The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle
The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano are among the highlights of South Tyrol . Various plants from all over the world bloom and flourish on around 12 hectares, over a height difference of 100 meters and in over 80 garden landscapes . The area is divided into four garden worlds, the "forest garden", "sun gardens", "landscapes of South Tyrol" and the "water and terrace gardens".
In addition to the plants, there is also the State Museum for Tourism (Touriseum), a viewing platform, water lily pond, parrot cage and much more to discover.
All further information can be found on the page of the botanical gardens .
Opening times : April to November
Warning : dogs are not allowed!
Botanical Gardens - Trauttmansdorff Castle
The gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano are among the highlights of South Tyrol . A wide variety of plants from all over the world bloom and thrive on around 12 hectares, over a height difference of 100 meters and in over 80 garden landscapes . The area is divided into four garden worlds, the "forest garden", "sun gardens", "landscapes of South Tyrol" and the "water and terrace gardens".
In addition to the plants, there is also the State Museum for Tourism (Touriseum), a viewing platform, water lily pond, parrot cage and much more to discover.
All further information can be found on the website of the Botanical Gardens .
Opening times : April to November
Warning : dogs are not allowed!
Thermal baths at Merano
An oasis of nature in the city center. The Therme Meran offers around 52,000 m² with 25 pools in the bathing hall and in the thermal park a varied bathing course in the thermal water. There is also a stylishly designed sauna area , relaxation rooms, a spa area and a fitness center.
The thermal bath is open 365 days a year, is always worth a visit and can be combined with a cycling, hiking or skiing holiday in any season.
Opening times: Mon - Sun 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
All other information can be found on the website of the Merano thermal baths .
Experience Merano
Whether for a leisurely stroll in the historic arbor lanes, for shopping in the traditional shops, for coffee and cake in a cozy coffee shop or exploring Meran's promenades on a wonderful stroll. Merano is worth a visit at any time of the year.
Tip : Merano can be reached via the Mitterplattweg with a leisurely stroll with a fantastic view. Return by bus.
Promenade & Tappeiner Promenade
They invite you to relax. The Merano promenades have something about them that makes them very attractive. The surrounding area invites you to venture into the fresh air and explore the city and its surroundings on a walk, here you can relax from everyday life!
In the city center along the Kurhaus is the Kurpromenade , it is the most traditional promenade. In summer it can get really hot in Merano, therefore the Kurpromenade offers cooling big trees along the course of the river. The summer promenade stretches from the Sissi statue to the "Steinernen Steg" and is particularly suitable for a shady walk. In the cold winter months the sunny and partly wing-protected winter promenade is suitable on the opposite side of the river better. The Gilf promenade stretches from the steep Gilf gorge to the powder tower and connects the promenades with the Tappeiner Promenade . Meran's most famous promenade is one of the most beautiful high promenades in Europe and offers a mix of alpine and Mediterranean vegetation in combination with a wonderful panoramic view. It runs for almost 4 km from the parish church to Gratsch. Due to the low incline, it is also suitable for a stroll with the stroller all year round .
Arbor lanes & shops
Near the parish church is the historical centre of Merano with the medieval Laubengasse, an 800-year-old shopping street. The arbours are divided into mountain and water arbours.
Today, the Merano arbours are 400 metres long and are the longest in Tyrol, inviting you to stroll and shop. They stretch from west to east and thus from the Kornplatz to the Pfarrplatz. A wide variety of shops, from international fashion chains to delicatessen shops with regional products, can be found behind the traditional arches. Weekly markets are held in the adjoining streets.
Lakes
In South Tyrol there are numerous lakes to discover, from the bathing lakes in the Überetsch to the high alpine lakes , which also provide an eventful cooling off on the mountain in summer. These can often be combined with a great hike.
-
Lake Caldaro - 40 km - 41 minutes by car
-
Monticolo Lakes - 37 km - 39 minutes by car
-
Lake Kratzberger See(mountain lake)
-
Spronser Seen Lakes (highest high alpine water plates in South Tyrol)
-
Ultner lake circuit - 46 km - 60 minutes by car
Tip : The Lake Caldaro and the Monticolo Lakes can be wonderfully combined with a visit to the Mendel Cabel Car (included with MeranCard!)
Lake Caldaro and the Monticolo Lakes
These two lakes are particularly suitable for a little cooling off in summer. In addition to swimming, you can also take a leisurely stroll around the lake.
At both lakes there is the possibility for a small entry to enjoy a swimming pool and the lake.
However, there are more opportunities for free swimming on Lake Montiggler.
In winter you can even go ice skating.
Spronser Seen Lakes
The Hochmuth cable car takes you to the Muthöfe at around 1400 m, which are the starting point of the hike. Pass the viewing platform in the direction of Mutkopf and continue over the Bockersteig. Here you come to the Mutspitze and Jägersteig junction. Experienced mountain hikers can also climb the Mutspitze and then hike the narrow rock path on the back of the mountain towards Oberkaseralm. For everyone else, the Jägersteig to Oberkaseralm is recommended , where you can already see the first of around ten Spronserseen lakes . The Spronserseen are the highest high alpine water plates in the Alps , which are located at different altitudes. The Oberkaseralm is ideal for a stop to recharge your batteries. It takes about 3 hours to walk from the Muthöfe to the Oberkaser Alm.
To get to the Langsee, the largest lake, it takes another 30 minutes on foot.
The way back can then be the same or via the Hochgangscharte or the Taufenscharte , which are significantly longer and more strenuous.
Lake Kratzberger See
The Kratzbergersee is located in the Merano 2000 hiking area . The starting point of the hike can be the large cable car in the Naif, or the parking lot at Falzeben in Avelengo, with the second one taking around 40 minutes more walking time.
From the Piffingerköpfel it goes the hiking trail No. 3 to the Missensteiner Joch , where you cross the European long-distance hiking trail and follows the trail No. 4 to the Kratzbergersee.
The way back can be the same or for experienced hikers further towards the Hirzer area , return with the Verdinser Bahn. Here you have to calculate about 2.5 hours of walking time.
Attention : There is no alpine hut here, picnic recommendation.
Distance : 10 km - walking time 1.5 h one way - approx. 200 m
Ultner lake circuit
The starting point of the hike is the Weißbrunnsee at the end of the valley of the Ultental.
The four-lake tour to the sources of Ultner hydropower is not too strenuous, but it is scenic and varied.
Our partners from the Red Backpack tell with great pictures of the exact course of this hike .
Arrival : 46 km - 60 minutes by car - walking time : 4:30 h - distance : 12.7 km - approx. 670 hm
