Villandro
Villandro (Villanders in German) is a small municipality in the Valle Isarco (Eisack Valley), South Tyrol, perched on a sunny moun...
Updated 17 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
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The story
The story of Villandro
Villandro: the Valle Isarco village above Chiusa
Villandro sits on a broad, sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Valle Isarco, just above Chiusa, in a position that combines altitude, light and views over the surrounding mountains. The village, of ancient origin, developed over the centuries an economy tied to mountain farming, forestry and, not least, the mining activity that deeply shaped its history. The settlement keeps the typical atmosphere of Valle Isarco villages, with stone-and-wood houses, flower-decked balconies and the parish church dominating the village skyline. Villandro belongs to a wider area made up of scattered farmsteads, hamlets and alpine pastures, spread across a territory that climbs from the valley floor up to the highest elevations of the Alpe di Villandro. This variety of landscapes, from vineyards to chestnut woods to alpine grazing land, makes the municipality a small world of its own, authentic and still less crowded than other destinations in the area.
The Villandro mines: silver, copper and gold
Beneath the woods and meadows of Villandro lies an extensive network of tunnels known as the Villandro mines (Bergwerk Villanders), among the most important mining complexes in the whole historic Tyrol. For centuries silver, copper and, to a lesser extent, gold were extracted here, employing generations of miners and contributing to the region's wealth in medieval times and beyond. The galleries, dug at different elevations into the mountain, bear witness to mining techniques that evolved over time and know-how passed down through generations. Today part of the site has been restored and opened to visitors, allowing guests to walk through the tunnels once used by miners, discover their tools and understand the living conditions of those who worked underground. Visiting the Villandro mines is today one of the most original experiences in the Valle Isarco, telling a lesser-known yet fundamental side of alpine mining history.
The Alpe di Villandro, one of Europe's largest alpine pastures
Above the village opens the Alpe di Villandro (Villanderer Alm), a vast grassy plateau considered one of the largest alpine pastures in Europe. Here the landscape changes completely compared to the valley floor: rolling meadows, scattered mountain huts, grazing herds and an open horizon over the Dolomites and the surrounding Alps. Reachable on foot or by lift from Villandro, the Alpe is an ideal destination for walks of every level, from short family strolls to longer routes toward the peaks around it. In summer the plateau comes alive with grazing cattle and mountain huts serving traditional alpine dishes, while in winter it becomes a venue for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The sheer size of its meadows and its relative tranquility compared to other, more touristy alps in the area make the Alpe di Villandro a perfect place for those seeking space, clean air and an authentic connection with the alpine environment.
Valle Isarco wine and chestnuts: Keschtnweg and Törggelen
Villandro lies at the heart of the Valle Isarco wine region, an area known for its aromatic white wines grown on sunny, high-altitude terraces. Around the village, vineyards alternate with extensive chestnut groves, protagonists of another great local tradition tied to autumn. The area is crossed by the Keschtnweg, the Chestnut Trail, a hiking route connecting several Valle Isarco villages through centuries-old chestnut woods, farmsteads and small hofschank taverns. In autumn, as chestnuts ripen, the traditional Törggelen is celebrated: a Tyrolean custom combining a walk with tasting the new wine and traditional dishes such as canederli dumplings, speck and roasted chestnuts, often served in farmhouses and mountain inns along the way. For visitors coming to Villandro during this season, pairing a hike with Valle Isarco wine and chestnuts is one of the most genuine ways to experience the rural culture of this part of South Tyrol.
Hiking and surroundings: Chiusa and Bressanone
Villandro is an excellent starting point for exploring the Valle Isarco on foot, thanks to a network of trails connecting the village to the Alpe di Villandro, mountain farmsteads and nearby villages. Just a few minutes by car away lies Chiusa, a medieval town perched on a rocky spur, with its characteristic historic center, arcades and the nearby Sabiona convent overlooking the valley from above. A little further north is Bressanone, one of the oldest towns in Tyrol, with its cathedral, frescoed cloister and history-rich old town streets. Those staying in Villandro can alternate high-altitude hikes, cultural visits to the valley's villages and moments dedicated to wine and food, making the most of the village's central position relative to some of the Valle Isarco's most iconic destinations. This combination of nature, mining history, urban culture and food-and-wine tradition makes Villandro a versatile base for a stay in South Tyrol.
Not to be missed
- Villandro Mine (Bergwerk Villanders): guided tour through the silver, copper and gold galleries
- Alpe di Villandro (Villanderer Alm): hiking on one of Europe's largest alpine pastures
- Villandro historic center: Tyrolean houses, flower-decked balconies and the parish church
- Keschtnweg (Chestnut Trail) and the autumn Törggelen at local farmhouses
- A day trip to Chiusa with the Sabiona convent, and to the town of Bressanone
To see
What to see in Villandro
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Routes in Villandro
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