Bolzano green travel guide

Bike and trains all around us, aperitif and beers. Bolzano is the city where the alpine lifestyle is combined with the Mediterranean one.

Bolzano's Duomo, photo by Luciana via Flickr

1. Best things to do in Bolzano

All the old town can be walked or ridden by bicycle. If you do not have one, don't despair, the town of Bolzano makes it available for free. Many different rental points (one is at the railway): just by showing a document, you can get a ride in perfect serenity.

The highlights that you can't miss are the Archaeological Museum and the Museion, the Museum of Contemporary Art, real must for culture lovers. In the evening the locals fill up by the students from the University of Bolzano.

2. The surroundings

All the villages around Bolzano are easily accessible by car even if the public service is a great alternative: for sports enthusiasts there are a lot of cycle-paths.

To the west of Bolzano you'll find Andriano and Terlano, famous for wines and asparagus. Andriano is an ideal place to rediscover the silence in a sea of vineyards and apple orchards. A Terlano you can see, on a rocky outcrop, the ruins of Neuhaus Castle, also known as Rock of Maultasch.

In the south of Bolzano you will find Laives, the "youngest" city of South Tyrol. Many paths for hikers and not, to be discovered on foot and without haste.

3. Tastes and local food

Wine, artisan beer, but also healthy apples and berries, pastries and pies, whole wheat bread sausages, meats and cheeses: gastronomy in South Tyrol is no way inferior to that of other Italian regions. The ingredients are all strictly Km0, produced in farms and delicious...

Start with the “canederli”: it's impossible to visit the Alto Adige without trying them. They are made with stale bread, eggs, flour, parsley and milk. Usually they are cooked with bacon and served in broth with a hint of chives.

Canederli, typical dish of Bolzano, photo by Michela Simoncini via Flickr

The spinach Spaetzle with cream are an alternative to “canederli”, dumplings made of wheat flour, eggs, water and boiled spinach. If you visit Bolzano, do not miss the smoked ham with potatoes and sauerkraut, rich and tasty dish.

4. Nature, sport and green itineraries

One of the most beautiful walks of the many itineraries of Bolzano begins on deck Talvera. This walking will amaze you, discover theforests of oak and lime trees along the river on the slopes of Bolzano and Gries to north.

Enthusiasts runners can discover the Walk of St Oswald, reminiscent of the poet Oswald von Wolkenstein that connects the districts San Antonio and Santa Maddalena. The path leads through the vineyards of Monte Tondo and in autumn, when the leaves are tinged with warm and earthy colors, the landscape becomes unique. At the gates of the Sarn Valley you are reached Castel Roncolo, the "Illustrated Manor" in South Tyrol.

In the southeast of the city you can walk to a true medieval castle. The picturesque Castel Flavon, which dominates the district of Aslago, from here you have a wide view of the city.