Things to Do in Bruneck: Best Attractions & Hidden Gems

Where Is Bruneck in South Tyrol?

Bruneck (“Brunico” in Italian) is located in the northeastern part of South Tyrol, between the towns of Sterzing, Brixen and Toblach.

It’s the fifth-largest city in South Tyrol, the main town in the Pustertal valley, and sits at an elevation of approximately 836 meters.

From Bruneck, you can quickly reach Austria, Lake Braies, and the Three Peaks.

Bruneck on a Map

For a better overview, we’ve marked where Bruneck is located in South Tyrol on a map.

Attractions in Bruneck

Bruneck is a small city with about 17,000 residents. That means all the highlights are super close to each other and you can explore them on foot.

Old Town of Bruneck

What you need to know: The old town of Bruneck is home to many historic buildings dating back to the Middle Ages. The highlight is the Stadtgasse — Bruneck’s pedestrian zone. Also well worth seeing are the churches in the old town: Rainkirche, Ursulinenkirche, and Spitalkirche.

Is the old town worth it? Absolutely — if you’re in Bruneck, the town center is totally charming. Personally, we find the old towns of Bolzano and Brixen a little nicer, though.

Our tip: Der Keller Pizzeria (Google Maps) serves seriously delicious pizza!

Bruneck Castle

What you need to know: Bruneck Castle is a must-see. This impressive medieval structure sits perched on a hill right next to the old town. Inside, there’s a museum where you can learn about mountain culture and legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner.

Is Bruneck Castle worth it? Definitely! The castle is genuinely impressive and the museum is fascinating.

Tickets & Opening Hours: Museum admission costs €14.00 for adults. It is closed on Tuesdays.

A Stroll Along the Rienz

What you need to know: The Rienz is a river that originates near the Three Peaks and flows into the Eisack at Brixen. Along the way, it passes through Bruneck, where several pedestrian paths run alongside it. In the old town there are promenades, and farther outside the center there are lovely paths through green surroundings.

Is the Rienz worth it? Yes — it really completes the beautiful picture of the old town. But it’s also worth strolling along the river outside the town center, where the Rienz feels even more idyllic.

Our tip: Heading west from Bruneck train station, there’s a lovely bike and walking path along the Rienz.

Heroes' Cemetery Bruneck

What you need to know: The Heroes’ Cemetery — also known as the Forest Cemetery or Soldiers’ Cemetery — is located on the edge of the old town on the Kühbergl hill. A battlefield was once located nearby. The cemetery is the resting place of soldiers from both World War I and World War II, and impressive wooden crosses have been erected throughout.

Is the Heroes’ Cemetery worth it? Yes — even if it sounds like an unusual choice, the cemetery is genuinely beautiful and well maintained. It’s also a place that gives you a lot to think about.

Our tip: From the Heroes’ Cemetery, you get a great view of Bruneck Castle — perfect for photos of this iconic landmark.

Kronplatz

What you need to know: Kronplatz is a ski resort south of Bruneck, sitting at an elevation of 2,275 meters. The cable cars depart from Reiperting, about four kilometers outside of Bruneck. At the top, at the mountain station, you’ll find the Messner Mountain Museum Corones with its stunning architecture.

Is Kronplatz worth it? Totally — especially in winter for skiing. In summer, it’s a wonderful hiking destination too.

Our tip: After skiing, stop by K1 — it’s a well-known spot for après-ski with a great bar and restaurant.

Hidden Gems in Bruneck

Here are three more recommendations for great places to visit in and around Bruneck that aren’t as well known — real hidden gems.

Kaiserwarte

If you’re in the mood for a short hike, the best option is to walk up to the Kaiserwarte. That’s the summit of the Kühbergl hill, where the Heroes’ Cemetery is also located — so you can easily combine both into one outing.

From the Heroes’ Cemetery, it’s about a 30-minute walk along a lovely forest trail up to the Kaiserwarte. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views at several points.

Kappler Stöckl

The Kappler Stöckl is a small chapel set in picturesque surroundings to the east of Bruneck. From the old town, it’s about a 3-kilometer walk to the chapel — for the first stretch, you can follow the Rienz river the whole way.

At the Kappler Stöckl, you can take great photos and, if you’re up for it, continue hiking on to Reischach.

Day Trip to the Ahrntal

The Ahrntal is a side valley off the Pustertal and, for us, one of the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol and also a wonderful under-the-radar spot for an overnight stay in South Tyrol. From Bruneck, you can get there very quickly by bus or car.

A lovely spot in the Ahrntal is Sand in Taufers, home to the medieval Taufers Castle. A great hiking area is the Speikboden, which you can reach by cable car or on foot.

Also read our hidden gems guide for South Tyrol

Where to Stay in Bruneck

Bruneck is a great base for a vacation in South Tyrol. Here are our best tips for places to stay in Bruneck.

Hotels in Bruneck

There are some really lovely hotels in Bruneck. And since the city isn’t quite as popular for overnight stays as, say, hotels in Bolzano or Merano, you’ll often find great deals here.

Campgrounds in Bruneck

If you’d rather camp than stay in a hotel, here’s a list of campgrounds in Bruneck:

• City Camping Bruneck: The most centrally located campground in Bruneck, about one kilometer from the old town. It’s very well equipped with showers and electricity, and the price is fair for the location.
• Camping Ansitz Wildberg: A large campground located four kilometers from Bruneck. The facilities are excellent, there’s a pool, and you get a guest card. Not exactly cheap, but worth every cent.
• Camping Schießstand: Located to the east of Bruneck, three kilometers from the center. Well equipped, clean, and with plenty of shade-providing trees. Note that it’s situated along a main road.

Day Trips & Hiking Near Bruneck

The area around Bruneck is fantastic for hiking. We’ve already introduced you to Kronplatz — it’s the most easily accessible hiking area near Bruneck. Here are a few more pointers for hiking and day trips nearby.

Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee)

Lake Braies is one of the most popular attractions in South Tyrol and is only 30 kilometers from Bruneck.

We recommend going early in the morning, before most tourists arrive. You can either take the train to Welsberg and then a bus to Lake Braies, or go by car. There are several parking lots at the lake.

At Lake Braies, you can walk the 3.6-kilometer loop around the lake or rent a boat.

Three Peaks (Drei Zinnen)

Just as famous as Lake Braies are the Three Peaks — a stunning hiking area in the Dolomites. The same rule applies here: getting up early is really worth it.

Especially if you’re driving, aim to arrive at the Three Peaks before 9 AM, otherwise you can expect traffic. It’s about a one-hour drive from Bruneck.

There’s also a loop trail around the Three Peaks. It’s approximately 10 kilometers long and is one of the most beautiful hikes in South Tyrol.

St. Vigil

St. Vigil is a small mountain village that takes about half an hour to reach from Bruneck by bus or car. The absolute highlight in St. Vigil is the Ciamaor beach — a sunbathing meadow along a creek.

Especially if you’re visiting South Tyrol in summer, it’s a fantastic day trip destination — particularly if you’re on a family vacation with kids. The Ciamaor beach has lots of play equipment for children.

If you’re in the mood for a short hike, you can walk from the beach to the Ciastlins waterfalls.