11 best things to do in Merano (Meran), South Tyrol
Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure in the South Tyrolian Alps? Meran(o) is a city located in South Tyrol surrounded by a beautiful mountain scenery. Popular among Italians and foreign tourists, Merano is an absolute must-visit place for your bucketlist. From shopping to hiking and outdoor adventures – the city offers a great variety of things to do to make your trip as outstanding as possible. With these 11 best things to do on Merano, you can be sure to get the best out of your time.
As the city really do has different angles which you can experience, make sure to get something of everything. Meaning, do not forget about the stunning hiking trails and as well do plan a shopping afternoon. Merano is really about the mixture of all the different things to do to not miss out on any highlight. But see for yourself.
Walk the Tappeiner Weg
Let´s start the list of the best things to do in Merano with an outdoor activity. But don´t worry, it is not one of the extremely hard hikes you can do in the area. The Tappeiner Trail is the perfect choice for a long walk or an easy “hike”. The trail does not only start directly in the city but as well gives you panorama views of the whole area. You´ll pass traditional vineyards, orchards and beautiful cafés and restaurants where you can have a break and enjoy local food.
The Tappeiner Trail is one of the “Waalwege” for which the area is well-known. With a small stream directly next to the path, you´ll get an idyllic experience. Close to nature, fantastic views and easy to reach – if this isn´t the perfect traveller experience.
The path starts right behind the St. Nicholas Church and after climbing a few stairs, you´ll reach the official start. You can follow the trail as long as you want and return the same way. If you decide to walk for a while, you will not only get to see Merano from above, but as well the beautiful village of Algundo. It is highly recommended to walk the full trail and make this a day tour.
You can as well continue to walk the “Algunder Waalweg” afterwards, which starts right at the end of the Tappeiner Trail. This is another picturesque route through the orchards, which you should not miss when visiting Merano.
Hike the Meraner Höhenweg
Merano can best be experienced from above. The view from the mountains is breathtaking and experiencing the mountains and the feeling of being in nature is what travellers amazes in the area.
One of the most popular routes to follow is the so-called “Meraner Höhenweg”. Depending on your exact route, this can be quite an easy hike or as well rather challenging.
For an easy rout click here to get all the details.
Visit the picturesque Trauttmansdorff Castle
Trauttmansdorff Castle has a safe place on the list of the best things to do in Merano as well. The Castle does not only offer an interesting insight into the history of the area but is as well home to a beautiful garden. With colorful flowers, exotic blossom and animals this is a great experience. You can walk around the area (which is quite huge), enjoy the view, relax in the park or enjoy a coffee in the café. Make sure to stop and watch the small parrots, you won´t regret it.
You can either get a ticket to visit the inside of the castle or you decide to only visit the outside area, which is the highlight of Trauttmansdorff. If you want to learn more about the history though, a tour is a good choice.
Enjoy a relaxing day in the Terme Merano
Need a bit of relaxation after enjoying the outdoors and mountains in South Tyrol? Merano got your back. The modern Terme is the place to be on a rainy or moody day. With a great variety of wellness and spa offers, you can spend a whole day relaxing and recharging. During the summer months you can as well visit the outside pools. Perfect for solo travellers, couples or even families.
Because sometimes you simply need a break from exploring and roaming, right?
Visit the Kurshaus
If you are in the center of Merano, one building does stand out: the Kurhaus. This is one of the most important buildings of the city and beautiful to look at from the outside. It is located right next to the Passer River and you can easily combine a visit with a shopping trip.
There even is a Café in the Kurhaus offering coffee and treats. Definitely worth a visit and a popular photography spot with the impressive mountain scenery in the background.
Have a coffee or an aperitif at the riverside, the Passeier Promenade
The heart of Merano is not only the shopping street but as well the river side, called the “Passeier Promenade”. Here, you can find many cafés, ice-cream parlors and benches to sit and enjoy the view. In a nutshell: the perfect place for a coffee or an aperitif.
Find a place in one of the cafés or grab an ice-cream to go. Sit by the river and watch the people passing by. This really is one of the best things to do in Merano to enjoy and experience the vibe of the city. But attention: this might make you fall madly in love with the city (if you not already are).
Visit Meran 2000 for a stunning mountain scenery
Ready for a mountain adventure? You really cannot spend time in Merano without really being in the mountains. Yes, hiking needs to be on your list. If you want to skip the hardest part – hiking up the mountain – and still enjoy the alpine feeling, Meran 2000 is something to consider. The gondola takes you up the mountain from where multiple tracks for any fitness level start.
You can either start the hike to the Ifinger (the local mountain of both Merano and Schenna) or you decide to take it slow and just walk around a bit. This is actually a well-known area for winter sports and perfect for a bike tour as well. There are huts serving delicious food.
Meran 2000 is a great thing to do for anybody – for hiking lovers, bikers and even for those who just like to enjoy the view without sweating too much. You can easily reach the gondola by bus or car (the parking is free) or you can walk from Schenna.
Go for a walk along the Passer
The Passer is the river flowing through Merano. It is both a popular river for kayaking and water sports, but as well the perfect place for a scenic walk.
Start your walk at the top of the Passeier Promenade (the Gilf) and follow the river side all the way to the city. This is one of the best things to do in Merano during the day to get a better impression of what the city really is about. You can sit on one of the benches, watch the water or enjoy a delicious ice-cream.
If you are lucky and you´re visiting the city during a kayak competition, this is by far an absolute highlight to watch. During these days, the riverside is full of people cheering and watching the kayakers fighting the water.
Visit the villages of Schenna or Dorf Tirol
It is not only the city of Merano which is worth a visit, but as well the surrounding villages. Most of them are a popular place to stay for tourists and hiking lovers as you can access some of the trails directly. Two of the favorite places to visit are Dorf Tirol and Schenna, both smaller villages but a popular tourist center. They are located above the city and offer a stunning view over the valley and the mountains.
You can stay in one of the beautiful hotels or stays or simply visit for some hours and walk around. They have shops, cafés and restaurants as well.
Spend a shopping day in the arcades or the market
Merano is perfect for some shopping. The city center is almost completely occupied by tourists during the high season. The shops are located in the arcades and you can visit one store after the other. From typical brands to outdoor shops and local shops – this shopping experience really is for everyone.
Be aware though, especially on the weekends, it can get quite busy. During a rainy day, the arcades are obviously crowded as well.
On Friday, you´ll find a market close to the city center (location: Prader Platz, close to the train station), which is also worth a visit. You can find anything from clothes to traditional food and fresh fruits and vegetables – and is there any better way to experience a city than a market stroll? No.
Ask in your hotel for any more information about markets and special events in the city.
Click here to visit the offical homepage of the city.
Do a wine tasting
South Tyrol is not only about mountains and nature, but as well about the wine. You´ll quickly notice the orchards as soon as you enter the area. During the autumn months, the grape harvest is one of the many reasons why tourist travel to Merano and the surrounding villages.
If you are a wine lover, this is another great thing to do in Merano. A wine tasting offers you the ultimate experience for the Italian wine and its taste. There are wine bars in Schenna, Algundo or Merano.
Surely, there are even more things to do in Merano. The list of hikes and walks in the area is endless, as well the options for museums and different tours. But these 11 best things to do are the absolute highlights and must-dos which you cannot miss when visiting the city. If you come for a second visit or even have more time left in South Tyrol, make sure to plan more outdoor adventures. Take the Hochmut Bahn and hike the Cima Muta (highly recommended), walk the other “Waalwege” or simply go for walks in the apple orchards.
Merano is waiting for you, are you ready to fall in love with the heart of South Tyrol?
