The many faces of South Tyrol.
Beautiful contrasts. And many things to do in winter in the Dolomites.
Tranquillity and peace, vastness and nature. And now? You are longing for the hustle and bustle, for cities instead of mountains, for culture instead of snow. The Dolomites have it all. With winter activities for every mood, for everyone. Bolzano, Merano and Bressanone are dressed up beautifully in sparkling lights during winter, especially during advent. Christmas markets pop up on old town squares, the scent of cinnamon, cloves and oranges fills the streets – and a mug of mulled wine warms your fingertips.
Icy winter days and cosy museums. The perfect match.
And there are plenty of museums in South Tyrol to choose from. First and foremost the Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano, Ötzi’s final resting place. Or the three Messner Mountain Museums (MMM), which tell the story of Reinhold Messner’s mountain philosophy. The Thurn Castle in Nova Ponente also opens its doors in winter.
Our favourites
He is world-famous – and yet he lies very still. Get to know Ötzi at the Bolzano Museum of Archaeology: his world, his last day, his secret. The exhibition surrounding this legendary figure skilfully sets the scene, informing about the glaciers, climate, Stone Age medicine and archaeological findings. History that moves you – and educates.
Change your perspective and view mountains through the eyes of a legendary mountaineer. The museums of Reinhold Messner captivatingly tell the stories of adventures, culture and inner growth. Open in winter: MMM Firmian near Bolzano – an impressive fortress that houses exhibitions on mountain philosophies. And MMM Ripa in Bruneck – shining light on the lives of mountain tribes around the globe. High up on the Kronplatz, the MMM Corones – a tribute to alpinism, minimalist, powerful, beautifully curated.
Bold, expressive, sometimes loud, sometimes very quiet: the Museion displays international contemporary art in all its facets – from photography to sound, from sculptures to videos. And the building itself? A work of art composed of light, glass and space.
Art, silence, amazement: the baroque Hofburg in the centre of Bressanone is a museum, a palace and a journey through time all in one. Particularly atmospheric in winter – with changing exhibitions and the famous Hofburg exhibition on nativity scenes. A place to get lost in time.
This historic residence is hidden away in snowy Nova Ponente. What looks like quiet hibernation from the outside, is buzzing on the inside: concerts, readings, art. Thurn Castle is a remarkable insider tip – for all those who love to experience culture off the beaten track.
Just a few minutes from Brixen, the Augustinian monastery is opening its doors to visitors – even in winter. The baroque abbey church, the library with its frescoes, the wine cellar and the herb garden: a place that leaves a lasting impression.
Start your deep dive into nature right in the city centre. From Alpine fish to the rocks of the Dolomites – the Museum of Nature beautifully captures the diversity of South Tyrol. With interactive exhibits, taxidermy and a large aquarium, it excites young and old explorers alike.
Twinkling lights, chestnuts crackling, mulled wine warming your cold fingertips. In advent, a special time begins in South Tyrol. Bolzano is the classic among the local Christmas markets: South Tyrolean products, Christmas tree decorations and a huge Christmas tree on Piazza Walther. Merano is modern and cosy, a beautiful market that stretches along the promenade, the thermal baths right around the corner. Bressanone enchants with its cathedral square and a light show that seems to touch the sky. And for those who like things a little quieter: the Christmas markets in Sarentino, Castelrotto, Glorenza o Vipiteno are smaller, nostalgic – almost like taken from a picture book. Less hustle and bustle, more emotion.
Get in, take a deep breath and set off. The Alpe di Siusi sleeps under a white blanket, the pace slows down. In the sleigh, bundled up warm and cosy, the rhythmic clacking of the hooves, the bells on the harness softly chiming – and around you: silence. Only vastness, snow and the panorama of the Sassolungo, Sasso Piatto and Sciliar. A winter activity in the Dolomites that is unmatched. For couples, for families, for the soul.
Winter in South Tyrol is so much more
You want more? But without mountains, without cold toes? South Tyrol delivers. Towns, markets, museums, little escapes. The other side of winter. Warm, cosy, inviting.
Christmas markets in South Tyrol
Melodies that make you stop and listen. Lights that make you look. And that one scent that takes you back to your childhood for a second. Christmas is a feeling – and it starts right here.
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Cultura Dolomiti. Our lifestyle. Our take on modern hospitality.
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You want more? The Cyprianerhof is your place to be.
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Your holiday in Tires al Catinaccio
A holistic approach to wellbeing that invites you to savour every moment and to simply let go. Culinary creations that delight, surprise and just taste great. A modern take on hospitality that puts genuine encounters first. Your time, your rules. New energy and fresh impulses. Cultura Dolomiti.
