Holidays in Sterzing/Vipiteno and environs

Holidays in the Sterzing and environs region

Cultural heritage from the Middle Ages and mountains overlooking valleys

High mountains and a strong sense of cultural identity: anyone who comes to the Wipptal valley will soon get grasp of the region's unique character. The townhouses in the medieval town of Sterzing/Vipiteno are steeped in historical significance and are architecturally charming. The dream-like side valleys surounding the town are overlooked by towering mountains. Spring is particularly a wonderful time for getting around in this natural setting. Spend your holiday in South Tyrol and you'll be rewarded with great cultural experiences as well as authentic hospitality.

Contact

Stadtplatz 3, 39049 Sterzing/Vipiteno

+39 0472 765325

info@sterzing-ratschings.it

https://www.sterzing-ratschings.com

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Alex Filz

Bergwerkmuseum Maiern in Ridnaun

IDM Südtirol/Alto Adige/Fabian Leitner

Kulturgenuss in Sterzing

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Alex Filz

Kaffeepause in Sterzing

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Alex Filz

Gilfenklamm

What you shouldn't miss

Castel Wolfthurn, the only example of baroque architecture. An adventure museum embedded within a mountain. Mighty castles and stately noble residences rising from both sides of the valley. And the landmark of the town: the Zwölferturm tower.

Find your accommodation

How about a charming room in the historic residence? A wellness hotel with exceptional architecture? A suite in a chic city hotel? Or a cosy place to sleep in a mountain refuge?

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The villages of the Sterzing and environs region

The town of Sterzing and village of Gossensass on the main axis are great places to start exploring the side valleys and villages. Each is unique in its own way and shaped by the proximity to the main chain of the Alps.

Gossensass/Colle Isarco

Mountain & fresh air

Ratschings/Racines

Natural & soft

Sterzing/Vipiteno

Alpine town

Tips for your visit in Sterzing and environs

The Sterzing and environs region is characterized by the proximity to the mountains, the geographical location at the doorstep of the Alps and the cultural heritage of the Fugger people. Over the centuries, there has been a large number of settlers and the many historic buildings, like the Sterzing town hall, are the evidence of such historical shifts. Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen described Gossensass/Colle Isarco through photographs, letters, postcards and other documentation as a cherished place for its pleasant climate.

After a long winter, when snow is melting, spring comes from the breaking up of ice and the side valleys of Sterzing are extrenmely quiet. Take a barefoot walk on the Racines/Ratschings trail to reconnect with nature and your spirit. Alternatively, you can walk along the river on the adventure trail in Pflersch/Versciaco. The golf course in Sterzing lures many golf enthusiasts to tee off with a view while the Brenner-Bozen cycle route is highly recommended if you're into cycling. It takes you along an abandoned railway to Sterzing or on to Brixen and Bolzano, if you want your cycle experience to be more challenging. Are you a thrill-seeker? At the Skytrek Adventure Park, you can balance on ropes, climb over shaky bridges and reach the trees height.

World Bodypainting Festival - Camouflage

On 12 and 13 July 2025, Sterzing will become the centre of the international bodypainting scene.

You can closely observe how artists manage to make bodies disappear by blending them seamlessly into their surroundings. The Camouflage Bodypainting category will be presented for the first time in South Tyrol with the year’s only World Award.

With its narrow alleys, towers, and the backdrop of the Alps, Sterzing offers the perfect setting. At 15 locations in the historic centre, artists will showcase their skills. Among them is Johannes Stötter, a native of Sterzing and one of the world’s most renowned bodypainting artists. His works, combining animals, landscapes, and people through fascinating techniques, have earned him international acclaim.

TV Sterzing

Experience something new every day

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Water it's a powerful force

Secured walkways, wooden bridges and steps lead through a rocky valley carved out by the water which is bursting with the power of nature. It's just waiting to be explored.

To the Gilfenklamm gorge

Rosskopf

From the town to the mountains in a few minutes' cable car ride. The Rosskopf is an amazing mountain to visit for epic views.

The Rosskopf mountain is not only famed for its panoramic terrace overlooking the so-called “Fuggerstadt” of Sterzing/Vipiteno, but also for the countless activities it offers. The cable car shuttles you up to the sunny high plateau at an altitude of around 2,000 m in just a few minutes. The sunny high plateau opens up kilometres of long alpine and panoramic tours. The Dolomieu Trail, named after the explorer of the Dolomites, Deodat de Dolomieu, starts here and leads you to the Pflerschtal valley. French geologist Dolomieu first discovered the dolomite rock at the foot of the Tribulaun mountain in 1791. Your hike in the unspoiled alpine wilderness will also take you to a mountain hut for a culinary break. From here, you’ll marvel at the sweeping views over the Zillertal Alps, the Dolomites and the Sarntal Alps, all the way to the Stubai Alps. For a family adventure, you can try the 1,300 km long Rosskopf mountain coaster, with 300 m of elevation and a maximum speed of around 40 km/hr. From June, the Rossy Park Zoo promises beautiful moments with llamas, goats and rabbits.

TV Sterzing/Patrick Schwienbacher

Shopping in the region

If you care about beautiful things, you should ermbark on a shopping experience in South Tyrol's cities. Advent is a magical tiem of the year to be visiting Sterzing: the atmosphere is festive and twinkly decorations are all over the city. Stroll down the old alleys, look at the shop windows, sit in cosy restaurants or café and take traditional handicrafts home.

Discover the shops

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Patrick Schwienbacher

What's on?

Seasons in the Wipptal valley are the best excuse for a celebration: whether the Sterzing Easter Games, the Pfitsch Midsummer Market, the Harvest Festival in Sterzing or the ice rink beneath the Zwölferturm tower.

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Locally sourced and enjoyed

How about a creamy natural yoghurt? Or a hand-made woollen blanket from locally farmed sheep? You will find a wide range of local, high-quality foods and handcrafted articles for daily use in Sterzing and environs, as in the rest of South Tyrol.

Many producers sell straight from the farm where you can sample the treats and find out what the high quality criteria are for lamb and pork in Wippland. Producers in the cooperative have committed to sustainable animal husbandry including lots of free-roaming in the fields and meadows and the use of natural animal feed.

During a town or village stroll, you might be lucky enough to observe craftsmen at work and watch over their shoulder as they make jewellery, wooden sculptures or baskets. Craftsmanship has a long-standing tradition in South Tyrol. This allows us to create products that are only available here.

Inns & Restaurants

IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Marco Parisi

Joghurt, Südtiroler Milch, Qualitätsprodukt

IDM Südtirol-AltoAdige/Marion Lafogler

Schafe

South Tyrol Guide - the official app for your holiday in South Tyrol

Experience South Tyrol just the way you like it - with everything you need at your fingertips. With the South Tyrol Guide App you can:

Find restaurants, hikes, events, museums and activities throughout the region - tailored to your interests and location
activate geolocalisation to see what's around you at all times and easily find your way using the map
Access your personal area - with weather notifications and your favourites to plan your days in the best possible way

Download the app here for free and discover South Tyrol your way.

Weather forecast & Webcams

Enjoy our mountains, forests, meadows and towns at any time of the day and year. Our webcams connect you to special places all over South Tyrol in real time. You can glance at South Tyrol in bits, any time and any place you want and find out the current weather conditions with just a few clicks.

To the webcams

Your car-free spring holiday

Explore and reach the Sterzing and environs region sustainably by train, bus or cable car.

Travel by train

The journey by train is stress-free thanks to the direct connections from Germany (Munich) and Austria (Innsbruck) to Brenner/Brennero. Once you board off the train, you can get on the Brenner Line trains and stop at Gossensass, Sterzing and Freienfeld stations.
On-site mobility

Once you have arrived at your accommodation in Vipiteno and its surroundings, the Südtirol Guest Pass gives you unlimited access to all public transport throughout South Tyrol. For a varied and environmentally friendly holiday.