They call it the sunny terrace of South Tyrol because of the sweeping vistas that Falzes offers its visitors. The town is located in the Italian region of Trentino Alto Adige, in the heart of the Pusteria valley and the Dolomites, only a few kilometers from Brunico.

I want to bring you along as I explore this small town, which is extremely popular, especially in Summer.  

As I write this article I’m sitting on my room’s balcony, overlooking Lake Issengo and enjoying a cup of tea. Here the pace of life is as slow as the snowflakes falling from the sky right now.

On my Facebook page, I once wrote that “Trentino is the only place where I can completely detach from reality. Here I can ask myself deep questions and only here I can find the answers I’m looking for”. These are not just words, it’s the truth. Perhaps, the slower pace of life one can experience here grants me the time to know myself better. And so, every time, I leave with a deeper knowledge of who I am and what I want.

I love feeling this way. This is why I promptly decided to write down my thoughts. I don’t want to wait until I get back home. I know that my impressions will have melt like snow in the sun, by then.  

WHERE IS FALZES LOCATED?

In South Tyrol, not far from the border with Austria. The small town of Falzes is about 8 km from Brunico, 40 km from Dobbiaco and 75 km from Bolzano. This is the Valle Aurina, the heart of the Dolomites.

Having spent the past few days here, I found out that Falzes is quite popular in Summer because it’s so easy to get here from various large cities. Even though it’s well connected, the town still manages to be worlds apart from the bustling cities nearby.

THE BEST THING TO DO IN FALZES?

In Falzes there’s something for everybody:

• Those who love being active will find that there are plenty of opportunities around Falzes for trekking or cycling. You can go to the sunny and serene Val Pusteria, where the trails travel through relatively easy terrain or to Alta Via di Fundres, which is better suited for expert hikers and cyclists.  
• Sun-lovers and relaxation seeker will be happiest in Summer. The beaches along Lake Issengo are perfect for sunbathing, whilst its cold waters provide some much-needed relief during the hot summer days.  
• Adrenaline junkies will love Kronaction, an adventure park with climbing walls, trampolines, slingshots and more.
• Fans of winter sports can head to the nearby ski resort of Plan de Corones. 119 km of pistes, 32 modern lifts, it is one of the best ski resorts in South Tyrol. The pistes usually open from the end of November to March-April. Check the official website for more info.

THE BEST RESTAURANT IN FALZES

ISSINGER: this popular restaurant and pizzeria can be found right by the lakeshore. I personally haven’t tried it but it’s got really good reviews. Although this isn’t a budget restaurant, they regularly run promotions so I suggest you take advantage of it! If you’re looking for a particular dish to try, know that their blueberry ice cream is quite famous. When I went I only got a hot chocolate and it sure tasted amazing, so if it’s any indication of the food you’ll get during a meal you’re in for a treat.

PLATZL TRATTORIA: this is a budget-friendly restaurant and pizzeria, serving traditional South Tyrolean dishes. It is located in Brunico, in Via Santa Croce n.4. At lunchtime, you can opt for a set menu (when I went the first course was canederli with speck and salad followed by roast, sauerkraut and baked potatoes) but you can also choose one (or more!) dishes from their à la carte menu.

To get a better idea of how much you can spend here, take a look at the list below:

Set menu: €12

Risotto: €8

Average price of a main course: between €7 and €15

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions!

Valentina