Things to do in  Bolzano

Tucked in the Alpine city of Bolzano, the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology is home to one of the most astounding prehistoric finds of the last century: a Copper-Age mummy preserved by the Alpine glaciers for 5,000 years. Dubbed Ötzi, the Iceman is now the unrivaled star of the show at this small but world-class museum, where you can see his clothing, equipment, and even his remains—now displayed in a sealed, temperature-controlled chamber.

A must for rail enthusiasts, the Ritten Railway has served the stretch between Bolzano and Ritten in northern Italy since 1907. The historic car climbs more than 3,240 feet (almost 1,000 meters in just 3.4 miles (5.5 km, offering spectacular mountain views over the area’s unique natural rock formations.

This nature reserve in the heart of the Italian Dolomite Mountains is (relatively) small but mighty, with a concentration of majestic peaks and scenic hiking trails found almost nowhere else in the mountain chain. Hit any number of trails in Puez-Odle, and you’re just as likely to find storybook Swiss and spruce pine forest as high-altitude rock deserts.

Among the largest protected areas in the region of Alto Adige, or South Tyrol, this expanse of Alpine peaks, meadows, and lakes (hello, Lake Braies!) is a haven for hikers and climbers. It’s also part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 initiative, which aims to promote conservation, due partly to the resident wildlife, which include chamois, marmots, badgers, and foxes.

Via dei Portici, also called Laubengasse, stretches through the heart of Bolzano’s old town and is among the town’s most famous streets. Named after the arcades (portici in Italian) that house the shops lining the historic streets, Via dei Portici has been Bolzano’s commercial hub since the Middle Ages—today, it blends traditional architecture with modern shops and is the number one shopping destination in town.

In the center of Bolzano’s main square you’ll find a marble monument to the German medieval bard Walther von der Vogelweide, but the main attractions are the cafés, restaurants, and shops lining the tiny pedestrian roads, and the Gothic cathedral across Piazza della Parrocchia. The piazza is the best place to start your exploration of the old town.

Via Bottai, also known as Cooper Alley, is named after the bottai, or coopers, crafters of casks and barrels, who once plied their trade in an area with deep connections to wine-making and trading going back to the Middle Ages. In the heart of the medieval center, the narrow cobblestone lane is one of Bolzano’s most historic and atmospheric streets, lined with centuries-old buildings and wrought-iron inn signs.

This historic church has beautiful cloisters with intricate vaulted ceilings, and houses well-preserved Gothic artworks. Behind the choir gallery, a grand Gothic altarpiece was carved by sculptor Hans Klocker in the early 16th century; in the cloister, bell tower, and chapel you’ll find 18th-century paintings and the pièce de résistance, Gothic frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Saint Francis.