Tourist attractions near the Renon high plateau
You can explore the whole of South Tyrol, even without a car, and gain free entry to a number of museums with the benefits of the RittenCard. Here are just a few of the best tourist attractions:
Bolzano: South Tyrol’s capital city is just a cable car ride away. The Arcades and the countless shops, the colourful fruit market, the Gothic cathedral, the alleyways, the picturesque squares such as Piazza Walther, and the many cultural offerings in the historic Old Town attract huge crowds of visitors every year.
South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology: home to Ötzi, one of the world’s most famous ice mummies, who was discovered in the Ötztal Alps in 1991. In addition to an exhibition, which offers insights into the iceman’s everyday life, clothing and equipment, the museum documents the history of the region, from the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Ages right through to the Carolingian period.
Museion: the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is housed in a very special glass-fronted building designed to express transparency and openness. It is not just a place for collecting art objects, but an international art studio with an interdisciplinary focus. The Museion also features a museum café.
South Tyrol Museum of Natural History: interactive displays offer a foray into the biological and cultural history of the region, shedding light on the creation and appearance of South Tyrol’s spectacular mountains and valleys and their habitats. The museum hosts interesting exhibitions all year round.
Runkelstein Castle: also known as the illustrated manor, it sits atop the porphyry rocks overlooking the rooftops of the city of Bolzano. It is home to probably the largest preserved sacred frescos from the Middle Ages, which tell tales of knights’ sagas, ladies of the court, scenes from literature, life on the farm and hunting.
MMM Firmian: extreme mountain climber Reinhold Messner has opened one of his museum projects in Sigmundskron Castle, one of South Tyrol’s largest castle complexes, near Bolzano. A permanent exhibition in the museum explains the importance of the mountains to people. The White Tower, on the other hand, is dedicated to the history of the castle and South Tyrol’s battle for autonomy.
Bathing lakes in Oltradige: there are three beautiful bathing lakes near Bolzano – perfect for a day trip. Lago di Caldaro, the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, and the large and small Lago di Monticolo, which are praised for their excellent water quality every year, are a fun place to swim and relax in the great outdoors.
Törggelen: in the golden autumn – South Tyrol’s fifth season – hearty celebrations get underway after harvest time. Buschenschank and Hofschank farmhouse inns open their doors for Törggelen, a tradition in which young wine and South Tyrolean delicacies are served. We recommend combining this with a hike and a visit to a wine cellar!
Christmas markets: whether you opt for the major Christmas markets in Bolzano, Merano and Bressanone or the smaller markets scattered throughout the valleys of South Tyrol, you will find all kinds of gift ideas, mulled wine and an amazing Christmas atmosphere here. The Rittner Christbahnl Christmas markets on the market squares in Soprabolzano and Collalbo are particularly festive.
Bolzano: South Tyrol’s capital city is just a cable car ride away. The Arcades and the countless shops, the colourful fruit market, the Gothic cathedral, the alleyways, the picturesque squares such as Piazza Walther, and the many cultural offerings in the historic Old Town attract huge crowds of visitors every year.
South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology: home to Ötzi, one of the world’s most famous ice mummies, who was discovered in the Ötztal Alps in 1991. In addition to an exhibition, which offers insights into the iceman’s everyday life, clothing and equipment, the museum documents the history of the region, from the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Ages right through to the Carolingian period.
Museion: the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is housed in a very special glass-fronted building designed to express transparency and openness. It is not just a place for collecting art objects, but an international art studio with an interdisciplinary focus. The Museion also features a museum café.
South Tyrol Museum of Natural History: interactive displays offer a foray into the biological and cultural history of the region, shedding light on the creation and appearance of South Tyrol’s spectacular mountains and valleys and their habitats. The museum hosts interesting exhibitions all year round.
Runkelstein Castle: also known as the illustrated manor, it sits atop the porphyry rocks overlooking the rooftops of the city of Bolzano. It is home to probably the largest preserved sacred frescos from the Middle Ages, which tell tales of knights’ sagas, ladies of the court, scenes from literature, life on the farm and hunting.
MMM Firmian: extreme mountain climber Reinhold Messner has opened one of his museum projects in Sigmundskron Castle, one of South Tyrol’s largest castle complexes, near Bolzano. A permanent exhibition in the museum explains the importance of the mountains to people. The White Tower, on the other hand, is dedicated to the history of the castle and South Tyrol’s battle for autonomy.
Bathing lakes in Oltradige: there are three beautiful bathing lakes near Bolzano – perfect for a day trip. Lago di Caldaro, the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, and the large and small Lago di Monticolo, which are praised for their excellent water quality every year, are a fun place to swim and relax in the great outdoors.
Törggelen: in the golden autumn – South Tyrol’s fifth season – hearty celebrations get underway after harvest time. Buschenschank and Hofschank farmhouse inns open their doors for Törggelen, a tradition in which young wine and South Tyrolean delicacies are served. We recommend combining this with a hike and a visit to a wine cellar!
Christmas markets: whether you opt for the major Christmas markets in Bolzano, Merano and Bressanone or the smaller markets scattered throughout the valleys of South Tyrol, you will find all kinds of gift ideas, mulled wine and an amazing Christmas atmosphere here. The Rittner Christbahnl Christmas markets on the market squares in Soprabolzano and Collalbo are particularly festive.
