In a nutshell
- Brixen is one of the most beautiful towns in South Tyrol and a great destination for a day trip or longer stay.
- In this article, we cover the top things to do in Brixen — from the historic old town and cathedral to the Plose mountain area — plus tips on restaurants, hikes, and the Brixen Card.
- We also share our favorite places to stay in Brixen. Our top hotel pick in the center is the Soley Suites — super stylish and tastefully decorated.
Where is Brixen?
Brixen (“Bressanone” in Italian) is a small town in the Eisack Valley in South Tyrol.
Also read our tips on the valleys in South Tyrol
The town is about 40 kilometers from Bolzano and 45 kilometers from the Brenner Pass.
Brixen sits at an elevation of 560 meters and has a population of about 22,000. We’ve marked it on the map below so you can get your bearings.
The most beautiful sights in Brixen
Here are our top picks for things to do in Brixen — the highlights you really shouldn’t miss.
Brixen Old Town
What you need to know: Brixen is the oldest town in all of Tyrol, and the old town — with its colorful houses, stunning façades, and narrow lanes — is a genuine highlight. Just like in Bolzano, Brixen also has beautiful arcaded walkways.
Is Brixen’s Old Town worth it? Absolutely. We love the laid-back small-town atmosphere, and it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Tyrol in our book.
Our tip for Brixen’s Old Town: Just wander and let yourself get lost in the streets. Every alley is a sight in itself.
Brixen Cathedral
What you need to know: The top attraction in Brixen’s old town is the cathedral. It stands right in the center and is not to be missed on your visit. From the outside, the Baroque-style church is fairly understated — but the interior is incredibly ornate. A real standout is the cloister, which you’ll find to the right of the main entrance.
Is the Brixen Cathedral worth it? Definitely, if you’re into churches! Otherwise, a quick stop for some great photos is plenty.
Our tip for the Brixen Cathedral: The cathedral is open every day and admission is free.
Hofburg
What you need to know: The Hofburg in Brixen was once the residence of bishops; today it’s a historic landmark housing the Diocesan Museum, where you’ll find artworks and paintings from various periods. The Hofburg also has a lovely inner courtyard.
Is the Hofburg worth it? Only if you’re interested in art. Otherwise, you don’t necessarily need to go inside.
Our tip for the Hofburg: Admission costs 10 euros. If you have the Brixen Card, it’s free.
The Rienz and Eisack Rivers
What you need to know: The Eisack River flows right through the center of Brixen, running from the Brenner Pass all the way to Bolzano. The Rienz, a second river, joins it right next to the historic center. You can take a great stroll along any of the riverbanks, and at the triangular confluence there’s a lovely park.
Are the rivers in Brixen worth it? Absolutely. A detour to the riverbank is simply part of the Brixen experience.
Our tip for the rivers in Brixen: You can walk along the Eisack all the way to Neustift Monastery — we’ll get to that in just a moment. It’s about 3.5 kilometers from Brixen’s old quarter.
Eisack Valley Bike Path
What you need to know: South Tyrol is a paradise for cyclists, and Brixen is no exception. Especially scenic is the Eisack Valley Bike Path, which runs from Brixen to Klausen and Bolzano. You can also ride it in the other direction toward Sterzing.
Is the Eisack Valley Bike Path worth it? If you love being outdoors, absolutely. And if cycling feels like too much effort, you can always go by e-bike.
Our tip for the Eisack Valley Bike Path: If you have any trouble with your bike, head to the Nardello bike shop in Brixen — the service there is seriously great!
Read our tips on cycling in South Tyrol too:
Brixen Plose: Hiking and Ski Area
What you need to know: Near Brixen — more precisely at Plose — you can go hiking and skiing. It’s a summit at around 2,500 meters elevation, connected to Brixen by a cable car and buses. The valley station is in St. Andrä, and buses run regularly there from Brixen.
Is Brixen Plose worth it? Absolutely. In summer you have several hikes to choose from, and in winter you can let loose on the ski slopes. Stunning views await you year-round.
Our tip for Brixen Plose: With the Brixen Card, you can ride the cable car once a day for free during summer in South Tyrol. We’ll cover the hikes we recommend in more detail in the “Hiking near Brixen” section below.
Hotel tip for Brixen Plose: My Arbor Wellness Hotel
Markets in Brixen
What you need to know: Whenever there’s a market in Brixen, the atmosphere in town gets even better — at least that’s how we feel. This is especially true of the winter Christmas market, which is truly wonderful here. There’s also a regular weekly market.
Are the markets in Brixen worth it? Yes, especially the Christmas market.
Where do the markets take place? The weekly market is usually held on Mondays in the lanes of the old town, and the Christmas market takes place in December on Cathedral Square.
Neustift Monastery
What you need to know: Neustift Monastery is located a few kilometers north of Brixen and is a popular attraction. It’s in excellent condition, and the library in particular is seriously stunning. After your visit, you can stop by the winery and sample the wine.
Is Neustift Monastery worth it? Yes — the complex is truly impressive and the setting among the vineyards is gorgeous.
Tickets: Admission costs 12 euros for adults. It’s closed on Sundays.
Restaurants in Brixen
You can enjoy great meals in Brixen or stop in for a coffee. Here are our restaurant recommendations.
- Decantei: Classic South Tyrolean cuisine.
- Traubenwirt: A wide variety of dishes, from pizza to Schlutzkrapfen.
- Eisdiele Pradetto: Delicious gelato.
- Pupp Café: A lovely café with outdoor seating.
- 3fiori café & craft beer bar: Perfect for an evening out and a drink.
Where to Stay in Brixen
Brixen has a fantastic selection of beautiful hotels and accommodations. Here are our picks across all price ranges.
If you’d rather stay in nature than in the middle of town, there are also great hotels around Brixen in beautiful, peaceful settings.
Hiking near Brixen
We already introduced you to the Plose hiking area above — that’s your first stop if you want to explore the mountains near Brixen. Here are three tips for great hikes.
#1 Woody Walk
The Woody Walk is an adventure hike for families with kids. The trail starts at the Plose mountain station and is 5.6 kilometers long — well-marked throughout.
Along the way there are great attractions for children, like a giant slide, a climbing tree, and much more. But it’s a fantastic hike for adults too, with sweeping views of the Dolomites.
Halfway along, you’ll find the Rossalm — stop there for a meal while the kids play on the playground.
#2 Monte Gabler
A more challenging hike at Plose is the ascent to Monte Gabler, the highest peak in the area. The round trip covers about 11 kilometers and around 600 meters of elevation gain.
One possible route to Monte Gabler can be found here on Komoot.
#3 Peitlerkofel Loop
A challenging but really beautiful hike near Brixen is the loop around the Peitlerkofel. This is more of an under-the-radar pick for South Tyrol and not very well known.
It’s about 13 kilometers long and starts in the Villnöss Valley (starting point on Google Maps). You can get there by bus from Brixen. The route for the Peitlerkofel Loop is on Komoot.
Also read all our tips for hiking in South Tyrol
Extra tip: the Brixen Card
The Brixen Card is a guest card that you receive when you stay overnight in Brixen. As far as we know, you get it at every accommodation in Brixen — and it costs you nothing extra.
With the Brixen Card, you get free admission to most South Tyrolean museums, free rides on the cable car to Plose, and free use of public transportation throughout South Tyrol.
Note: The Brixen Card cannot be purchased separately — you only get it as a guest.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Brixen
Are there lakes in Brixen?
No, not directly in Brixen.
A good alternative for swimming is the Acquarena swimming pool.
Not far from Brixen you’ll also find Lake Vahrn — honestly, though, we don’t think it’s particularly worth going out of your way for, as there’s nothing especially special about it.
What can you do in Brixen with kids?
A real local favorite for families is the Kneipp water facility in Vahrn — great fun for children to splash around in.
The Plose hiking area with the Woody Walk is also a wonderful day trip destination for kids.
When is the best time to visit Brixen?
Year-round! Seriously — you can visit Brixen pretty much any time. It does get cold in winter, but even the cold can’t take away the town’s charm.
