The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle climb the hillside above Merano across 12 hectares of terraced botanical landscape, arranged in four themed garden areas: the Terraced Gardens with panoramic views, the World Garden with plants from five continents, the Forest Garden with native Alpine species, and the Sun Garden in the castle's sheltered courtyard. The collection contains around 80,000 plants from several hundred species, many of them unusual in this alpine latitude but thriving due to Merano's exceptional microclimate.
The gardens are exceptionally well-maintained and well-signposted, with information available in German, Italian, and English. The views down the Adige valley from the upper terraces are excellent. The castle itself contains a museum focused on Empress Elisabeth, the history of South Tyrol as a tourism destination, and the story of the garden's restoration. The adjacent Touriseum (South Tyrol Museum of Tourism) within the castle is worth an hour if you're interested in the history of alpine travel culture.