Looking at Bolzano as a base for a couple of days in the Dolomites. We will not have a car. What are our options for using public transport to go further up to some of the small villages in this area?
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
You can easily reach Castelrotto in about an hour by Bus. I believe you can also get to Alpi di Siusi cable station by bus, and there are lots of hiking opportunities there if you're so inclined.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
It is hot in Bolzano. Head up into the mountains to the Val Gardena and stay in one of the little villages. You can reach Ortisei in 1H15M by bus from the Bolzano train station. From there you have access to many mountain venues by funicular or cableway and some fabulous hiking if you are so-inclined. OR just go for the views. It will be cooler and quainter in the villages than in Bolzano or Castelrotto.
All of the hotels, B&Bs, etc., in the Val Gardena issue a bus pass that you can use to go throughout the valley as well as back to Bolzano when you leave. You will have to buy a pass of otherwise pay for the lifts. Try to stay at least three nights, though.
Posted by
Washington DC
28477 posts
I spent at least a week in that area last summer and found the public transportation very good. Both the Bolzano and the Bressanone tourist offices had booklets of transportation schedules geared to those staying in their areas--which I did. So this is the voice of experience: It is indeed hot down in the valley, and moderately priced hotels sometimes don't have air conditioning. Nor do restaurants. They don't think they need it. Hah!
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
Agree with the previous posters that you should not stay in Bolzano. It's a very expensive little town and you'll waste time every day getting up into the mountains. Stay in the Val Gardena.
The bus system in the area is very good except on Sundays when services is much more limited. Just pay attention to the schedules and plan ahead so that you have enough time in the places you want to visit and don't miss the last bus going back to where you are staying!
Posted by
OP
Nashville, TN
8 posts
Thanks all for your great advice. Grazie!
Posted by
54 posts
We have spent two summer vacations in the Dolomites--in the village of Selva di Val Gardena. We've done day trips to the surrounding villages and in the end were very very happy to have selected Selva. Ortisei would be nice, too. But I do NOT understand Rick's excitement about Castelrotto. We found it lacking in so many respects, especially as compared to Selva or Ortisei. Once we arrived in Selva by car, the car stayed put all week. We easily went everywhere (including to Bolzano to see Otzi) by bus. We never once moved the car until we were ready to leave 7 days later.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA - Calif, United States
339 posts
We stayed in Val Gardena in La Villa which someone on this site recommended and we loved it. The Garni Tamarindo was great and another adjacent place owned by brothers. Close to trams and mountain passes.
Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
Hi
I agree, skip staying in Bolzano and head into the Dolomites. I also don't get Castelrotto and would stay in either the Val Gardena or the Alta Badia.
Claire, We stayed right next door at the Ciasa Montanara. The Montanara and Tamarindo are in La Villa, Alta Badia. This is the next valley over from the Val Gardena. We also liked our stay in St. Christina, in the Val Gardena.
Paul