Brixen: Old Town, Cathedral and Paths along the Eisack

Brixen combines a compact medieval old town with art and architecture, riverside scenery and hiking options. You can choose different focuses for your stay: historic buildings and collections, walks along the Eisack or activities in the surrounding area. If you are looking for a hotel in Brixen, it helps to first consider what you want your trip to focus on.

Old Town, Cathedral and Art History

Brixen’s medieval old town is compact; many sights, shops and restaurants are close together. The cathedral is a defining feature of the historic centre. Its origins date back to 980 AD. The historic centre is an extensive medieval centre and is protected as a historic monument.

The Bishop’s Palace, also known as the Hofburg, was built in the 13th century by the Prince-Bishops of Brixen. Today it houses the Diocesan Museum and the Diocesan Archive. The museum presents the cathedral treasury and valuable works of art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century in more than 70 exhibition rooms. The cloister in Brixen is a Romanesque structure with vaults dating from the 14th century. Its 14th- and 15th-century frescoes show the development of medieval art.

The Stadtgalerie is also part of Brixen’s cultural landscape: it is located in the heart of the old town and forms an architectural link between the main arcades and Cathedral Square. The Brixen Pharmacy Museum traces 400 years of pharmaceutical history through the example of a Brixen apothecary family. Stufels was already a settlement in the Neolithic period; today, the district is known as an artists’ quarter. Brixen thus brings together different chapters of the city’s and art history.

Water in the City and Outdoor Trails

The Eisack and Rienz meet at the southern end of the Rappgärten. Brixen also has 48 fountains, which together form an open-air museum of water. You can refill bottles at designated public drinking-water fountains; look for the “Trinkwasser” (“drinking water”) sign on site. The opportunity to refill also depends on seasonal availability.

At the annual Water Light Festival, held in May, there is an installation at the confluence of the Eisack and Rienz. The schedule and programme may vary from one edition to the next. If the festival fits your travel plans, check the dates and programme for the relevant edition.

Short walks and easy hikes start right in Brixen, including trails along the Eisack. Trail conditions can vary by season. In the nearby Plose hiking area, you’ll find the family trails WoodyWalk and Lorggen, as well as opportunities for mountain biking, mountain-cart rides and rides on the Plosebob. The Urban Life Ride e-bike tour explores Brixen and connects architectural heritage, urban development and everyday life.

Local Cuisine and Seasonal Traditions

Brixen has inns serving traditional local cuisine. In autumn, Törggelen combines hikes through the autumn landscape with stops at traditional Buschenschänken (seasonal farm taverns), along with seasonal food and drinks. Specific places to stop and opening dates vary depending on the harvest and the establishment. For planning, it is therefore worth checking the dates for the relevant season.

Getting Here and Getting Around

Brixen railway station is within walking distance of the historic old town. Alternatively, city buses connect the station with the centre and surrounding villages. As local transit details can change, check the latest city bus services before your arrival. The compact old town, waterside paths and nearby options offer various starting points for planning your stay around your interests.

Discover more destinations: Lajen, Mühlbach, Villanders, Barbian, Klausen, Lüsen, Rodeneck, Natz-Schabs.

For the broader travel overview: Eisack Valley.