Best things to do in Bolzano

Meet Ötzi, the world's oldest natural human mummy from 3300 BCE, at South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. This archaeological museum also houses his gear, including the world's oldest complete Copper Age axe, a fire lighting kit, quiver loaded with 12 arrows, flint knife with sheath, and some clothing. Study models, reconstructions, and multimedia presentations to learn more about the early history of the southern alpine region. Entertain children with the museum's interactive activities. The top floor features a changing exhibit about some aspect of South Tyrolean archaeology. To take a one-hour guided tour, book in advance.

Begun about 1850, I Giardini di Castel Trauttmansdorff contains about 80 different gardens of local and exotic plants, which are organized by region of origin. You can explore areas populated by coniferous and deciduous trees from the Americas, sun gardens of cultivated plants typical in the Mediterranean, terraced gardens designed in the formal English manner, and huge sections covered by flowering oleanders and ancient olive trees. The site also contains an aviary, a Japanese alluvial forest, rice terraces, and a tea plantation. The gardens not only shelter colorful plants from around the globe, but also offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the popular spa resort town of Merano. Daily guided tours are available, with no pre-booking required. Check online for opening hours and all upcoming special events and activities.

MUSE - Science Museum is a science museum with a focus on natural history--as evidenced by the taxidermy animals filling its displays. Mise en scenes of early humans and animal species complement interactive exhibits on the earth's evolution. The guides have a reputation for being exceptionally helpful and knowledgeable. Try to snag one for a quick tour. End your visit in the greenhouse, with its scents of coffee, mangoes, and tropical flowers.

Runkelstein Castle (German: Schloss Runkelstein; Italian: Castel Roncolo) is a medieval fortification on a rocky spur in the territory of Ritten, near the city of Bolzano in South Tyrol, Italy. In 1237 Alderich Prince-Bishop of Trent gave the brothers Friedrich and Beral Lords of Wangen permission to construct a castle on the rock then called Runchenstayn.

The Messner Mountain Museum or MMM is a museum project created by Italian mountaineer and extreme climber Reinhold Messner in South Tyrol in northern Italy. Messner's museum project is designed to educate visitors on "man's encounter with mountains" and deals with the science of mountains and glaciers, the history of mountaineering and rock climbing, the history of mythical mountains, and the history of mountain-dwelling people.
The museum project consists of five museums based at six different locations: Firmian, Juval, Dolomites, Ortles, Ripa and Corones. MMM Firmian at Sigmundskron Castle near Bozen is the centerpiece of the museum and concentrates on man’s relationship with the mountains. The museum includes displays on the geology of the mountains, the religious significance of mountains in the lives of people, and the history of mountaineering and alpine tourism. MMM Juval at Juval Castle in the Burggrafenamt in Vinschgau is dedicated to the "magic of the mountains", with an emphasis on mystical mountains and their religious significance. MMM Dolomites at in the Cibiana Pass at Monte Rite, housed in an old fort, is dedicated to the subject of rocks, particularly in the Dolomites, with exhibits focusing on the history of the formation of the Dolomites. This museum contains a summit observation platform that offers a 360° panorama of the surrounding Dolomites. MMM Ortles at Sulden on the Ortler is dedicated to the history of mountaineering on ice and the great glaciers of the world. MMM Ripa at Bruneck Castle in South Tyrol is dedicated to the mountain peoples from Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, with emphasis on their cultures, religions, and tourism activities. MMM Corones on the summit plateau of Kronplatz (2,275 m), is dedicated to traditional mountaineering.