Trauttmansdorff Castle South Tyrol

Trauttmansdorff Castle in Spring

While winter still leaves its traces in many valleys of South Tyrol, spring is already blooming in the Merano area. The first green, the first rays of sunshine, and summer temperatures after a long winter season present themselves as a true feeling of happiness. If there is a destination in South Tyrol that is perfectly suited to this time of year and exudes this kind of emotion, then it is called Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano.

The Botanical Gardens of South Tyrol in Merano

The botanical gardens in South Tyrol, known as the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle (Giardini del Castel Trauttmansdorff in Italian), are located east of the spa town of Merano and can be reached from the Vinschgau region in the west and Bolzano in the south. Another option is to come from the town of Sterzing in the north, where a road leads through the Passeier Valley to Merano.
These 12-hectare gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano are hard to miss. If you find yourself in the city, you will already see road signs pointing to this destination, and there is usually little danger of getting lost. The most common problem on weekends is finding a parking space nearby, but this attraction in South Tyrol is definitely worth every step.

Prices and Information

The admission price for adults is 11 euros. Teenagers under 18 years old pay only 8 euros, and children under 6 years old can visit the botanical gardens in Merano for free. If you want to visit the gardens several times a year, I can only recommend the annual pass worth 80 euros. At the entrance, each visitor receives an overview map of the entire park with descriptions of each attraction. And then you can start exploring the most unique gardens in South Tyrol, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano.

Visiting the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle

Flowers, plants, trees, and animals in a great variety await in this dreamlike botanical garden. True summer feelings come true with this spring visit in the Merano area. Mediterranean palm trees, colorful tulips, fragrant lavender, and rosemary display their most beautiful form and enchant every nature lover. Among the main attractions of these Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano are undoubtedly the famous waterfall with its blue and yellow flowers, the viewpoint with its unique view over the city of Merano and the gardens, the labyrinth in the park, the gigantic cacti, the pond or lake in the middle of the park with its huge goldfish, the parakeet cage, and of course the sandy beach, which radiates the feeling of sun, vacation, and sea. In addition to animals like parakeets and goldfish, you can also find goats, snakes, and rabbits in the park.
Food and drinks are also provided at Trauttmansdorff Castle.

The so-called Sissi Terrace with its breathtaking panoramic view over the gardens and the restaurant at the pond or lake invite you to a sunny breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snack.

Award of the Botanical Gardens of Merano

The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle in Merano opened in 2001. Since then, they have developed significantly and now attract more than 400,000 visitors annually. Due to this development and efforts, as well as the fact that the gardens are an important driver of tourism in South Tyrol and Merano, they received the coveted award of "International Garden of the Year 2013" at the Garden Tourism conference in Canada.

This shows that the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, along with the Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Dolomites and Lake Prags in the Prags Valley, are among the greatest highlights of South Tyrol. So, if you are planning a vacation in South Tyrol, you should definitely not miss this destination.

My Conclusion:

In my opinion, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle are among the most beautiful places in South Tyrol and present themselves in a different light every season. Whether it's spring, summer, or autumn, each season has its own special features. Especially in spring, it is very pleasant to visit these botanical gardens. Due to the climate, the first plants and flowers in South Tyrol bloom here in the Merano area, while in the Pustertal Valley and other regions, there is still snow. Even in the evening, Trauttmansdorff Castle has a lot to offer. During the popular Garden Nights, even world stars like the Norwegian pop artist Marit Larsen have performed.