Laives
Laives, known in German as Leifers, is the third most populous town in South Tyrol after Bolzano and Merano, lying just south of t...
Updated 17 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
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The story
The story of Laives
Laives, the town of the Bassa Atesina south of Bolzano
Laives lies on the floodplain of the Adige river, just a few kilometres south of Bolzano, of which it forms a natural urban extension into the Bassa Atesina. With its population, it is the third most populous town in South Tyrol, a fact that may surprise anyone expecting a small mountain village: the urban fabric here is modern and functional, having grown over recent decades to accommodate people who work in the provincial capital but prefer a quieter setting. The town spreads across several hamlets, from the valley floor up to the first slopes, and is served by road and rail links that keep it closely connected to Bolzano. Its position, right at the gateway to the Bassa Atesina, also makes it a natural crossing point toward the wine and fruit-growing municipalities further south, such as Appiano and Egna, and toward the Renon plateau on the opposite side of the valley.
A bilingual town, everyday life and services
In Laives, the coexistence of the Italian-speaking and German-speaking communities is a defining feature of town life: it can be felt in the schools, divided by teaching language as throughout South Tyrol, in street names given in both languages, and in the shops of the town centre. The town has a more residential than touristic character, with orderly neighbourhoods, green spaces, sports facilities and services designed for permanent residents. Shops, weekly markets and small eateries cover everyday needs, while for a wider offer of culture, shopping and entertainment it is easy to reach Bolzano, only minutes away. This combination of residential calm and closeness to the city makes Laives an interesting base for visitors too, offering a less central but convenient foothold in an authentically local setting.
Apple orchards, vineyards and the landscapes of the Bassa Atesina
It takes only a short distance from the centre of Laives to enter the agricultural landscape that characterises the entire Bassa Atesina: neat rows of apple trees alternate with vineyards laid out on terraces and the first slopes, forming a carefully tended mosaic that changes colour with the seasons, from spring blossom to the autumn grape harvest. This fruit-growing and wine-making vocation is not merely a scenic backdrop but the real economy of the area, with farms, wineries and cooperatives that have worked the land for generations. Walking or cycling along the country lanes around Laives, one comes across small farmsteads, direct sales points and views of the Adige flowing through the valley floor. It is a landscape that invites a slower pace, quite different from the more famous images of the Dolomites, yet just as representative of agricultural, productive South Tyrol.
Trudner Horn Nature Park and the trails above Laives
Behind Laives the ground begins to rise toward the woods and pastures that lead into the Trudner Horn Nature Park, also known by its Italian name, Parco Naturale Monte Corno, a protected area extending over the hills of the eastern Bassa Atesina. From here, hiking trails of varying difficulty set off, suitable both for a walk of a few hours and for more demanding routes toward higher elevations. A landmark close to the town is the Peterköfele area, with its small church and the viewpoint overlooking Laives, the Adige and, on clear days, a wide stretch of the Bolzano basin. Climbing through the woods, clearings, isolated farmsteads and views of the surrounding mountains follow one another, offering a natural contrast to the urbanised valley floor, while remaining easily reachable on foot or by a short drive from the town centre.
The Wine Road, nearby lakes and the Bolzano surroundings
Laives sits at a strategic point for exploring the surroundings of both the Bassa Atesina and the provincial capital. To the south runs a stretch of the South Tyrolean Wine Road, linking wineries, wine bars and wine-growing villages as far as Termeno and beyond, a route well suited to short stops by car or bicycle. Not far away lie the Monticolo Lakes, set within a pine forest and surrounded by walking paths, a popular spot for a cool break during the warmer months. Heading north, Bolzano is only minutes away, with its historic centre, museums and arcaded streets, while on the opposite side of the valley the road climbs toward the Renon plateau, with a landscape and climate quite different from those of the Bassa Atesina. This variety of environments within short reach is one of the reasons why Laives works well as a base for a stay in the area.
Not to be missed
- The viewpoint and small church of Peterköfele, overlooking Laives and the Bolzano basin
- A walk among the apple orchards and vineyards of the Bassa Atesina around the town
- A hike in the Trudner Horn Nature Park (Monte Corno)
- The Monticolo Lakes, set in the woods a few kilometres from Laives
- A stretch of the South Tyrolean Wine Road toward Termeno and its wine villages
To see
What to see in Laives
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Routes in Laives
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