The beautiful city of Merano sits at a crossroads between Austria and Italy, where Alpine landscapes meet Mediterranean warmth.
On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll see how eight centuries of history played out across promenades, arcaded streets, and spa-era architecture. The tour starts at Elisabeth Park. You’ll see the marble statue of ‘Sissi’ that marks the spot where the empress’ visits in the 1870s and 1880s sparked a wave of aristocratic tourism that reshaped the city. Descending into the old town, you’ll walk through Laubengasse, a 400-metre covered arcade built in the 1200s that served as Merano’s commercial heart for over 800 years. The tour ends at the Kurhaus, the city’s iconic Art Nouveau spa house, whose gilded Kursaal and domed rotunda still host concerts, balls, and the internationally renowned Merano Wine Festival.