Are you thinking of a trip to South Tyrol and would you like to know what to see in Merano?
You’re in the right place.
Merano is a town in South Tyrol set among the mountains, at the mouth of the Val Venosta and the Val Passiria, famous for being a spa town of international renown since the days of the Habsburg Empire.
Beyond the spa, there are many more things to see in Merano: here art and culture blend with the landscape, creating incredible settings.
Ready to discover this beautiful town in the Alps?
Off we go!
The Tappeiner promenade and the powder tower
If you’re wondering what to see in Merano, I’ll tell you right away that strolling its little streets you’ll find yourself in an atmosphere from another time: plastered wooden houses, the river Passirio flowing under small bridges, hanging gardens and terraces with mountain views will make you fall in love. It’ll feel like Switzerland or Austria, given how close they are.
But where to start?
I started from the Tappeiner promenade, a path winding from the centre up to the old tower perched on the mountainside. The view of Merano from above is breathtaking and helps you understand how the town and its monuments are laid out. The climb is a little tiring, but it’ll repay every effort!
The route starts near the cathedral of Merano and climbs, well signposted, up to the top of the town, between panoramic balconies and panels telling the history of Merano. Along the way you’ll also come across the powder tower (Pulverturm), so called because the town’s gunpowder stores were kept there: entry is free and you can climb to the top.
Absolutely recommended!
The cathedral of Merano
The cathedral of Merano, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, is documented from 1266; what we see today is the result of a 14th-century enlargement in which northern European and Italian influences merge into a unique whole.
But why this fusion of styles?
Because the area was disputed for centuries between the Germanic and the Italian worlds, and this dual cultural belonging left its mark on the monuments of the city of Merano. One example is the bell tower, more than 80 metres high. Inside, the structure is mainly late Gothic.
The history of Merano at the Palais Mamming Museum
If you want to discover the town’s history, visit the Palais Mamming Museum, the civic museum right next to the cathedral of San Nicolò.
The collection was started by the doctor Franz Innerhofer, who gathered artworks from all over the region; later the people of Merano themselves enriched it with finds collected around the world. Today the civic museum of Merano holds finds from prehistory up to the annexation of South Tyrol to Italy, with a few truly curious pieces: a death mask of Napoleon, an Egyptian mummy and Sudanese weapons.
Would you ever have expected that?
The most interesting part, for me, is the one devoted to the growth of Merano as a spa town and to mountain life, along with the (not exactly happy) testimonies about the annexation to Italy: a slice of history that made me think.
The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle
The Trauttmansdorff gardens in Merano are truly fairy-tale gardens. If you’re looking for what to do in Merano, put them on your list, especially if you visit Merano in spring or summer!
At the foot of an imposing castle stretch hectares of woods, flowering gardens and fountains; the walk to the little lake, the lovers’ path and a viewpoint suspended over the void all stand out. The gardens are divided into four themed areas (sun gardens, forests of the world, water and terraced gardens, landscapes of South Tyrol), with over 80 botanical environments and sensory experiences based on scents and textures.
As a flower lover, I can only recommend a walk here: I fell head over heels for it, and it’s perfect for families with children too.
I also recommend visiting Trauttmansdorff Castle, which houses the Touriseum, the museum of South Tyrolean tourism. Here you retrace the history of the region’s tourism and transport, and that of the castle, which became Habsburg property.
Did you know that Empress Sissi stayed in Merano? The empress loved this place and would retreat to Trauttmansdorff to rest and enjoy the town’s spa.
The spa of Merano
The spa tradition in Merano is over 200 years old. It was in the 19th century that the first studies of the waters revealed their curative properties: from then on Merano grew as a spa town, drawing the nobility and the Austrian rulers, with a huge benefit for tourism and urban expansion.
The current large spa, however, was built in 2005: today it’s a complete spa with saunas, massages, hydromassage tubs and more than 25 pools linked to one another, indoors and out. The best part, for me, are the pools with water at different temperatures: bathing in the outdoor pools while it’s still cold outside is wonderful and even romantic.
Practical information
Getting to Merano by train is very easy: a little train links it every 20 minutes to Bolzano, itself well served by high-speed and regional trains. By car it’s possible, but I’d advise against it (the centre is pedestrian and limited).
Many attractions can be visited with combined passes: there are combined spa + Trauttmansdorff garden tickets and the MuseumCard, which gives access to museums, transport and attractions across the whole province. If you plan to see several attractions, it’s definitely worth it.
If you love nature and two wheels, from here you can also reach other parts of South Tyrol: take a look at the San Candido to Lienz cycle path and the other things to do in Trentino-Alto Adige.
And you, are you drawn more to the relaxation of its spa or to the magic of the Trauttmansdorff gardens?
