At the beginning of December, a kind of fifth season dawns on South Tyrol: that of the South Tyrolean Advent and Christmas markets. The largest of these take place in Bolzano and Merano, where stalls, lights, sounds and scents turn the cities into magical Christmas wonderlands during the Advent season.

At the stalls, which are spread over the central squares of the cities – in Bolzano around Waltherplatz, in Merano on the Passer promenade – you can admire traditional crafts, obtain festive trinkets, taste sweet and savoury specialities, and not least drink a glass of mulled wine as you wander around. After all, you’ll need something to help you fight the winter cold.

From the Lochbauer, both major Christmas markets are easy to reach. If you would like, you can take the car, but if you want to save yourself the search for a parking space, then take the bus. This will mean you can enjoy the pre-Christmas magic to the fullest.