Bressanone (Brixen) Overview

Bressanone’s (breh-sa-NO-neh; pop. 20,000) Alpine valley dazzles visitors with unobstructed views of green mountains, crystalline rivers, and rows of pastel houses. Its layout blends patches of urbanity with vast expanses of green space, where cobblestone roads wind around swirling rivers and cool shade trees. Pedestrians can stroll through the town center’s quiet walkways, exploring the towering duomo and small shops nearby, but the real appeal for travelers is the area’s hiking, biking, and skiing.

Culture Shock. Culturally and linguistically, the northern Dolomites have belonged to Germany and Austria for centuries. This means that most natives’ first language is German, then Italian, with English a distant third.

Transportation to Bressanone

Bressanone is a daytrip by train or bus from Bolzano or Trent. Trains run to: Bolzano (30min., every hr. 12:36am-10:12pm, €3.25); Brennero (45min., every hr. 5am-11:11pm, €4.65); Trent (1hr ...more

Practical Information

To reach the centro in Piazza del Duomo, turn left from the bus and train stations onto Viale Stazione, walk 500m past the tourist office, and when Vle. Stazione becomes Via Bastioni Minore, turn immediately ...more

Accommodations

Bressanone’s more expensive hotels are near the river. Head from P. del Duomo into P. Vescoville then turn left on V. Bruno to find Ostello della Gioventù Bressanone , V. Bruno ...more

Restaurants

At the 100-year-old Fink , Portici Minor 4, waitresses in traditional garb serve a nice selection of entrees on the outdoor patio, but their real speciality lies inside, where homemade jams, thick slices ...more

Sights and Activities

To kick off your sightseeing, head to Piazza del Duomo. A few meters south of the piazza, look for a golden lamb-topped monument in P. Palazzo, where the pale yellow Palazzo Vescovile, completed in 1595 ...more

Nightlife

Discomax Club, V. Laghetto 30, is a rare find in a town with few loud and late bars. Special dancing nights throughout the week (most from Th-Su) offer hours of Latin, disco, and oldies tunes. (☎ ...more