This is how my day in Merano started: lunch at Forsterbräu Merano
Discover Merano – Day 1: Gardens, thermal baths, pizza & more | Restaurant Forst, Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, Merano Thermal Baths and Pizzeria Mediterraneo – In my first article about Merano, I told you about the places I visited in this beautiful sunny city, shared a bit about Merano's history, the region, and its people, and hopefully gave you some exciting first impressions of my trip. In this second article about Merano, things get more specific, and I'll take you through Merano stop by stop. After checking in at Boutique Hotel Suite Seven After putting my suitcases away in the chic designer room, I went straight to my first culinary stop.
Restaurant Forsterbräu Meran
The Forsterbräu Meran restaurant and brewery pub is located in the heart of Merano's pedestrian zone and offers traditional South Tyrolean cuisine as well as Mediterranean dishes. With seating for approximately 600 people spread across five dining rooms on two floors, plus a spacious beer garden and a tranquil courtyard, it was my first culinary experience with Merano cuisine. I was immediately impressed by the relaxed service, the pleasant atmosphere, and the friendly yet competent advice given at the table regarding menu choices. Forsterbräu Meran has been a part of Merano's history as the FORST brewery for over 160 years, so it's only natural that the restaurant offers a selection of beers to accompany your meal.
One of the three different draft beers served from the FORST brewery
My companions and I were served a bread basket filled with South Tyrolean Schüttelbrot (crisp flatbread) and Vinschgauer (a type of bread), along with a variety of appetizers and main courses to sample. From the bacon foam soup with caramelized Schüttelbrot and pickled porcini mushrooms (7.50 euros) and the delicate carpaccio of local beef with pickled chanterelles, arugula, and Parmesan (12.50 euros), to homemade potato gnocchi with venison ragout, root vegetables, and roasted pears (13.50 euros), or the homemade Schlutzkrapfen (filled pasta) with spinach and quark (11 euros), to the risotto with fresh chanterelles and smoked brook trout fillet (12.50 euros), the diversity of South Tyrolean cuisine was already evident in the appetizers. Just like in Munich, the menu is divided into cold and hot appetizers, main courses, and desserts. The main courses – for us, the "Forst Platter" with pork knuckle, spare ribs, Nuremberg sausages, sauerkraut, and dumplings (for €17.50) and the grilled Passeier brook trout fillet with parsley potatoes and root vegetables (for €15) – were somewhat heartier. Interestingly, the seemingly simple bread dumpling turned out to be a rather spicy bacon dumpling and was served without a separate sauce. The South Tyrolean cheese variation with figs and mustard (for €12.80) was also delicious.
Have you ever tried homemade potato gnocchi?
The appetizers, especially the homemade potato gnocchi, the risotto, and the brook trout, were particularly delicious, and the locally brewed draft beers served with each course were a real treat. We sampled three different beers on tap: 1) Forst ViP Pils (5.01% ABV), 2) Forst Kronen (5.21% ABV), and 3) Forst Felsenkeller Bier (5.21% ABV). The Forsterbräu Meran restaurant is the perfect place if you enjoy hearty fare while still maintaining a strong South Tyrolean connection. Whether you're just stopping by for a freshly tapped traditional South Tyrolean beer or planning a full meal, you're always welcome here.
The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle
The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle
Feeling quite full, we headed to our next stop: the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. For me, this was a highlight even before entering, as I had done some research beforehand. The botanical gardens are not only a leisure attraction in Merano, but with 12 hectares and over 80 themed gardens representing nature and culture, as well as plants from all over the world, they are arguably one of the most impressive highlights in Merano – at least for me, even though the focus isn't on the culinary aspect. 😉 The gardens are nestled amidst 3,000-meter-high mountains and are divided into various themed areas. From the woodland garden with miniature forests, sun gardens, water and terrace gardens, to garden rooms with staircases and streams, there's an endless amount to discover. A terrarium with grasshoppers, an iguana, ant colonies, and countless varieties of different flowers, shrubs, plants, chili peppers, and much more await visitors. The view over Merano, the landscaped rose pond, the integrated café and much more, definitely make the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle worth a day trip.
Exotic plants galore.
Currently, the Merano Botanical Garden is dedicated to fragrant and aromatic plants, showcasing the diversity of nature and its plant life with its annual theme, "A Kiss of Fragrance – A Stroll Through Scent and Spice." My personal favorite spot was the small Japanese-style garden, surrounded by cherry blossom trees. You instantly forget that you're only a three-hour drive from Munich and right in the heart of Merano. There's always something going on in terms of events, too. From the World Music Festival on the lakeside stage integrated into the gardens, to a majestic brunch on the Sissi Terrace, or even a picnic by the lily pond, the team at the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle is constantly coming up with new highlights for its visitors. In my opinion, a visit is worthwhile even if you simply want to wander for hours through the gardens and landscapes along the paths. You can find opening hours, admission prices, a map of the grounds, and much more on the website. Website of the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle.
View of the thermal baths from the park, looking across the pools.
The Merano Thermal Baths
Since there's so much to discover in Merano, and I had to keep an eye on the time, after just a few hours in the gardens (…I'll be back…) I headed to the Merano Thermal Baths – in my opinion, a real highlight of the city. The Merano Thermal Baths are both an idyllic outdoor pool complex with 10 pools and a 52,000 m² thermal park (open from mid-May to mid-September), and the ultimate hotspot for wellness enthusiasts, water lovers, and sports fans. Various pools (sports pool, non-swimmer pool, children's pool, current pool, bathing circuit with Kneipp pool, spring pool, etc.) as well as a spacious sauna area are all part of the Merano Thermal Baths. Once you arrive at the thermal baths and have found a comfortable spot in your swimwear, you hardly know where to go first. My highlights were the palm and rose gardens integrated into the outdoor pool area, the sun loungers arranged like four-poster beds in front of the outdoor pools, the pool with 80 live turtles (perfect for children), and the culinary offerings. Yes, that's right: where I come from, we don't really have much more than fries with ketchup and mayo or maybe an ice cream cone; at the Merano Thermal Baths, however, there are various options for light meals, as well as healthy smoothies, salads, sandwiches, and more. For €20 per adult, you can enjoy the thermal baths all day, or €25 for the thermal baths and sauna, and have a wonderful day.
Invites you to linger: The Merano Thermal Baths
Anyone familiar with the Munich area will surely know the Erding thermal baths, and without wanting to make direct comparisons, I personally prefer the thermal baths in Merano – also because of the beautiful surroundings, the friendliness of the people of Merano, and the facilities offered there. If you've now suddenly got the urge to pack your swimsuit, get in the car, and drive there, you'll find... here More information about the Merano Thermal Baths. Personally, I think a visit is definitely worthwhile. The park at the thermal baths is currently closed – temperatures drop in Merano from mid-September – but I've already marked "visit Merano Thermal Baths" high on my calendar for summer 2019.
„"Two refreshing pear spritzers, please!"“
Dinner at Pizzeria Mediterraneo
Discovering new cities, strolling through gardens, and enjoying the cool water is great fun, but it also makes you hungry. So I was all the more excited about visiting Pizzeria Mediterraneo. A pizzeria that's a bit hidden away – at least that's how it felt to me as a tourist in Merano – and offers not only Italian pizza but also a selection of salads, desserts, and weekly specials. What I really like about Merano is that practically everything is within walking distance, and during my stay, I usually only had to walk from point A to point B to point C in a few minutes. We arrived late, the terrace was full, and we took a seat at a table inside the simply furnished restaurant, which features a lot of light wood. A very friendly waiter (everyone in Merano is really nice...) immediately handed us the menus and asked us what we wanted to drink, which we answered with "two pear spritzers, still water, and an elderflower spritzer." Choosing a pizza at Pizzeria Mediterraneo isn't easy, as the menu offers a wide variety of options. It wasn't until I placed my order that I was specifically informed about the available whole wheat or kamut dough (for an extra €1), which is offered as an alternative base for the pizza. I had already heard of kamut or Khorasan wheat dough, so I decided to try it on the "Sissi" pizza (with mozzarella, apple, acacia honey, and walnuts for €10.20). My companion chose the "Atomica" pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, and a boiled egg (€9.40). My pizza was a great choice, and the courage to order a pizza with apple, walnuts, and honey was definitely rewarded.
The "Sissi" pizza with acacia honey, apple, and walnuts. Delicious!
The menu features a wide variety of pizzas, from classic favorites to more unusual creations. You'll never get bored, even if you're a frequent visitor, because new creative interpretations appear on the pizza menu every four weeks. (Currently, for example, they're offering the fiery "Mexicana" pizza, created in conjunction with the current culinary weeks (mentioned in the first article).) Hungry yet? – Click here for more information. Website of Pizzeria Mediterraneo.
What you can expect in the next article In the upcoming third article, I will introduce you to the wonderful wines from the Merano region and announce the Merano Grape Festival – the oldest harvest festival in South Tyrol – from October 19th to 21st, 2018 in Merano.
+++ This article was created in cooperation with the Merano Tourist Office. Thank you! +++
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