Bressanone (Brixen) is the oldest town in South Tyrol, an episcopal jewel set at the confluence of the Isarco and the Rienza, where the arcades, the frescoed houses and the great cathedral square tell a thousand years of history. It is the centre of the Isarco Valley (Eisacktal), the great alpine corridor that climbs from the Brenner towards Bolzano, a land of vineyards, chestnut groves and ancient abbeys, and the homeland of Törggelen, the autumn ritual of new wine and chestnuts. Around it, the Plose mountain, the medieval Vipiteno and the spectacular Val di Funes with the Odle offer nature and Dolomites within reach. The addresses we suggest we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
It pays to pick your base according to what you’re after: Bressanone to experience the town, the Cathedral and the Plose, with everything within reach; Vipiteno (Sterzing) and the upper valley for a medieval town full of charm; the Val di Funes, Chiusa and the villages such as Naz-Sciaves and Laion for the nature, the vineyards and the Dolomite views. Let’s look at the areas one by one, and then the skiing, the summer and the seasons.
Bressanone
Bressanone is the handiest and richest choice: an elegant, lively town, with the majestic Cathedral, the frescoed cloister, the Bishop’s Palace (Hofburg) and the arcades full of shops and cafés. It is the ideal base for those who want to combine culture, good food and mountains, with the Plose cable car a few minutes away and the Abbey of Novacella just outside town. Here you’ll find luxury hotels with wellness, historic residences and small charming B&Bs.
Santre dolomythic home
A design five-star in the heart of Bressanone, with a panoramic spa, signature cuisine and interiors that weave contemporary Alpine style with comfort. The central position and the refined atmosphere make it a destination in itself, between town and Dolomites. Ideal for those seeking luxury, wellness and taste in an elegant, well-kept base.
My Arbor – Dolomites
A spectacular five-star immersed in the woods above Bressanone, suspended among the trees like a stilt house, with an immense spa and views of the mountains. The striking architecture and the exceptional wellness make it an out-of-the-ordinary, restorative getaway. Ideal for a couple seeking relaxation, nature and design.
ADLER Historic Guesthouse
A historic residence in the heart of Bressanone, with elegant interiors that blend ancient charm with modern comfort, a stone’s throw from the Cathedral. The very central position and the well-kept hospitality make it perfect for experiencing the town on foot. Ideal for couples and travellers seeking history, style and convenience.
Haus Lasaun
A welcoming bed and breakfast in Bressanone, prized for its warm hospitality, its carefully prepared breakfast and its quiet position. A cosier alternative to the large hotels, perfect for those who want to experience the town on a tighter budget. Ideal for couples and families after genuineness and good value for money.
All the properties in the town: all hotels in Bressanone →
Vipiteno and the upper Isarco Valley
Vipiteno (Sterzing) is one of the most charming little towns in South Tyrol, often among the most beautiful villages in Italy: a medieval jewel dominated by the Torre delle Dodici, with its arcaded main street, its oriel-windowed houses and a fairy-tale atmosphere. Close to the Brenner and the Monte Cavallo (Rosskopf) ski area, it is the ideal base for those seeking historic charm, quiet and mountains. Here you’ll find boutique hotels, well-kept aparthotels and small pensions.
Sole Boutique Hotel
An elegant boutique aparthotel in the heart of Vipiteno, with well-designed suites and apartments and a very central position on the historic street. The self-contained formula and the refined style make it perfect for free, comfortable stays. Ideal for couples and families seeking independence and charm in the medieval village.
Haus am Turm
A welcoming three-star a stone’s throw from the Torre delle Dodici, in the heart of Vipiteno, with well-kept interiors and attentive management. The perfect position and the warm atmosphere make it an ideal base for discovering the village and the mountains. Ideal for couples and travellers seeking convenience and charm at a good price.
All the properties in the village: all hotels in Vipiteno →
Val di Funes, Chiusa and the valley villages
The Val di Funes (Villnöß) is one of the most photographed valleys in the Dolomites: the profile of the Odle and the little church of Santa Maddalena among the meadows are a symbol-image of the Alps, in the heart of the Puez-Odle nature park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Not far away, Chiusa (Klausen) is an enchanting artists’ village, among the most beautiful in Italy, dominated by the Sabiona monastery; Naz-Sciaves is the plateau of apple orchards, magnificent in blossom, and Laion is the gateway to Val Gardena. They are the bases for those seeking nature, quiet and authentic Dolomites.
Raschötzhof
A welcoming farmstead in Val di Funes, immersed in the meadows with a view of the Odle, with the genuine hospitality of mountain life and home-grown produce. The quiet of the valley and the Dolomite panorama make it an authentic base for nature lovers. Ideal for families and couples seeking peace and the true flavours of South Tyrol.
Garni Tschutscherhof
A well-kept garni in Laion, among the vineyards and woods at the gates of Val Gardena, with wood-lined interiors, a genuine breakfast and a splendid view. The family management and the quiet position make it a relaxing base between town and Dolomites. Ideal for couples and nature lovers seeking quiet and warmth.
All the properties in the valley: all hotels in Val di Funes →
Skiing: the Plose and around
Bressanone’s mountain is the Plose, a panoramic, sunny ski area reachable by cable car from Sant’Andrea, just above the town. It offers wide slopes for every level — including the long Trametsch, the longest descent in South Tyrol — and is famous for its 360-degree view over the Dolomites and its family focus. Further north, above Vipiteno, Monte Cavallo (Rosskopf) is another handy, quiet destination. The season runs roughly from December to April, depending on snow cover, to be checked year by year.
To get your bearings among the ski areas and pick the right base, see the guide where to stay for skiing in Trentino-Alto Adige; if you’re after a hotel with direct access to the slopes, the selection of ski-in ski-out hotels in the Dolomites. From Bressanone you reach Val Gardena and Val Pusteria in no time.
Summer, wine and what to see
In summer the Isarco Valley is a paradise of trekking, vineyards and villages. In town you can’t miss the Cathedral of Bressanone with its frescoed cloister, the Bishop’s Palace and the nearby Abbey of Novacella, one of the loveliest and oldest monasteries in the Alps, with its famous winery. On the mountains, the Plose offers panoramic trails and family routes, while the Val di Funes gives one of the most beautiful Dolomite walks at the foot of the Odle. The valley is the homeland of Törggelen, the autumn ritual of new wine, chestnuts and typical dishes in the country taverns: see also what to do in South Tyrol in autumn and the other summer destinations among the crags in the Dolomites in summer.
For a stay devoted to relaxation, among the great spas of its hotels, see the selection of hotels with spa and thermal baths; and to discover the region’s other art towns, Bolzano and Merano.
When to go
Bressanone and the Isarco Valley are pleasant all year round. Spring is splendid for the apple blossom, especially on the Naz-Sciaves plateau, with a mild climate ideal for walks. Summer is cool up high, perfect for trekking on the Plose and in Val di Funes, while in town the climate is pleasant. Autumn is the valley’s peak season, that of Törggelen and the warm colours among the vineyards and chestnut groves.
Winter brings skiing on the Plose and the atmosphere of the famous Christmas market in Bressanone, one of the most elegant in South Tyrol, with its show of lights on the cathedral square; Vipiteno too has its charming market at the foot of the Torre delle Dodici. See the guide to Christmas markets in South Tyrol. The area is also ideal for a family ski holiday, thanks to the Plose and its services.
Getting there
Bressanone is conveniently reached by car from the Brenner motorway (A22), with the Bressanone/Val Pusteria exit. By train it is on the main Brenner line, with frequent connections from Bolzano, Verona and Innsbruck; Vipiteno too has its station along the same line, very handy. The nearest airports are Bolzano, Innsbruck, Verona and Bergamo.
Once in the area, you get around well with the regional trains and the buses that climb the Isarco Valley and its side valleys, from Val di Funes to Chiusa and Laion, and with the local guest card, often included by the properties, public transport is even better value. A car remains handy for Val di Funes and day trips. 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 Bressanone.
Which is the best area to stay in Bressanone and the Isarco Valley?
It depends on what you’re after. Bressanone is the handiest and richest choice, to experience the town, the Cathedral and the Plose with everything within reach; Vipiteno is an enchanting medieval village in the upper valley; Val di Funes, Chiusa, Naz-Sciaves and Laion offer nature, vineyards and Dolomite views. The villages are well linked by trains and buses, so the choice is above all a question of atmosphere.
What to see in Bressanone?
Don’t miss the Cathedral with its splendid frescoed cloister, the Bishop’s Palace (Hofburg) and the arcades of the old town. Just outside town, the Abbey of Novacella is one of the loveliest monasteries in the Alps, with a renowned winery. The Plose mountain, reachable by cable car, offers views and trails. Bressanone is also an ideal base for exploring Val di Funes and the other destinations of the Isarco Valley.
Where to stay to see the Odle and Val di Funes?
The best base for the Odle is Val di Funes itself, with its farmsteads and small B&Bs immersed in the meadows facing the mountains, ideal for experiencing the atmosphere and the walks. Alternatively, Bressanone is a short drive away and lets you combine town and nature. Val di Funes is part of the Puez-Odle park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with some of the most beautiful walks in the Dolomites.
What is Törggelen and where do you do it?
Törggelen is the ancient South Tyrolean autumn tradition that combines the tasting of new wine with roasted chestnuts and typical dishes, in the country taverns and farmsteads. The Isarco Valley, around Bressanone and Chiusa, is considered its homeland, thanks to its vineyards and its famous white wines such as Sylvaner and Kerner. It runs from late September to November and is one of the most authentic experiences in the area.
Is Bressanone a good base for skiing?
Yes: the Plose mountain, reachable by cable car, offers wide, sunny slopes for every level, including the Trametsch, the longest descent in South Tyrol, and it is family-friendly. Above Vipiteno there is the Monte Cavallo ski area. From Bressanone, moreover, you reach Val Gardena and Val Pusteria in no time, with their great Dolomiti Superski carousels.
How do you get to Bressanone?
Bressanone is very handy to reach by car from the A22 (Bressanone/Val Pusteria exit) and by train on the Brenner line, with frequent connections from Bolzano, Verona and Innsbruck; Vipiteno too has its station. On the spot, regional trains and buses climb the Isarco Valley and the side valleys. With the local guest card public transport is good value, so a car is not essential for a holiday in the town.
