South Tyrol brims with Christmas markets plucked from a fairytale. From the cozy cobblestones of Bolzano to the snow-kissed peaks of the Dolomites, discover the Christmas markets not to miss in 2026.
If only Ebenezer Scrooge spent one holiday moment in South Tyrol, Italy, the Ghosts of Christmas would have surely found another wretched soul to haunt. The region’s Christmas markets conjure a merry spirit that can make the blackest heart sweeter than a candy cane.
Set amidst some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world, South Tyrol’s Christmas markets beam with holiday cheer. Especially when the evergreen boughs bend beneath the first snow and the summits gleam silver. Indeed, such storybook sights could make anyone spontaneously burst into carol after carol.
From festively decorated market stalls crafted of fragrant mountain pine to the fresh-from-the-oven aromas tempting your nose to the fascinating handicrafts born deep in the Dolomites, you will find that no place embodies the magic of Christmas quite like here.
The Major Christmas Markets of South Tyrol
South Tyrol’s five major Christmas markets — Bolzano (Bozen), Merano (Meran), Brixen (Bressanone), Sterzing (Vipiteno) and Bruneck (Brunico) — form the heart of the region’s Advent season. Each brings its own character, from medieval squares and riverside promenades to mountain towns glowing beneath snowy peaks. If this is your first Christmas trip to South Tyrol, these are the markets we recommend putting at the top of your list.
Bolzano Christmas Market
If you’re visiting South Tyrol during the season of tinsel and tidings, there is one market you would be a fool to miss. Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol, has stood for centuries at the crossroads of the Germanic and Italian worlds, a meeting place of Alpine, Tyrolean and Mediterranean influences that still shape the city today. Its medieval arcades, pastel facades and historic piazzas give Christmas here a setting few cities can match.
Bolzano’s Mercatino di Natale is the largest Christmas market in Italy. Like the Dolomites draped above the city’s historic skyline, the market is a grand expression of alpine charm.
We have never inhaled so many delicious aromas as we have walking through Bolzano during Christmas. If you are a fan of beaming holiday decor, you will stand in awe beneath the most gorgeous Christmas tree we have ever seen. It towers over the market like Santa harvested it from the North Pole and lowered it back to Earth from his sleigh.
To see more of Bolzano’s Christmas market and discover the best way to visit, check out our market guide.
Dates & Opening Hours
Dates: November 27, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Opening Ceremony: Thursday, November 26 at 5:00 PM in Piazza Walther
Market Stalls Hours: Open daily 10:00 AM–7:00 PM, with shorter hours on December 24 (until 4:00 PM) and December 31 (until 6:00 PM). On January 1, stalls open at 11:00 AM.
Food & Drink Stands Hours: Hours generally run later than the market stalls: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM Monday–Wednesday, 10:00 AM–11:00 PM Thursday–Saturday, and 11:00 AM–10:00 PM Sunday through December 23.
Special Hours: Holiday exceptions include December 24 (until 4:00 PM), December 25 (closed), and December 26–January 6 (generally until 9:00 PM). On December 31, stands close at 6:00 PM; on January 1, they open at 11:00 AM; and on January 6, they close at 7:00 PM.
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Merano Christmas Market
Merano possesses what we consider to be the most enchanting walk in Italy so it’s no surprise that this wander-friendly town hosts a Christmas market of equal charm. Around 80 exhibitors spread through the center, with the heart of the market unfolding along the Passer Promenade beside the stately Kurhaus. The stalls showcase local crafts, gifts and regional foods, while the river, palm trees and snow-dusted mountains give Merano a Christmas setting unlike anywhere else in South Tyrol.
What we especially love about Merano’s Christmas market is that it does not feel confined to a single square. We wandered from one festive corner of town to another, following the river past glowing wooden chalets, Christmas lights and the grand façades of the old spa town. The result feels less like visiting a market and more like taking a long Christmas stroll through Merano itself.
A short walk from the riverside stalls leads to Piazza della Rena, home to Merano’s Christmas Chalet Village. Here, an oversized alpine chalet anchors a cluster of wooden huts between historic buildings, creating a cozier counterpoint to the busier promenade. The village also hosts culinary experiences, workshops and tastings; for the 2026 season, Michelin-starred chef Egon Heiss is serving dishes in the main chalet, while scheduled activities include organic gin and chocolate tastings.
Across the Passer River, Piazza Terme transforms into its own Christmas world. The square is filled with Christmas trees and centered around an outdoor ice-skating rink that remains open daily during the season. Six giant colorful Christmas baubles — known as the Kugln — double as private dining spaces where guests can enjoy lunch or dinner inside what amounts to an enormous Christmas ornament. For one of the best elevated views of the rink and Merano’s holiday lights, head to the Sky Bar atop the Christmas Pavilion.
Merano also rewards those who wander beyond the market stalls. During the day, we recommend climbing onto the Tappeiner Promenade for sweeping views over the rooftops and surrounding mountains before descending back into the old town as the Christmas lights begin to glow. You can also stroll beneath Merano’s medieval arcades, step inside the Church of St. Nicholas, or simply settle in along the Passer with a mug of Glühwein and watch the festivities unfold.
For us, that combination is what makes Merano one of South Tyrol’s most enjoyable Christmas destinations. You get the bustle of a major market, but it is spread through an elegant, highly walkable town where thermal-spa culture, medieval history and alpine scenery all seem to join the celebration.
Dates & Opening Hours
Dates: November 26, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Opening Ceremony: Thursday, November 26 at 5:00 PM
Market Stalls Hours: Open 10:00 AM–7:00 PM Monday–Thursday and Sunday, and 10:00 AM–8:00 PM Friday, Saturday and public holidays.
Food & Drink Stands Hours: Open 10:00 AM–9:00 PM Monday–Thursday and Sunday, and 10:00 AM–10:30 PM Friday, Saturday and public holidays.
Special Hours: On December 24, market stalls close at 3:30 PM and food stands at 5:00 PM. The market is closed December 25. On December 31, market stalls close at 3:30 PM and food stands at 5:00 PM, although select food stands may remain open later for New Year’s Eve. On January 6, both close at 6:00 PM.
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Go beyond the stalls on a private South Tyrol food and wine tour with Franz Lageder, a certified South Tyrolean Gourmet Ambassador and former head sommelier at a 5-star hotel in the Dolomites. Franz will whisk you away to family-run wineries, historic cellars and artisan producers for a delicious journey into South Tyrol’s centuries-old culinary culture.
Explore Private Food & Wine ToursSterzing Christmas Market
As the smallest of South Tyrol’s five major Christmas markets, Sterzing packs a bundle of charm into every square inch of its historic center. We have wandered its streets during Advent, and walking beneath the lights with the pastel facades and mountains closing in around town feels a bit like stepping inside a holiday snow globe.
The market is officially known as the Sterzing Bell Christmas (Sterzinger Glockenweihnacht), and bells are more than decorative here. Looming above the wooden chalets is the 15th-century Zwölferturm (Tower of the Twelve), Sterzing’s unmistakable landmark. A 25-bell carillon installed on the tower rings out across the old town each day during the Christmas season, giving this market a soundtrack all its own. The carillon currently performs at 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM, and the tower itself can also be opened to visitors during special events such as the Christmas market.
The setting only adds to the spell. The 151-foot (46 m) high tower divides Sterzing’s medieval old and new towns, while rows of elegant burgher houses display colorful facades, bay windows and centuries of architectural character. During Advent, their windows and balconies glow with Christmas decorations while the market stalls below tempt visitors with woodcarvings, glass ornaments, wool goods, honey, cheeses and other South Tyrolean specialties. We found Sterzing especially easy to linger in — compact enough to explore without a plan, but beautiful enough to keep pulling you further down the street.
After browsing the stalls and indulging in a warm bowl of Speckknödelsuppe, step inside the Church of the Holy Spirit (Heilig-Geist-Kirche) directly on the town square. Built in 1399 as part of a medieval hospital complex, it is considered one of South Tyrol’s best-preserved Gothic churches. Its extraordinary fresco cycle dates to 1402 and depicts scenes including the Annunciation, the Kiss of Judas, the Crucifixion story and the Last Judgment. The paintings show a strong influence from Giotto, making this little church far more remarkable than its modest exterior suggests. It is open year-round.
🚩 Good to Know: If medieval Sterzing leaves you wanting more, consider arranging a visit to Reifenstein Castle (Burg Reifenstein / Castel Tasso), just outside of the town. One of South Tyrol’s oldest and best-preserved castles, Reifenstein remains astonishingly intact, with its original kitchen, medieval sleeping quarters, Gothic wood-paneled rooms and magnificent Green Hall. During the Christmas season, however, it operates on its low-season schedule and visits must be arranged in advance, so contact the castle before adding it to your day.
Dates & Opening Hours
Dates: November 27, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Market Stalls Hours: Open daily 10:00 AM–7:00 PM. On December 24, stalls are open 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, while December 25 has reduced hours.
Food & Drink Stands Hours: Open 10:00 AM–8:45 PM Sunday–Thursday and 10:00 AM–10:00 PM Friday and Saturday.
Special Hours: On December 24, food and drink stands close at 1:00 PM. On December 31, they remain open until 1:30 AM for New Year’s Eve. On January 1, the market stalls open later, from 2:00–7:00 PM.
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Brixen Christmas Market
Celebrating the true essence of Christmas in Brixen could have been said to begin nearly 500 years ago when the town’s residents welcomed a most unusual guest: an elephant.
In 1551, Soliman, a magnificent Asian bull, was on the last leg of his long journey from Portugal to Vienna. A gift from King John III of Portugal to his nephew, Archduke Maximilian of Austria, Soliman no doubt needed rest before continuing his trek through the Alps to his new home in the north. Brixen welcomed him with open arms.
Arriving in the village just before Christmas, an innkeeper provided a home for the young bull for 14 days. Those two weeks left quite an impression on the town.
In addition to its wondrous Christmas market, Brixen brings the courtyard of the 13th-century Bishop’s Palace (Hofburg) to life with OOPS 2, a spectacular light and music show created by French visual artists Spectaculaires – Allumeurs d’Images and accompanied by a soundtrack from South Tyrolean music legend Giorgio Moroder. Running from November 26, 2026 through January 9, 2027, the new adventure even includes an encounter with Brixen’s famous former guest, Soliman the elephant.
Like Merano, Brixen’s market also includes an outdoor ice-skating rink. For a graceful outing on the ice, we recommend taking a spin before partaking in the joys of mulled wine.
For more about this lovely Christmas market, see our post on how to experience the magic of Christmas in Brixen.
Dates & Opening Hours
Dates: November 27, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Market Stalls Hours: Open 11:00 AM–7:00 PM Monday–Thursday and 10:00 AM–7:00 PM Friday–Sunday and public holidays.
Food & Drink Stands Hours: Gastronomy stands remain open later than the market stalls, generally by an additional 1–2 hours.
Special Hours: On December 24 and December 31, the market is open 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. It is closed December 25. On January 1, hours are 12:00–7:00 PM, and on January 6, the market is open 10:00 AM–6:00 PM.
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Bruneck Christmas Market
At the foot of Kronplatz, Bruneck hosts one of South Tyrol’s five original Christmas markets. Its wooden chalets wind through Via Bastioni (Graben), Paul Tschurtschenthaler Square and Oberragen, with Bruneck’s medieval old town on one side and the snowy slopes of Kronplatz rising in the distance. It is a setting that effortlessly blends alpine Christmas tradition with a touch of Italian dolce vita.
Expect stalls filled with traditional woodcarvings, handmade wool goods, jewelry and other regional crafts, along with plenty of opportunities to warm up over Glühwein and South Tyrolean specialties. One of the market’s more distinctive additions is a South Tyrolean barn devoted to locally produced goods, while a crafts market is also held at Sternbach Palais on weekends. Music spills through the streets throughout Advent, with everything from local ensembles to the deep notes of alphorns adding to the mountain-town atmosphere.
Bruneck is worth considerably more than a quick stroll through its Christmas stalls. Rising above the old town is Bruneck Castle, home to the Messner Mountain Museum Ripa, where Reinhold Messner explores the cultures and ways of life of mountain peoples around the world. During the Christmas season, the museum is generally open from December 7, making it an easy cultural addition to a market visit.
For something entirely different, seek out Bruneck’s hauntingly beautiful Soldiers’ Cemetery (Kriegerfriedhof) on the forested Kühbergl above town. Created during World War I after Bruneck’s wartime hospitals and local cemetery could no longer accommodate the dead, it holds fallen soldiers from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia, Serbia and Romania, as well as German soldiers killed during World War II.
Mountain lovers should also consider riding to the summit of Kronplatz to visit the Messner Mountain Museum Corones. Designed by architect Zaha Hadid and built into the summit itself, the museum examines the history and traditions of traditional mountaineering while opening onto sweeping views of the Dolomites. For winter 2026–27, MMM Corones is scheduled to be open from November 28 through April 11 and is reached by cable car rather than by road.
🚩 Good to Know: Bruneck is also an excellent Christmas market to pair with a winter visit to Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee). The lake is about 30–35 minutes by car in good conditions — making it easy to admire one of the Dolomites’ most famous winter landscapes during the day before returning to Bruneck for Glühwein and Christmas lights after dark.
Dates & Opening Hours
Dates: November 27, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Market Stalls Hours: Open daily 10:00 AM–7:00 PM, including weekends and public holidays.
Food & Drink Stands Hours: Open 10:00 AM–8:00 PM Sunday–Thursday and 10:00 AM–9:00 PM Friday, Saturday and the evenings before public holidays.
Special Hours: On December 24, the market is open 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. It is closed December 25. On December 31 and January 1, market stalls follow regular hours of 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.
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Krampus in the Alps: Meet the Wild Beasts of Christmas Lore →
Go beyond the stalls on a private South Tyrol food and wine tour with Franz Lageder, a certified South Tyrolean Gourmet Ambassador and former head sommelier at a 5-star hotel in the Dolomites. Franz will whisk you away to family-run wineries, historic cellars and artisan producers for a delicious journey into South Tyrol’s centuries-old culinary culture.
Explore Private Food & Wine ToursAdditional Christmas Events in South Tyrol and the Dolomites
Beyond South Tyrol’s major markets, some of the region’s most memorable Christmas experiences unfold in smaller villages, mountain valleys and even centuries-old castles. These celebrations tend to feel more intimate and distinctive — from the Christmas-lit streets of Ortisei to the crackling fires of FORST’s Christmas Forest and an Advent market within the walls of Tyrol Castle.
Ortisei Christmas Village
There are few places in the Dolomites better suited to Christmas than Ortisei (Urtijëi in Ladin). Each Advent, the village’s pedestrian center becomes Nadel Urtijëi, a Christmas Village that has been welcoming visitors since 2014. Rather than concentrating everything in a single square, its wooden huts are scattered along the pedestrian streets, weaving the market into the heart of the village itself.
We visited late one evening just as the market was winding down. By then, most of the crowds had disappeared, leaving us to wander beneath the Christmas lights almost entirely on our own. With the storefronts glowing, wooden chalets tucked along the streets and the mountains disappearing into the darkness above town, Ortisei seemed to have slipped into its own little Christmas world.
The market is especially fitting in Val Gardena, a valley renowned for its woodcarving tradition. The stalls feature local craftsmanship, Christmas decorations and regional specialties alongside gifts, holiday cakes, South Tyrolean wines and liqueurs. Local musicians also perform throughout the season, adding another layer of cheer to the village streets.
Unlike the larger Christmas markets in Bolzano and Merano, Ortisei feels wonderfully intimate. That is part of its appeal. You can browse a few stalls, duck into the village’s boutiques and cafés, sip a mug of Glühwein and simply enjoy seeing one of the Dolomites’ prettiest towns dressed for Christmas.
🚩 Good to Know: While in Val Gardena, we also recommend stopping in Santa Cristina to see the world’s largest hand-carved nativity scene. The remarkable project began in 1998 and has grown over the years through the work of local sculptors. Today, the life-size ensemble can be seen at the Iman Sports Centre and is free to visit. We admired it on a snowy day in December and will never forget watching the flakes settle around the figures. Few sights capture the quiet beauty of Christmas in the mountains quite like it.
Dates & Opening Hours
Dates: November 28, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Market Stalls Hours: On November 28–29, shops are open 11:00 AM–7:00 PM. The Christmas Village is closed December 1–5. From December 6 through January 6, shops are open 4:00–7:00 PM Monday–Friday and 11:00 AM–7:00 PM Saturday and Sunday.
Food & Drink Stands Hours: On November 28–29, food and drink stands are open 11:00 AM–8:00 PM. From December 6 through January 6, they are open 4:00–8:00 PM Monday–Friday and 11:00 AM–8:00 PM Saturday and Sunday.
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FORST Brewery Christmas Forest
Since 1857, the FORST Brewery in Algund (Lagundo) has been spreading cheer well beyond the holiday season. One cannot trek in South Tyrol at any time of year without encountering an opportunity to relax with a refreshing FORST beer at a mountain hut or at festivals such as Almabtrieb.
But during Advent, the historic brewery grounds transform into something altogether different: the FORST Christmas Forest (Forster Weihnachtswald), a sprawling holiday world of sparkling lights, crackling hearths, decorated trees and the irresistible aromas of South Tyrolean cooking.
We have visited plenty of Christmas markets throughout South Tyrol, but FORST stands apart. It feels less like a traditional market and more like stepping into an alpine Christmas celebration built around good food, good beer and lingering by the fire. In fact, out of all the holiday experiences in this article, it is one we would happily return to multiple times during the same trip.
The grounds are packed with places to settle in. Rustic huts and restaurant cottages serve regional dishes alongside FORST specialties, including a Christmas Beer brewed especially for the season. The historic Bräustüberl pours brewery favorites with classic South Tyrolean fare, while the FORST Pavilion, Sala Sixtus and other cozy dining spaces make it easy to turn a quick visit into an entire afternoon or evening.
Between pours, browse the FORST Shop and market stalls for specialty beers, local artisan goods and Christmas gifts. One of the biggest attractions is the illuminated ice-skating rink tucked within the brewery grounds, where skates are available to rent. The Christmas Forest also includes family-friendly attractions and appearances by traditional Advent characters such as St. Nicholas and Krampus.
Beer lovers can take the experience a step further with a guided look inside the brewery. FORST currently offers brewery tours on days when the Christmas Forest is operating. Note: Tours are conducted in Italian and German. Advance telephone arrangements are required.
🚩 Good to Know: We recommend combining FORST with the Merano Christmas Market, which is just a short drive away. Wander Merano’s riverside stalls during the day, then head to FORST as darkness falls and the brewery disappears beneath thousands of Christmas lights. Few places make settling in beside a fire with a cold beer feel quite so festive.
Dates & Opening Hours
Dates: November 18, 2026 – January 6, 2027
Shopping: The FORST Shop and Christmas sales stands are currently listed from 10:00 AM–8:30 PM.
Food & Drink: Hours vary by venue. The FORST Pavilion is listed from 10:00 AM–10:00 PM, Bräustüberl FORST from 10:00 AM–11:00 PM, and Sala Sixtus from 11:30 AM–11:00 PM.
Ice-Skating Rink: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM.
Tyrol Castle Christmas Market
What was it like to celebrate Christmas when candles were necessities rather than decoration and this corner of the Alps was ruled from fortified stone? The Tyrol Castle Christmas Market (Tiroler Schlossadvent) offers a glimpse. Held within one of South Tyrol’s most historically important castles, it is easily one of the region’s most distinctive Advent experiences.
The first fortress at Tyrol Castle (Schloss Tirol / Castel Tirolo) was erected around 1100, and the stronghold later became the ancestral seat of the Counts of Tyrol. Their power was so influential that the castle eventually gave its name to the entire region. Today, Tyrol Castle houses the South Tyrolean Museum of Culture and Provincial History.
Getting there is part of the experience. We park in Dorf Tirol (Tirolo) and walk toward the castle along the Falknerweg, where views open across vineyards, Merano and the Texel Group of the Ötztal Alps. Brunnenburg Castle rises dramatically below Tyrol Castle along the way. The final approach even carries you through a stone tunnel dating to the 17th century. Allow about 25–30 minutes to reach the castle from Dorf Tirol — and longer if, like us, you keep stopping for the views.
Once inside, the medieval setting does most of the decorating. When we attended, chestnuts roasted in the courtyard while a brass band filled the castle with music. We warmed ourselves with mulled wine before heading indoors to browse handmade crafts and South Tyrolean specialties. One artisan worked a wood lathe right before us — exactly the kind of old-world craftsmanship that feels at home within walls nearly a millennium old.
Do not treat the market as your only reason to enter the castle. The Romanesque portals, Knights’ Hall and medieval double chapel are among Tyrol Castle’s great treasures. Frescoes dating to around 1330 cover the chapel walls, where you can also see the oldest surviving color depiction of the Tyrolean coat of arms.
The Tiroler Schlossadvent takes place on only a limited number of days during Advent, which makes it feel more intimate than South Tyrol’s large city markets. Admission to the Christmas market itself is free.
Dates & Opening Hours
Dates: November 27–29, 2026 and December 5–8, 2026
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
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Sarntal Advent Celebration
Tucked deep in the Sarntal Valley (Val Sarentino), the village of Sarnthein (Sarentino) hosts an Advent celebration that feels wonderfully removed from South Tyrol’s larger Christmas markets. The organizers themselves emphasize a quieter, more traditional kind of Christmas — one rooted in Sarntal customs, local craftsmanship and the warmth of village life.
That philosophy is visible in what you find at the stalls. Rather than rows of generic Christmas souvenirs, the Alpenadvent showcases products closely tied to the valley: woodwork, wool, leather, honey, dairy products, mountain-pine goods and handmade decorations. Traditional Sarntal specialties such as the Sarner Janggar, the valley’s distinctive wool jacket, reflect craftsmanship that has been passed down for generations.
We loved browsing this market precisely because it felt so local. On our visit, we left with an exceptionally cozy pair of wool slippers along with a bottle of Sarnar Gin, distilled with flavors inspired by the valley. We also found alpine wellness products from local names such as Trehs and Eschgfeller, whose mountain-pine products practically bottle the scent of the surrounding forests.
The Alpine Advent is about more than shopping. Its programming has traditionally centered on music, craftsmanship and old Christmas customs, including demonstrations of Sarntal handiwork, a living nativity and activities for children. These elements help make the market feel less like a commercial event and more like a village gathering that visitors happen to be lucky enough to join.
Another worthwhile stop is the Rohrerhaus, a centuries-old farmhouse in Sarnthein that now serves as a museum of rural Sarntal life. Inside are spaces such as the old smoke kitchen and bread oven, along with exhibits devoted to traditional farming and craftsmanship. Although the museum normally closes after October, it reopens during the Alpine Advent on event days and has also hosted a Christmas nativity exhibition.
If the major Christmas markets leave you craving something smaller and more rooted in place, Sarntal delivers. The valley setting, handmade goods and emphasis on tradition give its Alpine Advent a personality entirely its own — and it is close enough to Bolzano to make an easy addition to a Christmas-market trip.
Dates & Opening Hours
2026 Dates: To be announced
Opening Hours: To be announced
Note: At the time we updated this article, Sarntal Tourism had not yet published the 2026 Alpine Advent schedule. Its official page still listed the 2025 dates and hours, so we would not estimate the 2026 weekends based on previous years.
How to Visit South Tyrol’s Christmas Markets
If you plan to be in South Tyrol during the Christmas season, resist the temptation to simply hop from one market to the next in the same day. The markets themselves can be enjoyed for as little or as long as you like, but towns such as Bolzano, Merano, Brixen, Sterzing and Bruneck are packed with historic churches, castles, museums and other sights worth exploring. We recommend allowing at least a half day for each of the major market towns.
For a more relaxed experience at the major markets, visit on a weekday or arrive earlier in the day. Weekends, particularly as Christmas draws closer, tend to attract the largest crowds. Keep in mind, however, that some of South Tyrol’s smaller Advent markets and special events take place only on select weekends, so always check their operating dates before building your itinerary. And if you are driving while in Italy, be sure to allow extra time to find parking, especially on weekends and during the busiest days of the Christmas season.
Whenever possible, take advantage of South Tyrol’s excellent public transportation. The five Original South Tyrolean Christmas Markets — Bolzano, Merano, Brixen, Sterzing and Bruneck — are all conveniently reached by train or bus and are certified Green Events, a designation emphasizing regional products, resource efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable mobility.
🚩 Good to Know: Travelers staying at participating accommodations can use the Südtirol Guest Pass for public transportation throughout the region. If your lodging does not include one, a Mobilcard provides unlimited public transportation for one, three or seven consecutive days.
For an additional helping of South Tyrolean Christmas tradition, be sure to visit during one of the many Krampus runs that take place throughout South Tyrol. These fantastical events will elevate your holiday celebrations to a whole new level of fun and fright. Guaranteed.
Where to Stay During the Christmas Season
Where you stay should depend on which Christmas markets you most want to experience. If your priority is the five major markets — Bolzano, Merano, Brixen, Sterzing and Bruneck — Bolzano makes the best all-around single base. All five are accessible by public transportation, and the major markets are specifically promoted as easy to reach by train or bus. Travelers staying at participating accommodations can also use the Südtirol Guest Pass for public transportation throughout the region.
On one of our Christmas trips, we stayed just outside Bolzano along the South Tyrolean Wine Road at the family-run Weingut Donà. Surrounded by vineyards in Eppan, it gave us a peaceful base for visiting Christmas markets while also exploring castles and South Tyrol’s wine country. The property offers lovely holiday apartments and includes the Südtirol Guest Pass for guests. See our review of Weingut Donà.
If your itinerary also includes the smaller Christmas experiences featured in this guide, however, we would consider splitting your stay. Merano or nearby Algund works especially well for the Merano market, FORST Christmas Forest and Tyrol Castle, while Bolzano remains convenient for the Sarntal Valley and the surrounding Wine Road. FORST itself is located in Algund, just outside Merano.
For a more Dolomites-focused Christmas trip, consider spending a few nights farther east. Ortisei puts you directly in Val Gardena’s Christmas atmosphere. A great option located right in the heart of of town is Aquila Dolomites. This apartment-style residence sits in Ortisei’s pedestrian zone, putting the village’s Christmas market, restaurants, shops and mountain lifts just steps from your door. Read our review of Aquila Dolomites.
Brixen and Bruneck make ideal bases for exploring the eastern half of South Tyrol and combining Christmas markets with winter scenery in the Dolomites. My Arbor Hotel is a luxurious adults-only wellness resort located above Brixen. It’s also a fantastic location if you plan to ski Plose, one of South Tyrol’s most scenic ski areas. Read our review of My Arbor.
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Thank you for this very informative piece I plan on taking my nine-year-old granddaughter this winter early December to do the Marcus she is extremely artistically talented and I wanted to see all the artistic options I would greatly appreciate a website I could look at it that may suggest somewhat about it and itineraries as I will be taking her out of school I plan to be there for 8 to 9 days thank you so much Julia
Hi Julia – Sorry for the slow reply. Your comment was in our spam folder for some reason. Very happy to hear you are planning to visit South Tyrol. The following website will be a helpful resource in planning which Christmas markets to experience: https://www.christmas-markets.it/ Happy travels!
Oh how magical these markets look! I have been to Austria’s Christmas Markets, which looks a little similar especially the ones in Innsbruck. The snow just adds to the charm so I would not mind spending some time in the Italian Alps mountain towns and exploring these markets. The Sterzing and Brixen markets look the best to me, probably I can plan a trip next year!
I am very fond of Christmas and some day I wish to see white Christmas in Europe. It was so good to read and learn about the beautiful decorations of South Tyrol. I would love to see the storybook settings, the fresh snow, huge Christmas tree, the Christmas markets, festive cheer and more. The festive tree at the Brixen Christmas market looks great and I would love to sip some Glühwein.
Great posts!! This is a great post as my girlfriend and I were planning to visit Italy for this holiday season, we are thrilled that Italy was the spot as we both love Italy and its culture. We have been to Italy a few times but during the summer and spring, never during the winter. This will be great and we love to explore the South Tyrol’s Christmas markets.
I must admit I would have never thought of visiting Italy for Christmas Markets but this post surely has opened my eyes and changed my thinking . I would not normally associate Italy with Christmas Markets . The back drop to the markets with the snow topped mountains is perfect and is a visual treat . And yes there seems to be a few of them with their own charms. I would add Bolzano Christmas market to my list as well as it seems to be one of the largest ones. What a treat it is to visit these different Christmas Markets and enjoy the festive treats. Hope you have a great Christmas.
South Tyrol’s Christmas markets beaming with Alpine charm and first kiss of snow look the worth visiting place during festive season in upcoming weeks. Christmas in Brixen would be interesting as it looks very old because it have been said to begun nearly 500 years ago. I loved the fact that this town’s residents welcomed a most unusual guest – an elephant and it must be very unique for Italians to see elephant in this small town. Bolzano Christmas market looks worth visiting too as it is largest in Italy.
You had me spontaneously bursting into carols right from the start of this post. I loved your leader about Scrooge, really set the scene. The Dolomites is one of my favourite parts of Italy, we go there in summer a lot for hiking but I’ve never been in winter. I’m determined to go now after ready about how beautiful the Christmas markets are.
Thank you Paul! Glad Scrooge was able to send some cheer your way:-) You definitely need to make a visit to the Dolomites in winter. Even though we do not ski there is plenty of amazing hiking and snowshoeing opportunities amid the snow pummeled mountains! Plus, just sitting in a mountain hut with a glass of wine or beer is never a bad way to spend time in South Tyrol!
The Christmas festivities are here already. Love visiting the Christmas markets in Europe. The food, drinks, people bring out the festive spirit. South Tyrol will now be added to my travel list. I Would love to visit the Bolzano market to see the 5300 years old ice tomb. Sounds interesting.
Visiting Christmas Markets in Europe is high on our travel wish list. It certainly looks like the ones in South Tyrol would take the Scrooge out of me and put me right in the holiday spirit. We would not want to miss Merano with its age-old traditions and specialties. Sterzing looks like a charming small town to visit at the holiday season. That picture of Brixen looks like a snow globe fairy tale picture. The wooden shoes in the market in Bolzano would be a great gift for one or two people I know. South Tyrol looks like a lovely spot to visit for Christmas markets.
I love doing Christmas markets but only been to ones in the UK, France and Belgium. I have been reading up on markets in Germany and surrounding Germanic countries and it looks like they have taken it to the next level. The looks of the food, drink looks amazing but all those crafts! They look so cute and adorable and to be honest, if I was in this part of Italy, I would take a lot home with me. So much better than the crafts in my country (and not only that, I would love to capture some photography of the surrounding mountains..I am a sucker for nature).
Thanks Danik. Hope you get a chance to visit during the holiday season one day!