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Comune in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy
Photo: Joergsam, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Merano (German: Meran) is the second largest town in South Tyrol with a population of about 41,000 (2025). A slight majority (51.4%) of the population is Italian-speaking, while the others are German-speaking.
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Admission is included with tickets for Trauttmansdorff Castle & Gardens (see below). It's a very interesting highlight. The Museum hosted at Trauttmansdorff Castle reports the long history of tourist tradition in South Tyrol. The Museum is open only from the first April to November, given that the Botanical Garden is closed during the cold season.
Extensive and beautiful botanical gardens surrounding an old castle. The site of the Tourism Museum (see separate entry). There is a restaurant and café. Open 1 April to 15 November.
Free entry. Unique museum about women specialized in culture of women's everyday life.
Free entry. Exhibitions of contemporary art, literature and architecture and other interesting features.
Free entry. Contemporary art gallery.
Gothic building with Baroque features in the old town built in different periods between 1302 and the 18th century. Its bell tower is one of the highest in South Tyrol (83 metres) and it shows 7 clocks.
Gothic building built between the 14th and 15th century beyond the Passer river. A building built by Fascist Italy in rationalist style hides the church, because the Gothic style was considered to be a symbol of the German-speaking countries.
Located in the district of Untermais it's an interesting Romanic building built in the 12th century.
The thermal spa centre, on the opposite bank of the river Passirio, was opened during the 1970s and is furnished with the most modern equipment for therapeutic treatment. It also houses an indoor swimming-pool filled with thermal water and the natural radio-activity in this water has a most beneficial pathological effect. The spa centre is open all year round and specialises in a vast selection of curative treatments.
The horse race-course is one of the most beautiful in the world and is especially famous for the Grand Premium steeple-chase in September, which is run in connection with a rich national lottery.
The river Passirio, which flows through the centre of the town, is often chosen to host international and world-class slalom and down-hill canoe races. It was the scene of the 1971 World Championship, the 1980 European Cup and the 1983 World Championship competitions.
Merano is a good base for walking enthusiasts and mountain climbers.
The Tappeiner Walk, named after the doctor who planned it and laid it out and who, later in 1892, gave it to the town, is a walk that meanders pleasantly along the sides of the gentle slopes of the glacial hill of Mount St. Benedetto as far as the Gilf, a ravine on the river Passirio.
There are excellent winter sports facilities too nearby, with good ski-runs at Merano 2,000, on the Hirzer mountain and in the Ultimo valley. Less than an hour away by car, the Senales valley with its permanent glacier and snow field, is the ideal place for summer skiing.
Excellent food, affordable prices. Local people recommend the restaurant. Walking distance from the town centre.
A fine cocktails and wine bar.
Very good coffee, quite affordable too! Also tastefully decorated.
3-Star Balancehotel
The hotel rooms and apartments are designed in wood, and there is a variety of regional and organic products at the vital-breakfast.
The best but also the most expensive hotel.
5 stars.
Historical art nouveau hotel.
By plane
By train
In order to get in Merano by train you have to arrive in Bolzano first and from here you can take the train to Merano (every 40 minutes).
By bus
Some German, Austrian and Swiss travel agencies offer direct bus connection to Merano.
By car
You have to exit at Bolzano South on motorway A22 and taking the modern freeway, called MeBo. It is named MeBo because it's the fastest connection between MErano and BOlzano.
By bus
In Merano there are 9 bus lines (generally 06:00-21:00) run by SASA and 1 of this have also a night service (21:00-01:00). Buses pass frequently (every 15–25 minutes). Buses run always on time.
By chair lift
Merano is connected with the village of Tirol, on a hill above the town, by a chair lift, which is in service between April and November.
By taxi
Taxis are only on call available. Merano's taxi service is powered by Radio Taxi 24 hr calling 0473 21 20 13. or by private services called "NCC - Noleggio con conducente" Tel +39 3477523424
By bike
Merano has a good bike trail system - but not so developed as in Bolzano, though - but around the town it's excellent. Maps are available in tourist offices and online .
By car
The public transportation or your own feet should be enough in order to travel inside Merano. Finding a parking in the town centre can be complicated.
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Bolzano (BZ) · Regional · BZO
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