Ultimate Guide to Bolzano’s Christmas Market
The Christmas Markets in Europe truly are a bucket list experience. When you picture Christmas Markets, Italy likely does not come to mind, but Bolzano, a small city in Northern Italy near the Dolomites, is home to one of Europe’s most underrated Christmas Markets!
Bolzano is in the South Tyrol region of Italy, one of Italy’s most unique region. This region is a unique mix of Italian & German culture, language, food & architecture, it’s German influences are what led to Bolzano being home to Italy’s most famous Christmas market. Keep reading for my ultimate guide to visiting the Bozlano Christmas Market!
Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Bolzano if you’re looking for the feel of a traditional German Christmas Market minus some of the insane crowds. This market is a bit of a hidden gem!
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
Jump to:
- Bolzano Christmas Market Map & Location
- Bolzano Christmas Market Stalls/Decor
- Tips for Visiting Bolzano’s Christmas Market
- Bolzano Christmas Market Dates & Hours 2024
- Where to Stay in Bolzano
- Getting to Bolzano
- Bolzano Christmas Market Overall Ranking
Bolzano Christmas Market Location
Bolzano’s Christmas Market is located right in Bolzano’s main squaee, Piazza Walther (or Waltherplatz) It’s less than a 5 minute walk from the main station and conveniently located near some of Bolzano’s most popular hotels if you’re planning to stay overnight. You’ll also find some of the stalls in the park connected to Waltherplatz, Parco Alcide Berloffa. These stalls are more for shopping than food & drink.
Bolzano Christmas Market Stalls/Decor
The Bolzano Christmas market consists of 80 traditional wooden stalls selling South Tyrolean products, Christmas decor, pottery, glassware, specialty gorcery items clothes and more! The wooden huts are all decorated similarly with traditional Christmas colors, garland, giving the whole market a quaint & festive feel.
You’ll also find several larger stalls serving food & drinks. These are surrounded by standing room tables for enjoying your food and beverages. Some of the typical food & drinks you’ll find are streudel, mulled wine, a Traditional Italian fruitcake called, Zelten, and plenty of cured meats!
Among the stalls you’ll also find the large Christmas tree that dominates the square covered in brightly covered ornaments, a traditional Nativity scene & tons of Christmas lights throughout the entire market.
The whole city of Bolzano gets into the Christmas spirit. In the entire Old Town area surrounding Waltherplatz each street is strung with festive lights, and many of the local hotels, restaurants & businesses go all out with their decorations.
Tips for Visiting Bolzano’s Christmas Market
- Bring cash, all stands are cash only!
- Bundle up, everything is outside.
- Drnks stalls stay open a bit later than what their hours say online, it seemed as though they’d stay open as long as people were drinking (this was no true of some of the larger, more popular markets)
- For the best aerial views of the market head to Meta Sky Bar, their stunning outdoor patio is open all winter and they have the best views over the entire market. Also, the patio itself is entirely decked out for Christmas and feels like a winter wonderland!
- The market is small & can easily be seen in one day
Bolzano Christmas Market Dates & Hours 2024
In 2024 the market will be open from November 29 – January 6, 2025
Hours:
Mon-Thur 11AM-7PM
Fri-Sun 10AM-7PM
in my experience the drink carts kept serving past 7PM, but all other stalls closed.
Where to Stay in Bolzano
There are many hotels right in the main area around the Christmas Market where you could stay when visiting Bolzano. I stayed in both of these hotels in 2023 and loved them both. Hotel Greif is slightly closer to the market, but Parkhotel Laurin is nicer!
Lovely upscale, conveniently located, on-site restaurants, great breakfast, patio & on site bar that’s one of the most popular in the area!
A nice mid-upscale, located right of Waltherplatz and steps from the Christmas market, great breakfast!
Getting to Bolzano
Bolzano is easily reached by train from any major Italian city. You could also consider driving, although if you’re staying in Bolzano there is no real reason to have a car. I only recommend a car if you plan on exploring the nearby Dolomite region.
Times to reach Bolzano by train:
- Florence to Bolzano – 3 hours 20 minutes direct
- Venice to Bolzano – 3 hours 10 minutes change in Verona
- Rome to Bolzano – 5 hours 10 minutes direct
Bolzano Christmas Market Overall Ranking
4 of 12
I’ve visited 12 Christmas Markets across Europe and for me Bolzano was my 4th favorite! I absolutely loved how small & quaint it was with stunning mountain views. It was conveniently located to hotels & the train. I loved the live music & local feel, particularly after hours when it was mostly locals drinking mulled wine and chatting/laughing in the square. I highly recommend a visit to this Christmas Market if you have the chance!
Bolzano Christmas Market Gallery
