What to see and to do in Vipiteno and surroundings, a hidden gem in the Alps

Vipiteno is a village of a few thousand inhabitants in the province of Bolzano, a true gem to be discovered in the South Tyrol’s Alps not far from the border with Austria. Despite its geographical position at almost 1000 meters above sea level, Vipiteno boasts excellent transport services thanks to the presence of the Val di Vizze train station, the A22 Brennero highway and the SS12 road.

And that’s exactly these large infrastructures to efficiently connect Vipiteno with the two main cities of the region, so Trento (further South, about 2 hours travel) and of course Bolzano (about 1 hour travel). Whatever means you choose to reach your destination, along the way you will be able to admire with eyes in awe the beautiful landscape of the Alps and above all the Adige and Isarco rivers, with the possibility of discovering other beautiful villages such as Bressanone and Chiusa.

For an even more engaging travel experience, we suggest you stop for a while to discover Bolzano and Trento; speaking of the latter, if you like museums we have what's right for you, just click the button below!

And here we are finally in Vipiteno, this colorful village in South Tyrol that will win you over with its enchanting beauty. Walking through its streets is a pleasure, enjoying the spectacular view of the Alpine landscape and the architectural and artistic refinement of the buildings in the centre.

Keep your camera ready, because among brightly colored facades, porticoes and balconies covered in flowers and the characteristic erkers, that are 'bulging' windows from the profile of a building, there will be many opportunities to take beautiful photographs!

As promised, here we are in front of the majestic Torre delle Dodici (Tower of Twelve), an absolute icon of Vipiteno with its over 40 m height.

This is the historic civic tower of the city, built between 1468 and 1472 as a gateway between the two cities: yes, that's right, passing through the tower it is possible to move from the Old Town (Altstadt), the historic burg where the Christmas market is held every year and where we suggest you visit the Gothic church of the Holy Spirit, to the New Town (Neustadt), the colorful central street of Vipiteno full of hotels, restaurants, bars and shops.

The curious name of the tower comes from the fact that on its facades, in addition to the city coat of arms, it presents a classic circular clock and also a sundial, also known as a sun clock: in both cases, the number 12 is undoubtedly symbolic and characteristic of this attraction.

What's more beautiful than a winter holiday in South Tyrol? Experiencing the Alps between the white snow and the magic of its villages is certainly a unique adventure. And speaking of magic... don't miss the opportunity to visit this wonderful region at Christmas and, at least for a while, feel like a child again: from the largest cities to the smallest hamlets, in Trentino-Alto Adige you will discover evocative markets, festivals and traditions, quality food and wine and many fantastic experiences through the snow.

Of course, Vipiteno is also an unmissable destination at Christmas! Stroll through its avenues, admire the Christmas lights and the colors of the city which, when mixed together, offer a truly enchanting view in the evening, and let yourself be carried away into a fairy-tale world for the sweetest holidays of the year.

Another suggestive place that deserves to be visited in Vipiteno is the Church of Nostra Signora della Palude, one of the most important religious places in the area. The building is located to the South of the village, in a decentralized position far from the most inhabited urban area; however, this gives this place an even more mystical atmosphere, particularly thanks to the splendid setting of the Alpine landscape.

Built between 1417 and 1525, Nostra Signora della Palude is one of the largest churches in Tyrol, measuring 32 meters high, 38 meters long and 23 meters wide. Its imposing appearance and the typically Gothic architectural and artistic style make it a truly interesting attraction to visit where, in addition to the suggestive external panorama, it is possible to discover on the inside beautiful decorations, white marble columns, frescoes and above all the Roman funerary plaque Postumia Victorina.

Well, the time has come to venture out of the village and find out what to do in Vipiteno and its surroundings to discover the magical world of the Alps. One of the most beautiful and engaging activities, especially to be experienced in early summer or autumn before the cold time comes, is to visit the fantastic castles of this region.

A little further South of Vipiteno, a short distance from each other and separated by the flow of the Isarco river, there are Castel Tasso (in the picture) and Castel Pietra. We advise you to visit Castel Tasso (or Burg Reifenstein), a medieval building built after the year 1000 which for centuries was a fortress and fief of the territory under the control of various lordships, noble families and orders of chivalry. Among the most beautiful attractions to visit within the castle are the small Church of San Zeno, the suggestive Green Room full of ornamental paintings and antique furniture, and numerous perfectly preserved stube dating back to 1200s – they are typical South-Tyrolean living rooms completely made of wood.

Anyway, if you prefer Baroque castles, with a more refined aesthetic and an elegant scenographic presence, we suggest you visit Castel Wolfsthurn in the nearby town of Mareta, West of Vipiteno: here, along the namesake river, you can relax by discovering this wonderful palace and exploring the beautiful nature trail.

If you love visiting castles and are planning a trip to Trentino-Alto Adige, we recommend you also visit the village of Avio to the South, near Trento, where you can discover a fantastic castle with a truly spectacular panoramic view. To find out more, click the button below!

In addition to the castles, in spring and summer Vipiteno and its surroundings become a wonderful destination for hikers and nature lovers, who arrive here to live an exciting green holiday in touch with nature.

The territory is rich in places where you can plan long walks and hikings in the greenery, also by mountain bike, following the uphill or downhill mountain paths. The most important mountain peak to be discovered North-West of Vipiteno is Monte Cavallo (over 2000 m high), on whose slopes there are the ski lifts of the ski area connected directly to the village; here there is also a little sleigh track about 10km long, among the longest and most exciting of South Tyrol.

East of Vipiteno, however, there’s an interesting itinerary for the most experienced and adventurous hikers for the ascent along the banks of the Rio Vizze (stream flowing within Isarco); along this hiking route, among the green alpine woods and the closer peaks, you can discover breathtaking natural beauty such as Lake Novale, the sources of Borgone and, further on, the splendid Moassl waterfall. Speaking of water-related attractions, near Vipiteno you can also visit the Stanghe waterfalls.

What mountain holiday would it be without a few winter sports? In winter, Vipiteno and all of South Tyrol become an unmissable destination for those who love the adrenaline of skiing or snowboard, an ideal location for a white week on the Alps.

To better plan your trip and find out the best places where to ski, please check out our guides on South Tyrol and Trentino. In the territory of Vipiteno, in addition to the already mentioned Monte Cavallo, you can discover the ski resorts of Racines, Ladurns and Rio of Pusteria-Jochtal.

Our guide on what to see and what to do in Vipiteno ends here. Whether it's winter or summer, autumn or spring, do not miss the opportunity to visit this colorful authentic gem hidden between the Alps: a fantastic journey awaits you!