Brixen
46°43′ N 11°39′ ETownPop. 22,816South Tyrol
Brixen (Bressanone in Italian) is the oldest town in South Tyrol and suits a short, walkable Christmas stop on the Brenner rail line, with a market on the cathedral square and a light show in the bishops' palace, though its craft stalls close at 19:00. In 2026 the Brixen Christmas market runs from 26 November to 6 January 2027.
Who should base here
Brixen gives you a compact bishop's town with a market on the cathedral square and a light show in the Hofburg next door. The market runs from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, and direct DB and ÖBB trains from Munich and Innsbruck stop here, so it works as a first night in Italy on the way over the Brenner.
Brixen was the seat of prince-bishops for centuries, and the old town still turns on the cathedral and the Hofburg. The market fills the Domplatz in between, so you can move from the stalls to the light show in a few steps. Arcaded lanes with small shops run off the square for gift shopping that the market does not cover.
The Plose rises above the town and opens for skiing in winter. Pair a morning on the mountain with an evening at the market if you have two days here.
Worth knowing
- Arrive by Railjet from Munich or Innsbruck and keep your ticket for €2 off the light show.
- Spend the evening of a Saturday in Advent here, when the food stalls stay open to 22:00.
Quick answers about Brixen
Is Brixen the same as Bressanone?
Yes. Brixen and Bressanone are the German and Italian names of the same town in South Tyrol.
Can you take a direct train to Brixen from Munich?
Yes. DB and ÖBB Railjet trains run from Munich and Innsbruck to Brixen without a change five times a day, according to Brixen Tourismus.
Is Brixen a good place to stay?
Brixen gives you a compact bishop's town with a market on the cathedral square and a light show in the Hofburg next door. The market runs from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, and direct DB and ÖBB trains from Munich and Innsbruck stop here, so it works as a first night in Italy on the way over the Brenner.