ticket: full price €9, €7 for school children, students and seniors over 65, free for children up to 6 years old. Discounts are available for families and groups.

How to get there: the Archaeological Museum of South Tyrol is located at Via Museo 43, 39100 Bolzano. It's a walk in the historic center.

7

The cable car of Colle can be reached from the historic center of Bolzano by car or public transport, and is the oldest cable car in the world: it was inaugurated in 1908 thanks to the genius of a South Tyrolean hotelier who wanted to bring tourists to his hotel at an altitude of 1,134 meters.

Since then, the cable car has been a silent, scenic, and characteristic way to reach the locality of Colle.

The Colle you reach with the cable car is the perfect place for an excursion outside Bolzano: you will find kiosks, bars, and restaurants and mountain trails of varying degrees of difficulty, but most importantly, an unparalleled view of the glaciers and Dolomites in this special territory.

In just 7 minutes, you reach the summit, and here you can also admire a replica of the original gondolas.

The city and its bustling life remain below, and the landscape has remained like more than 100 years ago: a silent alpine forest and a few buildings here and there, including the ancient Maso Uhl, which dates back to 1534 and has been restored to maintain its original features.

The masi are the typical rural houses of Trentino-Alto Adige and include residences, stables, and rooms for cheese preparation. Today, the masi hosts a library and laboratories for schools.

Opening hours: from 6:30 AM to 7 PM with departures every 15 minutes approximately. Ticket cost: €4 one way, €8 round trip. How to get there: the valley station of the cable car is located at Via Campiglio 7.

8

The Rencio district of Bolzano can be reached by a pleasant hike from the city center: it is the hilly area, immersed in well-kept vineyards and rich in monuments and landscapes to discover.

Rencio is mainly the wine-growing area of the city: here is the Santa Maddalena grape variety, which produces the red wine La Schiava.

A trip to these places is the ideal opportunity to visit wineries, but in reality, the whole area is a gem: along the hillsides, you can see well-arranged rows of vines, while the territory is dotted with masi, the rural constructions of South Tyrol.

Here you will also find the Loacker estate, which can be visited and offers tastings by appointment. Besides the wine and picturesque landscape, Rencio also hides a small treasure: the Romanesque church of Santa Maddalena.

Built in 1295, it is decorated with frescoes made between 1200 and 1400.

How to get there: Rencio can be reached by bicycle, on foot from the center (Piazza Walther) in about 20 minutes, or in a few minutes by car.

9

The Lec de Ergobando, or rainbow lake in Ladin, is located in Val d'Ega, about 25 km from Bolzano and is one of the most famous and spectacular natural lakes of Trentino-Alto Adige.

Lake Carezza is a natural basin immersed in a forest of red and white firs, precious harmonics from which violins are still made today. Imagine a mirror of water with colors ranging from deep green to turquoise, set against the mountains.

In winter, the lake freezes, and both its size and depth vary with the seasons, ranging from 6 meters deep in winter to 17 in spring when the glaciers melt.

The Lake of Carezza takes its name from the "Caricaceae", the plants with broad leaves that surround the shores, but it is famously known as the Rainbow Lake both for the reflection of its waters and for the legend of the mermaid Ondina.

It is said that the lake was inhabited by a beautiful mermaid. A wizard, in love, created a rainbow over the lake to attract her to him. Ondina, frightened, submerged in water and did not rise again, and the wizard furiously shattered the rainbow into a thousand pieces, casting it into the lake.

The statue of Ondina is now at the center of the lake, sometimes completely or partially submerged. The shores of the lake are off-limits, but there is a trail along the edges that can be walked or cycled.

How to get to Lake Carezza: Lake Carezza can be reached from the center of Bolzano by car via the A22, Bolzano north/Val d'Ega exit.

10

The cuisine of Bolzano is substantial, rich, and above all of the highest quality, set in a territory that has received 98% D.O.C for its wines.

Halfway between Austria and Italy, with a strong German influence, the dishes of Bolzano reflect the aromas and intertwining with the peoples that have passed through here.

You will find many specialties: first of all speck and cheeses, particularly Edelweiss, with alpine herbs, and the fragrant Bergbauernkäse, always accompanied by a good glass of wine and Schuttelbrot, rye bread.

Among the first courses, the protagonists are the Knoedel, the canederli: born to recycle stale bread, today they come in many variations, either dry or in broth.

Also, try the homemade pasta like spinach ravioli and barley soup. Besides freshwater fish, the second courses not to be missed are venison goulash and pork chop with sauerkraut and potatoes.

To conclude the meal, the delicious strudel, a roll of pastry with apples from South Tyrol, pine nuts, and raisins, often accompanied by ice cream or whipped cream, and cakes: chocolate, ricotta, and pear. And the wine? It's impossible not to mention Lagrein and Gewurztraminer, as well as the fragrant fruit distillates served at the end of the meal.

H

A city for those who love the mountains at any time of the year and Christmas markets, Bolzano has an ancient tourist tradition and offers a warm and quality hospitality.

There are about 80 establishments and include small hotels in the city center, farms in the hilly area, and small bed & breakfasts scattered about.

The average price for a night in a 3-star room is quite high, starting from 90 euros to as much as 200 during peak seasons. However, by booking in advance, one can find a good accommodation without spending a fortune.

If you are looking for a hotel in Bolzano, we recommend choosing from those offered by Booking.com. There are about 80 hotels in Bolzano with prices, photos, and reviews from those who have stayed before you. Go to Booking.com