
I had already been to Bressanone (once in 2018, and overall, I’ve visited South Tyrol about five times). However, during that first trip, I didn’t like the city much—or rather, I didn’t fully understand it and barely saw anything. I wrote about it here. This time, I chose Bressanone as my main base, staying in two hotels: Arthotel Lasserhaus and Badhaus. Both hotels are amazing, and you can explore them through my blog posts and Instagram (where there are plenty of videos). I wholeheartedly recommend both! One is modern, while the other is historic with antique furniture. Imagine starting your day with a delightful breakfast in a room with terrazzo tiles and Murano glass chandeliers and ending it in a private spa at Arthotel Lasserhaus. Isn’t that the epitome of luxury for any traveler? But let’s get back to the city itself.
By the way, you can read about my eventful (in terms of travel) 2024 here
.

Bressanone (or Brixen, its German name) is a picturesque city in the Italian region of South Tyrol, located just 45 kilometers from the Austrian border. Although it has long been part of Italy, its Austrian heritage remains evident, creating a unique blend of cultures. Many travelers consider Bressanone the most beautiful city in the region, surpassing Bolzano, Merano, and even the Austrian Innsbruck in charm. By the way, the journey from Innsbruck to Bressanone takes only about an hour. I partially agree with this, although each of these cities is beautiful in its own way.
The city stretches across both sides of the Isarco River, with a pedestrian bridge connecting the historic center to quieter residential areas. Walking its streets, you can feel the harmonious blend of Austrian and Italian cultures, prompting reflections on the essence of true Italy. Tourists here are few, as most prefer staying in larger cities in the region or at ski resorts. During the off-season, the situation is even quieter, with many restaurants and hotels closed. Keep this in mind to avoid going hungry as we did on the first day—although we did manage to find an open pizzeria!
While in Bressanone, it’s worth visiting the Novacella Abbey (which I’ve written about), located just five kilometers from the city. Upon approaching the abbey, the extensive vineyard under its walls immediately catches your eye. Augustinian monks produce wine here under the label Abbazia di Novacella. Inside the abbey, the magnificent Baroque decor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary church is truly impressive. In addition, the abbey houses a rich library with rare books and maps. It is also renowned for its gardens and winery, where wine tastings highly praised by international experts are held.


We were incredibly lucky with the weather, as the sun shone every day we were there! (This was in early November.)
One of the main attractions is the Adler Bridge, first documented in 1233. Originally built from wood, it was swept away by floods several times before being reconstructed as an iron bridge in 1883. Today, it connects Stufels with the historic city center. From the Adler Bridge, there’s a beautiful view of the old town, with its colorful buildings, bustling narrow streets, and the prominent White Tower of the Parish Church of St. Michael. It’s worth pausing here to take a few photos before heading into the city.

The city has an interesting spot – the Pharmacy Museum Brixen. Step into the past of a Brixen town house with beautifully decorated walls, frescoes, and tiled stoves. The house that hosts the pharmacy holds a rich collection of rare medicines, reflecting the diversity and imagination of the healing arts. This charming little museum is also highly recommended for architecture and contemporary art enthusiasts.




Even though autumn was in full swing, preparations for Christmas were already well underway.









Another must-see is The Hofburg Palace and the Herrengarten Court Garden. In more than 70 rooms, you’ll find the cathedral treasures, artworks spanning from the Middle Ages to modern times, a collection of cribs, and the imperial wing featuring paintings, furniture, and porcelain.

In autumn, mushrooms or fresh truffles from nearby forests take center stage, while in winter, a warm and cozy chestnut soup becomes a highlight. The menu constantly changes with the seasons. The predominantly vegetarian dishes are inspired by monastic cuisine.
A must-visit gastronomic spot in the city is the FINK restaurant (I have a post about it on my Telegram channel), located in the historic center. Here, you can enjoy dishes inspired by the traditional monastic cuisine of South Tyrol. Chef Florian Fink follows the principles of using fresh, seasonal, and natural ingredients, many of which come from the monastic gardens of Bressanone. The restaurant’s interior combines historical elements (vaulted ceilings and walls) with modern furniture made from old wood and soft textiles, creating a cozy and authentic atmosphere. The menu changes with the seasons and offers a variety of dishes that reflect the rhythms of nature.
We had: Set meal: Monastery bread and butter, Goose ravioli with sprouted cabbage and rosemary jus, Schnitzel with raspberry sauce, Chocolate ball: hot raspberries, spruce honey ice cream, buckwheat crumble.
In addition to the restaurant, Fink is also a hotel, but I still preferred to stay at Lasserhaus, which received the prestigious Prix Versailles 2024 award. The hotel was listed in the top hotels in the world at “The World Architecture and Design Award” in the “Hotels” category, winning the Prix Versailles 2024 (Versailles Prize).
But the dinner at Fink was exquisite! Here’s a video reel from the restaurant on my Instagram.
You can read more about the restaurant in the German AD (with Google Translate, everything will be clear).










The city itself is charming! It brings together the best of two cultures. And, of course, it’s all accompanied by incredible views of the mountains, which appear here and there!


















On the other side of the river lies the historic Bressanone – Stufels. This is the oldest district of the city. First settled during the Neolithic period, Stufels has long been known for its advantageous location between the Rienz and Isarco rivers. From the Middle Ages until relatively recently, it was home to small merchants, craftsmen, and servants, as well as poorer people seeking affordable housing. Today, many young, promising artists have found their creative space here, and Stufels has become known as the artists’ district.
Now, it’s a cozy and quiet neighborhood of the city, where one of our hotels, Lasserhaus, was located. It was especially charming in the glow of the sunset.



Just outside the city, you find yourself in true countryside, incredibly picturesque and green. Vineyards, apple orchards, and wonderfully cozy Tyrolean cottages.






This trip showed me that first impressions are often misleading! It’s always worth giving cities and countries a second chance.