A 3-Day Autumn Itinerary to South Tyrol, Italy

When we first thought about South Tyrol, the Dolomites instantly came to mind. We think that is the case for most people, yet the region has so much more to offer. It is a place shaped by vineyards, apple orchards and small villages with their own rhythm. On our trip, we explored that quieter side, so we put together a 3 day itinerary that fits perfectly in autumn, although you could enjoy it in any season. It is not the classic Dolomites itinerary you see everywhere. It is a chance to discover a different corner of this beautiful region and get to know South Tyrol in Italy in a more personal way.

Overview

Day 1 - Tramin

Tramin is a wonderful base for exploring the Wine Road region. It has the perfect mix of calm village life and easy access to everything that makes this part of South Tyrol so special. One of the nicest ways to start your day here is by heading out on a bike tour. The landscape is full of gentle hills, vineyards and small villages, so riding through it feels both peaceful and fun.
A woman sitting on a bike with a green rolling landscape in the background

You can rent bikes and explore on your own, but joining a guided tour is a great option if you want to learn more about the area. We joined a tour on the electric bikes from Traminerhof and it turned into one of our favourite moments of the trip. Our guide shared stories about the region, the wine culture and the history of the villages we passed. It was the kind of insight you only get when someone local leads the way.

A rolling landscape with vineyards and a road leading through the valley
A small alley leading to a church tower

The route took us past quiet backroads and charming little towns, and we stopped for a coffee along the way. It felt very relaxed and gave us time to take in the scenery.

Lunch tip: We ended the bike tour with a long lunch at Tiefenbrunner Winery, which was absolutely lovely. The winery has an almost fairytale setting with beautiful gardens. The food was delicious and it felt like the perfect place to wrap up the tour. It is a spot we would recommend to anyone visiting the area.

A terrace next to a yellow castle-like building surrounded by green plants.
Glasses of wine with meat and cheese tapas.

In the afternoon you can wander through the village. Tramin is small enough to explore easily, yet there is plenty to notice when you take your time. One of the nicest stops is Roner, a well known distillery in the area. They are famous for grappa, which plays an important role in South Tyrol and Roner has been part of that story for many years. It is a spirit made from grape pomace and you will find it everywhere in the area.

You can visit the shop and try some of their products, or you can join a guided tour with a tasting. The tours are offered in German or Italian and give you a closer look at how their spirits are made.

A woman walkking in a street with a church in the background

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Day 2 - Vineyards and hiking

On the second day you can dive a little deeper into the wine culture of the region. There are several wine tours you can join, but we chose the one at Hofstätter and really enjoyed it, even though the weather was not on our side. They took us through their vineyards in an old 4×4, which felt like such a fun and unique way to explore the landscape. We drove along narrow paths between the vines with wide views over the valley and the hills around Tramin.
A brown jeep next to vineyards.

Hofstätter is one of the most respected wineries in South Tyrol and has been part of the region’s wine tradition for many years. During the tour we learned more about their history and about the grapes that define this area. One of the most iconic ones is Gewürztraminer, which is closely linked to the village of Tramin. It is known for its floral scent and rich aromas, and hearing the story right in the middle of the vineyards made it even more interesting.

A jeep between in the vineyards in a rolling green landscape
Sign on the building of Hofstätter Winery in South Tyrol, Italy

What we found especially fascinating was tasting the wines while standing between the vines. We could try samples from nearby plots and noticed how much the flavour shifted due to small differences in soil and the slightest change in steepness. Seeing how the landscape influences the wine in such a direct way made the experience feel very personal and eye-opening.

Lunch tip: After the tour we can really recommend having lunch at Alte Post. It is just around the corner from the winery and they serve delicious dishes made with local ingredients.

A wine cellar with huge wine barrels

In the afternoon the weather finally cleared and we headed out for a hike. We hiked the Gewürztraminer Trail, a simple walk through the vineyards with those wide valley views that never get old. It was an easy and very pleasant way to spend the rest of the day. There are plenty of other hiking options in the area too, so you can easily choose one that fits your preference.

Sign for Gewürztraminer trail on a stone wall
A woman walking in front of a view over a village in the valley of Tramin in South Tyrol

Italy

Day 3 - Bletterbach Geopark & Apple Orchards

Okay, we said this itinerary would show a different side of South Tyrol than the Dolomites, but there is still a little Dolomites touch in it. Not the well known postcard views you see everywhere online, but something far more intriguing. The Bletterbach Geopark is part of the Dolomites and is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. If you are looking for a hidden gem, this is it!
You walk through a massive gorge that cuts deep into the landscape, and it gives you a completely different perspective on these mountains. Instead of looking at peaks from a distance, you actually see the layers that built them. During the guided visit you learn how the rock formations were shaped, how old they are and why this place is so important for understanding the history of the Dolomites. There are countless fossils found here, even today, and hearing those stories while standing inside the gorge makes it all feel very real.

Lunch tip: After your visit, a great place for lunch is Lahner Alm. It is close by and you’ll probably pass it on your way back to the entrance of the park. They serve hearty local dishes in a cosy mountain hut setting, a really nice spot to pause before heading back or exploring more of the area.

To finish the trip we visited Pomaria, the apple orchard run by Sonja. We honestly had no idea that apple growing was such a big thing in South Tyrol, but it turns out to be an essential part of the region. Sonja told us so much about the orchards, the work that goes into growing the apples and the different varieties that thrive here. We ended the visit with an apple tasting and some delicious fresh apple juice. After hearing the stories and tasting the differences, an apple will never feel quite the same to us again.
A women holding an apple on an apple orchard
And just like that, our 3 day trip through South Tyrol came to an end. It taught us so much about the region and showed us that there is far more to discover here than the Dolomites alone. We truly recommend taking the time to dive a bit deeper into the culture of this area, because it adds a whole new layer to your visit. We are sure you will be just as surprised as we were by how varied and rich South Tyrol really is.

Where to stay in South Tyrol

For this itinerary, we based ourselves in Tramin, a small village that turned out to be the ideal spot for exploring the Wine Road. It has a calm atmosphere and everything feels close, which made each day really relaxed.

We stayed at Hotel Traminerhof and honestly loved it. The hotel has a warm, familiar vibe that makes you feel welcome the moment you walk in. It is known as the first bike hotel in the region, so there is a big focus on active guests. They organise guided bike tours, and you can rent bikes right at the hotel, which is perfect if you want to see more of the surrounding vineyards and hills.

The food was a highlight too. Every meal was fresh and full of local flavours, and the staff were genuinely kind. It was the kind of place that made our trip feel even more special.

How to get to South Tyrol

Getting to South Tyrol is easier than we expected. We flew with SkyAlps to Bolzano and the flight from Antwerp took about an hour and a half, which made the whole trip feel very relaxed. They also connect to several other European cities, so chances are there is a convenient option from where you live. If not, you can always fly into Verona, Innsbruck, or Munich and continue by train or rental car.

Airplane of SkyAlps

Once you are there, getting around is pretty straightforward. Many hotels provide the Südtirol Guest Pass, which lets you use public transport for free. It is a great way to move between towns without thinking about tickets. Renting a car still gives you the most freedom, especially if you want to reach small villages or trail starts. Biking is another lovely option, especially around Tramin, where the paths take you through vineyards and apple orchards.

A white Vespa in front of a pink building

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