CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

South Tyrol is not only the land of mountains, but also the land of culture, of castles, palaces and monuments. Old and new combine in a wonderful way. Discover the enchanting Merano.

Around 15 B.C., the Romans occupied the entire Etschtal (Adige Valley) and, due to the thoroughly lush vegetation and mild climate, called this land area “Maia” – after the month of May (maius) – the spring most identified with blossoming.

Merano and its immediate surroundings are home to many art-historical treasures and attractions

THE VERSATILE ALPINE-MEDITERRANEAN MERANO

Merano, with its special geographical location, has a unique microclimate. Surrounded by a beautiful mountain landscape and admist the typical local vegetation, plants such as oaks, eucalyptus, pines, agaves and olive trees as well as exotic plants such as palms, bamboo and cacti thrive here.

The GARDENS of CASTLE TRAUTTMANSDORFF

are among the most beautiful gardens in Italy!
Plant species from all over the world thrive in over 80 garden landscapes. Experience stations and artists’ pavilions turn the gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle into a colourful world of adventure. Cultural, musical and gastronomic events round off the offer.

CASTLE RAMETZ

Mentioned in 1227 as an important testimony to wine culture. It houses a wine museum and a restaurant. Weekly wine tastings. Conveniently located within walking distance of the hotel.

Also worth seeing:

The Princes Castle (Landesfürstliche Burg): Residence of the sovereigns of Tyrol, rebuilt around 1470. Partly Gothic furniture and historical collection of musical instruments. Open from March to December.
St. Nicholas Cathedral: built 1310-1455 and today considered the town’s landmark.
Tyrol Castle and the South Tyrolean Museum of Culture and Provincial History in Dorf Tirol.
Merano Women’s Museum “Evelyn Ortner” Merano, the South Tyrolean Fruit Growing Museum and the Parish Church in Lana with the Gothic Schnatterpeck Altar
Ötzi Museum, the South Tyrolean Museum of Archaeology in Bolzano
Peter Mitterhofer Typewriter Museum (inventor of the typewriter) in Parcines
Juval Castle in Naturno (residence of Reinhold Messner with several art collections and Tibetan collection)
St. Proculus church from the 4th century in Naturno… and much more.

ACTIVE SUMMER

Find relaxation in the beautiful Merano landscape and get your mind and soul fit. In addition to the numerous promenades, parks and paths in and around Merano, the surrounding area also offers a variety of sports and hiking opportunities.

EASY ENJOYMENT

The town’s characteristic image includes the many promenades and green spaces, living proof of the mild climate and Merano’s special position in the Alps. The well-known climatic health resort of Merano has 18 km of promenade paths and 16 ha of parks.

WAALWEGE

The well-known South Tyrolean Waalwege are easy to reach, mostly very comfortable and ideal for walks with children. The special charm is defined by the quietly rippling water courses of the Waale and the varied routes, partly through orchards and meadows, partly through wooded sections.

HIKING AND MOUNTAINEERING IN MERANO

Popular hiking and excursion destinations are for example the hiking- and skiing area Falzeben (Hafling) – Meran 2000, the Sonnenberg Panoramaweg, the Meraner Höhenwege, Vigiljoch (ideal for families with children), the Knottenkino in Vöran as well as the Leiteralm. Many hiking possibilities are waiting for you.

GETTING AROUND BY BIKE

We rent out men’s bikes/mountain bikes and women’s bikes free of charge. We recommend the Passer cycle path: cycle tour from Merano to St. Leonhard – 19 km. The Passer accompanies the cyclist along the entire cycle path. The cycle path itself is well developed and signposted, it is close to nature and mainly with gravel and crushed stone surface.

Other activity options:

Meranarena: The state-of-the-art facility in Gampenstr. 74 offers a wide range of sports such as indoor swimming, free climbing in the rock arena, ice-skating and hockey in the ice-skating rink.
Tennis: There is a large facility of the Merano Tennis Club amidst green surroundings near the town centre. It offers 13 tennis courts, five of which are heated indoor clay courts (open year-round). Thanks to illumination playing is also possible in the evening. Approx. 8 minutes by car from the hotel.
Day climbing courses for adults: The climbing gardens of Fragsburg (above Merano) and Juval offer ideal practice terrain.
Horse riding: Merano’s beautiful horse racing arena, one of the largest in Europe (40 ha) offers a riding school and centre, horse show grounds and horse polo grounds.
Rafting: The riverbed of the Passer is ideal for white water rafting. From mid-April to the end of September Acquaterra Merano offers, among other things, rafting, kayaking, night rafting and rafting for children from the age of 4 with experienced guides.
Golf: South Tyrol impresses with 5 beautiful golf courses. Some of them are not far away: Merano-Passeier Golf Course and Lana Golf Club.
Tandem flights, hang gliding and paragliding: Hirzer middle station -Saltaus; Hirzer mountain station-Saltaus; Hochmut-Village Tirol; in winter: from the hiking area Merano 2000.
Nordic Walking: in Merano 2000 and the Hirzer area.