Sights to see in South Tyrol

The pretty provincial capital with its hundred thousand inhabitants is a place of contrasts: Sweet Italian dolce vita meets Alpine lifestyle, green palm trees meet magnificent mountains, medieval architecture meets stylish locations, and lively history meets a fascinating present. Located in a protected valley basin amidst rolling vineyards, Bolzano is home to a wide range of activities: from sporting to cultural, for indulgence fans or relaxation lovers. Stroll through the arcades, soak up the sun on Talvera/Talfer meadows, visit Maretsch castle or the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology with world-famous glacier mummy Ötzi, and immerse yourself in Bolzano’s authentic flair.

Eight-kilometre-long Bletterbach gorge is located at the foot of Mt Corno Bianco/Weisshorn near Aldein, in an area widely known as the “Grand Canyon of South Tyrol”. When you walk through the 400-metre-deep gorge today, you’re taken on a journey through millions of years. The intact rock strata of the Dolomites, which can be seen with the naked eye, tell of the gorge’s 15,000 years of history – as do the countless fossil discoveries on display in the Bletterbach Geoparc visitor centre.

Possibly the most beautiful, awe-inspiring mountains in the world and UNESCO World Heritage since 2006: the Dolomites. With their bizarre rock formations and steep walls, they’ve captivated writers and extreme mountaineers alike. You can’t miss out on a day trip to Mt Sciliar/Schlern, Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm – Europe’s largest high-Alpine pasture –, or Mt Catinaccio/Rosengarten during your stay at Lake Spa Hotel SEELEITEN. From June to September, sunrise hikes up Mt Corno Bianco/Weisshorn or Mt Lira/Lawinenspitz are an unforgettable experience. Another must-see: the “enrosadira” or Alpenglow, when the peaks of Mt Catinaccio/Rosengarten begin to “glow” red at sunrise and sunset.

Covering an area of 400km², Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake – and just an hour’s drive away from Lake Spa Hotel SEELEITEN. It stretches across three regions: Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto, and Lombardy. Picturesque lanes, romantic promenades, historic centres, and lively towns adorn its shores. A dip in the refreshing water is just as wonderful as a boat trip or a leisurely excursion to the many sights: Mt Baldo, the king of Lake Garda’s peaks, the Grotte di Catullo from Roman times, the Vittoriale degli Italiani at the residence of eccentric writer D’Annunzio, and so much more.

Sigmundskron castle, a symbol of South Tyrol’s fight for autonomy, is today home to mountaineering legend Reinhold Messner’s MMM Firmian. With the help of art, installations, and relics, the large complex addresses the theme of man’s encounter with the mountains – from the formation and exploitation of the mountains to their significance for religion and as an orientation aid, as well as Alpine tourism as we know it today. And the castle complex itself is nothing less than extraordinary: It’s one of the oldest in South Tyrol and offers fantastic views of Bolzano, Mt Sciliar/Schlern, the Gruppo di Tessa/Texelgruppe mountain range, and the Ötztal Alps.

One of the loveliest hikes in South Tyrol’s sweet south takes you to the three most important castles around our Hotel SEELEITEN in just two hours. The moderately difficult hike begins in Eppan’s Missian district, which you can reach quickly and easily by bus. The first of the three castles also awaits you here: Korb castle. Now, follow the well-signed no. 12 and 14 trails to the second castle: Hocheppan castle with its fresco-adorned chapel. Finally, continue via Valle d’Appiano/Hocheppaner Tal to the Boymont castle ruins, the final stop on your hike.