In a nutshell
- Planning a vacation in South Tyrol but not sure where to base yourself? We’ll show you which places in South Tyrol are truly worth visiting — and which ones make the best home base.
- We present our 10 most beautiful towns and villages in South Tyrol, with a personal hotel recommendation for each one.
- Looking for inspiration on what to see in South Tyrol? Check out our separate guide: the 22 top highlights in South Tyrol.
Where to Go in South Tyrol?
First of all: You can’t go wrong when choosing your vacation destination — South Tyrol is beautiful everywhere, and you’ll find towering mountains, amazing hikes, and wellness hotels in South Tyrol in every corner.
If a great hotel is your top priority, the best approach when choosing a destination in South Tyrol is to go by hotel.
Read our tips for the most beautiful hotels in South Tyrol
Otherwise, we recommend spending your first South Tyrol trip in a city like Bolzano or Merano. There you’ll get a great mix of culture and nature and have excellent connections to all of South Tyrol.
The Best Places to Visit in South Tyrol — on a Map
Here are the 10 most beautiful places in South Tyrol. We’ve marked them all on a map so you can get a quick overview.
The Most Beautiful Cities in South Tyrol
Let’s kick things off with what we consider the four most beautiful cities in South Tyrol — all of them make a great base for overnight stays and offer a wide selection of hotels.
Bolzano
Bolzano is, for us, the most beautiful city in South Tyrol and an ideal base for overnight stays.
The absolute highlight is the historic center with the Bolzano Arcades — a main shopping street lined with charming shops and gorgeous building facades.
On top of that, downtown Bolzano is a great place to go out to eat, sip an Aperol Spritz, get lost in the alleyways, or stroll along one of the rivers.
Mountains rise up all around the city, and from certain spots you can see all the way to the Dolomites. Plus, you can get from Bolzano incredibly quickly to popular day-trip destinations like Lake Caldaro, the Karersee, and Appiano.
Top Highlights in Bolzano
- Bolzano Arcades
- Archaeological Museum with Ötzi
- Runkelstein Castle
- Walther Square and Fruit Market
Our Hotel Pick for Bolzano
Parkhotel Laurin: great location in the old town of Bolzano with an excellent price-to-value ratio. There’s a garden with a pool and a delicious breakfast buffet.
Read all our tips for Bolzano
Merano
Merano is located northwest of Bolzano and is the second-largest city in South Tyrol. It’s best known as a spa town — and the Merano Thermal Baths are a genuine highlight!
On top of that, Merano is surrounded by many great attractions, including Trauttmansdorff Castle and the charming village of Tirol.
Personally, we don’t find Merano’s old quarter as beautiful as Bolzano’s. That said, Merano has the Tappeiner Trail — a wonderful panoramic path with a fantastic vista over the city.
Top Highlights in Merano
- Trauttmansdorff Castle
- Tappeiner Trail
- Merano City Center
- Merano Thermal Baths
- Merano Kurhaus
Our Hotel Pick for Merano
Maison Valentina: lovely boutique hotel in the pedestrian zone of Merano. The décor is super stylish and the hotel is very family-friendly.
Read all our tips for Merano
Bressanone
Bressanone is definitely one of the most beautiful places in South Tyrol. Located northeast of Bolzano, its historic center is simply captivating.
No matter which alley you wander down, you’ll find beautiful building facades around every corner — and seriously great photo opportunities. Since Bressanone is considerably smaller than Bolzano or Merano, the whole atmosphere feels more intimate and romantic.
Top Highlights in Bressanone
- Bressanone Cathedral
- Hofburg Palace and Herrengarten
- Stufels Quarter
- Confluence of the Rienza and Isarco Rivers
- Bressanone Arcades
Our Hotel Pick for Bressanone
Soley Suites: incredibly stylish adults-only hotel in South Tyrol — prime location right in the heart of Bressanone. Beautiful, quiet rooms and excellent service.
Read all our tips for Brixen
Brunico
Brunico is located northeast of Bressanone and absolutely earns its place among the top places to visit in South Tyrol.
From Brunico, you can quickly reach Plan de Corones — one of the most popular ski resorts in the region. Nearby you’ll also find standout attractions like the Lago di Braies and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
In town itself, you’ll find a beautiful historic district with the Rienza river flowing through it, plus Brunico Castle. We think it’s an ideal base for exploring this part of South Tyrol.
Top Highlights in Brunico
- Brunico Castle
- Old Town
- Plan de Corones with the Messner Mountain Museum
Our Hotel Pick for Brunico
Niedermairhof: charming bed & breakfast located just outside Brunico with an excellent price-to-value ratio. The atmosphere is wonderfully homey.
Read all our tips for Bruneck
The Most Beautiful Villages in South Tyrol
South Tyrol doesn’t have many large cities, but it more than makes up for it with charming little villages. Here are our favorite smaller spots in South Tyrol.
Vipiteno
Vipiteno is located in the far north of South Tyrol, near the Brenner Pass. By population it technically qualifies as a city, but the place is so small it really feels more like a village.
The town center is essentially a pedestrian zone that ends at the charming Torre dei Dodici. The building facades along the street are incredibly photogenic — you’ll want your camera out the whole time.
The surrounding area is also wonderful for hiking, cycling, or skiing.
Our Hotel Pick for Vipiteno
Steindl Boutique Hotel: great hotel with an excellent price-to-value ratio. It’s right next to the center of Vipiteno, the rooms are spacious and cozy, and the breakfast is fantastic.
Read all our tips for Sterzing
Chiusa
Chiusa is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful villages in South Tyrol. Sitting right between Bolzano and Bressanone, it’s perfect for a quick stop or afternoon visit.
The town center, with its colorful houses, is a real highlight, and right alongside it flows the Isarco — ideal for cycling in South Tyrol and leisurely walks.
Don’t miss Säben Monastery, perched on a hill above the village — it’s one of the most photographed spots in the area.
Our Hotel Pick for Chiusa
Hotel Walther v.d. Vogelweide Superior: lovely, bright hotel right in the heart of Chiusa. The breakfast buffet and service are excellent.
Scena
Scena sits on a hill near Merano, which means the village comes with seriously stunning views over the valley.
The standout attraction here is Scena Castle, closely followed by the Mausoleum of Archduke Johann.
If you’re staying in Merano, a side trip to this charming village is really worth your time. Scena is also a great alternative for accommodation if you want more peace and quiet than Merano offers.
Our Hotel Pick for Scena
Hotel Schwefelbad: fantastic wellness hotel with a pool and breathtaking views.
Castelrotto
Castelrotto is a small village at the foot of the Alpe di Siusi, and the panorama surrounding it is stunning — as is the village itself.
The alleyways in the town center are incredibly charming, and there are plenty of great spots for an aperitivo or a coffee — perfect for a stop after a day on the Alpe di Siusi.
Just outside the village you’ll find the Church of San Valentino — a wonderful photo subject and one of our favorite spots in the area.
Our Hotel Pick for Castelrotto
Aparthotel Kastel Seiser Alm: a great base for a longer stay in South Tyrol, right near the Alpe di Siusi.
Ortisei
Ortisei is the heart of the Val Gardena and a dream for hiking enthusiasts and skiers alike.
On one side of Ortisei lies Seceda, a top attraction and popular ski area. On the other side you’ll find the beloved Alpe di Siusi.
That’s why Ortisei is, for us, one of the best places to stay in South Tyrol. The village has everything you need: small shops, great restaurants, and an excellent selection of hotels.
Our Hotel Pick for Ortisei
Chalet Hotel Hartmann: lovely small adults’ hotel with beautiful décor — ideal for a relaxing escape.
Campo Tures
Campo Tures is our under-the-radar pick for a beautiful spot in South Tyrol. It’s tucked away in the Ahrntal — one of the most beautiful valleys in South Tyrol.
The must-see here is Taufers Castle, which sits on a hill overlooking the village. You can also take a lovely walk from the town center to the Reinbach Waterfalls.
The area around Campo Tures is also great for hiking in South Tyrol without the crowds. We especially recommend the Speikboden — you can reach the summit by cable car too.
Our Hotel Pick for Campo Tures
Garni Zimmerhofer: affordable, cozy little hotel with a delicious breakfast and comfortable rooms.
FAQ About the Best Places to Visit in South Tyrol
Which is nicer — Bolzano or Merano?
Honestly, it’s a very personal call. That said, we find Bolzano more beautiful — the arcades, the old town, and the overall vibe just edge it out for us.
Where is it warmest in South Tyrol?
The valley around Bolzano is typically the warmest spot, since it sits lower and farther south than most of South Tyrol.
In July and August it can actually get almost too hot there for a summer vacation in South Tyrol. On the flip side, winters in Bolzano are milder than in the rest of the region.
