Winter has its own scent, pungent like the cold here in Trentino South Tyrol, a scent that intertwines with that of mulled wine, burning wood, chestnuts sold on street corners, mandarins and oranges. There are places where the scent of winter invades everything, along with what is perhaps the most beautiful atmosphere of the year, that makes us feel like children. They are the Christmas markets, with their wooden houses with crafts and local products that allow you to experience all the magic of these holidays.
Also here in our blog it’s time to talk about Christmas and this year we take you to the most beautiful Christmas markets of Trentino South Tyrol. Ready to fully experience winter?
Trento Christmas markets
92 wooden houses between Piazza Fiera and Piazza Cesare Battisti lead a journey through the lights and the colors of Christmas. Enveloped in a warm atmosphere you will discover the best of local crafts and food and wine. We emphasize that the Trento market is green: dishwashing or compostable crockery is distributed and the electricity used is entirely produced from renewable sources.
You can’t miss: visit the Muse, the science museum of Trento created by Renzo Piano following the principles of green-architecture.
Where to stay: in a quiet area of the city a delightful eco-friendly B&B awaits you.
In Levico Terme
Among the often snow-covered secular trees of Levico Terme the music of Christmas resounds in the air: the more than 60 traditional houses seem to form a small fairytale village.
You can’t miss: not far from Levico is a truly unique museum, where the artworks intertwine with nature and live in the woods.
Where to stay: The B&B Agritur Airone offers rooms furnished in pure Trentino style and a typical sweet and savory breakfast with local products.
Christmas in the medieval village of Canale di Tenno
The stone houses of Canale di Tenno climb up the side of the mountain, the alleyways and courtyards bring to our mind ancient times. If throughout the year it is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, during Christmas it becomes really special, with the cellars becoming colorful stalls full of typical local products.
You can’t miss: the Casa degli Artisti is an exhibition and an accommodation dedicated to art and artists.
Where to stay: in Riva del Garda, a few kilometers from Tenno, you will find Parkhotel Flora, a luxury but environmentally-friendly hotel.
Christmas markets in Bolzano
With the scent of cinnamon and homemade desserts, the elegant Bolzano comes alive and celebrates this period of magic and suggestion.
You can’t miss: 30 minutes to reach a landscape that to the kids (and their parents who by now know it by heart) will remember Frozen. Lake Carezza, spectacular in summer, in winter offers its white wonderland version and is really suggestive.
Where to stay: choose an eco-sustainable accommodation in the city and its surroundings!
Christmas in Merano
You can also find the South Tyrol Christmas tradition in Merano, strolling through the old town, surrounded by the scents of spices and wood and by the truest warmth of Christmas.
You can’t miss: in just 7 minutes, the largest cable car in South Tyrol, takes you to the splendid “Merano terrace”, the sunny ski area of Merano 2000.
Where to stay: in the center of Merano, there is Park Hotel Mignon, a 5-star hotel with a 10,000 m2 park.
The magic of the holidays in Vipiteno
With the impressive Tower of Twelve in the background, the Christmas markets of Vipiteno have a very special charm.
You can’t miss: in Vipiteno you find the most snow-covered and the longest toboggan run in Italy!
Where to stay: in the nearby municipality of Racines (beautiful Alpine Pearl) there’s the Natur und Wanderhotel Rainer, where you can be surrounded by the warmth of wood and discover the flavors of a natural cuisine.
Christmas in the peasant houses
Every weekend the inhabitants of Rango invite tourists to discover the streets, the ancient squares and the peasant houses that offer local products and crafts wonders. One of the most evocative Christmas markets in Italy.
You can’t miss: Rango is a direct testimony of Trentino history, but not only that. There is the School Museum which preserves objects and educational material from the twentieth century.
Where to stay: you can stay in Caderzone, where there is Hotel Regina Elena, an eco-sustainable accommodation with a medicinal garden and an organic restaurant.
Cavalese Christmas markets
Folk dances, art workshops, candles, shows and the ever-present wooden houses enliven the enchanted garden that frames the ancient Palazzo della Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme.
You can’t miss: from the center of Cavalese it is possible to reach in a few minutes the Alpe Cermis, which can only be described as a natural snow-covered paradise.
Where to stay: in Cavalese there is the Park Hotel Azalea, which has an organic restaurant and an eco-friendly wellness center.
Music, cookies and Christmas lights in Castelrotto
Castelrotto hosts a small but evocative Christmas market, where you can warm up with mulled wine, taste the traditional Zelten and discover handmade artifacts. On December 5th, the Krampus arrive!
You can’t miss: around 30 kilometers of paths wind around this South Tyrolean village, to be lived with the snowshoes. Easy to reach, the church of San Valentino holds frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries and offers a truly evocative view.
Where to stay: book one of the ecological accommodations between the landscapes of the Alpe di Siusi and the Sciliar plateau.
The Christmas markets in Brixen
The tour to the Christmas markets of Trentino South Tyrol can not ignore the visit of Piazza del Duomo in Brixen, which houses the Christmas-decorated banquettes that sell wooden statuettes, terracotta objects, typical Tyrolean items, Christmas decorations and local food.
You can’t miss: just 7 km from Brixen, you will find La Plose, a mountain dedicated to winter sports.
Where to stay: near Bressanone there is numerous eco-friendly farmhouses, B&B and hotels!
