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Article prepared by our Media Partner Orizzonte Italia Magazine
Merano in autumn is one of those destinations that seems made for discovering at a leisurely pace. The light softens, the vineyards change colour, the woods turn shades of yellow and red, and the crisp air brings the surrounding mountains into even sharper focus.
It is also the season of the grape harvest, apples, chestnuts and Törggelen, the age-old South Tyrolean tradition of celebrating the autumn harvest in rustic farm inns. And when temperatures begin to drop, Merano still has plenty to offer: thermal baths, spas, restaurants and hotels where you can slow down and indulge in a few hours of pure relaxation.
Autumn is, in fact, considered one of the most rewarding times of year to experience Merano and its surroundings. The days can still be pleasantly mild, the trails are generally quieter than in summer, and the landscape displays some of its most beautiful colours.
Here, then, are 5 experiences to enjoy in Merano in autumn, together with a few recommended places to turn your stay into the perfect seasonal escape.
While the Tappeiner Promenade is one of Merano’s most enjoyable walks in summer, autumn gives it an entirely different atmosphere.
The path runs above Merano’s historic centre, offering a succession of views over the town, lush vegetation and panoramas across the Merano basin. Venture a little further towards the surrounding hills and you will encounter the season’s most characteristic scenery: vineyards, orchards and woodland glowing in shades of gold and red.
The wine-growing areas of Labers, Scena and Lagundo are particularly appealing at this time of year. October coincides with the height of the harvest season, and walking among the vines means experiencing the atmosphere of the grape harvest first-hand, with opportunities to stop at farms and traditional inns to sample local produce and new wine.
Another particularly scenic walk nearby is the Lagundo Waalweg, or irrigation-channel trail, which is just under six kilometres long. In autumn, the route offers a close-up view of the grape harvest and the colours of the season as it follows the historic irrigation channel through vineyards and woodland.
It is the kind of walk that does not necessarily need a destination: simply keep going, stop every now and then, and let the landscape do the rest.
If there is one experience that truly captures the essence of autumn in South Tyrol, it is Törggelen.
The tradition originated at the end of the grape harvest: after a walk through the autumn countryside, people would gather in farm inns and traditional farmhouses to enjoy the produce of the season. The stars of the table are chestnuts, new wine, speck, dumplings and other specialities of South Tyrolean cuisine.
Just a few minutes from Merano, there are several opportunities to experience this tradition in an authentic setting. One of the local options is Rauthof, where Törggelen takes place at a farmhouse above Sinigo, with traditional dishes, chestnuts and locally produced wine.
Another possibility is to head to Scena, in the hills above Merano, where events dedicated to Törggelen are held during autumn, featuring roasted chestnuts, new wine and regional specialities.
It is an experience to be enjoyed without rushing: first a walk through the golden landscape, then a welcoming table and a few hours spent discovering local flavours and traditions.
The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle are best known for their spectacular spring and summer blooms, but autumn has its own story to tell.
The botanical gardens extend over 12 hectares and encompass numerous landscapes and themed areas. In autumn, the gardens adopt an entirely different palette, as plants take on warmer hues and the atmosphere becomes quieter and more intimate.
The autumn season also features a varied programme of events. In 2026, for example, the calendar includes initiatives such as the Autumn Family Day, guided visits focusing on fruits, and workshops devoted to the colours and plants of the season.
Opening dates are also particularly convenient for anyone visiting Merano in October: the Gardens remain open until 31 October, while from 1 November a special late-autumn ticket is available until 8 November.
Trauttmansdorff is therefore well worth including in an autumn itinerary, especially on clear days, when the lower seasonal light enhances the landscape even further.
If you are visiting Merano in October, there is one event worth marking in your diary: the Merano Grape Festival.
Traditionally held on the third weekend of October, the festival celebrates the end of the grape harvest with music, folklore and South Tyrolean traditions. The highlight is the grand parade on Sunday morning, when marching bands, folk groups and decorated floats make their way through some of the town’s most central streets.
It is a different way to experience Merano: not simply through walks and wellness, but by immersing yourself in the festive atmosphere and local traditions.
And if you prefer something quieter, autumn is also the ideal time to visit one of the wineries around Merano. During the harvest season, the atmosphere changes completely: the scent of fermenting grape must, freshly picked grapes and the activity in the cellars reveal an important part of the area’s agricultural identity.
After a day spent outdoors, what could be better than a few hours in the warmth?
In autumn, the Merano Thermal Baths become even more appealing. Once the outdoor pool season has ended, the experience shifts primarily to the indoor facilities.
The indoor pools and sauna area are open 365 days a year. The complex features several pools, pools at different temperatures, whirlpools and an extensive sauna area. The outdoor pools, meanwhile, are only open from mid-May to mid-September.
It is therefore the perfect place for a leisurely autumn day: a swim, a sauna, a treatment and perhaps lunch or a relaxing break at the Bistro.
And there is another undeniable pleasure: when the air outside is crisp and Merano is wrapped in autumn colours, soaking in warm water becomes an integral part of the experience.
After walking through vineyards and chestnut groves, the time naturally comes to sit down at the table.
Saxifraga Stub’n is located directly on the Tappeiner Promenade, above Merano’s historic centre. The restaurant retains its original Stub’n dating back to 1906, traditional wood-panelled rooms that create a particularly warm and intimate atmosphere as the days grow shorter.
From the terraces, views stretch across the rooftops of the town and the valley, while the kitchen serves classic local and seasonal dishes, reinterpreted with careful attention to presentation and the quality of the ingredients.
In autumn, the atmosphere of the interiors becomes part of the experience itself: a candlelit dinner, a few traditional dishes and the feeling of being suspended above Merano.
Autumn is perhaps the time of year when choosing the right hotel can make the greatest difference.
After a day spent exploring trails, vineyards and chestnut groves, having a spa, an indoor pool or simply a welcoming room to return to makes it easy to alternate outdoor adventures with relaxation.
Hotel Mignon Meran Park & Spa: a peaceful retreat surrounded by greenery
For those looking to experience Merano with a focus on wellness, Hotel Mignon Meran Park & Spa is particularly well suited to an autumn break.
The hotel is just a few minutes from the historic centre and is surrounded by a 10,000-square-metre park. Its Park Spa extends over 2,000 square metres and includes indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, relaxation areas and a rooftop spa with a bio sauna and whirlpool.
The rooms and suites are designed as peaceful retreats, many with balconies or terraces overlooking the park or mountains. From double rooms to suites with private spa facilities, the hotel offers a variety of options for turning a stay into an opportunity for genuine relaxation.
The connection with autumn is also reflected in the hotel’s seasonal offer for guests wishing to immerse themselves in every aspect of the season – landscape, wine, cuisine and wellness. In 2026, the “Mignon Spa & Wine Weekend” package is scheduled from 21 to 25 October 2026.
It is therefore an appealing choice for anyone who imagines autumn as the perfect balance between daytime excursions, wine tastings and wellness on returning to the hotel.
Hotel Adria: Belle Époque charm in Maia Alta
If you prefer a more historic atmosphere, Hotel Adria retains the charm of an Art Nouveau hotel in the elegant Maia Alta district.
Here, autumn can be enjoyed without worrying too much about the weather. The wellness area
features a heated indoor pool at 30°C, a whirlpool, Finnish sauna, steam baths and a relaxation area.
The indoor pool, in particular, becomes even more inviting as the days grow cooler, providing the perfect reason to return to the hotel after a walk through the season’s colourful landscapes.
Sittnerhof: nature, tranquillity and the flavours of South Tyrol
For those who prefer a more intimate, family-run atmosphere, Sittnerhof remains an excellent base from which to explore Merano and the surrounding area. The hotel offers rooms and suites, as well as the option of staying in apartments at Residence La Villa.
Its location makes it easy to combine days spent walking with relaxing moments at the hotel. And in autumn, the connection with the surrounding countryside becomes even more rewarding: nearby vineyards, woodland and trails provide countless opportunities to walk and discover the landscape without the crowds of the summer months.
After a day outdoors, returning to the hotel becomes part of the holiday itself: a few hours of wellness, dinner and perhaps a glass of South Tyrolean wine to round off the day.
Merano has a rhythm all of its own in autumn.
It is the season of walks through the vineyards, changing leaves, the grape harvest and chestnuts. It is a time when a day can begin with a hike and end around a welcoming table in a traditional farmhouse, or move effortlessly from autumn foliage to the warmth of a sauna, without ever feeling the need to rush.
And perhaps that is precisely what makes autumn in Merano so special: there is no need to fill every moment of the day.
A trail, a glass of new wine, the aroma of roasted chestnuts and a few hours of wellness are all it takes to discover a town that, once summer is over, reveals one of its most authentic sides.
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