The best wedding photo spots in South Tyrol depend on your venue: pick the place within 15 to 20 minutes of where you celebrate, and keep far-away spots such as the Sella Pass or the Tre Cime for a separate shoot. The question about the best photo spot usually comes too early. First you know where you celebrate, then you look for a spot nearby. For couple photos in the middle of the wedding, 15 to 20 minutes of driving is the maximum, otherwise you are away from your guests for too long. For anything further, there is a shoot on another day.
The map
In the valleys: vineyards, promenades, old towns
Here it is warm, distances are short, and you are quickly back at the party. Good for weddings in Merano, Bolzano, Oltradige and the Eisack Valley (Val d'Isarco).
| No. | Place | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tappeiner Promenade, Merano | Palm trees, view over Merano, Mediterranean feel | Popular walking path, quieter in the evening |
| 2 | Vineyards of Oltradige (Überetsch) | Vines, Lake Caldaro (Kalterer See), warm evening light | In September the grapes hang on the vines, and the harvest begins |
| 3 | Earth pyramids at Ritten (Renon) | Unusual rock spires above the valley | Short walk, bring flat shoes |
| 8 | Bressanone (Brixen), old town and cloister | Arcaded lanes, the cloister next to the cathedral | Ask first whether photos are allowed in the cloister |
| 9 | Brunico (Bruneck), town lane | Colourful facades, town gates, castle above | Early evening, before the lane fills up |
In the Dolomites: alpine meadows and rock walls
The pictures many couples come to South Tyrol for in the first place. The weather matters more here than anywhere else, and the way up takes time. How long the drive from Naturno takes is on the page Wedding in the Dolomites.
| No. | Place | What you get | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) | Wide meadows, Schlern and Langkofel behind you | Road closed to cars during the day, plan for the cable car or the evening |
| 5 | Val di Funes (Villnöss) | St. Magdalena and St. John in Ranui in front of the Odle (Geisler) peaks | You need to register for the churches |
| 6 | Sella Pass | Rock walls of Sella and Langkofel up close | Above 2,200 metres, only with a weather plan |
| 7 | Val Badia (Gadertal) & Alta Badia | Ladin farmhouses, meadows, rock walls | Quieter than Val Gardena |
| 10 | Plan de Corones (Kronplatz) | All-round view over the Val Pusteria (Pustertal) | Take the cable car, check the timetable |
| 11 | Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee) | Turquoise water, wooden boats | Strict access rules in summer, most beautiful early in the morning |
| 12 | Tre Cime (Drei Zinnen) | The best-known peaks of the Dolomites | Toll road and a hike, better for a separate shoot |
When to go where
- At the weddingA place near the venue, 30 to 45 minutes, ideally in the hour before sunset.
- The morning afterWell rested, no guests, dress on once more. Good for the Seiser Alm or Val di Funes.
- A day of its ownFor the Sella Pass, Lake Braies or the Tre Cime. With a backup date in case the weather does not cooperate.
The most beautiful place does not help if you arrive and the sun is already gone. I always plan the couple photos around the light first, and only then the place.
Gabriel Höllrigl, wedding photographer from Naturno (South Tyrol)- Check beforehandSunset time on your date, and how far the spot is from your venue
- Check beforehandAccess, cable car times, registration for churches
- BringFlat shoes and a warm jacket for up there
- BringA blanket to sit on, water, something to eat
More about places where you can celebrate in South Tyrol is in the overview Wedding venues in South Tyrol. How to stay relaxed in front of the camera: Not into posing?
Frequently asked questions
Where are the best places for wedding photos in South Tyrol?
It depends on where you celebrate. In the Dolomites, popular spots are the Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi), the Sella Pass, Val di Funes (Villnöss) and Val Badia (Gadertal). In the valleys, look at the vineyards of Oltradige (Überetsch), the Tappeiner Promenade in Merano and the old towns of Bressanone (Brixen) and Brunico (Bruneck).
Do you need a permit for wedding photos in South Tyrol?
At most public places you do not. For churches such as St. Magdalena and St. John in Ranui, for private land, and at Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee) with its access rules, you should ask or plan ahead.
How far should the photo spot be from the venue?
At most 15 to 20 minutes if you take the couple photos in the middle of the celebration. For further places such as the Sella Pass or the Tre Cime (Drei Zinnen), a separate shoot on another day is worth it.
When is the best light for couple photos?
In the hour before sunset. In June that is around 8 pm in Bolzano, in October already around half past five. In narrow valleys the sun disappears earlier.
Can we take the photos on a different day?
Yes, an after-wedding shoot takes the pressure off the wedding day. You have time, can travel further and can wait for good weather.