The fink Restaurant & Suites is located under the small arcades in the middle of the historic centre of the city. The most important sights of Brixen are within walking distance.
The medieval buildings, façades and arcades in the pedestrian zone are one of Brixen’s most important attractions. As the seat of the bishopric, Brixen also has numerous stately churches and monasteries in and outside the city, some of which border on large gardens and parks.
The Hofburg Palace and Herrengarten, Brixen Cathedral and the cloister, the Diocesan Museum and Neustift Monastery are evidence of the centuries-long influence of the prince-bishops. However, Brixen’s ‘secular’ sights also characterise the overall picture, such as the Pharmacy Museum and the medieval alleyways and arcades in the centre.
The Hofburg, once the residence of the bishops of Brixen, now houses the Diocesan Museum. The exhibition includes sacred works of art, valuable historical artefacts and a large collection of works from the Middle Ages. The state rooms and treasury, which also bear witness to the size and influence of the powerful diocese of Bolzano and Brixen, are a particular attraction of Brixen.
Due to its wealth of sacred art treasures from different eras, the cathedral is Brixen’s most important attraction. Its origins date back to 980, the three-nave nave and the two façade towers were added in 1174 and the cathedral was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century. The numerous art treasures include frescoes by Paul Troger, altars, an organ and the late Gothic Madonna by Hans Leinberger.
Neustift Abbey is located in the north-west of the city. As the largest monastery complex in Tyrol, encompassing all periods of art history from Romanesque to Rococo, it is one of the most important sights in Brixen. The Augustinian canons’ monastery has a historic library with 92,000 books, baroque gardens, numerous art treasures, an educational centre and its own winery.
A shopping tour in Brixen is like a journey through the art, culture and history of the episcopal city. The arcades in the medieval centre are home to small retail shops, bars and restaurants, while open squares are lined with cafés and markets.
From pharmacies to ‘Zuckerle’ shops, Brixen’s old town emphasises variety and the certainty that you can ‘get everything’ when shopping in Brixen. Under the arcades and in the adjacent alleyways, there is a wide selection of boutiques, craft shops, bakeries, speciality shops and family-run traditional businesses.
Most of the historic streets and squares in Brixen’s old town centre are pedestrianised, making for a pleasant and safe urban experience. Large, lively squares with cafés and bars open up again and again between the narrow medieval alleyways and arcades.
Regular markets are held in the historic centre of Brixen, offering fresh regional produce, handicrafts and weekly market goods. The weekly farmers’ market and the bread and strudel market, which presents traditional specialities from all over South Tyrol every autumn, are particularly popular with locals and tourists.
The museum-like architecture of the old town centre keeps Brixen’s historical significance as the gateway to the south alive to this day. Under the arcades and in the city’s large squares, the mild climate allows visitors to enjoy cafés and aperitif bars with outdoor tables almost all year round - with a view of the cathedral or the elaborately designed facades from past centuries.
Café Konditorei Pupp is part of Brixen’s history and combines old Viennese coffee house tradition with Mediterranean lifestyle. Homemade cakes and tarts, coffee specialities, ice cream and snacks are served indoors and outdoors.
Centrally located in Brixen’s Domgasse, the Vinothek Vitis offers a selection of around 500 wines from the Eisack Valley, South Tyrol, Italy and around the world, as well as a small menu with selected international culinary creations. In summer, you can linger under the vines in the shady courtyard garden.
The Domcafé and Bistro Brixen with its own patisserie is located in the pedestrian zone, in the listed Pfaundlerhaus from the 16th century. Regional, seasonal ingredients are used for cakes and tarts, pastries, ice cream specialities and lunch snacks.
Throughout the year, Brixen and the surrounding area host festivals and events in the fields of art and culture, music, pleasure and sport.
Every year in September, one of the largest mountain biking festivals attracts around 45,000 visitors to Brixen. As part of a varied programme of events, exhibitors from major brands offer the opportunity to test the latest trends in bike sports.
At the Water Light Festival, which takes place every May in Brixen, local and international artists transform museum sites, plants and water features into a glowing open-air art gallery by playing with light and water.
South Tyrol is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world, and the influence of wine on the country’s traditions is present everywhere. From the Neustift Spring to the summer Dine, Wine & Music and the Törggele season in autumn, there are regular guided tours and hikes or winery tours in and around Brixen, where wine lovers can talk directly to winegrowers.
The traditional Christmas market takes place on Brixen Cathedral Square every year from the end of November to the beginning of January. South Tyrolean handicrafts such as nativity scenes, carved figures, candles and works of art made of glass and clay are lined up alongside stalls selling specialities from the Isarco Valley, mulled wine and Christmas desserts - accompanied by Advent concerts in the evenings.
The water world of Acquarena Brixen offers more than 14,000 m2 of water and garden space: from the sports pool for ambitious swimmers to the wave pool, current channel and slides for children. The Acquarena is open 365 days a year, and during the warmer months the swimming options are extended to a large outdoor area with sunbathing lawns and bar, beach volleyball court, climbing wall and other attractions.
The Acquarena also offers a sauna and fitness area and has a physiotherapy centre. Acquarena also includes the Grissino restaurant, which offers international dishes ranging from sushi to pizza.
Stay in the centre of the old town - retreat into the monastic silence of centuries-old walls and vaults: from the fink Restaurant & Suites, Brixen’s most important sights, events and shopping opportunities can be reached on foot in no time at all.