The Arcades connect Piazza Duomo with Piazza del Grano. They were built, according to tradition, in the middle of the 13th century, in accordance with the wishes of Meinhard II, Count of Tyrol, as a center for merchants and craftsmen. Since the 14th century the Arcades have been divided into "The River Arcades", on the side nearest the river Passirio and "The Mountain Arcades" on the side nearest the mountain.
You can reach Merano by car: from the north Munich – Rosenheim – Kufstein (A12 Inntal Freeway, obligatory toll) – Innsbruck (A13 Brenner Freeway, obligatory toll) – Brenner (A22 Brenner Freeway, obligatory toll) – Bolzano (Exit Bolzano South) – Merano (MEBO-Highway) Munich – Garmisch – Innsbruck – Brenner (A22 Brenner Freeway, obligatory toll) – Bolzano (Exit Bolzano South) – Merano (MEBO-Highway) Alternative: Brenner – Vipiteno – Passo Giovo – Val Passiria – Merano Ötztal – Passo Rombo – Val Passiria – Merano from the west Ulm – Kempten – Füssen – Fernpass – Imst – Landeck – Passo Resia (State Road 40 + 38) – Merano Bregenz – Feldkirch – Arlberg – Landeck – Passo Resia (State Road 40 + 38) – Merano St. Moritz – Ofenpass – Münster – Taufers in Muenster – Glorenza – Merano Zurich – Landquart – Klosters – Vereinatunnel – Zernez – Ofenpass – Münster – Taufers in Münster – Glorenza – Merano from the east Lienz – Innichen – Val Pusteria (State Road 49) – (A22 Brenner Freeway, obligatory toll) Bolzano – Merano (MEBO-Highway) – Merano.
As the starting and ending points are situated within the pedestrian zone, we suggest using public transportation. From the train station, the most convenient option is to board one of the city lines (1, 4, or 5) to reach the "Meran, Theaterplatz" stop, followed by a brief 5-minute walk to the city center.
We suggest bringing along a reusable water bottle, easily refillable at the fountains conveniently placed along the route. Water flows in the drinking fountains from spring to autumn. Depending on the weather and temperatures, the fountains are in operation from the beginning/middle of April to the middle/end of October.
There are reserved parking spaces for people with disabilities in Galileistraße. Please note that this is a traffic-calmed zone. Entry to this zone is only permitted if you have deposited your disabled parking permit and your car's licence plate number with the local council Gemeinde Meran in advance. We would also like to note that the Merano Market occurs in the upper Freiheitsstraße on Saturdays until 2 pm (from March to October), making parking unavailable during this period.
Bicycle parking spaces are located in Freiheitsstraße at the junction with Sparkassenstraße and in Galileistraße in front of the town hall. Take care not to park bicycles and e-rollers carelessly. They can pose a danger to blind and visually impaired people as they create obstacles to safely walking along paths and finding entrances. People in wheelchairs and parents with pushchairs can also be hindered by carelessly parked bicycles. Please use the bicycle parking spaces provided.
Please note: Sparkassenstraße and Galileistraße up to the Princes Castle are exclusively pedestrian zones from 10 am to 6.30 pm - bicycles must be pushed.