Brixen lies comfortably within the picturesque Val d'Isarco area of the Dolomites in the Alto Adige region of Italy, just south of Austria. Due to its complicated location and history, the city has been entangled in a bit of an identity problem for quite a while now. While Brixen remains convinced it’s a part of Austria—even though it has been a part of Italy since the end of World War I—every town in the city has two names, an Austrian and an Italian one, and even the mountain range sports two monikers, the Dolomites or South Tyrol. Brixen (if you are looking at the sign from the north) or Bressanone (if you are looking at the sign from the south) is no exception. Most of the people speak German at home and walk around in lederhosen with alpine hats, making it a bit tough to nab a primo plate of pasta here.
Brixen’s charm is one of its greatest assets. The old walled city with its ancient churches, monasteries, cloisters, and castles indicate the importance this town has had since the 11th century. The old city located in the center has beautiful arcades, a picturesque square with a baroque cathedral, a convent with a large frescoes dating from the 14th century, and much more of historical and cultural interest.
The area offers a wide variety of activities including alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, hiking and more. The Sport center has a sauna, jacuzzi, and outdoor heated pool. In the warm weather you can enjoy the golf course, driving range, paragliding school, skateboard park, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, sightseeing, and more. There are designer shops, restaurants, and some of the most marvelous red and white wines that can be purchased at a very reasonable price. Just about everything here is very reasonably priced compared to bigger, more well known ski resorts.
Located about 80 km from the International Airport in Innsbruck, Brixen can be accessed by using either a car or by public transportation. Coming from the North on motorway "Brenner" (A22, toll) or on the old route of "Brenner" via Innsbruck and "Brennerpass" (motorway exit routes Brixen North, Pustertal and Klausen) you arrive directly in the holiday region Brixen/Eisacktal. Alternatively, there is a train station in Brixen for all IC- and EC-trains on the route Innsbruck-Brenner-Verona; local trains also stop at the stations of Klausen and Waidbruck.