Table of Contents:
How to get to Merano from Verona
How to get to Merano from Venice
How to get to Merano from Milan
When to travel to Merano
Merano is a town in Northern Italy with knightly castles, severe mountain landscapes, but also with a surprisingly mild climate and natural mineral springs. Travelers come to Merano to admire the natural and architectural beauty, as well as to relax in the local thermal complex; the combination of excursion leisure with relaxing treatments is very popular among tourists.
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 Merano. 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 Merano.
In my opinion, Merano is worth visiting at any time of the year. In winter you will find picturesque snowy landscapes, and in summer you will be impressed with mountains views and landscaped parks. The thermal complex is open to visitors all year round, so you can swim in the pools, visit a variety of saunas and enjoy beauty treatments both in winter and summer. Merano is famous for its castles, which can also be visited all year round.
How to get to Merano
Where do you fly into to get to Merano? Merano has its own train station, so you can get here from any major city in Northern Italy, be it Verona, Venice or Milan. You can check the flight timetable to Verona or Venice or Milan via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. I often use this service as it helps me to compare different flight options and to choose the optimal one. All three cities have international airports. In addition to public transport, you can also rent a car in any of the listed cities to travel around the region.
How to get to Merano from Verona
Merano is located 180 km from Verona. You can get here by car or by train.
By train: There are no direct trains between Verona and Merano; you need to change trains in Bolzano. The total travel time is approximately 2.5 hours. Trains run along the route every hour throughout the day. You can view 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 point of view, it is a very convenient online service, because you can compare different routes, duration of the train journey, prices, number of changes if applicable and many other parameters.
By rented car: You can also rent a car in Verona, both at the airport and in the city center offices. This service is very popular in Verona. In addition, you can book a car in advance via various online services, for example, via Discover Cars, Economybookings and other similar ones. Verona and Merano are connected with highway No. A22/E45 via Trento and Bolzano. 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 Merano from Venice
Merano is located almost 300 km from Venice. You can also get here from Venice by train or by car.
By train: There are no direct trains from Venice; you need to make 2 changes along the route – in Verona and Bolzano. The total travel time is 4 hours. Trains depart several times an hour throughout the day from S. Lucia station in Venice. You can view the current train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. I can totally recommend Raileurope as it has a very convenient search, in my opinion. There are a lot of filters to sort the results as you may need.
By rented car: You can also rent a car at rental offices in Venice. Such rental points can be found both in the city and at the airport. In addition, tourists can use online services to book the desired class of a car in advance, for example, via Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Venice and Merano are connected with highways # A4/E70 and A22/E45. The travel time is a little more than 3 hours (see on the map). Based on my experience, both online services are good as they can compare a great number of car rental offers from various suppliers.
How to get to Merano from Milan
The distance between Milan and Merano is about 300 km. You can get from one city to another by public transport or by car.
By train: To travel by train from Milan to Merano, you need to make several changes in such towns as Verona and Bolzano. The total travel time, including changes, is a little more than 4 hours. Trains run 1-2 times per hour throughout the day. You can view the current train timetable at the Raileurope booking service. It is one of the services which I use very often when planning my upcoming trips and I can definitely recommend it as it has a very convenient search.
By rented car: You can also use car rental services, which are very popular among tourists arriving in Milan. There are a lot of rental points here, including Malpensa and Linate airports, as well as almost all districts of the city. To rent a car you need to have a passport, a driver’s license and a bank card. It is recommended to book the desired class of a car in advance to save time on spot. Travelers often use services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. Milan and Merano are connected with the # A4 and A22/E45 motorways. The travel time is approximately 3 hours 40 minutes (see on the map). I usually use both online services to compare the available car rental options and it is very helpful, in my opinion.
Where to stay in Merano
I did some research and I can say that tourists can find a lot of different accommodation options to stay here. Travellers can stay in Merano in hotels of various star categories, as well as rent apartments. For guests travelling by car, accommodation options in the surrounding area or neighboring towns, for example, in Tirolo, are also suitable.
ImperialArt 4* – this hotel is located in the town center, close to the main attractions. It features a bar, a restaurant and a rooftop Jacuzzi. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Depending on the room type, breakfast may be included in the price. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that parking, bicycle rental, luggage and ski storage are also provided. All rooms have wireless Wi-Fi;
Hotel Tannerhof 3* – the hotel is located in the surroundings of Merano. It is just 1 km from the center with its attractions. A bar and a restaurant are offered to the guests. Visitors can stay in cozy rooms with mountain views. Breakfast is not included. Inside the room you can find a safe, a kettle, TV, a hairdryer, a fridge and free Wi-Fi. There is a parking lot next to the hotel. Luggage and ski storage services and bicycle rentals are available at reception;
Gartenresidence Zea Curtis 3* – the hotel is located 1 km from the town center and close to the thermal complex of Merano. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, an outdoor swimming pool, a sauna and a gym. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, as well as in studios or apartments. All rooms have balconies. Depending on the room type, breakfast may be included in the price. The hotel complex also has a parking area, a children’s playground, and a sun terrace;
La Vista – Nature Living 3* – this hotel is surrounded with natural landscapes; the distance from Merano is 1 km. Here you can relax in a bar, a restaurant, a swimming pool, a spa area, and also work out in a gym. You can stay in double rooms of various categories. Breakfast is included in the price. The rooms are equipped with everything you need, including air conditioning, TV, a safe and a hairdryer. Free Wi-Fi is available to hotel guests. Free parking is provided on site. In addition, you can always sunbathe on the terrace or take a walk in the hotel garden;
Maison Valentina – the hotel is located in the town center, close to the main attractions. There is a bar at the hotel. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. You can stay in different room categories, including family rooms. Breakfast is included in the price. The rooms have air conditioning, TV, a hairdryer. There is a parking lot next to the hotel. Luggage storage is available at the reception.
In general, I can say that Merano hotels are located either at the town center or at the surrounding area. The former are convenient to stay in if you travel by public transport, the latter are more suitable for travelers travelling by car or by taxi, since getting to the surrounding area by public transport is quite difficult.
What to see in Merano
Merano is a picturesque northern Italian town located near the border with Austria. It has its own special weather conditions, since Merano is sheltered from the winds by the surrounding mountains. In addition, there are mineral springs, the use of which is considered to be beneficial to health. The thermal complex of Merano is a very popular attraction for travellers. In addition, Merano is famous for its architecture, including medieval streets, majestic castles and landscaped gardens. You can admire the beauty of the town from above by taking a funicular up one of the local mountains.
The thermal complex of Merano (Terme Merano) is located near the town center, on the banks of a mountain river. Here you can try a variety of swimming pools (15 indoor and 10 outdoor ones), saunas and various spa treatments. The complex includes a South Tyrolean honey steam bath, a Finnish sauna, a herbal sauna, an ice room, a relaxation area, a jacuzzi, cold and hot pools, sea water pools, a sports pool, radon baths, a children’s pool, a fitness center, an inhalation room and much more. In summer, there is an open-air recreation area. There is some useful information for visiting that I discovered:
- The thermal complex welcomes guests all year round;
- The pool area is open from 9 am to 9 pm;
- The sauna area is open from 2 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 9 pm on weekends and holidays;
- The spa area is open from 9 am to 7pm;
- The entrance ticket price (2 hours, pool area) for an adult is 17 euros, for a child – 13 euros;
- The entrance fee (2 hours, swimming pools + saunas) for an adult is 26 euros;
- You can also purchase an entrance ticket for 3 hours or for the whole day.
In addition, you can purchase various combined tickets, for example, funicular ride + thermal complex (3 hours visit) for 42 euros; visit of the Trauttmansdorff gardens + thermal complex (3 hours) for 40 euros, etc.
Around the thermal complex of Merano there are many landscaped park areas. Around the thermal complex there is the Termen park with a pond. A little further, to the right, along the river, you will see the start point of the Gilfpromenade hiking trail. Here you can enjoy the fresh air from the mountain river and admire the local nature. Walking even further to the right, along the river, you can discover the Garten der Tire park with its unusual décor, including sculptures and bridges.
However, one of the most significant landscape parks in Merano is the above-mentioned Trauttmansdorff botanical garden. On the territory of the garden there is a castle; the Merano Tourism Museum is now open within its walls. The garden presents a unique exhibition of plants, flowers and trees from all over the world. Beautiful olive groves here coexist with a Japanese garden, and alpine hills coexist with huge cacti. In total, the garden spreads over 12 hectares of land!
Conventionally, the garden can be divided into 4 area, including Forests of the World, Sunny gardens (Mediterranean area), Water and terrace gardens, Landscapes of South Tyrol. Be sure to visit the observation decks of the garden, the Pond of Lovers, the glass house, the grottoes, and also meet the cute alpacas who live in the garden. I did some research to collect practical information for visiting and here it is:
- The botanical garden is open from April, 1 to November, 15;
- The garden is open from 9 am to 7 pm from April, 1 to October, 15 and until 6 pm from October, 16 to October, 31, and until 5 pm from November, 1 to November, 15;
- The entrance ticket costs 16 euros;
- You can purchase a family ticket for 36 euros;
- You can reach the botanical garden by local buses No. 1, 1B or 4 from the town center or from the railway station.
Walking through the center of Merano, you can also see such elegant buildings as the Kurhaus, built at the end of the 19th century, the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, the Puccini Theater, the Principesco Castle from the 15th century and several other sites.
Another reason why tourists come to Merano is the picturesque Tirolo Castle, located in the surrounding area of the town. The castle is located 6 km from the center of Merano. Tirolo was built in the 12th century; it features typical for that period Gothic style. The castle is surrounded with the breath-taking local mountains. Inside the castle you can find a museum of the History of South Tyrol. I found out detailed information for visiting the castle:
- You can get to Tirolo from Merano by bus #236;
- 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.
Another entertainment in Merano is cable car riding. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you will be able to see the whole of Merano at a glance. The Merano 2000 cable car is open both in summer and winter. More than 100 km of hiking trails have been laid out for tourists and magnificent observation decks are open. In winter people go skiing here.
- The cost of a day ticket (you can ride on all available routes) is 31 euros for an adult and 21.5 euros for a child;
- The cable car is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily.
As you can see, Merano is a picturesque town of Northern Italy with many attractions and activities available all year round. According to my knowledge, Merano is also suitable as a starting point for radial excursions around the Dolomites. For example, 60 km from Merano there is an amazing Lake Carezza with turquoise water and dark circles at the bottom; 130 km away there is a popular Lake Braies, surrounded with picturesque mountains; and 160 km away there is a Tre Cime di Lavaredo mountain range, one of the main attractions of the Dolomites.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out a travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerged medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase an insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Graeme Churchard
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Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more…