The quaint and gorgeous town of Bressanone lies nestled at the foot of the mountains. Located in a wide and lush green valley, it is the perfect place to base yourself for exploring the amazing Dolomites. With a very interesting history, amazing architecture, and a gold mine of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, Bressanone is a must visit for anyone passing through the region. In this guide to Bressanone, I will take a closer look at just what you can expect from this incredible little town.
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I first heard about Bressanone from someone else who had passed through the region whilst exploring the Dolomites. This is a town that really flies way below the radar, and most visitors to the region would have never heard of it. Personally, I can’t believe that this Hidden Gem even exists. Bressanone DOES get a lot of “local” tourists, but I believe that as larger towns to the south become more crowded, it won’t stay off the International radar for much longer.
Table of Contents
- Where is Bressanone
- About Bressanone
- What is the BrixenCard?
- Things to do in Bressanone
- How to get to Bressanone
- Where to stay
- Summary
Where is Bressanone
Bressanone/Brixen lies at the confluence of two rivers, the Eisack and Rienz. It is 40 kilometers north of Bolzano, and 45 Kilometers on the Italian side of the border with Austria. Being in the very far north of Italy, it has close proximity not only to Austria, but also to Germany, Switzerland, and Slovenia.
About Bressanone
The Valley that houses Bressanone has seen inhabitants for over 10,000 years. The first settlers are believed to have made their homes there since the Neolithic Period.
Bressanone actually holds the status of oldest city in Tyrol. It has long been a stopover for travelers moving back and forth through the Dolomites, and the town became known as a sort of conduit between Northern Italy, Austria and Germany.
An interesting fact about Bressanone is that most of the population actually speak German. The town even has two names. It is known as Bressanone to the Italians, and Brixen to the Germans. Depending upon who you talk to, or what map you look at, you might get one name or the other. This is a testament to the diverse range of people that have called the town home, and how close it is to its international neighbors.
At times throughout its history, Bressanone has seen many people move through the town on their travels. It has played host to Emperors, Bishops and Popes. For centuries, it was even the seat of Prince-Bishops, and the power they held stretched far beyond the little Alpine town.
These days, the town is still a gateway to the Dolomites. It has long outgrown the “stopover” status of days gone by, and is now a place that travelers choose to base themselves. The beauty of Bressanone itself has made it famous, and people are beginning to hear about this amazing hidden gem of Northern Italy.
What is the BrixenCard?
BrixenCard is an amazing initiative by the city of Bressanone. It is completely free and is basically your ticket to all public transport and attractions in the city and surrounding areas. Many of the big cities around Europe have similar cards for tourists and visitors, but I was very excited to find out about the BrixenCard. It is the perfect addition to my Guide to Bressanone!
Here are some of the things you can do and catch with BrixenCard.
- Bressanone City Bus – This takes you everywhere, including to all of the trailheads for your hikes around Bressanone.
- Many of the cable cars, including Renon, Verano, Colle Verano, San Genesio, Maranza and Meltina
- The Funicular to Mendola
- The Narrow Gauge Railway to Renon
- All Regional Buses, Trains and City Buses in South Tyrol
- One return ride on the Plose Cable Car
- Free entry to almost all South Tyrolean Museums
- One free entry to the fun pool Aquarena
You can pick up your free BrixenCard from any of the Partner Hotels in Bressanone. Most hotels are included in the program, and if not, just ask and find out the nearest spot you can get one. Every member of the family will receive their very own card.
The BrixenCard is a no brainer! It offers SO MUCH and is totally FREE. It takes all of the hassle out of a holiday, and allows you to just sit back and enjoy your time in Bressanone.
Things to do in Bressanone
The BrixenCard is almost the perfect introduction into my Guide to Bressanone things to do. Once you have your card, then get out and enjoy the town. Because there is plenty to do!
Here are just a few things:
- Check out the White Tower Museum – The name, “White Tower” actually refers to the Church of Saint Michael’s 72m high Gothic Tower that has a bright roof built from white bricks.
- Visit the Cathedral of Bressanone/Brixen – This incredible structure is in nearly every photo you will see of the town. It has origins dating back to 980AD and is one of the most sacred structures in the Alpine area.
- Discover some Castles – The area all around Bressanone is littered with some incredible castles. The main castles you will find number no less than six. Some can be found by simply going for a hike and getting lucky!
- Try some hiking – The mountains surrounding the town offer the perfect hiking conditions. The views from the tops of the mountains are amazing, and just like most other alpine regions in Europe, there are Huts where you can stay and continue on the next day. In fact, some of the alpine huts around Bressanone are so well known, they are destinations in their own right!
- Explore the Dolomites – At the risk of stating the obvious, the Dolomites is right on the doorstep of Bressanone. Most visitors to Bressanone are using it as a base to explore the incredible mountains themselves.
- Take the Cable Car to Plose Mountain – Plose Mountain rises right behind Bressanone, and the Cable Car takes you right to the top. Have lunch in the restaurant up top and take in the views of the area. Your BrixenCard will get you one free return trip!
- Snow Skiing – The Plose Ski Resort is highly rated with a huge amount of terrain. Like all resorts in the Dolomites, you just can’t go wrong.
There are so many things to do in Bressanone that it is almost impossible to list them all! If you love the outdoors, the area around the town is a playground of hiking, skiing and natural wonders. For the architecture lovers, you will wander the small town for hours on end. The Traditional Markets, Farmer’s Markets and Christmas Markets are worth coming to Bressanone JUST to see. Whatever your tastes, you will surely find it in this small alpine town.
How to get to Bressanone
If you are flying into Italy, then you will have to land at either Milan or Venice in order to get to Bressanone. From there, you can drive yourself or catch the train.
From Milan the train will take you about 4 hours. By car, you will be facing a 3 hour drive. There is a bus as well, which will take you about 5 hours.
From Venice, the train is about 3.5 hours and runs via Verone.
Where to stay
Next up for the guide to Bressanone is where to stay. There are plenty of accommodation options in the town, and most are fairly central. It isn’t a massive town after all. With the BrixenCard, even if you are staying a little out of town, getting around isn’t an issue anyway, so long as you are near a bus stop!
So let’s take a look at some of the best accommodation in Bressanone.
Tourist Hotel – This place has been recently renovated and as a result is extremely popular. It is centrally located, with guest parking right across the street. Most people rave about its breakfasts in particular!
Looking for the best Budget accommodation? Hostelworld have you covered with all of the very best budget friendly accommodation around town. Check them out at THIS LINK.
Hotel Gruner Baum – If you are looking to spoil yourself, then this is probably the place. Located right in the middle of town, you will be pampered to your hearts content. Friendly staff and great facilities make this place a winner!
There are plenty of amazing places to stay in Bressanone. Most are not very cheap, and it really varies depending upon the time of year. Below, I will provide a link to all listings for Bressanone.
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Summary
I hope you have enjoyed my guide to Bressanone. This little alpine town really crept up on me and surprised me. There is so much to see and do, and it is SO beautiful! Do yourself a favor and stop by if you are in the Dolomite area. If you are exploring the mountains, then I cannot recommend a better place to base yourself!
Are you interested in Italy? If you enjoyed my guide to Bressanone, then click the link below to have a read of my other Italian articles!
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the correct word is lies not lays ‘Bressanone/Brixen lays at the confluence of two rivers’. ,The Italians and Germans do appreciate decently dressed visitors too. My Italian friend told me that I must when in town wear a dress or long trousers and a tidy blouse. Absotutley no holiday beach wear.
Thank you Piripa. Great points about how to dress as well. These are things that many of us don’t even tend to think about when traveling, which makes it even more important to pack with some versatility in the suitcase/backpack!