The complete guide to Merano- the most enchanting town of South Tyrol

18.06.2019.

This italian pearl of Sud-Tyrol at the border with Austria will simply blow your mind away. If you haven’t yet, you should discover the sweet little town Merano.

As the place bursts with flowers and nature, it’s a heaven for outdoor lovers- being surrounded with stunning mountains. More than that- it’s a place where flower sculptures decorate its promenades all year around.

Strolling around Merano means to have a tranquil walk full of fairy-tale vibes. Merano is the botanical heaven where different plants just grow by themselves. It’s pretty little town of meditteranean style.

See also: The fairy-tale towns in Germany

Summer & Winter Promenade

Walk around the river is perplexed between Summer and Winter promenade with the lilac covering the views and the senses. Somewhere in between comes the Gilf promenade.

Summer promenade exists from 1866. and it goes along Passirio river towards the Roman bridge. Rich vegetation shines with Lebanon cedar, sequoias and pines of different kind. At the entrance welcomes you the monument of Sissi which is also the end of the “Sissi path”.

Winter promenade starts at the Kurhaus leading to the Passirio town gate. On the way is place Wandelhalle, an arcade bringing art to the town. The winter promenade continues its trail to the astonishing Gilf promenade.

Gilf Promenade

The nuances of wilderness start shaping at this beautiful promenade starting from the Gilf gorge bringing art, colour, poetic traces at the benches at so called Poet walk, flower sculptures, plant vegetation that blows up with diversity. It finishes after 1 km at the castel San Zeno and the tower Torre dei Polveri. Here hides the permanent bird at the tree- the unique flower sculpture as well as the man with the globe in his hands and the snake around the tree. Little garden with the curative plants also finds its place on the way. Gilf promenade continues its way to the Tappeiner promenade.

Tappeiner Promenade

Tappeiner promenade is an easy one hour walk filled with  beautiful views of the landscape over spa town Merano and its gorgeous mountains. The views of vineyards, cable car to Monte di Merano and fantastic mediterrean plants that enrich the area like pines, cedars, olive trees, lilac flower, agavas are not enough. The viewpoints don’t come only once. The name arrives from the botanist and antropologist dr. Franz Tappeiner.

Sissi Path

The empress Elisabeth of Austria celebrates the special throne in beautiful Merano as she used to spend many relaxed days upon its majestic existence. The statue of Sissi in Elisabeth park is just one of the traces dedicated to her memory where finishes this path. It starts at the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff castle and passes through 11 levels all the way from Pinzenau and Rubein castle, Piazza Fontana, Rottenstein castle, continues at the Roman bridge and puts the final spell at the centre in the Elisabeth park. These are the places that Sissi loved the most.

More flower sculptures & Flower Festival

Certainly the centre is decorated with more flower sculptures. The running horses are one of the remarks of Merano. From September it’s already present in the charm of Merano due to the event of Racecourse, even earlier in the late May.

The bell tower in front of St. Nicolas Cathedral arrives with the spring time. The dancer also enriches the beauty and rhythm of Merano but I haven’t seen it.

Flower festival at the end of April happens in Merano all the way from 2018.

See also: The Flower Festival in Funchal, Madeira;

Gardens of Castel Trauttmansdorf

10 years ago when I visited it, these gardens were declared as the most beautiful gardens of Italy. Located on a hilly area above Merano you need a bus with the direction of Gardens Trauttmansdorff to come there. Or you can take 1 hour long Sissi Path and immerse yourself into the life and admiration of the austrian emperatrice. Trauttmansdorff castle was her holiday refuge and some garden installations are dedicated to her. In Merano the story of Sissi finds its throne.

The four garden themes

Four theme areas label this outstanding attraction of Merano:

– Forrests of the world, with the focus on Americas and Asia;

– The Sun Gardens enlight the spirit of mediterranean landscape;

– The Water And Terraced Gardens, the name says all;

– Landscapes of South Tyrol discovers the special plants of the area;

Gardens are also the place of different cultural happenings and concerts of world-famous musicians. The castle brings the first museum of tourism in South Tyrol.

Historic centre of Merano

Roaming around it it’s like entering medieval story without age between colourful arcades of shopping streets. With the tower bringing entrance to the hilly area Merano is the picturesque walk of senses.

Its character of the spa town is recognized by the curative power of the Thermal Baths in the very centre featuring the hotel.

The Kurhaus building is what makes Merano recognizable, it’s the place for congresses, balls, concerts where is located also the Tourist Office. It’s also the place of Theatre Puccini and its Art Nouveau style shines inside and outside.

In Merano you can also find the Museum of Women, the first european museum dedicated to the power and role of women.

Hiking & nature trails

Knottkino in Verano

With 30 sitting chairs it’s the marvelous viewpoint around Merano. Long ago I visited this place but I wish I did some hikes also.

Hiking in Scena

Its closeness just above Merano near the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff makes this beautiful village easily reachable, specially if you’re accomodated in the Pitzenau area which is de facto 15 minutes walking to the centre. The castle Pitzenau offers affordable and comfortable rooms. The castle of Scena could be a perfect excuse.

Falkner Promenade

This promenade catches up at Tirolo above Merano with only 1 km and the scenic view at castle Tirolo, Thurnstein castel and Merano in the nutshell.

More about Merano hiking trails I’ll write in some future posts.

Final thoughts

Be like Sissi, let Merano absorbe its beauty in you so you can come more often. How the town melt with nature and with flowers it’s just so natural and unique.