„One cannot leave homeland. It is in our head. And it is in our soul“
(Horst Bienek)
Villabassa
Nested in the east to west running Hochpustertal/Alta Pusteria valley is Niederdorf/Villa Bassa. The village has a safe location in the Dolomites and boasts, thanks to a favourable altitude of 1,154 meters, ideal conditions for a healthy and relaxing holiday, in winter and summer.
Niederdorf / Villabassa has a proud tradition as a mountain spa resort, as the locality was among the first places to attract tourists in the Pustertal/Pusteria valley and many famous personalities have sought relaxation here.
Niederdorf / Villabassa is a noble locality in the heart of the Hochpustertal/Alta Pusteria valley, surrounded by the unique scenery of the Dolomites. Surrounded by rich forests, the area enjoys a healthy climate which is particularly suited to a spa break.
An oasis for recreation:
The park extends over an area embracing 5 hectares throughout the center of town. The Kurpark (literally “cure park”) well measures up to its name. Among the features spread throughout the extensive recreation area, one discovers an inviting lake, fancifully set in the surroundings, with a versatile stage suitable for a variety of cultural events, comfortable stands for spectators, floodlit tennis courts and a covered boccia court. Senior visitors will find here a pavilion especially for them. Along with the many footpaths, an equal number resting spots await those on foot, be it walking or jogging.
In addition to the large playground for young kids, with a swing, slide and sandbox with digging shovel, there is an adventure landscape where children 12 and up can rollick and romp as much as they please. Among the attractions there are a tree house, a giant vine for swinging and a gorilla slide. There is also a balancing tree for kids to test their agility, and they can finish off on the climbing tree or by sliding down the pole. And for those who tire out after all that fun, there is a hammock to fall into and take a nap in. Another attraction for kids is the water play area, offering sluices and dams for controlling the course of the stream.
The botanical nature trail, providing knowledge of plants and animals in the park, is an educational experience.
Top destinations in Villabassa & the surrounding arearead more
A memorable holiday in Hochpustertal
- racing downhill… on the summer bobsleigh-run “funbob” on the Haunold
- test your limits and overcome your fear by climbing rocks in Toblach
- experience nature & culture on organic farms in Prags
- watch the different stages of the cheesemaking process in the “Drei Zinnen” dairy in Toblach
- at the “Dolomythos” museum in Innichen you will learn a lot about the crystals of the Dolomites
- the romantic mountain lakes Pragser Wildsee, Antholzer See, Toblacher See und Misurina See
- numerous castles and stately homes like Michelsburg, Schloss Sand in Taufers and Schloss Bruck in Lienz
- watch the different stages of the production of loden cloth and loden coats in the “world of loden” in Vintl!
- the Monte Piana open air museum offers an impressive 360° panorama and is a memorial of World War I. If you are interested in this topic, we also recommend you to visit the Grande Guerra open air museum in Cortina.
- trip to the Großglockner: reaching 3.798 m, the Großglockner is not only Austria's highest mountain but it is also among the highest summits in the Eastern Alps. The panoramic road to the Großglockner offers magnificent views as well as some adventure playgrounds for children!
- go on an easy cycling tour to Lienz
- The South Tyrolean regional museum of folklore in Dietenheim is an open air museum that gives you an insight into the regional life of the past. The farmhouse Mair am Hof dating back to 1700 is the heart of the museum.
- In the Assling wildlife park in East Tyrol you will see roedeer, deer, chamois, marmots, lynxes, wildcats, pot-bellied pigs and many other animals! In addition, Assling has a summer sledge run, an adventure playground, a nature trail and a farmer's shop.
- reindeer on the Rotwand... you can see real reindeer on the Rotwand; in winter you can ride in a carriage pulled by them
- The Sexten national park is a special area within the mountains of the UNESCO world heritage of the Dolomites. The national park covers an area of 11.635 hectares and extends over the territory of the villages of Innichen, Sexten and Toblach. The area of theThree Peaks of Lavaredo offers numerous walks and climbs!
- The world's biggest clock, the so-called Sexten mountain sundial, consisting of the five Dolomite peaks Neuner (meaning “nine”), Zehner (ten), Elfer (eleven), Zwölfer (twelve) and Einser (one), is a unique spectacle of nature.
- The sports of rafting, canyoning and paragliding will get your adrenalin flowing
- Bruneck: the fifth MMM – Messner Mountain Museum is being created by Reinhold Messner in Bruneck castle. Every year inhabitants of a different mountainous region – Sherpas, South American Indians, Tibetans, Mongolians, Hunzas – will be invited to spend the summer at the MMM and to give visitors an insight into their way of life. Don't miss the MMM near Bozen!
- The so-called Wichtelpark (an adventure park for children) to the south of Sillian offers its visitors a great variety of activities and recreation. A little motor-racing circuit is popular especially with younger children. Those who like a lot of action will appreciate the slide on ropes high up in the air as well as seesaws, family swings, climbing walls, slides, water games and a crazy golf course with 18 holes. While the children romp about in the park, their parents have the possibility to prepare lunch or dinner on a charcoal grill in a romantic corner of the park.
- The underground climatic tunnel & mining museum in Prettau
- The South Tyrol Museum of Archeology in Bozen with Ötzi on display: here you can see the 5,000-year-old mummy of the Iceman
- In Meran you can visit Trauttmansdorff Castle with its botanical gardens which were chosen as Italy's most beautiful gardens some years ago
Citiesread more
Lienz (ca. 50 km)
Lienz, the beautiful chief city of East Tyrol, also called “Pearl of the Dolomites“, offers both a wide cultural programme and relaxation in its surrounding nature.
Lienz, the “Pearl of the Dolomites” and chief city of East Tyrol, is located at the confluence of the rivers Isel and Drava, between the Hohe Tauern mountain range in the North and the Gailtal Alps in the south. Not only thanks to its Mediterranean climate but also because of its numerous leisure time possibilities and its good reputation as shopping city make of Lienz a very popular holiday destination. From June to September, when the beautiful main square is reserved to pedestrians, tourists can even better enjoy the city, strolling across the little shops or savouring a Cappuccino in the sun.
Very worth to be visited is also Bruck Castle (13th century), which hosts the museum of the city of Lienz and a special exhibition with paintings of Albin Egger-Lienz, the famous East Tyrolean artist. Moreover, the Tammerburg Castle is a popular venue for concerts and various performances. To those particularly interested in culture we also recommend to visit the Phonomuseum, whose exhibition pieces range from antique music barrels to old record players. In Lienz, you may also visit the only evangelic church of East Tyrol, and the Parish church of Lienz, which hosts one of the most precious Baroque altars of Austria. And if you feel like doing a trip outside of the city, don’t miss “Aguntum”, the famous Roman excavation site.
Bruneck - Brunico (ca. 25 km)
The municipality of Brunico stretches round the local mountain Plan de Corones and offers a series of highlights such as the MMM Ripa
Brunico is located in the centre of the Val Pusteria, it is the chief village of the district and the main meeting point in the holiday area. Beside the city itself, the municipality comprises the villages of San Giorgio, Stegona, Villa Santa Caterina, Ameto, Teodone and Riscone and comprises a territory from 812 m in the valley up to the summit of the Plan de Corones at 2,277 m.
Brixen - Bressanone (ca. 60 km)
Medieval episcopal see in the Valley of Trails
Brixen, the oldest city in Tyrol, celebrated its one-thousand-year anniversary in 2001; it has been the episcopal see for as many years. The town’s millennium-long history as the seat of the bishop – together with the changes of time – has granted this Alpine town on the Isarco River its dignified countenance today. Ancient lanes, squares and medieval arcades characterize the historical city center. Brixen is chock full of treasures and attractions ranging from the main cathedral to Hofburg Palace and from the district of Stufels to the Cusanus Academy.