Bolzano sits at the meeting point of three major Alpine valleys — the Adige to the south, the Isarco to the north-east, and the Val Sarentino to the north — and this position makes it an exceptionally good base for exploring the surrounding region. Within one to two hours, you can be in the heart of the Dolomites, at Austria’s Innsbruck, on the shores of a warm alpine lake, or in the centre of Trento’s Italian old town.
All day trips in this guide can be done and returned from in a single day. We have included transport options and approximate costs as of 2026 for each route.
Merano — 40 Minutes by Train
Merano is the most natural day trip from Bolzano and the one that requires the least planning. The train runs approximately every 30 minutes from Bolzano station and the journey takes 40 minutes; return tickets cost approximately €5–8 depending on the time of day.
Merano is a spa town on the Passer/Passirio river that built its reputation as a health resort in the second half of the 19th century, largely after Empress Sisi (Elisabeth of Austria) spent extended periods there in 1870–71. The town retains a distinct character from that period — wide riverside promenades, grand hotel facades, and well-tended public gardens.
The two main attractions are Terme Merano (the thermal spa complex designed by Matteo Thun, entry from approximately €18 for two hours, with 13 outdoor heated pools and extensive indoor facilities) and the Trauttmansdorff Gardens (12 hectares of terraced themed gardens surrounding the castle where Empress Sisi stayed, entry approximately €15–18, open April to November). Together, they make a full day. We cover Merano in detail in our separate city guide.
Lake Caldaro (Kalterer See) — 20km South
Lake Caldaro is the warmest natural lake in the Alps — average summer water temperature of 26–28°C — and the most popular swimming destination for Bolzano residents. It lies 20km south of the city in the middle of the Überetsch wine zone, surrounded by vineyards producing Caldaro DOC wines (primarily Schiava/Vernatsch, a light red grape with low tannins and easy-drinking character).
The public beach on the lake’s northern shore is free to access. Pedal boats and small rowing boats rent for approximately €12 per hour from the lakeside operators. Several restaurants serve lunch on terraces above the water, typically offering simple fish and local wine at approximately €20–30 per person.
By car, the lake is about 25 minutes south of Bolzano via the SS12. By public transport, take the regional train towards Trento and alight at Caldaro/Kaltern station; the lake is then a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride. The swimming season runs roughly June to September.
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) — 30 Minutes by Car or Bus
Europe’s largest high-altitude Alpine meadow sits at 1,800–2,350m above sea level in the Dolomites, approximately 30km north-east of Bolzano. The Alpe di Siusi covers 56 square kilometres of open plateau ringed by dolomitic massifs — the Schlern/Sciliar to the south and the Langkofel/Sassolungo group to the north-east provide a spectacular backdrop.
Access by car: follow the SS12 north from Bolzano, turn east to Siusi allo Sciliar, then take the cable car (Seiser Alm Bahn) from the village of Seis/Siusi. Cable car approximately €19 return; the access road to the plateau is closed to private cars May to November during peak hours (09:00–17:00), so the cable car is effectively mandatory in summer. Total driving time from Bolzano approximately 35–40 minutes.
By public transport: take the regional train to Waidbruck/Ponte Gardena (approximately 20 minutes from Bolzano), then a connecting bus towards Kastelruth/Castelrotto and Seis. Journey time approximately 1 hour from Bolzano. The cable car departs from Seis.
On the plateau, easy walking routes cross the meadow between mountain refuges (Almhütten) serving local food and wine. The wildflower meadows are at peak colour in June and July. Snow conditions for cross-country skiing run December to March.
Innsbruck, Austria — 1h30 by Direct Train
Bolzano is closer to Innsbruck than to Milan, and the direct train connection on the Brenner railway is straightforward. Trains run several times daily; journey time is approximately 1h30–2h depending on service. Return tickets cost approximately €20–30 booked in advance through Trenitalia or ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways); prices rise significantly closer to travel date.
Innsbruck’s old town (Altstadt) is compact and can be covered in half a day. The Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) — a balcony with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles built in 1497 for Emperor Maximilian I — is the city’s central landmark. The surrounding medieval streets are well preserved. The Hofburg (imperial palace) takes approximately 1 hour to visit; entry is approximately €10, and the state rooms reflect the Habsburg court’s use of the palace as a summer residence.
The Nordkette cable car (Hungerburgbahn from the Altstadt, then cable car) ascends to 2,334m above the city. Return ticket approximately €29. The views down over the Inn valley from the top are substantial. Allow a full day — an 08:00 departure from Bolzano and a 19:00 return is comfortable.
Note that you cross an international border. EU/Schengen zone travel, but carry your passport or national ID card.
Trento — 55 Minutes South by Train
Trento is the capital of the Trentino province — the predominantly Italian-speaking half of the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region. It presents a complete change of atmosphere from Bolzano: the architecture is more Mediterranean Italian, the language is entirely Italian, and the urban character is that of a mid-sized Italian university city.
The main attractions are the Duomo (Romanesque-Gothic, with a significant cycle of 16th-century frescoes), the Castello del Buonconsiglio (the bishops’ palace, entry approximately €10, with important late medieval frescoes in the Torre dell’Aquila), and the MUSE science museum designed by Renzo Piano (entry approximately €11, strong on natural history and Alpine ecology). Piazza del Duomo is one of the more pleasant central squares in northern Italy.
Trains from Bolzano to Trento run approximately every 30 minutes; journey time is 55 minutes; return tickets approximately €7–10. Trento works well as a half-day or full-day trip.
Tres Cime di Lavaredo — 1h30 by Car
The Tre Cime are three dolomitic towers rising to 2,999m — one of the most photographed mountain formations in Europe and the centrepiece of the Sesto Dolomites. From Bolzano, the drive is approximately 1h30–2h: east along the Val Pusteria (A22 motorway then SS49) to Toblach/Dobbiaco, then south on the SS51bis and the toll access road to the Auronzo rifugio (toll approximately €30 in summer, payable at the barrier).
From the Auronzo rifugio (2,320m), a circular hiking path around the three peaks takes approximately 2.5–3 hours at a moderate pace. The route passes the Lavaredo rifugio and the Locatelli rifugio (with a food stop option). The scenery is exceptional throughout — the scale of the towers becomes apparent only when you are directly beneath them.
The access road is typically open June to October. In high summer (July–August), arrive at the toll barrier before 08:30 or after 16:00 to avoid queuing. A car is effectively necessary for this trip.
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