Bolzano, Italy 2024 – how to get there, where to stay, what to see firstly

Table of Contents:

When to travel to Bolzano

How to get to Bolzano

How to get to Bolzano from Verona

How to get to Bolzano from Venice

How to get to Bolzano from Milan

Where to stay in Bolzano

What to see in Bolzano

Where to go from Bolzano

When to travel to Bolzano

Bolzano is a real “pearl” of Northern Italy. The thing is that the town is located in an extremely picturesque place, surrounded with mountains, the peaks of which can be observed from anywhere in the town. Bolzano can boast of preserved authentic architecture. Walking along the narrow cozy streets, you will come across medieval buildings, elegant churches, small squares, as well as several magnificent palaces. In the surroundings of Bolzano, you can also see impressive medieval castles.

After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Bolzano. I figured out how to get to the town, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to Bolzano.

Bolzano is a popular tourist destination, but also serves as a “gateway” to the ski part of Italy, as it is located in the very “heart” of the Dolomites. And yet, even if you are in a hurry to go skiing, take time to explore Bolzano with its amazing architecture, rich gastronomy and cozy atmosphere. You can visit Bolzano and the surrounding area any time of the year. And if in winter tourists mainly rush to ski resorts, then in spring-summer, as well as in autumn, Bolzano is good for sightseeing, hiking and travelling around.

How to get to Bolzano

How to get to Bolzano from Verona

According to my map research, the distance between Verona and Bolzano is 155 km. You can get from one city to another by train, by bus or by rented car.

By train: Direct trains between Verona and Bolzano run three times an hour throughout the day. The travel time ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on the type of train (regional or high-speed). You can check the current train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. Departure takes place from Verona Main Station. I can totally recommend Raileurope as I often use it when planning my own trips. It helps me a lot to discover optimal railway variants.

By bus: You can also use the Flixbus bus service. The buses run along the route up to 6 times a day. The current bus timetable can be checked on the Flixbus website. The travel time is 2-2.5 hours one way. Buses also depart from Porta Nuova railway station in Verona. Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices. I also can recommend it as it is a great alternative to railway connection.

By rented car: If you prefer to travel on your own, you can rent a car at Verona airport, as well as in offices in the city center. You need to have a passport, an international driving license and a bank card to pay for the services. Since the car rental option is very popular in Verona, it is recommended to book a car in advance. This can be done via various international online platforms, for example, via Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Verona and Bolzano are connected with highway No. A22/E45. The travel time is approximately 2 hours (see on the map). I can recommend both services as they have a decent search with a lot of useful options to find out the best available car rentals.

How to get to Bolzano from Venice

Based on my map research, Venice and Bolzano are located 270 km from each other. You can get here by train or by car.

By train: The trains depart from Venice to Bolzano with a change in Verona every hour during the day. The total travel time, including a change in Verona, varies from 3 to 4 hours. You can check the current train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. Trains operate along the route throughout the day from S. Lucia station in Venice. I often use this service as it helps me to compare different railway options and to choose an optimal one.

By rented car: If travelling by train with a change in Verona is not comfortable for you, then you can go to Bolzano by car. This option is especially relevant if you plan to visit not only Bolzano, but also actively move around the surrounding area. You can find rental offices both at Venice airport and directly in the city. It is also recommended to book a car in advance, since car rental in Venice is popular among travellers. You can book a car in advance via various online services, such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Venice and Bolzano are connected with roads No. A22/E45 and A4/E70. The travel time is approximately 3 hours (see on the map). In my opinion, both services have a decent search with a lot of helpful filters to sort the results, so I can definitely recommend them.

How to get to Bolzano from Milan

As I did some map observing, I figured out that the distance between Milan and Bolzano is 276 km. You can get from Milan to Bolzano by train with a change in Verona, or by rented car.

By train: Trains from Milan to Bolzano run 1-2 times per hour throughout the day. Please, note, that a change in Verona is required. The total travel time, including a change, is about 4 hours. You can check the current train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. I use Raileurope regularly to check out the current train timetable throughout the whole of Europe. In my opinion, it is a very convenient service, because I can compare different routes, duration of the train journey, actual prices, etc.

By rented car: You can also get to Bolzano by car. Car rental in Milan is extremely popular; you can find rental offices at Malpensa or Linate airports, as well as in various districts of the city. Besides, you can book a car in advance via various online services, such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others similar. Milan and Bolzano are connected with highway No. A22/E45. You can get there in about 3.5 hours (see on the map). Based on my experience, both online services are good as they compare a great number of available car rental options.

Where to stay in Bolzano

In Bolzano you can stay in hotels of various star categories, as well as rent apartments. The town has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. It means that there are many restaurants, cafes, shops and other places for entertainment.

Parkhotel Laurin 4* – this hotel is located in the center of Bolzano and is housed within the walls of an elegant historical building. There is a park area nearby. The hotel has a restaurant serving regional cuisine. There is also a bar and a terrace. In summer, guests can relax in the outdoor swimming pool. The parking lot is located next to the hotel. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, equipped with a safe, a minibar, Wi-Fi, a kettle, and air conditioning. Some room types include breakfast. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I discovered that luggage storage and currency exchange services are available at the front desk;

Stiegl Scala Hotel 4* – the hotel is located close to many interesting attractions in Bolzano. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. Guests can also relax in the outdoor swimming pool. You can stay in rooms with or without a balcony, or choose a studio room. Breakfast is included in the price. In the rooms you can find a safe, a minibar, a hairdryer, air conditioning, TV. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. The parking lot is available for the hotel guests. At the reception you can use luggage storage and bicycle rental services;

Hotel Greif 4* – the hotel is located in the town center and offers a bar, a restaurant and a seasonal outdoor pool. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Buffet breakfast is included. The rooms are equipped with everything you need, including a safe, a minibar, air conditioning, TV. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. The parking area is located next to the hotel. Luggage storage services are available at the front desk;

Four Points by Sheraton Bolzano 4* – the hotel is located a few kilometers from the historical center. The hotel has a restaurant serving local cuisine and a bar. Guests can also relax at the spa, which features an indoor pool, a gym and a sauna. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Inside you can find everything you need, including a safe, a minibar, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is included in the price. Parking is located next to the hotel. There is an ATM at the reception; you can also exchange currency and rent a bicycle at the hotel;

Hotel Post Gries 3* – the hotel is located within walking distance of many Bolzano attractions. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. There is parking available for guests driving. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is included in some room types. According to my observations of tourist reviews, luggage storage and bicycle rental services are provided at the front desk.

What to see in Bolzano

Bolzano is both a popular tourist destination and a “gateway” to the ski resorts of Northern Italy, as well as a convenient starting point for travelling to the natural attractions of the Dolomites. Bolzano is famous for its authentic architecture and many preserved historical monuments. Among other things, here you will see monasteries and castles, squares and churches. You can also take the cable car up to the observation deck to enjoy views of the town from above, as well as visit many interesting museums.

The central square of the town is considered to be Walter Square, from where the tour around Bolzano usually begins. The main dominant feature of the square is the Bolzano Cathedral, which is decorated with an elegant bell tower. The cathedral is definitely worth visiting not only from the outside, but also from the inside, since here you can see unique frescoes from the 14th century. The cathedral is made in the Gothic style and amazes with its size. I found out detailed information for visiting the Cathedral:

• The cathedral is open from Monday to Friday from 7.30 to 18.00;
• On Sundays the cathedral is open from 8.00 to 20.00.

Among other architectural “pearls” of the town, it is also worth visiting the Franciscan Monastery. It is located north of Walter Square and can be reached via cozy narrow streets filled with equally cozy shops and restaurants. The monastery was built in the 14th century and has preserved well to this day. You will definitely be captivated by its courtyards, columns and galleries. The monastery is made in the Gothic style.

Crossing the bridge, you can admire another historical monument called the Abbey of Muri -Gries. The abbey is located a little further from the historical center of the town and consists of many buildings. The castle and church, located on Abbey area, deserve special attention; the latter is made in a magnificent baroque style. The monastery was once founded by the Benedictines. A 12th-century castle also belongs to it, as well as vineyards growing around. There is also a winery on the territory of the monastery.

In the surroundings of Bolzano there are many impressive castles, including Roncolo Castle, Tirolo Castle and Maretsch Castle.

 5 km north of Bolzano, on a hill, you can find the picturesque Roncolo Castle. The castle was built in the 13th century and has been perfectly preserved to these days. Visiting is possible not only from the outside, but also from the inside, where fragments of medieval frescoes have been preserved. Since the castle is located on a hill, in a sunny day, you can fully admire Bolzano and its picturesque surroundings. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:

• From June to October, a free shuttle runs to the castle from Walther Square. It runs along the route only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays;
• The rest of the time you can use public transport, i.e., the bus No. 12 on weekdays and the bus No. 14 on weekends;
• From the bus stop or car parking you need to walk uphill for about 5-10 minutes;
• The entrance ticket costs 8 euros; you can purchase a family ticket for 16 euros;
• During the summer, the castle is open from 10 am to 6 pm; In winter, the castle is open until 5 pm (closed on Mondays).

Tirolo Castle is no less beautiful, but it is located a little further, 40 km north of Bolzano. The castle is located on the mountainside and was built back in the 12th century. The architectural style of the castle is Gothic. The local natural landscapes, including mountains and valleys, give the building a special charm. There is a museum of the history of South Tyrol inside the castle.

There are two ways to get to the castle by public transport: either by train to the town of Merano, and then by bus # 236; or by bus # 201 to Merano, and then bus # 236 directly to the castle; If you come by car, you should follow the road No. SS38 via Merano. After some research, I discovered the following practical information:

• The castle is open from April to November from 10.00 to 17.00; Friday and Saturday are days off;
• The entrance ticket costs 8 euros for adults and 4 euros for children.

If you don’t want to travel far, you can take a walk to Maretsch Castle. It is just 2 km from the center of Bolzano. The castle was built in the 13th century and also has medieval features. True, in the 15th century, the owners of the castle remodeled it somewhat, and Renaissance features appeared in its architecture. The castle is surrounded with beautiful vineyards. Inside you can see authentic frescoes and climb the tower. There is some useful information for visiting that I discovered:

• The castle is open to the public from 9 am to 12.45 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm;
• The entrance ticket costs 5 euros.

Also, in your free time, take the funicular up the local mountains. The trip takes you exactly 12 minutes, but in clear sunny day you will be able to admire one of the best panoramic views. Bolzano is clearly visible from here. The cable car is called Renon (Funivia del Renon in Italian). Having climbed up, you will be able to explore the panoramic observation deck, and then go on a mountain narrow-gauge train even higher. At the very top you can find one of the most unusual local natural landscapes called the Renon Earth Pyramids.

• The funicular operates from 6.30 am to 10.45 pm daily.

Where to go from Bolzano

Bolzano is considered to be a convenient starting point for trips to ski resorts. For example, the Val di Fassa valley is located only 50 km from Bolzano; Val Gardena valley is located 40 km; Cortina D’Ampezzo is located 100 km away. All these resorts are accessible by public transport from Bolzano. In winter tourists go skiing in the valleys, and in summer they go hiking, rock climbing and doing other seasonal sports.

Bolzano is also a convenient starting point for exploring the natural attractions of the Dolomites. First of all, these are Lake Carezza, Lake Braies and the mountains of Tre Cime de Lavaredo.

Lake Braies

Lake Braies (Lago di Braies) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Dolomites. The lake has a fairly large water surface; in summer you can swim or go boating in it. Tourists and travelers are attracted with the turquoise surface of the water and the mountains reflected in it, which makes the landscapes incredibly picturesque. Based on my map observation, the distance from Bolzano to Lake Braies is about 100 km. By public transport you need to get to a village called Niederdorf – Prags (trains run), and then take a local bus No. 442 directly to the lake. If you travel by car, then you need to follow the roads No. A22/E45 and No. E66 (see on the map).

Lake Carezza

Lake Carezza is smaller and you cannot swim in it (the lake is fenced around the perimeter). But here you can walk around and admire the natural beauty from observation decks. Lake Carezza attracts tourists with its unusual bright blue color and dark streaks on the bottom of the lake. Lake Carezza is located halfway between Bolzano and Val di Fassa valley. By public transport you can get here by local bus # 180 in just 1 hour. When traveling by car, follow the road No. SP132; the travel time is just under an hour (see on the map).

Tre Cime de Lavaredo

Tre Cime di Lavaredo is an extremely picturesque mountain range consisting of three bizarrely shaped mountains standing very close to each other. The mountains are dolomitic, and their unique shape is the result of winds and rains that have sculpted them over centuries. The mountains are located 126 km from Bolzano and can only be reached by car. To reach this destination, follow the routes # A22/E45 and # E66. The travel time is approximately 2.5 hours (see on the map).

Photo above the article: Armin S Kowalski