The most beautiful villages and landscapes of South Tyrol and its Dolomites

South Tyrol is the most exotic destination in the Alps. Situated on the border between the Latin and Germanic worlds, this land, which has preserved its oldest traditions while modernizing its infrastructure, is sure to win you over. We go there to discover the South Tyrol Dolomites and return with the desire to continue exploring this province of the Italian Alps.

South Tyrol will conquer all your senses. The beauty of the landscapes, the quality of its gastronomy, the refinement of its reception facilities, the revitalization in the spas and fitness centers, the quality of transport, the cleanliness, rigor and order that very naturally govern the entire public space, the respect and smiles of the people who live there contribute to the letting go that we come to seek during a mountain vacation in the Alps.

But when you come to South Tyrol for the first time, you still have to manage to let go, everything is so captivating.

Enough thinking, let's get down to business. Let's discover Südtirol.

The atmosphere of South Tyrol

When you find yourself in Südtirol – or Alto Adige in Italian – the change of scenery is total.

Close your eyes. People around you are speaking German, like in Austria.

Listen! You feel the warmth of the south, of these Italians like no other. The Latin roots are distant, but the art of living is very present: we party, we laugh, we have fun, we enjoy life, the sun, the good weather, the good times.

Smell! Taste! People love to eat in South Tyrol. Local specialities are served in charming restaurants. The influence of Tyrolis everywhere, but here we accompany the dishes with local wine, such as Traminer, the one that is well known to Alsatians, whose grape variety comes from the Tramin vineyards, in this region.

Dumplings, speck, game sauces, delicate cheeses, fruits. Your taste buds cannot resist the temptations of South Tyrol.

Open your eyes and look! Marvel at the architectural beauties of the churches and castles. The cities of Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone/Brixen are full of history. Just like the castle of Tirolo, which gave its name to the lineage that shaped this territory known today as Tyrol. Bolzano, the economic capital, the Italian Innsbruck, with its university, its companies and its soul both Germanic and Latin. Merano, a spa town, at the bottom of the valley is adorned with magnificent parks and gardens suitable for walks of the spa guests of yesteryear, residing in the palaces that housed celebrities such as the Empress of Austria-Hungary Sissi. Bressanone/Brixen on the North-South axis that connects Germany to Italy is the guardian of the traditions of Südtirol, both in its architecture and its gastronomy. Here, Italian is less commonly spoken, the climate harsher, and the South Tyrol flag flies proudly in the air.

Also look at the mountains, the Dolomites or the glaciers on the border with Austria: as proud as their people!

Western South Tyrol, valleys and high mountains

If in the West of South Tyrol, the Val Venosta is known for its wines and for its fruits that are cultivated as far as the borders of Switzerland and Austria, you will discover beautiful mountain areas like the Val Senales and its high-altitude ski slopes, as well as Solda/Sulden at the foot of the Ortles glaciers. But the prize for curiosity goes to the lake of the Resia Pass with its famous bell tower that emerges from the surface of the water as testimony to an ancient village swallowed up by the waters during the creation of this artificial reservoir. It is not the only one in the Alps; just think of Tignes, Roselend or the lake of Serre-Ponçon to name but a few.

Eastern South Tyrol, the land of the Dolomites

Eastern South Tyrol is the kingdom of the Dolomites. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, their legendary beauty comes from their colour and shape. They are spoken of as architectural works whose impassable towers, battlements, statue-like shapes and crosses that very often top their summits make them veritable geological cathedrals.

Many legends explain the colours of the Dolomites at sunset (the Enrosadira), or the blue of the lakes. The "Pallidi Mountains" (Pale Mountains) woven with "moon threads" for the love of a princess mix myths, nature and traditions.

Here you can enjoy winter sports or hike around lovely little villages that are open all year round.

In Val Gardena you have the choice between Ortisei and Selva Valgardena, two resorts well known to skiers, but also two typical centres of the Ladin world, whose language is only spoken in a few valleys of the Dolomites.

Further north, the Val Badia charms skiers of all levels, while the Val Pusteria attracts especially cross-country skiers who can practice their favourite sport from Dobbiaco or San Candido over very long distances in a landscape of great beauty up to Lake Garda. Mysurine, in the heart of the Dolomites. Moreover, all the lakes of the Dolomites are real wonders. An article is dedicated to them.

Smaller valleys also mark the landscape of South Tyrol, such as the very famous Val di Funes, whose backdrop is the chiseled massif of the Odles Dolomites. A special mention also goes to Val Fiscalina, in the Sesto Dolomites: a dream setting. You feel transported into a fairy tale. You expect to see the appearance of wisps, gnomes, and princesses, whose local legends are very rich. These same valleys are crossed by cyclists in summer in search of the difficulties represented by crossing the many passes.

The towns in the great valleys of South Tyrol, at the foot of the Dolomites

Tourists looking for mountain scenery quickly head back up into the valleys towards the passes and peaks. But if you take the time to discover a lesser-known South Tyrol, you will come across some nice surprises.

The three major cities, each in its own valley, are Bolzano/Bozen, the capital, Merano/Meran, the imperial spa town, and Bressanone/Brixen, the beating heart of the spirit and identity of South Tyrol.

North of Bolzano, easily accessible by public transport by cable and railway, the Renon plateau from which the panoramas are breathtaking, from the Dolomites to the Ortles glaciers.

Beautiful memories we bring back from South Tyrol

In South Tyrol there are places known all over the world because their photos are constantly circulating on the web and social networks: Lake Braies, Lake Carezza, Val di Funes, Val Fiscalina… When you are there, you will not be able to hold back an “aaah, it’s here!”. And you will also take a photo to bring a little bit of South Tyrol home with you.

A word about gastronomy. In Südtirol you learn that mountain cuisine is not just about cheese, potatoes and cold cuts. Here, every starter, every main course, every dessert is a world apart, with its origins on both sides of the Alpine slopes that have shaped its history.

South Tyrol is an art of living that involves the pleasure of discovering trails, dense forests and sparkling streams in a different way. It is a region shaped by Man to live in symbiosis with Nature.

The beautiful poetic legends that haunt these valleys will haunt you long after your visit...

Activities not to be missed in South Tyrol

A boat trip on the magical waters of Lake Braies, the pearl of dolomites.
A walk in the Funes Valley, at the foot of the Odle mountain range, one of the emblematic landscapes of South Tyrol.
To be moved by the submerged bell tower from Lake Resia, especially in winter, when the tip of the bell tower emerges from the layer of ice.
On castle gardens from Trauttmannsdorf to Merano
Admire the clear waters of Lake Carezza, a blue jewel nestled in its setting of dolomites.
Take a picture in front of the Three Peaks – Tre Cime di Lavaredo, these three peaks which are the symbol of dolomites.
Visit Castle Tyrol, cradle of the dynasty that ruled Tyrol.
Running, galloping, pedaling on theAlpe di Siusi, a high plateau of pastures topped by the most famous landscapes of the Dolomites.
Visit Ötzi, the moving mummy of a hunter who fell into a glacier 5000 years ago, and preserved in excellent condition. It is in the Archaeological Museum of Bolzano.
Visit Bolzano, the regional capital, and take the little Renon train which goes up to the plateau of the same name from where you can see the main peaks of the region.
Strolling through the alleys of Glorenza-Glurns, little medieval village from Val Venosta
visit Messner Castle Museum, in which the famous climber exposed his memories of expeditions to the highest peaks in the world. In Firmiano, near Bolzano.
Discover the world of mines in Monteneve a Ridanna: exhibitions, museum, adventures for all ages on the themes of ore mines.
Enjoy the old-world charm of Merano, its lush gardens and its thermal baths for a fitness stay.
Make a stop at Vipiteno and its medieval centre which lights up with a thousand lights at Christmas time, and smells of soup during the Canaederli (Knödel) festival.
Get into the sellaronda, around the Sella massif, at the end of Val Gardena, in summer on foot or by bike, and in winter, on skis. The challenge is to do it in one day! Or by car, passing the four passes that surround this massif of dolomites.

Discovering South Tyrol on video

The best webcams in South Tyrol

(click on the name of the village)

Val Gardena : an incredible view of the valley and the Dolomites.
Alpe di Siusi: a breathtaking view of Sassolungo, the emblematic peak of the Dolomites.
Ortisei: above the village, a webcam to discover all the peaks of the Dolomites surrounding Val Gardena.
Val Gardena: immersion in the landscapes of the Dolomites!
Sex in Puster: view of the Val Fiscalina. Magical.
dobbiaco: the webcam pointed at the village, the lake and the Dolomites. An enchantment
Crown Plan: view of Brunico and the border ridge with Austria
Val Casies: a real valley typical of the South Tyrol-Alto Adige landscape.
Merano: an enchantment, a romantic landscape as desired.
Resia: the bell tower that protrudes from the lake! Especially worth seeing in winter, when the lake is frozen.
Soldiers: the upper Solda valley. At the foot of the Ortles glaciers.
Val Badia: Colfosco and its beautiful mountains