In a nutshell
- Sterzing (Vipiteno) is a small town in South Tyrol with a truly beautiful, charming historic center — and it’s absolutely worth a visit!
- The standout attraction is the Zwölferturm tower. Most other highlights are in the surrounding area — including the hiking and ski area Rosskopf and the spectacular Gilfenklamm gorge.
- In this article we share the top things to do in Vipiteno, plus our personal picks for restaurants, hotels, and hikes near Sterzing.
Is Sterzing Worth It?
Absolutely. Sterzing (known as “Vipiteno” in Italian) is a fantastic stopover if you’re crossing the Brenner Pass into South Tyrol — or heading in the other direction — since it’s the first highlight in South Tyrol after the pass.
Sterzing is a very small town, but its historic center is absolutely worth seeing. One to two hours are plenty to explore the town center.
It’s also well worth spending a few nights in Sterzing, as there are great hikes in the surrounding area during summer in South Tyrol and ski slopes in winter.
The Most Beautiful Sights in Sterzing on a Map
On this map we’ve marked the highlights in and around Sterzing for you.
You can see where Sterzing is located in South Tyrol — between the Brenner Pass and Brixen.
Sterzing Town Center
What you need to know: The center of Sterzing is so compact that it essentially consists of a single pedestrian zone — divided into two parts: the New Town and the Old Town. The Old Town sits north of the Zwölferturm, and the New Town is to the south.
Is Sterzing’s town center worth it? Yes! We love the colorful building facades and the little shops and cafés along the main street.
Our tip for Sterzing’s town center: Since there isn’t much to see outside the pedestrian zone, we’d suggest pairing a stroll through town with a few of the highlights in the surrounding area rather than spending too long in the center alone.
Zwölferturm
What you need to know: The Zwölferturm is the must-see sight in Sterzing. It stands 46 meters tall and was built in the 15th century. You can walk through the arch at the base and snap photos — the tower itself is only open to visitors on special occasions.
Is the Zwölferturm worth it? Definitely. It makes for an excellent photo subject, and walking through the arch always gives us a great feeling.
Rosskopf
What you need to know: Rosskopf is a hiking and ski area near Sterzing, sitting at just over 2,000 meters elevation. From the town center it’s only a ten-minute walk to the base station of the Rosskopf cable car, which whisks you up the mountain.
Is Rosskopf worth it? If you love being out in nature, absolutely!
Our tip for Rosskopf: For hiking, we recommend the Ochsenscharten Loop. We cover it in more detail at the end of this article.
Gilfenklamm
What you need to know: The Gilfenklamm is a gorge with impressive waterfalls. A well-maintained trail with bridges and railings runs through it. The hike takes about an hour — it’s not difficult, but it gets a little strenuous in spots.
Is the Gilfenklamm worth it? Yes, especially if you’re traveling with kids who love being out in nature.
Our tip for the Gilfenklamm: From Sterzing you can reach the Gilfenklamm by bus in under 20 minutes. Wear sturdy footwear for the hike.
Reifenstein Castle
What you need to know: Reifenstein Castle is remarkably well-preserved — it was never destroyed. It sits on a hill to the south of Sterzing and you can visit the interior, where you’ll see the castle’s historic rooms and learn about its fascinating history.
Is Reifenstein Castle worth it? Yes. If you’re into history and architecture, Reifenstein Castle is a real standout.
Tickets for Reifenstein Castle: Adult admission costs €9. The castle is closed on Saturdays. You’ll find all the details on the Sterzing website.
Christmas Market
What you need to know: The Christmas market is a truly special event in Sterzing. During Advent, the town is decorated with lights and small stalls pop up right in front of the Zwölferturm. It makes Sterzing look even more beautiful and romantic than usual.
Is the Sterzing Christmas market worth it? Yes — we especially love it after dark.
Info about the Christmas market: You’ll find all current dates and details on the Sterzing website.
Restaurants in Sterzing
Here are our top restaurant picks for Sterzing:
- Restaurant Pizzeria Kolping: A typical South Tyrolean restaurant with a lovely courtyard for outdoor seating.
- Nepomuk: Delicious, traditional food that we really enjoyed.
- Zur Traube: A slightly upscale spot with excellent food — worth the splurge.
- Cafè Rose by Frick: A charming café with great coffee, pastries, and aperitivo.
Where to Stay in Sterzing
If you’d like to stay overnight in Sterzing, you have a number of lovely hotels to choose from.
Since Sterzing is more of an under-the-radar pick for accommodation in South Tyrol, hotel prices here are comparatively low.
Our Top 3 Hotel Picks in Sterzing
Check out our hotel tips for South Tyrol:
Hiking near Sterzing
We already mentioned that the hiking around Sterzing is seriously fantastic.
Here are a few specific recommendations for great hikes near Sterzing.
Also read our packing list for a hiking vacation
#1 Rosskopf
Rosskopf is the best starting point for things to do in Vipiteno if you want to get out on the trails. The cable car gets you up from the center quickly.
Once up there, you can tackle various hiking trails, including the Ochsenscharten Loop. The hike is moderate and passes several stunning viewpoints.
#2 Fane Alm Alpine Village
A really cool mountain destination is the Fane Alm alpine village — a high plateau near Sterzing with a small village that feels totally off the beaten path.
Your best bet is to drive into the Valser Valley — specifically to the Vals parking lot (Google Maps) — and from there hike along the Milchweg to the alpine village. The trail is easy to moderate.
#3 Pfitscherjoch
The Pfitschtal valley branches off from Sterzing and is a genuine local favorite among South Tyrol’s valleys. You can hike from St. Jakob — near the end of the valley — all the way to the Pfitscherjoch Haus on the border with Austria.
You can easily reach St. Jakob from Sterzing by bus.
FAQ about Sterzing
When is market day in Sterzing?
The weekly market Sterzl-Markt runs from April to October on Tuesdays.
In addition, from April to October there is a farmers market on Fridays.
What language is spoken in Sterzing?
German and Italian. German is spoken a bit more widely in Sterzing than Italian.
When is the best time to visit Sterzing?
For hiking around Sterzing, the best time to visit is from May to October — that’s when it’s warmest and the trails are at their best.
The ski season runs from December to early April.
