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A smiling golden retriever rests on a white bed in a pet-friendly hotel in Bolzano.A black and white dog rests on the green grass in front of the Museion in Bolzano on a sunny day.A man with a child walks with his dogs in the off-lead dog area along the Talferpromenade in Bolzano.

Holiday with your four-legged friend

Sightseeing
Curiosities and Recipes
Family Holiday
Activities and Sports
City Guide online
One Step Away from Bolzano
Holiday with your four-legged friend

Sightseeing

Tourist Attractions in Bolzano, Italy

Bolzano is a clear reflection of a place where different cultures meet and intercultural exchange takes place. In art, for example, paintings by Giotto and works by the Gothic school coexist, while in architecture, the unusual contrast between the historic part and the modern parts of town, divided by the Talvera river, is quite striking.

Visiting the city is about discovering the peculiarities of the fusion between the Mediterranean and Central Europe. Discover the city's artistic and cultural treasures: churches, monuments, historical streets and squares, museums and castles.

Below, you can find the opening hours for all tourist attractions in Bolzano. The art-historical itinerary and City Guide are available at the Information Office.

  • City Guide
  • Historic and cultural route
  • Multimedia Guide TOUR LIS: TOUR LIS is a multimedia tourist-cultural guide to the city of Bolzano in Italian Sign Language (LIS) for deaf tourists. The video guide can also be accessed from a computer at home, but has been designed and developed to be used directly at the place of visit by portable devices (such as smartphones, iPhones and tablets).

Curiosities and Recipes

Curiosities and Recipes of South Tyrolean Tradition

Family Holiday

Bolzano with the Family

Those who like to explore cities and capitals with their children will find in Bolzano a fascinating mix of culture, history and nature. Thanks to the short distances within the pedestrian zone, the kilometres of cycle paths that criss-cross the city and the excellent public transport links, all the most important tourist attractions are within easy reach. A delightful old town, many museums and castles are waiting to be discovered by young and old alike. Wide green spaces, comfortable paths along the slopes of the city basin and two cable cars invite you to long walks in the nature.

Thanks to its central location, Bolzano is also an ideal starting point for visiting the surrounding area, such as the village of Jenesien, birthplace of the Haflinger horses, and the Salten high plateau with its beautiful landscape of forests and meadows.

Planning a family holiday in Bolzano? Here are our tips:

Family-friendly Museums

Visitors to Bolzano will find a wide range of interesting museums to discover. Don't miss the following museums, which offer various family events: guided tours, workshops, lectures and many other events for children and their parents.

With the Bolzano Guestcard or the Museumobil Card, visiting the museums is particularly convenient.

But that's not all! Many other museums are waiting to be explored in Bolzano.

Sightseeing with Children

Discovering the old town of Bolzano with your children is almost an adventure. There is something to discover in every corner. The charm of the meeting of different cultures is palpable everywhere. The contrast between Gothic and Rationalist architecture, the artistic treasures in the churches, the traditional and Mediterranean flavours in the cuisine, the different traditions in the way of life are just some of the aspects to be discovered while walking through the city.

The historic center is great for exploring on your own or with an experienced guide. If you wish to take an independent tour of the city, you can obtain the historical-artistic itinerary, which is available at the Information Office.

If you prefer to be told about Bolzano by people who know and love the city, don't miss the chance to sign up for one of the scheduled guided tours. From April to October, themed guided tours are offered almost every day. Children up to 14 years of age can take part free of charge (except for admission fees), and with the Bolzano Guestcard, their parents also take part for free.

Discover the guided tours.

The children's book "Bolzano - or the adventures of the nameless knight" is also available from the information office. It tells the story of a knight who mysteriously finds himself catapulted into the present day and takes the reader on a tour of the fascinating city of Bolzano. Recently also available as an e-book, this book is suitable for the whole family and can be a nice souvenir.

Events for Children

Bolzano is a lively and dynamic city, thanks also to the many events that take place throughout the year. Why not take the opportunity to visit Bolzano on the occasion of one of the many events dedicated or at least suitable for families?

To make sure you don't miss out on any of the events, see also the Bolzano events calendar!

Outdoor Activities

In the midst of nature, the body and soul of adults and children alike are recharged with positive energy. Bolzano offers plenty of opportunities for movement and fun in the open air.

Numerous playgrounds, large green areas, comfortable walks and two cable cars that take you up to the surrounding plateaus in just a few minutes.

  • Promenades
  • Cable cars
  • Swimming pool

    In summer there is nothing better than a dip in the swimming pool. The Bolzano Lido welcomes visitors from mid-May to the beginning of September: 3 large swimming pools, a water slide and a children's pool guarantee fun.

  • Trips and excursions

    In addition to the destinations accessible by cable car, many other attractions are easily reachable from Bolzano. Bolzano is therefore the ideal starting point for discovering the whole of South Tyrol. The Latemarium in Obereggen and the Urlesteig in Sarentino are not to be missed by families who love the mountains.

Activities and Sports

Activities and sports

In the heart of nature, both body and soul are recharged with positive energy. Bolzano offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, with a wide variety of walks, sports facilities, and lush green spaces.

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City Guide online

Shopping in Bolzano, Italy

Bolzano is a historic market town with deep roots. Today it is a major commercial centre which extends from the narrow, charming streets of the historic centre to Corso Libertà, and the high streets and shopping malls of its quarters. The enchanting old town with its medieval arcades along Via dei Portici and the historic buildings of Piazza Walther, the lively Piazza delle Erbe market in the heart of the city, and the many charming streets with countless places to stop and eat all invite you to linger and enjoy the atmosphere.

In Bolzano you will find the most exclusive haute couture alongside traditional South Tyrolean clothing, original craftsmanship and designer pieces — all in centuries-old markets, historic workshops and refined boutiques. And when a break during your shopping tour is in order, the wide selection of restaurants and cafés will satisfy every palate, from a quick tasty bite to an elegant dinner.

Those who love strolling through the city and taking home local products are spoilt for choice: at Piazza delle Erbe market you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit, farm specialities, speck, cheeses and even bread. Those who prefer shops are well served in the many boutiques of the old town, as well as at the Genussmarkt Pur Südtirol, which offers a rich selection of quality South Tyrolean products.

Traditional shops make the difference - Bolzano would not be Bolzano without its historic shops and workshops – the beating heart of the old trading city. Anyone who strolls attentively through the city will discover many treasures and authentic local colour. Not only under the arcades. Here you can find the city's traditional shops trail.

A preview of the variety on offer is available in the City Guide, available at the Bolzano Tourist Office and online.

Bolzano is definitely worth a visit. If you would like to get to know the city better, you will surely find the right offer here.

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Opening hours of the shops
Monday-Friday 9am-7pm (some with lunch break 1-3pm)
Saturday 10am – 6pm
The opening on Sundays and public holidays is optional. In accordance with the experience of recent years, some international brands remain open, while shops selling local products or smaller family-run shops tend to remain closed (excluding the Christmas Market period). The "Twenty" and "Centrum" shopping centres are usually open every Sunday.

Twenty
Monday-Saturday 9am-7.30pm
Sunday and holidays 10am-7.30pm
For more information click here

Centrum
Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm
Sunday and holidays 10am-7pm
For more information click here

WaltherPark
Monday - Sunday 9.30am - 7.30pm
Central Market Monday - Sunday 9am - 11pm
For more information click here

Winter sales

The winter sales in Bolzano start on January 8th and end on February 5th.
Information: https://www.handelskammer.bz.it/it/servizi/regolazione-del-mercato/vendite-fine-stagione/i-saldi-invernali

Summer sales

The summer sales in Bolzano start on July 16th and end on August 13th.
Information: https://www.handelskammer.bz.it/it/servizi/regolazione-del-mercato/vendite-di-fine-stagione

Our recommendation

Following you can find the partner shops of the Tourism Board of Bolzano Bozen. You can find them also in the brochure City Guide.

Markets in Bolzano

Daily, weekly and annual markets, farmers markets, crafts markets, flea markets — nothing is missing. For those who love strolling along market stalls, enjoying the lively atmosphere and hunting for bargains, Bolzano has everything one could wish for.

Daily markets

Piazza delle Erbe, Obstplatz: Mon-Fri 7am - 7pm, Sat 7am - 1pm

Weekly markets: 8am – 1pm

Fruits, vegetables, food, clothes, costume jewellery, items for home...

Monday: Piazza Don Bosco
Tuesday: Via Piacenza and Oltrisarco (via Aslago - piazzetta Bersaglio)
Wednesday: Piazza Montessori
Thursday: Via Rovigo, Piazza Matteotti
Saturday: Piazza della Vittoria and surroundings.

Farmers' markets: 7.30am – 1.30pm

Tuesday: BIO - Piazza Municipio, Piazza Mazzini, Piazza Marcella Casagrande
Thursday: Oltrisarco, Piazza Bersaglio
Friday: Piazza Municipio and Piazza Don Bosco
Saturday: BIO - Piazza Matteotti.

Handicraft markets

Piazza della Mostra, Piazza Mazzini, Piazza Casagrande, Piazza Ziller. Look on our event calendar for the dates.

Secondhand markets

Flea market along the Talvera promenades: every first Saturday of the month 7am-4pm (April-December)
Happymarkt, c/o Vives, Via Galvani 40, calendar: www.happymarkt.it

Annual markets

April 30th - May 1st: Flower Festival, Piazza Walther
May 3rd: Spring Market, Via Resia
October 11th: Autumn Market, city centre
November 15th: San Martino Market, Corso della Libertà
December 8th: Beekeepers' Festival, Via Resia
December 20th: Golden Sunday Market, Corso della Libertà
November 26th - January 6th: Christmas Market

Further information and any updates are available on the City of Bolzano's website.

One Step Away from Bolzano

One step away from Bolzano

Bolzano offers its visitors an urban and stimulating environment, but it only takes a few minutes to reach true oases of peace.

Holiday with your four-legged friend

Bolzano welcomes four-legged visitors with a wide range of services designed for those travelling with their dog. From the riverside walks along the Talvera to the high plateaus of Renon and Salto and Mount Colle, and from pet-friendly accommodation to accessible museums, the city offers everything you need for a relaxed and enjoyable holiday with your faithful companion.

Our tips for you:

Accommodation

Bolzano and the surrounding area offer a wide range of pet-friendly accommodation options that warmly welcome your four-legged companion. Below you will find an updated list of pet-friendly stays with all the information you need to find the right fit for you and your dog.

Cable cars and public transport

Bolzano is connected to its plateaus and surrounding heights by three cable cars and the characteristic Renon railway, all accessible with your dog. Below you will find the rules and fares for each means of transport.

Renon Cable Car (Bolzano – Soprabolzano/Oberbozen)

  • Dogs allowed on a lead and with a muzzle
  • Small pets (in bag/carrier, max. 70x30x50 cm): free
  • Medium/large dogs: single ticket € 2.00 / day ticket € 3.50
  • Guide dogs: free
  • Dogs may not occupy seats
  • Single ticket (person): € 8.50 / return € 13.50
  • Valid tickets: single ticket, Mobilcard, AltoAdige Pass

Renon Railway (Soprabolzano/Oberbozen – Collalbo/Klobenstein)

  • Dogs allowed on a lead, with muzzle and ticket
  • Small pets: no muzzle or ticket required
  • Medium/large dogs: single ticket € 2.00 / day ticket € 3.50
  • Single ticket (person): € 5.50 / return € 8.50

Kohlern Cable Car (Bolzano – Colle/Kohlern)

  • Dogs allowed on board
  • Small pets (in bag/carrier): free
  • Medium/large dogs: free
  • Single ticket (person): € 4.00 / return € 8.00

San Genesio Cable Car — CLOSED

Out of service since 24 November 2020, pending new installation. San Genesio/Jenesien reachable by bus No. 156 (timetables: altoadigemobilita.info). For dogs: general public transport rules apply.

SASA and public buses

  • Dogs allowed on all public transport
  • Lead and muzzle required (small pets exempt)
  • Small pets (in bag/carrier): free
  • Medium/large dogs: single ticket € 2.00 / day ticket € 3.50
  • Max. 1 dog per passenger
  • Guide dogs: always free

Walks with your dog

Bolzano and the surrounding area offer plenty of opportunities for walks with your dog, from the banks of the Talvera/Talfer river to the high plateaus of Renon and the heights of Kohlern. Before heading out, it is worth familiarising yourself with the local rules to make the most of your time together.

General rules

  • Dogs must be kept on a lead in all public spaces, including outside built-up areas — maximum length 1.5 metres
  • You must always clean up after your dog
  • Muzzle required in crowded areas or where indicated by signs
  • Watch out for "Dogs on lead / Hunde an die Leine" signs along the trails, especially near pastures and livestock
  • Fines (Municipality of Bolzano Ordinance No. 20672/2002):
    • Unattended dog or failure to clean up: from €50 to €500
    • Failure to use lead/muzzle: from €25 to €250

Walks in the city

Bolzano offers several dog-friendly routes surrounded by nature, just a short distance from the city centre:

  • Lungo Talvera/Talferpromenade — the "green lung" of Bolzano, perfect for long walks along the riverbank, with pedestrian bridges and separate cycling and walking paths
  • Sant'Osvaldo Walk — connects Sant'Antonio/St. Anton with the wine-growing area of Santa Maddalena/St. Magdalena, approx. 6 km through oak and hornbeam woods with views of the Rosengarten
  • Guncina/Guntschna Walk — approx. 4 km along the slopes of the Guncina/Guntschna hill, from the Gries district through labelled Mediterranean flora with panoramic benches and city views; connects to the Lungo Talvera/Talferpromenade via the rio Fago/Fagerschlucht
  • Rebe Walk — a path through the vineyards above Bolzano

Renon/Ritten Plateau

The Renon/Ritten Plateau is one of the best areas for hikes with your dog, with marked trails through forests, meadows and the famous earth pyramids. Pay attention to signs near pastures and livestock.

San Genesio/Jenesien

The Salto forests and trails around San Genesio/Jenesien are walkable with a dog on a lead. Reachable by bus No. 156 (cable car currently out of service).

Colle/Kohlern

Kohlern is Bolzano's home mountain, reachable in just 5 minutes by the Kohlern Cable Car / Kohlerer Bahn (dogs allowed, see Cable Cars section). From the top station, a network of marked trails opens up through forests, meadows and mountain farms, suitable for walks with your dog at various levels of difficulty.

Off-lead dog areas

The Municipality of Bolzano has 25 fenced and equipped off-lead areas where dogs can run freely without a lead. The main ones near the walking routes:

  • Lungo Talvera/Talferpromenade – Museion (10,000 m²) — the largest
  • Lungo Talvera/Talferpromenade – vicolo Sabbia/Sandgasse (900 m²)
  • Parco Petrarca/Petrarcapark – Gries-San Quirino/Gries-Quirein district
  • Via Roen/Roenstraße – parco Pompei/Roenpark (880 m²) – Gries-San Quirino/Gries-Quirein district

All areas are equipped with a water fountain, fencing and waste disposal facilities.

Cycle paths

Bolzano is a very cycle-friendly city, crossed by an extensive network of cycle paths running through the valley along the main waterways: the Talvera cycle path, the Isarco cycle path and the Adige cycle path all connect the city centre with the surrounding municipalities and form part of major regional cycling routes such as the Via Claudia Augusta and the Adige Valley Cycle Route.

If you are travelling with your dog, please note an important rule: Article 182(3) of the Italian Road Traffic Code prohibits cyclists from riding while holding a dog on a leash. This rule applies throughout the entire country. On the cycle paths in and around Bolzano it is therefore not permitted to bring your dog.

Outdoor pools and bathing areas

In general, organised outdoor pools and lidos in the area do not allow animals for hygiene reasons. An exception is Lake Costalovara / Wolfsgrubener See on the Renon/Ritten Plateau, where dogs are welcome in the natural areas around the lake, but not in the designated swimming area.

Bolzano Outdoor Pool (Lido di Bolzano) — dogs NOT allowed

The internal regulations (Municipal Council resolution No. 44/2024) state explicitly in Art. 2: "No animals are permitted".

Lake Costalovara (Renon/Ritten) — dogs allowed in natural areas

  • Bathing lake on the Renon/Ritten Plateau; dogs allowed in the natural areas, but not in the designated swimming area.
  • Reachable by Renon Cable Car + Renon Railway (stop Costalovara/Wolfsgruben) + 5/10 minutes on foot.
  • Swimming area season: from mid-June to end of August, daily 10.00–19.00 (may vary depending on weather).

San Genesio/Jenesien Outdoor Pool — dogs NOT allowed

Laives/Leifers Outdoor Pool — dogs NOT allowed

Lake Caldaro and Lakes of Monticolo — dogs NOT allowed

Dogs not allowed during the bathing season (15 May – 15 September).

Museums and cultural sites

Bolzano has a rich and varied cultural scene, and many of its museums and landmarks welcome visitors with four-legged companions. Access policies vary from venue to venue: some museums accept dogs freely, others only small dogs carried in arms, and others only assistance dogs. We recommend checking the current conditions directly with each venue before your visit.

Dogs allowed

  • Treasure of the Dome Museum
  • Eccel Kreuzer Museum (currently closed)

Dogs allowed with restrictions

  • South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology/Ötzi — small dogs carried in arms; box at the entrance for large dogs
  • Museum of Nature South Tyrol — small dogs carried in arms; guide dogs allowed
  • Cinè Museum — small dogs carried in arms
  • Runkelstein Castle — dogs allowed in the courtyard and tavern; not in the interior rooms

Assistance dogs only

  • Museion – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Dogs NOT allowed

  • Messner Mountain Museum Firmian
  • Municipal Museum
  • Permanent exposition within the Monument to Victory
  • School Museum
  • Maretsch Castle
  • Pons Drusi Museum
  • Mercantile Museum
  • Clock Museum
  • Krippenmuseum Muri-Gries
  • Permanent exposition within the "Semirurali House"
  • Antonio Dalle Nogare Foundation (dogs not allowed inside; may be left outside)

Vets

Should your dog need medical attention during your stay in Bolzano, you will find below the main veterinary contacts in the city, including emergency numbers and regular practices.

Emergencies / 24-hour availability

  • VetBZ – Veterinary Clinic City of Bolzano, Via Resia / Reschenstraße 20 — Tel. 0471 204212 / emergencies: 338 5256333 — info@vetbz.it — vetbz.it
  • Tierklinik Drei Heiligen / Clinica Tre Santi – Veterinary Practice Folchini & Sanin, Viale Druso / Drususallee 71 — Tel. 0471 272818 — 24h: Dr. Sanin 349 3408777 / Dr. Folchini 333 9377009 — clinicatresanti.it
  • Veterinary Association of Bolzano / Tierärztekammer Bozen — voluntary 24h on-call service on weekends and public holidays — tieraerztekammer.com/it/servizi-di-reperibilita

Regular veterinary practices

  • VetClinic Bolzano – Dr. Georg Moser & Dr. Simon Kirchler, Via Tre Santi / Dreiheiligengasse 1F — Tel. 0471 283040 — info@vetclinic.bz — Opening hours: Mon–Fri 10–12 / 16–19; Sat–Sun 12–20 (emergencies only)
  • Old Town Veterinary Clinic / Tierärztliche Klinik Altstadt, Via dei Vanga / Wangergasse 51 — Tel. 0471 976158 — Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9–13 / 16–19; on-call for emergencies also on Saturdays and public holidays — clinicacentrostorico.it
  • Europa Veterinary Practice / Tierärztliche Praxis Europa, Viale Europa / Europaallee 128/A — Tel. 0471 911916 — ambveteuropa@libero.it — Opening hours: Mon–Fri 10–12 / 16–19 (by appointment only)