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View of the city from above, numerous houses with red tiled roofs can be seen. In the centre stands a striking church. Mountains can be seen on the left and in the background.
View of the city from above, numerous houses with red tiled roofs can be seen. In the centre stands a striking church. Mountains can be seen on the left and in the background.

Bolzano

Published: 27 February 2025, 13:30

Dolomites & Dolce Vita

Bolzano is the perfect place where the Italian way of life and the Alpine mountain world merge into an incomparable symbiosis. The historic old town attracts visitors with its picturesque, arcaded streets, the Waltherplatz, and the imposing cathedral. The diversity of languages is also omnipresent here – German, Italian, and Ladin shape the way people live together and are reflected on street signs, in restaurants, and shops.

Nestled in the impressive mountain panorama of the Sarntal Alps and the Dolomites, South Tyrol's capital offers spectacular scenery that is among the most beautiful in all of Europe. Bolzano's location makes it the ideal gateway to South Tyrol's breathtaking nature. The Seiser Alm offers wonderful hiking trails and views, while mountain ranges and peaks such as the Rosengarten and Schlern are perfect for challenging mountain tours. The delicious South Tyrolean cuisine, with its blend of hearty Alpine dishes and Mediterranean lightness, makes your stay perfect.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 106,000
  • Official language: German, Italian, Ladin
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Bolzano – the best of many worlds

Large square with a white statue in the centre. Behind the statue are historic, multi-storey houses that are illuminated at dusk.
The central Waltherplatz is surrounded by historic buildings and is an ideal place to soak up the atmosphere of the city in one of the many cosy cafes. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com
Large brick church with a pointed steeple and a roof with a geometric brick pattern. There are trees and a few people around the church. Behind the church, buildings can be seen, and in the foreground, there is a red-paved empty square.
Bolzano Cathedral, the main church in Bolzano, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The striking, patterned tiled roof contributes to its characteristic appearance. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com
View of a narrow alley with colourful, multi-storey houses on both sides with small oriels and open archways. A mountain is visible in the background.
The Laubengasse in Bolzano runs through the historic centre and is one of the most famous and picturesque streets in the city. © LUC KOHNEN/stock.adobe.com
Cobbled old town lane with old, multi-storey houses on both sides. Both sides of the lane are lined with market stalls selling fruit, vegetables, and flowers. A few people stroll in the lane.
The fruit market in the old town has a long tradition and is popular with locals and tourists alike. © Vivida Photo PC/stock.adobe.com
A large, massive castle with a red tiled roof, round corner towers, and a large, square tower in the centre. Behind the castle rises a green hill. In the foreground, fields can be seen, and flowering branches reach into the picture. Next to the castle, a few houses are visible.
The picturesquely situated Castel Mareccio is located near the city centre and is used for cultural events. It can also be visited. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com

South Tyrol – hiking and enjoyment

A large, lush, green, flowering mountain meadow with two mountain huts. The meadow extends over a wide, hilly landscape. A mountain range rises in the background.
The Seiser Alm, the largest high alpine pasture in Europe, offers breathtaking views and wonderful hiking opportunities for the whole family. © JFL Photography/stock.adobe.com
A reddish glowing mountain range in the centre, with further green mountains in front of it. In the foreground, there is a large, green alpine meadow and a small mountain village with a church.
The Rosengarten massif is known for its alpenglow: at sunset, it glows intensely in shades of red and pink. It is also visible from Bolzano. © Kavita/stock.adobe.com
Pointed rock formations rising up through a coniferous forest. Beyond them is a large, green alpine meadow with two small mountain villages, behind which mountains rise up.
The earth pyramids on the Ritten are impressive geological formations that have been created over thousands of years by the erosion of clayey soil. © Edler von Rabenstein/stock.adobe.com
Large castle complex with tiled roofs, battlements on one side, and a square tower in a mountainous landscape. A path leads to an arched entrance into the castle complex. There is a forest around the castle, with mountains rising up behind it.
The medieval Runkelstein Castle, also known as the Bilderburg, towers above Bolzano. © hot_pixel/stock.adobe.com
Emerald-green lake, surrounded by towering mountains. There are two people in a wooden rowing boat on the lake, and two more wooden boats are anchored near the shore in the left foreground. A small house can be seen on the right bank.
The emerald-green Lake Prags at 1,496 meters above sea level looks like a natural paradise from a picture book. It can be explored in a wooden rowing boat. © evoks24/stock.adobe.com

Bolzano from BER

Aircraft about to land on the runway

Skyalps

Airport Südtirol Alto Adige (BZO)

Five tips for...

1. South Tyrolean Schlutzkrapfen – pasta squares filled with ricotta and spinach

2. Graukäse – a traditional, tangy, and flavourful cheese speciality

3. Knödel – a popular side dish, available in many varieties

4. Speck – a South Tyrolean speciality, traditionally smoked and air-dried

5. Apple strudel – a pastry filled with apples and raisins – has a long tradition

1. Family-friendly circular route on the Seiser Alm with breathtaking views

2. Spectacular rock formations on a challenging hike in the Rosengarten

3. Picturesque vineyards and historic castles on the Eppan Burgenweg trail

4. Through larch forests and over high plateaus to the Tschögglberg

5. Leisurely hike from Oberbozen to the impressive earth pyramids

1. Three Peaks: with their steeply rising summits, one of the most striking mountain formations

2. Schlern: a symbol of South Tyrol and clearly visible from Bolzano

3. Rosengarten: a mountain range that is particularly impressive at sunset

4. Latemar: a striking mountain massif, best seen at sunrise

5. Mendelgebirge: a range of gently rolling hills just south of Bolzano

Picture Source title:
© saiko3p/stock.adobe.com 

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