Bolzano (Bozen) is the capital of South Tyrol and its largest city: a fascinating crossroads between Italian and German culture, where medieval arcades and tower houses coexist with cafés and the vineyards climbing the hills. It is a human-scale city, rich in history and flavours, famous for its Christmas market and for the museum that houses Ötzi, the Iceman. Set in a sunny basin at the confluence of three valleys, it is the gateway to the Dolomites and a perfect base for discovering the whole region. The addresses we suggest we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
The old town is the handiest choice: here, between Piazza Walther, the arcades and the Cathedral, you experience the city on foot, with shops, restaurants and museums within reach. Just outside, the hills and the villages on the cable cars offer quiet and views, while staying very close. Let’s look at where to stay, and then what to see, the seasons and how to get there.
Where to stay in Bolzano
The best area is the old town, around Piazza Walther, the arcades and the Cathedral: extremely handy for experiencing the city on foot, with museums, shops and restaurants a stone’s throw away. Those seeking more quiet can choose the hills and the villages overlooking the basin, reachable in a few minutes by cable car, for a stay between nature and views. The addresses we recommend in Bolzano:
Castel Hörtenberg
A historic castle turned five-star in the heart of Bolzano, with a wellness centre, an outdoor pool and refined rooms a stone’s throw from the centre and the Archaeological Museum. The exclusive atmosphere and the charm of the ancient walls make it a destination in itself. Ideal for those seeking luxury, history and relaxation in the city.
Eisenhut Boutique Hotel
A four-star boutique hotel in the heart of Bolzano, with a gym, a garden and a terrace, a stone’s throw from the main monuments of the centre. The considered style and the very central position make it perfect for experiencing the city on foot. Ideal for couples and travellers seeking design and convenience in the historic core.
Gasthof Kohlern 1130 m
A high-altitude refuge above Bolzano, among the woods and with a view of the Dolomites, with a pool, a sauna and a typical South Tyrolean restaurant. Reachable by the historic Colle cable car, it combines the quiet of the mountains with the closeness of the city. Ideal for those who want nature and views while staying a step from the centre.
META SUITES historic city living
An elegant aparthotel in the old town of Bolzano, with refined suites, a view over the city and an in-house restaurant, a stone’s throw from the Cathedral and the Talvera river. The self-contained formula and the central position make it perfect for free, comfortable stays. Ideal for couples and families seeking independence and style.
ADV HOME – Exclusive Rooms
An elegant guesthouse in the old town of Bolzano, with air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms, minibar and a view of the city or the inner courtyard. The care of the interiors and the very central position make it a handy, quiet base for discovering the city. Ideal for couples and travellers after quality and excellent value for money.
Kandlerhof
A bed and breakfast of self-contained apartments in Bolzano, with a private kitchen, a terrace and a view of the surrounding mountains. The independence of the formula and the quiet of the position make it a genuine, relaxing base a few minutes from the centre. Ideal for families and couples seeking their own space and a warm welcome.
All the properties in the city: all hotels in Bolzano →
What to see in Bolzano
The heart of the city is Piazza Walther, Bolzano’s drawing room, dominated by the Gothic Cathedral and surrounded by historic cafés. From here you take the famous arcades, the long covered medieval street that has been the city’s commercial centre for centuries, and reach the lively Piazza delle Erbe with its daily market of fruit and local produce. Don’t miss the Archaeological Museum, which houses Ötzi, the extraordinary Iceman of over 5,000 years ago, among the most fascinating finds in the world.
Bolzano is also a city of cable cars and walks: from the city you climb in a few minutes onto the Renon plateau, with its famous earth pyramids and the little train, up to the Colle (with the oldest cable car in the world for passenger transport) or to San Genesio, all panoramic balconies over the Dolomites. In town, the Talvera promenade, along the river among the meadows and Castel Mareccio, is ideal for a break in the open air. Around, the vineyards of the Wine Road and the castles complete the picture.
When to go
Bolzano is pleasant all year round, thanks to its mild, sunny climate. Spring and autumn are perhaps the loveliest times to visit the city: a pleasant climate, vineyards changing colour and the season of new wine and Törggelen, the autumn ritual of chestnuts and taverns. Summer is warm but ideal as a base for trips up high and into the Dolomites, where the climate is cool.
The most magical moment, though, is winter, when Piazza Walther hosts the famous Christmas market, the largest and best known in Italy, with its wooden huts, aromas and lights: see the guide to Christmas markets in South Tyrol. For seasonal ideas, see also what to do in South Tyrol in autumn and what to do in summer.
The gateway to the Dolomites
Bolzano is the gateway to the Dolomites: from here you reach some of the most beautiful valleys in the Alps in no time. The Val Gardena and the Alpe di Siusi are a step away, as are the Val di Fassa and the great ski areas. It is therefore an ideal base not only for the city, but also for exploring the mountains, combining culture and nature. To plan the Dolomite part of your trip, see where to stay in Val Gardena and where to stay for skiing; and if you love the region’s other art towns, see Merano and Bressanone.
Getting there
Bolzano is extremely handy to reach by car from the Brenner motorway (A22), with the Bolzano Nord and Bolzano Sud exits. By train it is on the main Brenner line, with frequent connections from Verona, Trento and Innsbruck and fast trains from the rest of Italy and Austria: the station is a stone’s throw from the centre. The nearest airports are Bolzano itself, Verona, Innsbruck and Bergamo.
Once in town, Bolzano is easily explored on foot and by bike, and an efficient network of buses and cable cars links the centre with the hills and the nearby villages. With the local guest card, often included by the properties, regional public transport is even better value, very useful for trips towards the Dolomites without a car. For the full picture on motorway, trains and airports of the region, see the guide how to get to Trentino-Alto Adige.
This guide is part of our grand journey through the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Trentino-Alto Adige.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Bolzano.
Which is the best area to stay in Bolzano?
The old town, around Piazza Walther, the arcades and the Cathedral, is the handiest area: it lets you experience the city on foot, with museums, shops and restaurants within reach, and it is the ideal choice for a short stay. Those seeking more quiet and views can opt for the hills and the villages on the cable cars, such as the Colle or the Renon, still a few minutes from the centre.
Is Bolzano worth visiting?
Absolutely: Bolzano is a charming, human-scale city, where Italian and German culture meet. It offers the medieval arcades, Piazza Walther, the market of Piazza delle Erbe and the Archaeological Museum with Ötzi, the famous mummy. It is also the gateway to the Dolomites and a perfect base for exploring the region, combining art, good food and nature in every season.
Who is Ötzi and where is he?
Ötzi is the Iceman, a man who lived over 5,000 years ago and was found in 1991 in the ice of the Venoste Alps. He is kept at the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum, in the centre of Bolzano, together with his original clothes and tools, among the most extraordinary prehistoric finds in the world. The visit is one of the city’s unmissable experiences.
Is Bolzano a good base for the Dolomites?
Yes, excellent: Bolzano is the gateway to the Dolomites, with Val Gardena, the Alpe di Siusi and Val di Fassa reachable in no time, by public transport too. It is the ideal choice for those who want to combine a city holiday with hiking or skiing in the mountains. From the city the cable cars also set off for the panoramic plateaus of the Renon and the Colle.
When is the Bolzano Christmas market held?
The Bolzano Christmas market, the largest and most famous in Italy, is held in Piazza Walther and the streets of the centre from late November to early January. It is a magical experience, with wooden huts, craft products, culinary specialities and lights. In that period the city is very busy, so it is best to book your hotel well ahead.
