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Enjoy Merano

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Experience and enjoy Merano

An idyllic downtown, flower-filled promenades and countless outdoor activities – come experience the traditional spa town of Merano and all its charms.

Hiking and golf in summer, Christmas markets and skiing in the winter – everything in Merano is enjoyable. Stress and worries are quickly forgotten in the mild Mediterranean climate with the many highlights and possible day trips. We’d also be happy to bring you on one of our organized outings and accompany you on your journey of discovery.

Summer

Hiking vacations in Merano and the surrounding areas»

Get out and enjoy the scenery! The Hotel Sittnerhof is the ideal starting point for your hiking vacation in Merano. Whether you want to take the Tappeinerweg walkway or one of the countless paths along the Waal River, you can go directly from the Hotel. If you want to get into higher elevations and leave the car behind, the City of Merano offers an excellent bus network that will get you to your desired starting point.

And if you don’t want to go alone, we offer a guided day hike once a week, accompany you to the Trauttmansdorff Castle Botanical Garden and the famous Tappeinerweg walkway - for everyone who would rather take it easy. Enjoy your hiking vacation in your hiking hotel in Merano!

Walking and hiking paths

Countless beautiful walking and hiking paths start directly in Merano, for example the Gilf Promenade, the Tappeinerweg walkway, the Winter Promenade or the Sissi Walkway. You can also easily reach many different high altitude paths, nice walkways on the valley floor or a refreshing path on the Waal River in the villages around Merano.

Magnificent mountain hikes

Due to its central location and the excellent transport connections, Merano is the perfect starting point for magnificent mountain or meadow hikes in the Gruppo di Tessa Natural Park, in the Val Passiria, the Val d'Ultimo or the Val Venosta.

The Sittnerhof – your golf hotel in Merano»

Our stylish and traditional golf hotel in Merano is the ideal starting point for an amazing golf vacation in South Tyrol. The 18-hole course of the Merano Passiria golf club, which the Sittnerhof belongs to, can be played on from February until December. Our guests get a green fee discount of 25%.

With our golf card you can also play on all courses in South Tyrol for very low prices. We wish you a very relaxing and fun-filled golf vacation in your golf hotel in Merano.

A journey of discovery by bike»

Discover the nicest bike paths in our region! We strongly recommend the new bike path to Val Venosta, although you can also take the Val Venosta railway for a stretch up to Malles Venosta (ca. 50 km). Another tip, especially for families – take a ride along the Passer River to San Leonardo (ca. 20 km). Naturally, our bikes are available to you at no cost for a ride around the city.

Winter

Skiing isn’t only for winter»

The glacier in Val Senales offers skiing fun in summer as well. In winter you can enjoy the Merano 2000 ski area, which is also popular in summer for hiking. The new alpine bob run is also open for exciting rides in winter and summer.

Merano Christmas Markets»

Sittnerhof – your hotel near the Christmas market

Only a few minutes away on foot from our cultural hotel, you will find the most well-known and loved Christmas market in Merano. Christmas specialities for gourmets, finely-made crafts and enchanting melodies will fill your senses – do something good for yourself in this cold season.

The Christmas Markets in South Tyrol

Enjoy the anticipation of the big day with a visit to the countless traditional and idyllic Christmas markets in South Tyrol. In this magical time of year in many townships around the country, you will find little market stands which sell mulled wine and tasty Christmas treats.

The biggest Christmas markets in South Tyrol are in Bressanone, Bolzano, Vipiteno, Glorenza, and Brunico, and right near our Hotel Sittnerhof the Merano Christmas market delights and enchants. Culinary highlights, quality South Tyrolean products and craftwork will please young and old and spread wonderful Christmas cheer!

Cultural diversity

What you should sea in the magical spa town of Merano»

There’s only one thing we don’t have time for here: boredom! Whatever you’re looking for, Merano is right in the middle of it! Nature, culture, friendly people and you, on your dream vacation!

The thermal baths of Merano

In the heart of the city and at the same time surrounded by a Mediterranean park landscape lies the new thermal baths of Merano. The heart of the architecture is a monumental glass cube which seems to break down the barrier between inside and outside. This makes for a very natural experience for the guests – with a view of the impressive mountain world around Merano as well as the 51,000 m² Mediterranean park. Visitors to the thermal baths of Merano have a choice of 25 indoor and outdoor pools with ever-changing water fun, an elegant sauna landscape with 8 different saunas and steam baths, a specialized fitness center and a first-class spa and vital center.

The Kurhaus

The jewel of Merano architecture was and is the spa hotel, built on the Passer Promenade. The erection of this building in 1874 was a golden time in the history of our city. Back then, just as today, conferences, festivals, balls and many other events were organized in the spa hotel.

The Prince’s Castle

The residence of the Tyrolean prince, built in 1470, served as accommodation for the princes when they were visiting the city.

The City Theater

The Merano City Theater was designed by architect Martin Dulfer in 1899 and built in Munich Art Nouveau style. Both the inside and outside of the building are richly adorned with marble and other decorations.

The horse track in Maia

It is among the largest and nicest horse stadiums in Europe and was built in 1935 on a 40 hectare plot after only a year of construction. Since then, the horse track in Merano Maia has been enchanting horse fans with its rich event programming.

The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle and the Tourism Museum

The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle and the Tourism Museum
A must in the Merano area are the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, which was chosen in 2005 as Italy’s Best Garden from 64 candidates. More than 80 garden landscapes from all over the world are presented on 12 hectares, as well as 11 artist pavilions, a spectacular observation deck by the famous architect Matteo Thun, and countless other attractions. Walking paths weave through water and terrace gardens down the hillside, lead into the Japanese garden or other sensual gardens, and down hillsides covered with cactus and succulents as well as southern crops like olive trees and grape vines. In the center of the garden, the castle lords over everything else. The Count of Trauttmansdorff had it rebuilt from Middle Age ruins in 1850; the Empress Sissi lived there during two winters for spa treatments. Now a tourism museum is located in the castle. It tells the story of 200 years of eventful Tyrolean tourism.

South Tyrol, land of culture»

Some of the highlights most worth seeing in South Tyrol next to the castles, monasteries and unique natural landscapes are a number of fascinating museums. You can get to know South Tyrolean history, culture, the county and its people and have fun at the same time.

Messner Mountain Museum

The famous extreme climber Reinhold Messner presents everything you would ever want to know about mountains in his mountain museums all over South Tyrol. In the MMM Firmiano at the Castello Firmiano, the relationship between people and mountains is explored. The MMM Dolomites near Cortina d’Ampezzo is dedicated to the subject of cliffs. The subject of ice is presented in the MMM Ortles. The Castel Juval houses the MMM Juval and revolves around mountain myths. The MMM Ripa in the Castello di Brunico is dedicated to the mountain people.

Ötzi Museum

In the South Tyrolean Archeological Museum in Bolzano, also called the Ötzi Museum, the world-famous glacier mummy from Hauslabjoch is exhibited with all his accessories. In addition to the spectacular and always changing special exhibition, the museum also features other interesting finds from South Tyrolean archeological history.

Museion

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Bolzano presents fascinating works of art from domestic and international artists. The modern cube made of glass and steel brings countless visitors to the city each year with its hiking exhibitions.

Tirol Castle

Tirol Castle in the nearby village of Tyrol is the family seat of the Count of Tyrol and the origin of our region’s name. Today the castle houses the South Tyrolean State Museum of Culture and History and tells the story of Tyrol. Every room of the castle which is suitable for entrance is dedicated to a different subject.

The ideal starting point»

Lay back and enjoy the magnificent landscape… we’ll take care of the rest. There are so many good outing destinations in Merano and South Tyrol, a few days are just not enough to see everything. But that a reason to come back again.

With our small bus (max. 9 people, including the driver), we can be flexible and cater to the wishes of our guests. We are happy to organize half- or full-day trips for you.

Castles and monasteries in Val Venosta

If you’d rather take in some culture, come on our art history trip to Val Venosta. The main destination is of course the Sopra Sluderno. Other destinations include the Marienberg Monastery, the Procolo Church in Naturno and the parish church in Laces.

The earth pyramides in Renon

A very popular half-day trip destination is the Renon, a high plateau above Bolzano with a magnificent view of the Val d'Adige and the Valle Isarco and the entire Catinaccio. A highlight of the journey to Renon is a short walk to the famous earth pyramides.

A visit to Andreas Hofer

The absolute highlight is the journey to the Val Passiria. You can visit the Andreas Hofer Museum in San Leonardo. Then the trip continues in the direction of the Passe del Rombo to Val di Plan, where you hike comfortably for an hour to Lazins and return by bus. Then we stop to try a traditional Marende on our farm in Pill/Moso where you can get comfortable on the terrace with a glass of our self-made wine and the magnificent view of the valley. Of course you can also see goats, sheep, horses, rabbits, cats, dogs, cows and much more up close in our stalls.

Shopping and weekly markets in Merano and the surrounding area»

Exclusive designer boutiques, long-established handicraft producers and modern fashion shops… The Middle Age covered arcades in the center of Merano make for an ideal shopping street with a special character. Treat yourself to a magnificent shopping trip to the big or small weekly market in Merano or to one of the other markets nearby!

Weekly markets in South Tyrol
Monday: San Paolo (Appiano)
Tuesday: Merano (small marcet), San Michele (Appiano), Prato allo Stelvio
Wednesday: Malles, Caldaro, Brunico
Thursday: Cornaiano (Appiano), Silandro
Friday: Merano (big market), Bolzano (Piazza Municipio), Laces, Ortisei
Saturday: Bolzano (Piazza della Vittoria), Merano (farmer’s market)