Bolzano Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Bolzano which includes farmland
Bolzano which includes flowers and markets
Bolzano featuring shopping
Bolzano which includes street scenes as well as a family
Bolzano featuring farmland and a city

Stare into the eyes of Europe’s oldest preserved corpse, view the Alps up close and tour well-preserved medieval buildings in this Italian city of Austrian ancestry.

Climb into the highlands of northern Italy to find the medieval village of Bolzano, lying in the shadow of the Alps. Walk along narrow alleyways, explore centuries-old hillside castles and take one of several cable cars up into the mountains for dramatic views of Bolzano’s surroundings.

Start your visit by riding the cable car up onto the Renon Plateau north of town. As you ascend, look for the terraced vineyards spread along the hills and the strange pointy rock formations known as earth pyramids. When you reach the top, gaze out over the city and toward the Dolomites, a line of craggy sandstone peaks east of Bolzano.

Descend into the city and start your tour of its narrow, cobblestoned streets at Piazza Walther. Visit at the end of April to see the statue at its centre surrounded by vibrant flowers. Tour the Assumption of Our Lady Cathedral, which abuts the square. Step inside to see a fresco of the crucifixion painted in the 1300s.

Though an ancient Austrian village, Bolzano has belonged to Italy for most of the 20th century, so its identity is divided. About a quarter of Bolzano’s population still speaks German. Everything in the city bears both a German and an Italian name. Drive north to see Roncolo Castle, or Castle Runkelstein, a cliff-side mansion built in 1237 by a pair of Austrian lords.

Even older artifacts await at the popular South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. The most famous exhibit is Ötzi, the mummified corpse from 5,300 years ago found frozen in the nearby Alps. Learn about Ötzi’s discovery and his intriguing death: He was murdered.

Arrive in Bolzano through its international airport or by bus and train connections from Italy, Germany or Austria. Many streets in the city are inaccessible for cars, so it is best to get around the city on foot and by public transportation. An essential part of visiting Bolzano is walking its medieval streets.

Where to stay in Bolzano

Maretsch Castle featuring château or palace

Old Town Bolzano

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Old Town Bolzano is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Via dei Portici and Bolzano Christmas Market.

Old Town Bolzano
Bolzano featuring farmland, landscape views and views

Centro - Piani - Rencio

If you're spending some time in Centro - Piani - Rencio, Renon Cable Car and Via dei Portici are top sights worth seeing.

Centro - Piani - Rencio
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Gries - Quirein

While visiting Gries - Quirein, you might make a stop by sights like Muri-Gries Abbey and Victory Monument.

Gries - Quirein
Messner Mountain Museum Firmian featuring caves and heritage elements

Don Bosco

While visiting Don Bosco, you might make a stop by sights like Castel Firmiano and Messner Mountain Museum Firmian.

Don Bosco
Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano
Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano
4 out of 5
Via Buozzi 35, Bolzano, BZ
The price is ฿6,044 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
฿6,044
฿6,871 total
2 Jun - 3 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Bolzano. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (832 reviews)
"Great property easy parking and clean rooms. Nice pool and restaurant."

Reviewed on 5 May 2025

Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano
Residence - Palais Hörtenberg
Residence - Palais Hörtenberg
Via Museo, Bolzano, BZ
The price is ฿5,443 per night from 18 May to 19 May
฿5,443
฿6,136 total
18 May - 19 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Bolzano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
"Great spacious and clean room, all utilities included. Prime location. Late check in was a hassle in a different hotel. No room service and extra pay for fresh towels is required."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2025

Residence - Palais Hörtenberg
B&B Hotel Bolzano
B&B Hotel Bolzano
Via Siemens 18, Bolzano, BZ
The price is ฿3,828 per night from 1 Jun to 2 Jun
฿3,828
฿4,359 total
1 Jun - 2 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bolzano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Palaonda and Castel Firmiano are located ...
Clean and spacious room
"Clean hotel, generally no issues, but it’s a ways from the main rail station. Price based on location was high in my opinion, but had all amenities I needed."

Reviewed on 2 Apr 2025

B&B Hotel Bolzano
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residence - Palais Hörtenberg
Residence - Palais Hörtenberg
Via Museo, Bolzano, BZ
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Bolzano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
"Great spacious and clean room, all utilities included. Prime location. Late check in was a hassle in a different hotel. No room service and extra pay for fresh towels is required."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2025

Residence - Palais Hörtenberg
Wellness Smart Suites
Wellness Smart Suites
Via Nino Bixio, 8, Bolzano, BZ
Stay at this apartment in Bolzano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, on-site spa services and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Muri-Gries Abbey and St. Augustine ...
Wellness Smart Suites
Pepper Suite
Pepper Suite
Piazza Domenicani 38, Bolzano, BZ
Stay at this apartment in Bolzano. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and climate control. Popular attractions Dominican Church and Via Argentieri are located nearby.
Pepper Suite
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Bolzano

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 67%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely town and will be going back in the summer

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Excellent people friendly location good food was excellent. Restaurant a real highlight

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