Are you trying to decide if you should visit Bolzano with your kids during the winter months?
Bolzano is fun for families year-round, and our family tends to visit in the summer. However, I get a lot of questions about visiting in the winter. My answer – absolutely! Bozano has something for all ages and interests, even in the winter. And it’s a very festive place to spend the holidays.
I won’t say it’s a ‘yes’ for every family as a base for a winter trip to the Dolomites (see the next section), but I definitely will say ‘yes’ for a family visit to Bolzano during the winter!
I’m a mamma of three and our family is based in Tuscany, in central Italy. I recently made a trip to Bolzano with one of my sons and although we spend plenty of time in the city in the warmer months, it was a good reminder that we need to make more train trips from Florence up to Bolzano in November, December, January, and February!
Let’s take a look at:
- If a winter visit to Bolzano is right for your family
- What to see and do with kids in Bolzano in the winter
- Things to see and do nearby
- Where to stay in and around Bolzano with your family in the winter months
- Family-Friendly restaurants in Bolzano
- Things to pack for a Bolzano family trip in the winter
- Family logistics for Bolzano in the winter
You may want to check out
Bolzano with Kids
Visiting Bolzano in the Winter
Dolomites in Winter Without a Car
Dolomites in Winter – For Non-Skiers
Deciding if Your Family Should Visit Bolzano in the Winter
I definitely recommend a Bolzano visit in the winter. The main thing is deciding if you want to sleep in Bolzano or somewhere nearby.
If your visit is focused on snow, stay closer to the snow! It’s what we do, and we still find our way back to Bolzano – it’s an easy 25-minute bus ride from where we usually stay in Fiè allo Sciliar.
If you’re not interested in playing in the snow (sledding, skiing, snowboarding), then using Bolzano as a base is an excellent idea.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in the Winter in Bolzano
Go to the Christmas Market – This is a must if you’re in Bolzano with kids during the Christmas holidays. It’s our favorite Christmas market in Italy, and we happily return to it. My kids recommend:
- riding the little carousel
- riding the small train
- watching the puppet show (in Italian)
- making a hot chocolate stop
- loading up on local goodies like sausages and cheeses
As a mom, I appreciate the high-quality of the goods in the market, and I’m happy to give my kids a small amount to make a purchase (knowing they won’t waste their € on junk).
Stroll the Historic Center – My boys’ favorite things to do and places to check out:
- Via dei Portici shops – sales, saldi take place in January
- Legami – stationary and toys, a must-stop for my 7-year-old son
- Sportler and Sportler Alpin – Sporting goods, great for the entire family. The kids section in the main Sportler is on the top floor and it has outdoor clothing, shoes, accessories (socks, gloves, etc) and gear (like scooters). High-quality local brands are featured, as well as international ones. The kids floor also has a play area, toilets, a diaper changing area, and a private area for breastfeeding.
- Toy Shops – Sigikids (best for babies and young kids, good for gifts), Pinocchio (favorite of my kids), Bruner Giocattoli (classic toy shop)
- Athesia Bookshop – Multiple levels, books and small toys
- Christmas lights and decorations – throughout the center, we like the area around Piazza delle Erbe
Get Hot Chocolate
Go Ice Skating – There’s an ice skating rink set up for part of the winter in Piazza del Municipio (a quick stroll from the main piazza, Piazza Walther). You can also rent ice skates on-site.
Play at Talvera Park – If there’s snow, your kids will have a blast in the enormous park. If not, they can play on one of the multiple playgrounds. My boys love this part, but if you decide to play here, it’s good to have a change of clothes with you (your kids will get wet and muddy… it’s happened to us more than once).
Say Hello to the Ice Man
Ötzi, the ‘Ice Man,’ is a mummy that was preserved in a glacier for over 5000 years! He was found in 1991 and now has his ‘home’ in a special chamber in the historic center of Bolzano (South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology).
Curious kids will want to check out Ötzi and his well-preserved clothing, tools, and equipment in the well-displayed exhibit at the museum.
Even if your kids are small and don’t totally understand who Ötzi is, it’s still fascinating to see a real mummy. Older kids and teens will be able to soak up the info from the panels (in English), videos, and excellent displays. Our boys love seeing how he dressed and what his tools looked like.
Also, check out the temporary exhibits on the upper floor. The museum is great at offering interactive exhibits that are interesting for kids of all ages and adults. It’s easy to see the Ice Man and take off, but don’t!
Logistics for visiting:
- Pre-book your tickets if you’re pressed for time. The museum is in the center and easy to walk to. You can bring your stroller with you (use the elevator).
- Visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology’s official website for opening hours and ticket info.
- There are toilets and changing tables inside the museum.
- You can download or rent child or adult audio guides but we usually skip them. Instead, we read or watch videos about Ötzi before visiting and then to take advantage of the multimedia inside (video of removing him from the glacier, etc).
What to See and Do Near Bolzano with Kids in the Winter
Take the Funivia up to Sopbrabolzano – Catch the 10-15 minute Funivia del Renon (less than 10-minute walk from the Bolzano train station) and head up into the Bolzano hills for spectacular views of the city, the mountains, and the Earth Pyramids.
- The cable car takes you up to Soprabolzano (Oberbozen).
- From there, take the trenino (little train) for about 15 minutes to Collalbo.
- From Collalbo, walk about 30-minutes to the Earth Pyramids.
If you’re with little kids, the cable car and little train are probably enough (skip the walk to the Earth Pyramids). Instead, stop for a snack in Collalbo. Older kids will enjoy seeing the Earth Pyramids if they’re up for the walk.
Or, just take a walk from Sobrabolzano toward Collalbo and turn around when you feel like it. I just did this with my 7-year-old and we flipped back around at Stella. We had a leisurely stroll through the forest and stopped a lot to pick up cool rocks and sticks and check out the ice in the stream. Success.
Good To Know: The little train can get very crowded (there are only a couple of cars), and you may need to line up to wait for it if you want to get a spot.
Helpful Tip: If you’ll be spending part of your trip up in the mountains near Bolzano, skip the Bolzano/Renon cable car and spend your time doing other things in the city.
Soak in the Merano Thermal Baths – Thermal baths don’t really seem like a kid-friendly experience, but Merano’s are worth a dip, even with little ones (we prefer them in the summer when the vast outdoor section is open). You can also explore Merano’s beautiful city center, or head up to Merano 2000 for some fun in the snow.
Read more about
Terme Merano with Kids
Where to Stay in Merano with Kids
Take a Day Trip to Alpe di Siusi – Yes, it will be a full day, but it’s possible – even by public transport!
Read all about Alpe di Siusi with Kids – Winter Edition
Where to Eat with Kids in Bolzano
Bolzano’s in Italy, so you’ll find pizza and pasta in town, but the city used to be part of Austria. That means sausages reign here, and if your kids love hot dogs and fries, they’ll be in heaven. Don’t worry, there are more ‘sophisticated’ options available.
My top picks for a winter meal in Bolzano are Wirtshaus Vögele or Hopfen & Co. for traditional food from South Tyrol. If you’ve got an Italian craving, grab a spot at Walther’s on Piazza Walther. While you’re eating your pizza or pasta, you’ll have prime views of the Christmas market.
In the mood for a quick sausage? Head to our favorite sausage stand, in the middle of the Piazza delle Erbe market.
If your family likes Indian food, try Tajmahal. It’s casual, delicious, and not far from the Duomo.
You can also pick up goodies at a market or grocery store and have a little picnic in your room.
Check out Bolzano Restaurants – Where to Eat on Your First Visit
Where to Stay in and Around Bolzano with Kids During the Winter
Try to stay in historic center of Bolzano if possible. It’s easiest to walk everywhere and not have to take a bus or taxi to get to/from your accommodation.
If you want to stay in a hotel, the best options in the center are Parkhotel Laurin and Parkhotel Mondschein, although neither are kid-focused. You can also stay in an apartment (plenty available on sites like Booking.com).
However, I recommend you look into doing what we do… We stay near Bolzano and make trips in by bus when we want to. We usually stay in Fiè allo Sciliar, about a 25-minute bus ride away up into the mountains. You could also stay in other villages like Castelrotto (bigger than Fiè, but further away from Bolzano).
Read more about
Accommodation Options in Italy
Where to Stay in the Dolomites with Kids
Fiè allo Sciliar with Kids
Taking the Train from Florence to Bolzano
Don’t Forget to Pack These for Your Winter Trip to Bolzano
It’s chilly in Bolzano in the winter months, so make sure you’re ready with plenty of warm layers. But, if you arrive and don’t feel warm enough, you can buy anything you need (and more!) in Bolzano. There are plenty of shops (dressy, casual, and sporty) at all price levels in Bolzano. And, if you’re in town in January, you’ll catch the saldi (sales)!
Here are some of the main things your family will need for a winter visit to Bolzano:
A warm winter coat – Light jackets and windbreakers won’t cut it. You’ll want a heavy winter coat. I like to wear a down coat that goes down to my thighs. My boys like coats with hoods.
Hat, gloves/mittens, and scarf – You can also use a neck gaiter if you’re worried about your child losing a scarf.
Warm layers – Base layer top (like Icebreaker’s merino base layers or Patagonia’s capilene layers) paired with other casual layers (like fleeces and sweaters). You can pack comfy pants that have enough room for a base layer if your kids really want to be warm.
Cozy socks – Ditch the cotton socks and pack something warmer like wool. Make sure they fit in your kids’ shoes (sometimes they’re thicker than the socks they usually wear).
Warm, water-resistant or waterproof shoes – Don’t worry, you don’t need to look fancy in Bolzano. My kids typically wear hearty sneakers like Salomon or they’ll wear boots that they use on the mountain or leather sneakers (if we’re not planning on spending time in the mountains). I also try to pack two pairs of shoes for Bolzano and the Dolomites in case one pair gets wet and I can’t dry them in time. Read more about the Kids Shoes for Italy.
Activity-specific clothing – For example, hiking boots if you’ll be going for walks, or warm layers if you’ll be up in the snow. You can rent ski/snow gear in the mountains, but feel free to bring your own gear if you prefer. My son and I just spent time on Alpe di Siusi and we rented boots, skis/snowboard, and helmets. We had our other clothing.
Sunscreen
Sunglasses – If you’re planning on playing in the snow around Bolzano.
Pajamas – Your room will be heated but pjs feel great! I also make sure we have slippers or warm socks for the room.
A book – Kindles or books are nice to have in Bolzano in the winter because you can find a nice café to read and sip a warm drink. Or, read in your room in the evening.
Stroller gear – A stroller muff is essential for Bolzano in the winter. If you think you’ll be taking your stroller on walks, I’d also bring a rain cover, just in case.
Aquaphor – Or something similar, for chapped skin and lips.
If you need to buy warm clothing and gear, a couple of good places to look for kids are:
- Sportler – general gear and clothing
- Sportler Alpine – mountain-focused gear and clothing
- OVS – inexpensive warm layers, casual hats and mittens, etc (kind of like Target)
- Kastner Mode – high-end, casual clothing
- GIUS Miniglück – boutique for on-trend babies
Good To Know: There are also plenty of shops up in the mountains (in villages and at gondola bases).
Family Logistics and Tips for Bolzano in the Winter
Breastfeeding – I’m normally all about breastfeeding outside, but it’s really cold in the winter in Bolzano! You can breastfeed inside restaurants, cafés, or even places like bookshops. Italians are very helpful with breastfeeding, so if you feel like you can’t find a place you and your baby are comfortable, just ask someone (restaurant or shop owner, tourist info, etc).
Baby Supplies – There are plenty of grocery stores and pharmacies in the center of Bolzano. They have stock of diapers, diaper creams and wipes, baby toiletries, and more. We usually end up at the Eurospar on Via Museo, the Despar on Via dei Bottai, the Despar on Via della Rena (in the little shopping center), or the Coop on Piazza Walther (tiny but convenient). There’s also a Tigotà next to the Coop on Via della Rena (underground) that has toiletries and diapers.
Strollers – Bolzano is very stroller-friendly, with wide sidewalks and plenty of pedestrian areas.
Pedestrian Areas – Bolzano has many areas and streets that are pedestrian only, but there will occasionally be vehicles (workers, people who live there), so always keep kids close. The best places to run free are at the playgrounds or the huge Talvera Park and its walking paths (dirt/gravel, but stroller-friendly).
Enjoy your time in Bolzano!
