Südtirol

Nestled in a valley basin at the confluence of the Talfer and Eisack, Bolzano is the capital of South Tyrol. The city is bilingual; unlike the rest of South Tyrol, the Italian language group is in the majority here: In the 2024 language census, about three-quarters of the inhabitants declared themselves part of the Italian language group and about one-quarter part of the German language group.Old TownThe heart of the Old Town features the over 300-meter-long Lauben (arcades) with their merchant houses, the Obstplatz (Fruit Square) with its market, and the Waltherplatz with the Gothic cathedral. Gothic frescoes are preserved in the Dominican Church, while the Franciscan Church boasts a winged altar and a cloister.MuseumsThe South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology exhibits the glacier mummy Ötzi. Additionally, there is the Museion for modern and contemporary art and the Messner Mountain Museum Firmian at Sigmundskron Castle.SurroundingsCable cars lead up to Ritten and Kohlern.

The Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is a wide high plateau at roughly 1,680 to 2,350 meters with an area of about 56 square kilometers, and is considered the largest high alpine meadow in Europe. Administratively it is a fraction of the municipality of Kastelruth. Its southern parts belong to the Schlern-Rosengarten Nature Park.SummerA dense network of trails, alpine pastures and huts makes the Alm a destination for families and leisurely hikers. The tours up the Schlern are more demanding.WinterIn winter the Seiser Alm is a ski area with about 60 kilometers of slopes, part of Dolomiti Superski and connected to St. Ulrich in Gröden by a gondola lift.AccessThe road from Seis to Compatsch is closed to private traffic uphill between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., while you may drive downhill at any time. Since the end of June 2026, an online reservation is mandatory for the parking lots P1 Spitzbühl and P2 Compatsch. The easiest way is to take the cable car from Seis to Compatsch. Guests of accommodations on the Alm receive an access permit from their host. You can find the current rules at Seiser Alm Marketing.

Meran lies in a valley basin in the Etsch Valley, into which the Passeier Valley flows from the north. Its mild climate allows not only wine but also palms, cypresses, holm oaks, and Lebanon cedars to grow.Spa TownMeran has been a spa town since 1855. The Kurhaus on the Passerpromenade consists of a historicist wing (1873/74) and an Art Nouveau wing (1912-1914). The Therme Meran, opened in 2005, continues this tradition.Old Town and SurroundingsThe Laubengasse is the Old Town's main axis; the Parish Church of St. Nicholas stands on Pfarrplatz. The Tappeinerweg runs along the slope of Küchelberg; on the city's eastern edge lie the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, and north is Dorf Tirol with its namesake castle.

Trento lies in the Etschtal, directly on the Adige, and is the capital of the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Trentino-South Tyrol region.Council CityFrom 1545 to 1563, the Council of Trent met here intermittently. Several solemn sessions took place in the Cathedral, including the opening in December 1545.AttractionsThe central points are the Piazza Duomo with the Cathedral of San Vigilio and the Castello del Buonconsiglio, the former residence of the prince-bishops. Remains of the Roman Tridentum are accessible, among other places, in the underground S.A.S.S. and beneath Palazzo Lodron. In the Le Albere district, you'll find the MUSE natural history museum by Renzo Piano.SurroundingsA cable car leads across the Adige up to Sardagna; west of the city rises the 2091-meter-high Monte Bondone. The sparkling wine Trentodoc is produced in the surrounding area.

Pragser Wildsee is situated at 1494 meters in the Pragser Tal, a few kilometers south of the Pustertal between Bruneck and Toblach. It belongs to the Fanes-Sennes-Prags Nature Park and is overlooked by the 2810-meter-high Seekofel. It also became known as a filming location for the TV series “Die Bergpolizei”.VisitA circular path of just under four kilometers leads around the lake in just over an hour. In summer, you can rent rowing boats at the boathouse. The Dolomite High Path No. 1 starts at the lake.Access in High SeasonIn 2026, a traffic regulation was in effect from July 1st to September 15th, between 9 AM and 4 PM: You could only enter the Pragser Tal with a parking space booked online in advance, with a scheduled bus service (also to be booked in advance), on foot, or by bike. The regulation is expected to return in summer 2027; details will be published in spring. Check them on the official website prags.bz before your arrival.