Merano
46°40′ N 11°10′ ETownPop. 41,071South Tyrol
Merano (Meran in German) is South Tyrol's second city and an old Habsburg spa town, and it suits couples who want a riverside Christmas market with thermal baths next door, though its stalls close earlier than Bolzano's. In 2026 the Merano Christmas market runs from 26 November to 6 January 2027.
Who should base here
Merano suits a slower Christmas stay with a spa thrown in. The market runs along the Passer river from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, the thermal baths sit across the footbridge with an ice rink outside, and Bolzano is a short train ride away for a second market.
Merano grew rich as a spa town in the nineteenth century, when visitors from across the Habsburg empire came for its mild climate. The Kurhaus and the long promenade along the Passer date from that time. At Christmas the market follows the promenade and spills into the old town.
Give yourself a full day here. Spend the afternoon at the thermal baths, then cross the river to eat at the Sandplatz chalet village. The train back to Bolzano runs every half hour on weekdays.
Worth knowing
- Book a table in the Christmas baubles on the Thermenplatz through Therme Meran ahead of a weekend visit.
- Check the Sunday train timetable, as Bolzano trains drop to one an hour.
Quick answers about Merano
Is Merano worth visiting at Christmas?
Yes. Merano's Christmas market runs along the Passer river from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, with an ice rink and thermal baths across the footbridge.
How far is Merano from Bolzano?
Merano is a short regional train ride from Bolzano, with trains every half hour on weekdays and every hour on Sundays and holidays.
Is Merano a good place to stay?
Merano suits a slower Christmas stay with a spa thrown in. The market runs along the Passer river from 26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, the thermal baths sit across the footbridge with an ice rink outside, and Bolzano is a short train ride away for a second market.