Car Hire in Bolzano

About Bolzano

Bolzano is a city in northern Italy and the capital of the province of South Tyrol. This alpine town is really beautiful and you should definitely stop here when you are passing through this part of Italy. The city is known throughout Italy for its quality of life. In 2020, for example, it was named the city with the highest quality of life in Italy, along with Bologna. In 2009, Bolzano was also named Alpine Town of the Year.

There are three spoken languages in South Tyrol: Italian, German and Ladin. That is why many people refer to the charming city of Bolzano as a bridge between northern and southern Europe. The main economic strength of Bolzano is tourism and agriculture. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides, which provides a fantastic opportunity for various mountain activities that you can do here. On the other side, there is a floodplain that is farmed and where many different crops are grown: Vineyards, fruits and vegetables.

The first evidence of this town dates back to the Middle Ages. Later, the city constantly changed from Austrian to Italian domination and still today the great influence of the two cultures is visible. The best thing about Bolzano is that these two cultures mix and combine, creating a unique atmosphere and spirit that you can only find here in Bolzano.

The city was heavily bombed during the Second World War, but today there is hardly anything left of it, because Bolzano has been restored and renovated and today you can visit a beautiful city with many different cultural, historical, religious and natural attractions. If we then add great cuisine, friendly locals and good infrastructure, we can easily say that this is a perfect place for a holiday. It's up to you what kind of activities or places you prefer for your holiday, but one thing is for sure, Bolzano will not disappoint you. If you are taking a road trip through northern Italy, you should definitely take the time to spend a few days in Bolzano. You will not regret it!

Basic info and car hire in Bolzano

• Location: South Tyrol, Italy
• Population: 107,436
• Official language: Italian, German, Ladin
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Bolzano has a humid subtropical climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Bolzano are in good condition.
• Car hire in Bolzano:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Bolzano is at the Bolzano Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Bolzano!

 Driving in Bolzano

Renting a car here is really the best option if you want to properly explore the city and its surroundings. The roads in this area are in good condition, so you will have a lot of fun driving around Bolzano and its surroundings. When you leave the city, there are many side roads, so you will have to drive extra carefully on these roads, especially if you are not used to them.

When you get to Bolzano, it's best to park your car and go exploring on foot. The city is relatively small, so you really do not need a car to explore the city centre. Of course, it's a different story if you are exploring the surrounding areas of the city. For this type of activity, a rental car is the best solution, because there are many fantastic places here that you can not reach by public transportation.

It is good to know that on the Brenner highway between Bolzano South and Brennero, the maximum speed is limited to 110 km/h - and not 130 km/h as it is usual on Italian highways.

Traffic in the old town of Bolzano is subject to ZTL regulations. Zona a traffico limitato (ZTL) (literally: traffic restricted zone) is a traffic restricted zone in Italy. There are about 200 regulations enforced with cameras, as well as 100 environmental zones. They help protect historic city centres from excessive traffic that would otherwise make the city less attractive.

If you need to enter the ZTL in Bolzano contact:

Ufficio Mobilità

Sede municipale

vicolo Gumer 7

Tel. 0471 997 545

Fax 0471 997 576

or

Polizia Municipale

Tel. 0471 997799

Fax 0471 997713

e-mail: infoztl@comune.bolzano.it

It is good to know that the police in Italy are very strict. So make sure you follow all the rules and obey all the traffic signs on the road. Above all, stick to the speed limits because there are many speed checks and you can get a fine even if you are not a resident. But of course, it is good to keep to the speed limits and other rules, not only because of the police but also for your own safety and the safety of other road users

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 10 may only be taken in the back seat and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from Bolzano

Innsbruck, Treviso, Bergamo, Trento, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Merano, Belluno, Rovereto

What to see in Bolzano

There are many different things to see and do in Bolzano. This is the perfect place for tourists and travellers who prefer an active holiday because there are endless possibilities for activities in the mountains that surround this charming city. But of course, Bolzano is much more than just activities in nature, there are also many interesting places to visit in the city itself.

When in Bolzano, be sure to sit on the Funivia del Renon or Renon cable car. This cable car offers you a ride from the centre of Bolzano up to the mountain community of Soprabolzano and offers breathtaking views of the countryside around Bolzano and also of Bolzano itself.

Another place worth visiting is the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, which is considered the best and highest quality museum in this region. One of the most famous attractions of this museum is the Frozen Fritz - Otzi, as he is called, is a 5,300-year-old corpse found frozen in the Alps.

Piazza Walther is the main square in Bolzano. In the square, you can admire a majestic fountain. The square is surrounded by beautiful buildings, great cafes, restaurants and small stores.

Other places you should visit here: Puez-Odle Nature Park, Bolzano Cathedral, Castel Roncolo, Castel Tirolo, Messner Mountain Museum, Bolzano Franciscan Monastery, Dominican Church, Guntschna Trail, Monumento della Vittoria, ...

Drive your rental car beyond Bolzano

Bolzano is the capital of the province of South Tyrol. This amazing province in northern Italy really has a lot to offer. Especially the breathtaking nature with the Dolomites, the many lakes, the hiking trails, the mountain bike trails and much more. Also, there are some charming towns and villages here that you can visit and where you will definitely have a wonderful time. The roads here are in good condition, so this place is perfect for a road trip.

But there are so many other regions in Italy that are worth exploring. For example, if you have decided to stay in the Umbria region and take a road trip through it, one of the activities that you should put on your wish list is undoubtedly truffle hunting. This region is famous for its truffles and truffle hunting is truly a unique experience. In the countryside, you will find many experts searching for these "black diamonds". Besides truffle hunting, you can also learn a lot about the history of the region and the daily life of the locals. The Marmore waterfalls are another sight you should not miss on your trip to Umbria. These are the largest man-made waterfalls in the world and the second-largest waterfalls in Italy. These amazing waterfalls were created by the Romans who wanted to divert the Velino River in order to use more fertile land. For this reason, the Marmore Waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions in this region. For people who prefer a more active holiday, there are many activities here, for example, rafting on the Nera River, cycling in nature, visiting the Monte Cucco Regional Park, a side trip to San Pietro

There are so many places to visit in Italy that you really need to make a good plan if you want to take a road trip through Italy. Italy is a very diverse country with so much to see and do. But one thing is for sure, there is something for every kind of tourist here. Italy is known for its fantastic beaches, amazing cities, a large number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, great gastronomy, volcanic islands, the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, beautiful lakes and rivers, breathtaking landscapes, etc.

The capital is Rome, which of course you must see. It is considered one of the most iconic cities in the world and is certainly the most talked-about city in the history of mankind. Travelling from the north to the south of the country, you can experience so many different landscapes, people, cultures, cities and traditions that make Italy a special place. If we then add the truly rich and turbulent past of this tribal country, there is no doubt that you should visit Italy at least once in your lifetime.

If you prefer winter and winter sports, then you should definitely go to the Dolomites, because there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, if you are more interested in history, you should visit Pompei and other cities in the south of the country.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Bolzano

Bolzano is a very popular destination with all foodies from Italy and other parts of the world. There are so many fantastic restaurants in this city that you will have a hard time deciding where to go. But besides food, Bolzano is also one of the most important wine cities in Europe. Some of the best wines come from this area, so you can also choose to learn all about this wonderful drink here in this city.

Best restaurant in Bolzano

Ristorante Castel Flavon - Restaurant Haselburg

Ristorante Eggentaler

Loewengrube

Ristorante Pizzeria Marechiaro

Imbiss Kampill

Franziskanerstuben