Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino
Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino (Kaltern an der Weinstraße) is one of the best-known towns in South Tyrol, spread across the hills t...
Updated 20 July 2026
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The story
The story of Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino
The wine town on the South Tyrolean Wine Road
Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino lies in the Oltradige-Überetsch, the hilly area south of Bolzano crossed by the historic South Tyrolean Wine Road, one of Italy's oldest and most appreciated wine-tourism routes. The town spreads over an amphitheatre of vine-covered hills sloping down towards the lake, in an orderly landscape of rows of vines, dry-stone walls and small farmsteads. Its sunny position, sheltered by the Alps, creates a microclimate particularly favourable to viticulture, which has been the area's defining activity for centuries. Travelling the Wine Road through Caldaro means passing a succession of wineries, farm inns and scenic viewpoints, with views ranging from the vineyards to the lake and on to the mountain chain closing the horizon. It is the ideal starting point for exploring the whole South Tyrolean wine route.
Lake Caldaro, the warmest in the Alps
Lake Caldaro (Kalterer See) is probably the town's best-known feature internationally: it is described as the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, thanks to its shallow depth and sunny exposure, which warms its waters as early as late spring. Surrounded by vineyards and a belt of reed beds protected as a nature reserve, the lake offers equipped beaches, swimming areas, boat rental and a footpath and cycle path running around its entire perimeter. It is a very popular destination in the summer months for families and cycle tourists, but also a precious natural environment, a refuge for waterfowl and evidence of the balance between tourism and landscape protection that characterises the whole area.
Kalterersee wine and the historic wineries
Caldaro lends its name to one of South Tyrol's most representative wines: Kalterersee, or Lago di Caldaro, a light, fruity red wine made mainly from the Schiava grape, known in German as Vernatsch. The hills around the town have been planted with vineyards for generations and are home to numerous wineries, both cooperative and family-run, which open their doors for tastings, guided tours among the vine rows and direct sales. The wine culture here is not only about production but also identity and landscape: the terraced vineyards shape the entire municipal territory and accompany every route, from the town centre down to the lake shores. The quality of Caldaro's wines has made the town an essential stop for anyone travelling the South Tyrolean Wine Road.
The Überetscher old town and the Wine Museum
Caldaro's old town preserves the typical architecture of the Oltradige, known as Überetscher: colourful houses with arcades, inner courtyards, stone-framed windows and decorated façades that reflect South Tyrolean Renaissance influence. Walking through the village's streets reveals small squares, historic buildings and views of the surrounding vine-covered hills, in an intimate, well-kept atmosphere. Completing the town's cultural offer is the South Tyrolean Wine Museum, housed in a historic farmstead and dedicated to the history of regional viticulture: tools, barrels, documents and thematic displays illustrate centuries of winemaking tradition, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the bond between the land, the wine and the community's daily life.
Apple orchards, mild climate and hiking
Besides the vineyards, Caldaro's landscape is marked by apple orchards, another pillar of the South Tyrolean agricultural economy, alternating with the rows of vines to create a varied, well-tended agricultural landscape in every season. The mild climate, almost Mediterranean for an Alpine area, favours early spring blossoms and long, warm summer days, making Caldaro pleasant to visit for much of the year. Around the village a network of scenic trails connects vineyards, farmsteads and viewpoints over the lake and the surrounding mountain range, suitable both for gentle walks and more demanding routes towards the nearby heights. The combination of lake, vineyards, orchards and trails makes Caldaro an ideal base for slow tourism, between nature, food and wine, and landscape.
Not to be missed
- Lake Caldaro, the warmest bathing lake in the Alps, with beaches and a lakeside perimeter path
- A tasting tour through the local wineries producing Kalterersee wine (Schiava/Vernatsch grape)
- The South Tyrolean Wine Museum, housed in a historic farmstead
- The Überetscher-style old town, with arcaded houses and Caldaro Castle (Rocca di Caldaro)
- The scenic trails through vineyards and orchards with views over the lake and mountains
To see
What to see in Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino
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Routes in Caldaro sulla Strada del Vino
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