Gourmet Weekend in Meran: 3 Days Between Culinary Delights and Nature

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In July we finally spent another extended weekend in Meran. Since our last visit to the South Tyrolean spa town, almost ten years have actually passed. But as soon as we arrived, that special Meran feeling was back: the mix of alpine charm and Italianità, of palm trees, mountains and lots of enjoyment. For three days we feasted our way through Meran, discovered new favorite spots and once again realized how wonderfully cuisine and nature can be combined here.

In this post I show you the seven moments of indulgence that made our weekend in Meran so special.

Moment of indulgence #1: A hideaway high above Meran

It’s no secret that there are some truly outstanding hotels in and around Meran. We’ve gotten to know several of them in the past. The Relais & Châteaux Castel Fragsburg, which sits high above Meran among venerable treetops, was already familiar to me from earlier trips to Meran. This time we were able to check in to the former hunting lodge from the 16th century and use this special place as the base for our indulgent weekend. And yes: Castel Fragsburg more than lives up to the many advance praises. Our accordingly high expectations were even exceeded. What a fantastic place!

Since the 1950s the Ortner family has created a refuge here that radiates a calmness I have seldom experienced elsewhere. In 2019 the family was also able to acquire the mighty 14th-century castle located on a rock outcrop above the hotel and thus reunite what originally belonged together. The result is a contiguous castle park of over 50’000 m² with numerous retreats, enchanted corners and a glorious view over the Meranerland to the Texelgruppe.

In the former hunting lodge there are just 20 suites in total, each individually furnished with antique furniture, Art Deco finds and clever details. This creates a harmonious living feel that picks up the historical character of the house without feeling old-fashioned.

Moment of indulgence #2: Michelin-star cooking with a view

At Castel Fragsburg you can not only relax wonderfully but also dine deliciously. The Fragsburg executive chef Egon Heiss has been awarded a Michelin star and is in charge of the hotel’s two restaurants: the gourmet restaurant Prezioso and the restaurant Orangerie. The two restaurants are connected by a wooden terrace overgrown with lush greenery. On beautiful summer days you can start the evening here in pleasant shade, accompanied by a gentle breeze and with a wonderful view.

Fragsburg’s culinary philosophy, like the place itself, is deeply rooted in the traditions of Südtirol and Italian food culture. Part of the vegetables used in the kitchen as well as herbs and fruit grow directly on the castle grounds in the «Soul Garden». In addition, the kitchen team works closely with producers and farmers from the region.

We were lucky enough to take part in a very special culinary event during our stay. In honor of the inclusion of Italian cuisine in the list of UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, Egon Heiss created an exclusive four-hands dinner together with Silvia Baracchi, Michelin-starred chef and owner of Relais & Châteaux Il Falconiere in Cortona (Tuscany). The winery Terlan & Andrian accompanied the evening with local wines matched to the menu. I also want to give a special shout-out to the Fragsburg bar team, which created a truly creative mocktail menu to match.

Moment of indulgence #3: Breakfast deluxe

And as indulgent as the day ends at Fragsburg, so it begins. I’ve seen many great breakfast buffets — but Fragsburg’s setting easily makes it into my personal top ten of the most beautiful breakfast spots. And I think the photos speak for themselves, don’t they?

Moment of indulgence #4: A stroll through Meran

A fairly narrow, winding road leads from Fragsburg in about 20 minutes to the center of Meran. There are various options for getting into town. If you’re traveling without your own car or prefer to do the route on two wheels, you can borrow an e-bike from the hotel free of charge. If you drive, the best place to park is the garage under the Meran thermal baths. From here it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the Meraner Lauben, which look back on a history of over 800 years.

For a pleasurable city stroll it’s worth planning a Saturday morning. Two markets with regional products take place at the same time. At the Bauernmarkt in Galileistrasse South Tyrolean farmers sell seasonal fruit and vegetables as well as regional products like juices, jams, cheeses and sausages. The Meraner Markt in the upper Freiheitsstrasse near Sandplatz, on the other hand, is all about regionality and sustainability. Only South Tyrolean natural and handmade products are offered here.

After visiting the markets I recommend allowing some time for an extended stroll through Meran. Particularly lovely is the route along the Passer. On opposite riverbanks run the winter and the summer promenades. While the sunny and wind-protected Winterpromenade scores with its historic promenade hall, the Sommerpromenade leads along the river under mighty, shade-giving trees. Which side is the better choice is essentially revealed by the respective name.

From both sides you can reach the Steinach Viertel at the height of the Franz-Tappeiner-Bridge, one of the oldest parts of Meran. It’s noticeably quieter here and there are some truly picturesque alleys to discover. On a previous visit I stayed in this quarter at the Villa Bergmann. Right next to it is another recommended accommodation, the Steinach Townhouse.

If you follow Ortsteingasse further to Passeiertor and then climb a few altitude meters via the Krallingerweg, you’ll reach the Tappeinerweg. The roughly four-kilometer high promenade follows the Küchelberg above the town and repeatedly opens up beautiful views over Meran and the surrounding mountains. Mediterranean and partly exotic plants line the path and once again create that fascinating contrast between alpine and Mediterranean that makes Meran so special.

And because a city stroll is bound to make you hungry, the best next stop is Pur Südtirol. The gourmet market is located in the Meraner Kurhaus and combines shop, wine bar and bistro under one roof. On the terrace you can take a wonderful break with a South Tyrolean Marende and at the same time watch the hustle and bustle in the town.

Moment of indulgence #5: Feasting your way through Meran

In addition to the detour to Pur Südtirol and the modern-designed Bauernladen Meran, which is a little outside the center directly on the SP165, we scouted out two other culinary addresses. One of them is “357 Pizza and Food”, where really good pizza lands on the table. I chose the highly recommended summer pizza with mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, stracciatella di burrata and crispy Grana Padano chips. But the menu also includes creations with an unmistakably local touch, such as the pizza “Prosciutto Cotto Pur Südtirol” with South Tyrolean cooked ham. There’s also house-brewed beer.

Also worth a detour is the Gelateria Seta. The long queue in front of the ice cream shop basically says it all and the wait is worth it: the ice cream is really excellent.

Moment of indulgence #6: Through apple orchards to the Fragsburg Waterfall

After so much good food it’s time for some exercise. And there are more than enough opportunities for that around Meran: numerous hiking trails and scenic excursion destinations such as the Knottnkino invite you to explore the surroundings on foot. If you want to take it easy, there’s a worthwhile destination right on the doorstep of Castel Fragsburg: the Fragsburg Waterfall with an impressive drop of 135 meters.

You should allow about an hour for the round trip. Just follow the signpost “Waterfall”: the path first leads along Fragsburgstrasse to the forest edge and from there on a gravel path through the woods to a viewpoint overlooking the waterfall. A wonderful little digestion walk after all the culinary moments of indulgence.

Moment of indulgence #7: A bath of blossoms for all the senses

Back at Castel Fragsburg one last moment of indulgence is on the program. The hotel is home to the “Castellum Natura”, a spa whose concept is based on traditional knowledge about herbs, plants and their uses. South Tyrolean naturopath Renate De Mario Gamper plays a central role. If you talk to her, you quickly notice how deeply connected she is to nature and what an impressive knowledge she has about herbs, blossoms, roots and their uses.

Many of these grow right outside the door: herbs and flowers are hand-picked in the Fragsburg Soul Garden or gathered in the surroundings and form the basis for essences and care products freshly made in Castellum Natura. The treatments also follow this philosophy and are tailored to individual needs after a personal consultation. The offer is complemented by a light-flooded relaxation and sauna area with a Finnish sauna, herbal bio-sauna, Turkish steam bath and infrared cabin.

My personal highlight, however, awaits in the Panorama Lodge: an alkaline flower bath with the hotel’s own spring water, alkaline salts and freshly picked flowers and leaves. The setting alone makes the treatment something special. Surrounded by the scent of blossoms and with views of the greenery, it’s easy to switch off and do nothing for a while. A pretty perfect end to our indulgent weekend in Meran.

Practical tips for your indulgent weekend in Meran

• Getting to Meran: Meran is located in Südtirol in northern Italy and is reachable from Zürich by public transport or car in around 4.5 hours.
• Where to stay: Castel Fragsburg is a seasonally run hotel and is generally open from around April to early November. You can find more information on the Hotelwebsite.
• Getting around in Meran: The center of Meran is best explored on foot.
• Sights in Meran: In addition to the promenades presented in the post, the Meraner Lauben and the Tappeinerweg, there’s much more to discover in Meran. Among the best-known sights are, for example, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle. A good overview of all sights and current opening hours is provided by the official website der Kurverwaltung Meran.
• Market days: The Bauernmarkt in Galileistrasse takes place year-round on Saturdays from 8 am to 12 pm. The Meraner Markt in the upper Freiheitsstrasse near Sandplatz will be held in 2026 from March 28 to October 31 on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.