Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on a trip to Bolzano, Italy. While many travel blogs will tell you all the fun things to do in Bolzano Italy, we want to be sure you know what you should NOT do when you plan a Bolzano trip.
Don’t Miss Ötzi the Iceman
It sounds weird to look at a frozen dead body, but it’s one of the most popular things to do in Bolzano. Ötzi the Iceman was discovered in the nearby Alps in 1991. The glaciers around 5000 years ago perfectly mummified him and now he is the main attraction at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. You can view him through a tiny window, and there’s usually a line so be prepared for that. You can reserve your spot online and save yourself the trouble of waiting in line. And no photos are allowed, so don’t take any pictures of Ötzi the Iceman.
Don’t Be Surprised if It Feels Like Austria
Bolzano is pretty close to the Austrian border, and it has been part of Austria at one time, so it definitely has an Austrian feel to it. The architecture and the food have more of an Austrian vibe with an Italian influence. This applies to the people as well; they aren’t as overly friendly here as they are in Southern Italy. You’ll probably even hear just as many people speaking German as Italian. Don’t forget to brush up on your basics in German before you visit Bolzano!
Don’t Skip the Porticos
Much like Paris has covered passages, Bolzano has the porticos. They have covered walkways that shoot off from the main streets, and typically have lots of shops hidden inside. It’s especially great for escaping rain or snow.
Don’t Expect Cool Summer Days
Even though Bolzano is a mountain town, it still gets very hot in the summer. Make sure you pack appropriately and bring lots of sunscreen. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle and refill it often so you don’t get dehydrated.
Don’t Miss Walther Platz
Walther Platz or Piazza Walther is not a monument to Wolter’s World. It is the main square of Bolzano, and definitely a place you should check out when you’re here. It’s conveniently located and has lots of shops and restaurants to explore. In the winter, this is where you’ll find the Christmas markets. Make sure you visit the Cathedral in the square as well.
Don’t Miss Bolzano Museums
There are lots of great museums and attractions in Bolzano. Besides the Archeology Museum where the IceMan lives, check out these Bolzano museums:
Don’t Forget to Explore the Dolomites
Bolzano is the adventure hub for the Dolomites of Italy. It’s a very popular destination for hikers and there are lots of hikes for all abilities. There are funiculars that take you up into the mountains and you can hike from there. There are also lots of castles nearby so don’t be afraid to rent a car and go see the mountains and other villages.
Don’t Miss the Bolzano Christmas Market
If you can visit in the winter, don’t miss the Bolzano Christmas market. South Tyrol has some of the best Christmas markets in Italy and being in the Dolomites means you’ll be surrounded by a winter wonderland.
Five Foods to Eat at Christmas Markets
Don’t Miss Out on Austrian Food in Bolzano
While you can find Italian food in Bolzano, the local specialty is Austrian food. Here are a few things you should eat when you visit Bolzano:
- Pretzels – you’ll see them all over, in bakeries and sold on street carts. Pretzels are the perfect street snack while walking around.
- Knödel is a fantastic Austrian dish, with hearty dumplings. Sometimes they come in a soup, or sometimes they are their own meal.
- Wiener Schnitzel is another classic Austrian meal to try in Bolzano
- Spätzle is a German noodle often served with a cheese topping; similar to pasta.
- Speck is a local specialty that my Italian friends recommended; it’s cured pork and quite tasty
- Tyrolean Ravioli is another local dish; it can be filled with meat or cheese.
- Being in the alpine region, the cheeses served in Bolzano are fantastic. Bela Badia, Alta Badia, Stelvio, and Graukäse are a few of the regional cheeses to try.
- Austrians love their pastries, so you can get some pretty amazing cakes, strudels, and tortes in Bolzano, too. You can even get Vienna’s famous Sacher Torte.
Bolzano has great street food as well, so don’t be afraid to hit the sausage carts around town. You’ll get some pretty good hot dogs, bratwurst, and pretzels.
Don’t Miss the Beer and Wine
If you take the train to Bolzano, you’ll see lots of vineyards along the route, and being Italy, there are some great wines to drink in Bolzano. We liked the white wines better than the reds, but they do have both. You’re also so close to Austria, that some of the best Italian beers are also made near Bolzano. It’s the best of both worlds, so whether you prefer wine or beer, you’ll have some great options.
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Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with Bolzano! It’s like a charming little slice of Austria in the northern mountains of Italy.
It’s such a vast place to explore, and there are always new areas each time you visit. It’s really quite amazing how well-preserved some of the artwork and architecture are, and you’ll spend the day in the shadow of the volcano that made Pompeii famous.
Want more tips for traveling in Italy? Check out some of our other blog posts: