Advent magic above Merano: winter walks, Christmas markets and cosy moments at Hohenwart
Merano in a festive glow
By late afternoon, Merano is already bathed in the blue light of dusk, while the slopes around Schenna still catch the last rays of sunshine and the snow-covered peaks gleam in the distance. The beauty of Advent is that nightfall does not simply bring darkness: towns and villages begin to glow in soft, festive light.
The spirit of Advent finds its way into Hohenwart too. The Advent wreath takes its place and the first candle is lit. In the evenings, a welcoming fire crackles in the Chimney Hall; the dining rooms and cosy Stuben glow by candlelight, while the scent of Christmas biscuits drifts into every corner of the hotel.
There is just as much to discover outdoors – easily enough to fill an entire week. Here, we have gathered some of our favourite ideas for an Advent stay at Hohenwart: winter walks on Mount Scena or at Merano 2000, a few turns on Schenna’s ice rink, or a visit to the Christmas markets in Merano and Bolzano.
Those who prefer something smaller and more intimate can browse the Advent markets in the surrounding villages or step back in time at those held within castle walls. For an even more immersive experience, visit the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, where a walk feels like wandering through an enchanted dream.
The days are short, yet Schenna is full of life
Guests spending the run-up to Christmas at Hohenwart can enjoy a wonderfully relaxed holiday without a car. With the South Tyrol Guest Pass, they can use all public transport throughout South Tyrol free of charge. One day, they might take the Schenna hiking bus to the starting point of a gentle walk; the next, a local bus to the Merano Christmas Market; and the day after that, the train to Bolzano.
Arriving by air is just as straightforward. A year-round transfer service connects Bolzano Airport directly with Hotel Hohenwart. From 8 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, special fares are available: €15 per person for a one-way journey and €20 for a return journey. And there is one more Hohenwart extra: guests arriving by bus, train or plane may use our electric car free of charge for one day during their stay.
Between sun-kissed paths and winter landscapes
In Merano and Environs, the weeks before Christmas are a season of transition. Depending on the weather, the walking and hiking trails on the sunny slopes around Schenna may still feel distinctly late-autumnal, while just a little higher up, deep winter has already arrived.
Taking the Taser cable car to Mount Scena
From 11 November to 6 December 2026, the Taser cable car will run from Wednesday to Sunday, carrying visitors up Mount Scena to an altitude of 1,450 metres. It will also operate on 7 and 8 December. Hohenwart guests can reach the valley station in just six minutes on the hiking bus from the nearby “Hilburger” stop.
At the top, sunlit paths cross meadows and open larch forests that glow golden yellow at this time of year. Depending on the weather, the first snow may already have fallen at this altitude. Wherever the path leads, sweeping views across Merano and the surrounding mountains are never far away.
Snowy days at Merano 2000
Those longing for a true winter landscape will find it at the Merano 2000 ski and hiking area from 27 November onwards.
The high plateau offers around 40 kilometres of pistes for skiers and snowboarders. Those who prefer a gentler pace can walk through the snow or follow one of the many snowshoe trails through the wintry landscape. And, of course, there are plenty of opportunities for an exhilarating run on the toboggan slopes.
Bus line 232 runs directly from Schenna to the valley station of the Merano 2000 Ropeway, a journey of around seven minutes. A day in the snow can therefore begin almost at the hotel door.
Schenna Lights Up
As Advent begins, the centre of Schenna comes to life: the promenade leading from the flower heart is strung with lights, skaters take to the village ice rink and market stalls appear behind the historic walls of Schenna Castle.
Ice skating in Schenna with views of the church hill and Schenna Castle (20 November 2026 to 10 January 2027)
During the winter months, adults and children can take to the approximately 12-by-30-metre ice rink in the centre of Schenna. After a few laps, mulled wine or hot apple punch is just the thing to warm up again. Skates and helmets can be hired on site.
Advent at Schenna Castle: Dishes with a Story (28 and 29 November and 5 to 8 December 2026)
Schenna Castle opens its gates for Advent with a celebration of traditional crafts, rural knowledge, regional specialities and recipes handed down through generations. Under the theme “Dishes with a Story”, the event reveals just how closely South Tyrolean cuisine is connected to the landscape, the seasons and the provisions once available.
This year, the potato takes centre stage. The menu includes Erdäpfelblattln with sauerkraut, potato goulash with beef cheeks, potato soup and barley soup. For something sweet, there are Buchteln, Strauben and Bauernkrapfen. Another traditional farmhouse speciality is “Schwarzplentene Riebl”, a dish similar to Kaiserschmarrn and made with buckwheat flour.
At the market stalls, visitors can watch craftspeople turn time-honoured techniques into one-of-a-kind pieces. The scents of traditional farmhouse Zelten and apple-and-cinnamon bread mingle in the air, while the stalls display plant-dyed merino scarves, wheel-thrown stoneware, hand-carved nativity figures and intricately woven carrying baskets. Cheeses, speck, honey and herbal products from local farms and small workshops add to the selection. Traditional crafts are not simply put on display: visitors can watch straw hats and baskets take shape and, on the first weekend, try their own hand at weaving.
Children have their own lovingly planned programme too. They can get creative in the Christ Child’s Workshop or write and post their wishes at the Christ Child’s Post Office. The programme also includes theatre performances and Christmas stories read by the castle’s host, Count Franz Spiegelfeld. Brass ensembles, choirs and hunting-horn players provide a festive musical accompaniment, while Schenna’s local associations serve mulled wine, hot apple punch and other warming drinks.
This makes Advent at Schenna Castle far more than a Christmas market in historic surroundings. It brings traditions to life and invites visitors to spend a few hours immersed in the festive world behind the castle walls.
Tyrolean Advent in the Castle (27 to 29 November and 5 to 8 December 2026)
Tyrolean Advent in the Castle at Tyrol Castle offers a different, yet equally enchanting experience.
Visitors can travel by horse-drawn carriage from the village square to the castle, browse handcrafted goods and regional produce, admire nativity scenes, taste traditional dishes and listen to contemplative Advent music. Here, tradition and the historic halls and courtyards of Tyrol Castle come together to create a truly atmospheric experience.
Our tip for a visit to Dorf Tirol is to combine the Advent market with a walk along the Falkner Promenade. This sun-kissed path offers open views across Merano and the Adige Valley, as well as two of Dorf Tirol’s other castles: Brunnenburg Castle and Thurnstein Castle.
LUMAGICA Merano: a magical world of lights at the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle (19 November 2026 to 10 January 2027)
During the winter months, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle also open their gates after dark for the LUMAGICA Light Park. Luminous figures, projections and interactive elements transform the botanical gardens into an atmospheric trail where nature, history and light meet.
Under the theme “Sissi’s Journey Through Time”, the 2026 edition follows in the footsteps of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, leading visitors through the landscapes, cultures and dream destinations associated with Sissi’s life and travels.
LUMAGICA is also easy to visit without a car: bus line 232 connects Schenna directly with the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle.
The Merano Christmas Market (26 November 2026 to 6 January 2027)
With its historic façades and Art Nouveau buildings from the imperial era, the spa town of Merano is worth visiting at any time of year. During Advent, however, the Passer Promenade, Thermenplatz square and the Winter Promenade are dressed in lights, lending the town an even more radiant glow.
South Tyrolean craftsmanship meets regional specialities at the market stalls, while the scent of hot drinks and freshly baked treats drifts along the Passer Promenade.
We recommend combining a visit to the Christmas market with a gentle walk of just under an hour from Hohenwart to Merano. The sunny Mitterplattweg leads through vineyards and apple orchards into the town centre, with the valley opening out before you along the way.
At this time of year, our host Christine also enjoys walking down to the Christmas market with our guests. After a stroll through the illuminated streets, bus line 231 takes everyone comfortably back up to Schenna.
The Christmas Market of Bolzano (26 November 2026–6 January 2027)
At the heart of the market is Walther Square in the centre of Bolzano. Further stalls selling traditional handicrafts line Via dell’Isarco from the Cathedral to Capuchin Park. Music and other events add to the programme, particularly at weekends.
The entire journey can also be made by public transport. From Hohenwart, take bus line 231 to Merano railway station, then continue by train to Bolzano in around 50 minutes. From Bolzano station, Walther Square and the historic centre are only a short walk away.
While Merano and its promenades are perfect for an unhurried afternoon stroll, it is worth allowing a full day for Bolzano. Between the Christmas market, the Arcades and the lanes of the old town, there are plenty of reasons to take a slightly later train back.
Advent at Hohenwart
There are enough outdoor activities during the weeks before Christmas to fill entire days. Back at Hohenwart, however, everything invites you to slow down again. A fire crackles in the Chimney Hall, and generous platters of homemade Christmas biscuits are set out throughout the hotel. A different variety is served each day, and anyone who would like to bake them at home can take the recipe with them.
The Christmas decorations are homemade and rooted in tradition too. The apples come from our Gsteier mountain farm, walnuts gathered on the Hohenwart terrace throughout the year are gilded, and homemade gingerbread hearts decorate the hotel. A new candle is lit on the Advent wreath each Sunday.
As the evening air cools, a delicate veil of steam rises from the heated saltwater pool. After a crisp winter’s day, perhaps spent walking to Merano or out in the snow, the warmth of the sauna feels especially soothing. At the VistaSpa, our sauna master Roland takes his inspiration from the season too: during his guided infusions, the sauna fills with the comforting aromas of baked apple, gingerbread or vanilla.
The place that lasts.