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The 5 Best Sights in Bolzano

The capital of South Tyrol is known as the city with the best quality of life in Italy, and a visit may help you to understand why. Here’s our list of the main sights in Bolzano.



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Sights in Bolzano

Enjoy Piazza Walther

The central square in Bolzano is called Walther von der Vogelweide square or Piazza Walther for short. The evocative name comes from a German lyric  poet (c. 1170 – c. 1230), who is looking out over the crowds from his lion guarded plinth. From the foot of Walter Bird-field you can see the Gothic cathedral with its chequered roof and splendid spires. And with a little luck – or timing – you might also experience one of the famous town festivals and markets, such as the Christmas Market, the Flower Market, the Pumpkin Feast or the Speck Festival.

Sights in Bolzano

Ötzi, the Iceman

You can’t visit Bolzano without paying tribute to Ötzi, the Iceman. This well-preserved old gentleman is more than 5 300 years old and thus Europe’s oldest known natural human mummy. He was found in 1991 by two German tourists at 3,210 metres in the Ötztal Alps on the Austrian–Italian border, and he can be seen through a small window in the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology.

Sights in Bolzano

Pretzel capital

Judging from the number of bakeries, Bolzano is Italy’s pretzel capital. The knot-shaped bread comes in all sizes and varieties from hard and salt to soft and sweet. Try a pretzel with you espresso, eat it for lunch with a sausage or try the chocolate covered ones for dessert.  A proper taste of Bolzano would also include speck and canederli dumplings.

Sights in Bolzano

Via dei Portici

Shopaholics will enjoy Via dei Portici with its sheltered arcades and elegant shops and the grand outdoor market. And if you can take your eyes off the sale displays you’ll notice rows of charming, pastel coloured houses with inquisitive bay windows, contrasting wooden shutters and Baroque plaster embellishments.

Sights in Bolzano

42 ski areas

Bolzano is surrounded by mountains and there are 42 ski areas within an hour drive from the city, including Val Gardena, Selva-Sella Ronda and Alta Badia. In summer the area is a hikers’ delight with cable cars to Renon, San Genesio and Colle, which was in fact the first passenger cable car in the world inaugurated in 1908. Check the weather forecast at the wonderful wooden stazione meteorologica before you leave.

12 replies
  1. Mary {The World Is A Book}
    Mary {The World Is A Book} says:
    February 16, 2015 at 10:24 am

    Bolzano looks like a fascinating city to visit. I like that these sights are unique and interesting. I think Ötzi, the Iceman.is enough to entice a visit but the pretzels anytime, everyday were added bonuses. Love that picture of the shopping arcade. So beautiful!

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      February 22, 2015 at 7:29 pm

      You’re right. Pretzels at all times can be a treat.

      Reply
  2. Mike
    Mike says:
    February 18, 2015 at 2:20 am

    I would love to pull up a chair at a table and people watch at the Via dei Portici. Something occurred to me though is that they don’t get much sun in that corridor just by the proximity of the buildings. It’s gorgeous regardless. I would soooo want to see that Iceman…that would be incredible! I’m remember when he was discovered and it was huge world wide news. Absolutely get me a pretzel…not too much salt and some mustard or cheese and yes please I’ll take a sausage too. Great post and amazing photos as always, Mette! :)

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      February 22, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      It’s true about the narrow lanes and the shadow. In some places they do it on purpose to minimize the power of the sun, but it this case it could also just be a question of timing.

      Reply
  3. Sophie @ Sophie's World
    Sophie @ Sophie's World says:
    February 18, 2015 at 11:32 am

    I saw an Ötzi exhibition at the Glacier museum in Fjærland many years ago, and have wanted to see Ötzi in Bolzano ever since. Interesting stuff.

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      February 22, 2015 at 8:05 pm

      I didn’t know that Ötzi had been on tour. I bet you didn’t have to look at him through a window then.

      Reply
  4. Freya
    Freya says:
    February 18, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    I have been in Bolzano a really really long time ago, I think it’s time for another visit.
    It’s such a fascinating and beautiful place.

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      February 22, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      It is. And there are not nearly the number of tourists the city deserves.

      Reply
  5. Mary @ Green Global Travel
    Mary @ Green Global Travel says:
    February 24, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    Break me off one of those pretzels! Bolzano looks like a beautiful place to visit.

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      March 1, 2015 at 5:22 pm

      Yes, and there are lots of green tourist attractions in the area.

      Reply
  6. Carl Wright
    Carl Wright says:
    February 15, 2016 at 4:46 pm

    Extremely fascinating. Amazing background to Otzi the Iceman. Can almost smell those freshly baked pretzels.

    Thank you for sharing! :)

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      February 17, 2016 at 7:10 pm

      Yes, fresh pretzels are something else. I really have to give the recipe a try sometime soon.

      Reply

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