10 Awesome Things to Do in Bolzano/Bozen for First-Timers

10 Best Things to Do in Bolzano

1. Visit Bolzano Cathedral

Bolzano Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic church located right in the center of Bolzano. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bolzano-Brixen and is dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of Bolzano. This cathedral is a great example of how much influence the place got from its near neighbor, Austria.

The cathedral was built in the 12th century in the Romanesque-Gothic style, and it features a distinctive bell tower, which was added in the 15th century, and a Baroque facade, which was added in the 18th century.

Inside the cathedral, you can see a number of artworks and other interesting features, including a Gothic altarpiece, a 14th-century fresco cycle, and a number of Gothic and Baroque tombs. The cathedral also houses a museum, which contains a collection of religious artifacts and artworks that you might be interested in.

The cathedral is free to enter and it is open from 8 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 7 PM on weekends. If you are in Bolzano, be sure to drop by the cathedral and check it out.

2. Hang out at Waltherplatz

Located near Bolzano Cathedral, Waltherplatz is a beautiful square set against the breathtaking mountains of the Dolomites. The square features a number of important landmarks and buildings and it is a popular meeting point among both tourists and locals, who often come out in the evening and hang out there.

Waltherplatz is also surrounded by a number of restaurants, cafes, and shops, making it a great place to spend some time and explore the local culture and cuisine.

Fun fact, the chocolate wafer brand Loacker was founded here and Waltherplatz is where you would find a full-fledged Loacker cafe, one of the few you can visit in the world.

If you are not sure where to find something to eat or a place to hang out in Bolzano, Waltherplatz is a great place to start, so be sure to it out when you are here.

3. Admire the Medieval Murals of Chiesa dei Domenicani

Chiesa dei Domenicani is a Dominican monastery located right in the city center of Bolzano, near Bolzano Cathedral, and it is a historic religious building that dates back to the 13th century and is an important example of Gothic architecture in the region.

The church was built by the Dominican Order, a religious order founded in the 13th century by Saint Dominic, and was dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. Despite it being undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, the monastery still retained its original beautiful Gothic style that you can see today.

Inside the church, you can see a number of beautiful artworks and other interesting features, including a Gothic altarpiece, tombs, and the most beautiful of all, a 14th-century well-preserved fresco cycle that covers the entire interior of St. John Chapel located inside.

Seeing the beautiful 14th Century cycle is worth it in and of itself and so if you are in Bolzano, be sure to drop by Chiesa dei Domenicani. The monastery is open from 7 AM to 7 PM every day and it is free to enter. Definitely one of the best things to do in Bolzano.

4. Stroll Around Fontana Nettuno

Fontana Nettuno (Neptune Fountains) is a historic fountain located right in the center of the main pedestrian street of Bolzano and it is one of the most recognized landmarks in the city.

Compare to other Neptune Fountain in Italy, this may be small in comparison but what attracts me most about this place is not the fountain itself but the markets and the beautiful medieval buildings that surrounded it.

Every day, merchants would come out here, set up their shops, and start selling all kinds of locally-grown produces and ingredients freshly plucked out of the farms in and around the Dolomites. It is a great place for you to buy some fresh produce as souvenirs especially if you like cooking at home.

In addition to the Neptune Fountain, you can also enjoy the sights of rows of colorful and beautiful buildings in the area. There are also numerous restaurants and cafes where you can treat yourself to a meal or a drink.

The area is often bustling with people, making it a lively and vibrant place to be in and there is no better place to be than here if you want to surround yourself with all the excitement and energy of the city.

5. Learn About the Ice Man at South Tyrol Archeological Museum

South Tyrol Archeological Museum, also known as the Ötzi Museum, is a museum dedicated to the "Iceman," a 5,300-year-old mummified corpse that was recently discovered in the region in 1991, thanks to global warming 🥲.

The museum displays the remains of the Iceman, mummified and all, as well as artifacts, and other items that were found with him. They were many speculations as to how he was trapped in the ice for centuries, but the ongoing theory that seems to have the most legs is that he probably got mugged and left for dead up in the mountains. Poor soul!

The museum is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in archaeology or the history of the region. It is one of the best things to do in Bolzano and I highly recommend you check it out while you are in Bolzano.

6. Relax at Franciscan Monastery

Franciscan Monastery is a religious complex that was founded in the 13th century by the Franciscan order and it is located not too far from Fontana Nettuno.

The complex includes a church that is known for its Gothic architecture and richly decorated interior, beautiful cloisters, and a museum that displays religious artifacts and works of art.

One of my favorite parts of the Franciscan Monastery is the cloisters that surround a courtyard creating a peaceful and tranquil space where I often escape the bustling streets of Bolzano to.

The monastery is a beautiful piece of architecture that you should definitely not miss while you are visiting Bolzano. The monastery is open from 8 AM to 6.30 PM every day except Monday morning.

7. Walk to the Victory Monument

Victory Monumentor the Monument to the Fallen, is a war memorial located on a small hill near the city center of Bolzano. It was erected in 1922 to honor the soldiers from South Tyrol who died fighting for Italy in World War I.

Underneath the monument, you will find a small but very well-made museum dedicated to telling the story of Italy and this part of the country between 1918 and 1945, where Italy went through 2 dictators, both of which had great impacts on the country as a whole. An interesting experience if you are interested in the history of Italy during the World Wars.

The walk to the Victory Monument is quite beautiful as you will be crossing the Torrente Talvera river and seeing just how lush the area around Bolzano is. You will also get a glimpse of Maretsch Castle, a medieval castle where we will be heading next.

8. Check Out Maretsch Castle

Maretsch Castle is another important landmark in Bolzano. It is a small medieval castle built in the 13th century best known for its Renaissance-era round-corner towers and frescoes, located not too far from the city center.

The castle is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and it is only an 8 minutes walk from the city center. Inside the castle, you can visit a museum that displays artifacts and exhibits related to the history of South Tyrol.

To enter the castle, you will have to buy a ticket which is around 5 EUR per person and the castle is open between 9 AM and 12 PM in the morning and again from 2 PM to 5 PM on weekdays only. Be sure to climb up to the bell tower for an incredible view over Bolzano.

9. Visit Castel Roncolo

Perch on top of a hill 3 km away from Bolzano's city center, Castel Roncolo is a medieval castle built in the 14th century, and it is known for its numerous secular frescoes from the Middle Ages.

The castle is a beautiful and well-preserved example of medieval architecture, with its walls, towers, and courtyard all still intact. The castle's interior has been carefully restored and now houses a museum that displays a variety of historical artifacts and artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and tapestries.

The view from the castle is also as picturesque as the castle itself as you will be able to have a better view of Bolzano and its breathtaking surroundings.

If you want to visit the castle, the place is open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day and the entrance fee is 8 EUR per person. You should be able to reach the castle by bus #12 from the city center.

10. Spend a Day at Seceda and Alpe di Siusi

Last but not least, if you have a day to spare, you are going to want to spend it exploring the mountains here and see why the Dolomites are considered to be the most beautiful region in the world. The best places to see just that are Secada and Alpe di Siusi, beautiful mountain viewpoints that can easily be reached via cable cars from Ortisei/Urtijëi.

To get from Bolzano to Ortisei, you will have to go to Bolzano Bus Station and catch bus #350 to Ortisei. The journey should take about an hour which makes these 2 places perfect to visit as day trips from Bolzano.

Once you arrive in Ortisei, you can then make your way up the escalator to the Seceda Cable Car Station where you can then buy a roundtrip ticket for 38 EUR, and it should take about 30 minutes until you reach Seceda.

The moment you walked off the cable car station, you will be greeted with an expansive panoramic view of the Odle mountain range, which is known for its distinctive jagged peaks. I highly recommend you spend your first half of the day up here and tackle some of the many hiking trails up here.

I highly recommend you check out the view of Seceda from the ridgeline. To get there, you just have to turn left when you exit the cable car and follow the trail along the ridge, you will be in sight of the jagged peaks of the mighty Seceda mountain.

From the ridge, you will have a 360° view of the breathtaking scenery that truly shows just how magnificent the Dolomites are. You can hike along Seceda Ridge and get up close and personal with the mountain or you can hike downhill and visit some of the mountain huts located down the valley.

You can hike along the Seceda Ridge and get up close and personal with the mountain or you can hike downhill and visit some of the mountain huts located down the valley.

Once you are done with Seceda, take the cable car down to Ortisei and stop there for lunch before we head over to Alpe di Siusi. There are many restaurants here but not as cheap and so if you want to save some money, I highly recommend you pack your lunch the day before in Bolzano.

After lunch, you can make your way to Seilbahnen St.Ulrich Cable Car Station located just across the main road on the other side of the valley, buy a roundtrip ticket to Alpe di Siusi for about 24.9 EUR, and off you go to our next destination.

Alpe di Siusi is a high-altitude plateau that is known for its stunning alpine scenery and it is a popular destination for hikers, skiers, and nature lovers, with an incredible view over the valley and its surroundings. It is completely different from Seceda with its own beauty and charm.

With a short hike, you can get to Belvedere dell'Alpe di Siusi, a breathtaking viewpoint located at an altitude of about 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) in the middle of the valley and offers an iconic view of Alpe di Siusi and its golden rolling hills.

Supposedly, this viewpoint is one of the best places to see the sunset in the Dolomites but that won't be possible with a day trip as the cable car only operates until 5 PM and the last bus back to Bolzano is around 7 PM. Of course, if you really want to see the sunset at Alpe di Siusi, you can opt to stay overnight but it won't be cheap.

Wondering which are the best places to visit in the Dolomites? Check out:10 Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites

What to Eat and Drink in Bolzano?

1. Try Homemade Pastas and Pizzas at Amadé Restaurant

Amadé Restaurant is a little family-run restaurant located on the corner of a quiet street just outside of the city center. It is popular among the locals, has a small garden area for seatings, and very friendly staff, a perfect combination for a great restaurant in Italy.

They serve delicious homemade pastas and pizzas straight from the basement kitchen, all at an affordable price. The seafood pasta and the pizzas serve at Amadé Restaurant are to die for.

If you want to try the real Italian cuisine in Bolzano, Amade Restaurant is the best place to be. The restaurant is open from 12 PM to 2 PM for lunch every day except Sunday and for dinner, they are open from 6:30 PM to 10 PM every day.

Further Reading for the Dolomites, Italy

I hope you found this Italian travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Italy, here is a selection of articles you might like:

• First time visiting Italy? Here are the 15 Best Places to Visit in Italy.
• Want to see the highlights of Italy in 2 weeks? Be sure to check out our 2-week backpacking Italy itinerary.
• Want to travel around Italy for one month, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south? You are going to love this backpacking itinerary packed with information: One Month Backpacking Italy Itinerary
• Want to explore the Dolomites but not sure where to begin? Check out: the 10 Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites.
• For a complete backpacking itinerary for the Dolomites, check out: the 7 Days Dolomites Itinerary For Those Without A Car.
• Tre Cime Hike is the best hike you can do in the Dolomites. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Tre Cime Di Lavaredo Loop.
• Adolf-Munkel-Weg Hike is the best way to get up close and personal with the Dolomites. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to the Adolf-Munkel-Weg Trail.
• Looking for a complete itinerary for Northern Italy? Check out: 2-Week Backpacking Northern Italy Itinerary.
• For a complete 7-day backpacking itinerary in Central Italy that will take you from Rome to Pompeii to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to check out: 7 Days Backpacking Central Italy Itinerary.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• To see all the articles about Italy, visit the Italy Travel Guide page.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.