Also called “Little Europe in Italy”, this is a small but lively city. It was once so fundamental as a hub for the transalpine trade routes that it was the capital of the kingdom of Tyrol. It has been inhabited since the Stone Age and has origins that date back to the 15 century BC during Roman rule. It is bathed with history and culture, having played a part during most historical ages of the past, therefore it is no surprise to see here a mix of Middle Age and Belle Époque architecture. See the Kurhaus, an example of the turn-of-the-century development of tourism that fuelled new life into this city, or the medieval alleys of Steinach, in the old town. No wonder Empress Sissi decided to spend so much of her time here, that a statue in her honour was made from Lasa marble. Other famous names that visited the town include Sigmund Freud and Franz Kafka.
Austrian culture can still be felt here, and German is more widely spoken than Italian, so there is more than meets the eye here. Merano is where old-fashioned charm meets modern Europe’s cosmopolitan lifestyle.