Bolzano

46°30′ N 11°21′ ECityPop. 108,245South Tyrol

Bolzano (Bozen in German) is the capital of South Tyrol and the most practical base for the region's Christmas markets, with its own market on Waltherplatz and fast trains to Merano, Brixen and Trento, though the main square fills up at weekends. In 2026 the Bolzano Christmas market runs from 26 November to 6 January 2027.

Who should base here

Bolzano is the best base for the South Tyrol markets in December. Its own market on Waltherplatz runs from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, the station sits beside the old town, and the other original South Tyrol markets in Merano, Brixen, Bruneck and Sterzing are all on the regional rail network. Trento's market lies south on the same Brenner line.

Bolzano sits where the Eisack meets the Talfer, with vineyards climbing the slopes right behind the houses. About 108,000 people live here, speaking Italian and German side by side, and the market signs, menus and carols switch between the two languages.

Stay in the old town between Waltherplatz and the arcaded Laubengasse if you can. The station is close by, so a day out to Merano or Brixen and back needs no car and no transfer. Up on the Ritten plateau above the city, the villages of Oberbozen and Klobenstein hold a smaller Advent market called the Rittner Christbahnl.

Bolzano's market runs past Christmas to Epiphany on 6 January, which suits a trip that takes in the week between the holidays. Only Christmas Day is closed.

Worth knowing

Base yourself near Waltherplatz and use the train for Merano and Brixen.
Search timetables under either Bozen or Bolzano, since both names point to the same station.
Spend Christmas Day at the Trento market, which opens that afternoon while Bolzano's stays shut.

The essentials

Kind: City
Population: 108,245
Names: The city is officially bilingual. Bolzano is the Italian name and Bozen the German one, and signs, timetables and menus use both.
Market: The Christkindlmarkt fills Waltherplatz, the Pfarrplatz and the Domplatz, with craft stalls along the Eisackstraße to the Kapuzinerpark.
Luggage: Base Camp Dolomites on platform 1 of Bolzano station stores bags daily 08:30–18:30.
Tourist office: The Verkehrsamt Bozen info point at Kornplatz 11 opens daily 10:00–18:00 during the market, 10:00–14:00 on 24 and 31 December and 12:00–18:00 on 1 January, and closes on Christmas Day. Phone +39 0471 307000.
Trains from Milan: Decorated Christmas trains run from Milan Garibaldi to the Brenner on the first weekends of the market, with stops along the way; tickets are sold on trenitalia.com.

Quick answers about Bolzano

Is Bolzano a good base for Christmas markets in South Tyrol?

Yes. Bolzano has its own Christmas market on Waltherplatz from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, and regional trains reach the markets in Merano, Brixen, Bruneck and Sterzing.

Is Bolzano the same as Bozen?

Yes. Bolzano is the Italian name and Bozen the German name of the capital of South Tyrol, which is officially bilingual.

When is the Bolzano Christmas market in 2026?

The Bolzano Christmas market runs from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, closed only on Christmas Day.