If you’re heading to Merano, you’ve probably heard about the Giardini Trauttmansdorff (Trauttmansdorff Gardens in English). And for good reason – they’ve won plenty of garden awards, in Italy and Europe.
If that last paragraph bored you, snap out of it! These aren’t your typical gardens. Sure, there are plenty of gorgeous flowers and plants at Trauttmansdorff Gardens, but there’s plenty more to keep young and old entertained for a day… or at minimum a few hours.
So, let’s take a look at how you can spend some time in these enormous gardens with your bambini!
Why listen to me? I’m a mamma of three living in Italy and I’ve been helping families (clients and my own) visit Italy since 2004. We explore and find the best of Italy for families so you can make the most of your time in Italy with your family. The info below is all based on our personal experience from our recent trip to Giardini Trauttmansdorff.
Andiamo – let’s go!
Giardini Trauttmansdorff – The Basics
Location
East of the center of Merano (10-minute drive, 35-minute walk or 15-minute bus ride)
How to Get There
If you’re with kids, I’d drive or take the bus from Merano. We drove and it’s easy to find (well-signed). There are a couple of Trauttmansdorff bus stops – if possible, take a bus that drops you off at the stop right in front of the visitor’s center.
Read about
Driving in Italy
Renting a Car in Italy
Parking
Park in the on-site parking, walk to the visitor’s center to enter, then cross the bridge over the main road to enter the gardens.
Read my guide to Parking in Italy
Buying Tickets
Purchase online or at the entrance (the visitor’s center). Make sure you look at the family ticket options.
What to Do at Trauttmansdorff as a Family
If you tried to see and do everything at Trauttmansdorff with your kids, you’d need more than a day and you’d likely go a little nuts. It’s a huge place and it can feel overwhelming.
So, make a plan. Pick a few ‘musts’ and you’ll also stumble upon things on your way to those ‘musts.’
Helpful Tip: Let each member of your family choose a ‘must.’
Here are our favorite things at Trauttmansdorff (chosen by 3, 6, and 10 year olds):
- Leaf-cutter ants and spiders (called The Glass House on official map)
- Wobbly bridge (Adventure Bridge)
- Alpacas
- Sounding stones (Sounding Stones)
- Aviary viewing platform with birds (The Aviary with Lories and Macaws)
- Thum viewing platform (Matteo Thun’s Viewing Platform)
- Epic pinball machine in the Touriseum (inside the castle) (Touriseum)
- Beehive (Beehive)
- Botanical underworld show – if the first part is scary, you can walk out. My 3 year old wanted nothing to do with this, but my 6 and 10 year olds enjoyed it (and did it twice) (The Botanical Underworld)
- Waterwheel (Water Bell)
- Wind chime area (Geological Mosaic)
- Ferns and dinosaur (The Fern Glen and Living Fossils)
- Snakes (The Innsbruck Alpenzoo Showcase with Aesculapian Snakes)
- Mini maze (Maze)
- Flowers throughout the gardens
We haven’t seen the thunder and lightning in the Grotto show (The Grotto’s Origins of Life Multimedia Show), but it sounds like fun too.
Where to Eat with Kids at Trauttmansdorff
We brought snacks and water and later bought sandwiches and gelato. We weren’t overly impressed with the panini, but the seating area and view of the gardens and water is lovely and lively (so no one will bat an eye at ‘lively’ kids).
There are picnic areas in the park, so you can bring your own food (and buy cold drinks and gelato).
What to Pack for a Trip to Trauttmansdorff with Kids
There is some shade at the gardens, but you’re exposed to the sun in most areas.
- Hats
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable shoes (get my tips for shoes for your kids for your Italy trip)
- Water (can be refilled)
- Snacks
Tips for Visiting Giardini Trauttmansdorff with Kids
Strollers – The gardens are stroller-friendly, but there are some places you can take a shortcut with stairs. In these spots, my 3-year-old walked up/down the steps and we came back for the stroller. Read my guide to Strollers in Italy.
Toilets – There are plenty of toilets scattered around the gardens.
Route – We found it worked well to walk uphill first (making our way to both viewing platforms) and then make our way down.
How Much Time to Spend – Plan on spending more time than you think. My kids wanted to see everything, so we ended up spending more than half a day, when I’d planned on a few hours.
Deciding What to Do – Have every member of your family choose something to see at the gardens. If you can, look at the website or map before you arrive (there’s a lot to choose from!).
Shop – If your kids are like mine and love a souvenir opportunity, be prepared for the shop that you pass as you exit the Touriseum and the shop as you exit the gardens.
Get a Map in English – They’re free at the entrance and will give you a break from your phone. You can even have older kids navigate. Signs are in English too.
Water – There are places to refill water around the park. You can also purchase bottled water at the restaurant and café.
I hope this helps you plan for and enjoy your time at Trauttmansdorff Gardens with your kids!
If you love outdoor areas for your kids to explore, check out
Giardino Sigurtà with Kids
Il Giardino dei Tarocchi
Mason’s Labyrinth
Bolzano with Kids (and Talvera Park)
Molveno with Kids
Alpe di Siusi with Kids
If you’ll be in Merano with your family, read
Things to Do in Merano with Kids
One Day in Merano with Kids
Terme Merano with Kids
Merano 2000 with Kids
Cycling the Merano to Bolzano Bike Path
Where to Stay in Merano with Kids
Dolomites with Kids
