Giardini di Trauttmansdorff (Trauttmansdorff Gardens)
Spread across four themed terraces on the sun-drenched hillside above Merano, the Trauttmansdorff Gardens were restored to their 19th-century glory in 2001 and are now consistently rated among the most beautiful gardens in Europe. Empress Sisi of Austria famously recuperated here in 1870, and the microclimate allows palms, bamboo, giant sequoias and Himalayan rhododendrons to thrive at 350 m in th
The Four Garden Worlds
The Sunny Terraces section holds the most theatrical views — a series of south-facing terraces planted with Mediterranean and subtropical species tumbling down toward the Merano skyline. The Water Gardens feature a reflecting pool and a cascade that feeds a lower lotus pond, best seen in July when the flowers are in full bloom.
The Forest Gardens to the north are the wild counterpoint: ancient oaks, Douglas firs and a sensory trail designed for visitors with visual impairments. The fourth section, the World Gardens, groups plants by continent of origin and includes a remarkable collection of South African proteas.
The Touriseum Museum Inside
Built into the hillside beneath the gardens, the Touriseum is a genuinely original museum tracing the history of European tourism from the 18th-century Grand Tour to the age of mass travel. Vintage luggage, early ski equipment, Belle Époque hotel interiors and a reconstructed 1960s package-holiday brochure room make it surprisingly entertaining.
Allow at least three hours for the gardens alone; adding the Touriseum requires a full half-day. The combination ticket is excellent value and the hilltop café serves local wines and Apfelstrudel with a view that justifies the price of admission on its own.
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