- Bolzano is a bilingual city where German and Italian are both spoken
- Don't miss Ötzi the Iceman at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology
- Cable cars climb straight from town to the Renon plateau
- It is the best rail base for Val Gardena, the Alpe di Siusi and Merano
- Airports
- Verona (VRN), Innsbruck (INN), Venice Marco Polo (VCE), Bergamo (BGY)
- Best time to go
- May-October, and late November to early January for the Christmas market
- Type
- Province
Bolzano (Bozen in German) is the capital of South Tyrol, the autonomous province that forms the northern half of Trentino-South Tyrol. It was part of the Austrian Tyrol until 1919, and it still feels like a meeting point: you can eat dumplings and drink a spritz on the same square, and almost everything is signed in German and Italian.
The city sits in a warm valley ringed by vineyards and mountains, and it makes a superb base for UK travellers who want both city comforts and quick access to the Dolomites. It is compact, safe and very walkable, and the province's public transport is excellent. For the rest of the country, see our Italy guide.
Things to do in Bolzano and South Tyrol
- South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology – home to Ötzi, the 5,000-year-old mummy found in the Ötztal Alps in 1991, with his clothes and tools. Queues can be long in summer, so go early.
- Walther Square and the arcades – the main square leads into the Via dei Portici (Laubengasse), a medieval arcaded shopping street.
- Piazza delle Erbe – the daily fruit and vegetable market, with delis selling speck, cheese and bread.
- Renon (Ritten) plateau – a cable car climbs from town, connecting with a narrow-gauge railway across the plateau and paths to the earth pyramids.
- Runkelstein Castle – a castle just north of the city known for its medieval secular frescoes.
- Messner Mountain Museum Firmian – mountaineer Reinhold Messner's museum in Sigmundskron Castle on the edge of town.
- South Tyrolean Wine Road – villages such as Caldaro (Kaltern) and Tramin, for Lagrein, Vernatsch and Gewürztraminer.
- The Dolomites – Val Gardena, the Alpe di Siusi, Lake Braies and the Tre Cime are all within reach. See our Dolomites guide.
The spa town of Merano is about 40 minutes away by train. See our Merano guide.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Old town | Walk to the museums, market and restaurants |
| Near the station | Practical for day trips by train and bus |
| Renon (Ritten) | Cooler, quieter plateau with views, linked by cable car |
| Val Gardena | Mountain villages such as Ortisei for hiking and skiing |
| Caldaro (Kaltern) | Wine village near a warm, swimmable lake |
Getting there
Most UK visitors fly to Verona, then take the train up the Brenner line to Bolzano in roughly 1 hour 30 minutes. Innsbruck, across the Austrian border, is about 2 hours by train and has winter ski flights from the UK (check seasonal routes). Venice and Bergamo are further, at roughly 3 hours. Bolzano has a small airport of its own, but direct UK flights are rare. By car, take the A22 motorway.
Best time to visit
May to October suits walking and wine villages, with July and August best for the high mountains. Autumn brings Törggelen, the tradition of tasting new wine and chestnuts in farmhouse inns. The Christmas market in Walther Square usually runs from late November to early January, and ski season is roughly December to March.
If your accommodation offers a guest card such as the South Tyrol Guest Pass, it usually covers regional trains and buses, which makes day trips very good value.
Top attractions in Bolzano
LandmarkColosseum
Rome's great amphitheatre, where up to 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator fights, is the city's most iconic sight.
LandmarkFlorence Duomo
Florence's cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi's record-breaking dome, is the symbol of the city, with the bell tower…
NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
NaturePath of the Gods
A spectacular cliff-top trail high above the Amalfi Coast, with views over Positano and out to Capri, that is free to…
LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Bolzano on the map
Frequently asked questions
How long should I spend in Bolzano?
Two days covers the city and the Renon plateau. Allow a week if you want to explore the Dolomites and wine villages.
Do I need to speak German in Bolzano?
No. Both German and Italian are official, and English is widely understood in hotels and restaurants.
Is Bolzano a good base for the Dolomites without a car?
Yes. Buses run to Val Gardena and the Alpe di Siusi area, and trains serve other valleys, though a car offers more flexibility.
Can I see Ötzi without a long wait?
Arrive at opening time or late in the afternoon, especially in summer and on rainy days, when the museum is busiest.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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