Chiusa, Italy: The Most Beautiful Hidden Village in the Dolomites

View of the historic church of St. Andrew in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, with a person standing on a bridge overlooking the river and medieval village framed by mountain scenery.

I discovered Chiusa on the drive to Val di Funes, almost by accident. Like many travellers heading into the Dolomites, I was focused on dramatic peaks and famous mountain passes. Then I noticed a cluster of pastel houses gathered beneath a hillside monastery and pulled in for what I thought would be a quick look.

Locals also know the village as Klausen, a quiet nod to South Tyrol’s blend of cultures, and that mix is part of what makes the place feel so distinctive. From the moment I arrived, the pace shifted. Narrow medieval streets, pastel-coloured houses, and the gentle rhythm of daily life felt far removed from the busier Dolomites spots.

What stood out most was the village’s character. Recognised among the Borghi più Belli d’Italia, a designation celebrating the most beautiful villages in Italy, Chiusa combines Italian and Austrian heritage, centuries-old buildings, and everyday local life in a way that feels authentic. It isn’t just scenic; it feels lived in.

What surprised me most was how quickly the village drew me in. I returned the next day, and then once more before leaving the region. Chiusa may not sit beneath towering peaks. Instead, it offers atmosphere, history, and a slower side of South Tyrol many travellers overlook.

So, is Chiusa worth visiting?

Spending time here reminded me that not every Dolomites destination needs dramatic scenery to be memorable. If you’re searching for a beautiful village in the Dolomites, a hidden gem in South Tyrol, or a peaceful stop away from the crowds, this small village is well worth adding to your Dolomites itinerary.

In this guide, I’ll share what makes Chiusa such a rewarding stop in the Dolomites. You’ll find the best things to do, scenic viewpoints, and places to visit nearby. I’ll also cover where to eat, when to visit, and how to include Chiusa in a South Tyrol itinerary. Whether you’re passing through or planning a slower stay, this guide will help you experience one of the Dolomites’ most beautiful hidden villages.

Charming old town street in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, lined with colorful historic buildings, ornate bay windows, hanging signs, and cobblestone pathways.

Chiusa at a Glance

If you’re planning a stop in Chiusa, these quick facts help you understand where it is and how to fit it into a Dolomites itinerary.

Location: Eisack Valley, South Tyrol, northern Italy
Nearest city: Bolzano (approx. 30 minutes south)
Famous for: Medieval old town, artists’ heritage, Sabiona Monastery
Best for: Slow travel, culture, photography, and a quieter Dolomites stop
Ideal visit length: 2–3 hours, or overnight for a slower experience
Best time to visit: Spring through autumn; December for the Christmas market
Altitude: approx. 523 m
Languages: German and Italian
Nearby highlights: Val Gardena, Val di Funes, Seceda
Good to know: Small and walkable; ideal between Bolzano and the Dolomites

This small village is easy to overlook on a map. However, once you see where it sits, it becomes clear why it makes such a rewarding stop between South Tyrol’s valleys and the high Dolomites.

Chiusa at a Glance
Best Things to Do in Chiusa
Where to Eat in Chiusa
Nearby Places to Visit
Where is Chiusa & How to Get There
Best Time to Visit Chiusa
Where to Stay in Chiusa
Chiusa — 1 Day Itinerary
Custom Chiusa Map

Historic building in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, featuring ornate bay windows, teal shutters, flower-filled balconies, and traditional Tyrolean architectural details.

Best Things to Do in Chiusa

Chiusa is the kind of place that reveals itself slowly. Rather than rushing between sights, I found the real joy came from wandering and noticing the details that make the village feel so distinctive.

Wander the Medieval Old Town

The historic centre is compact but full of character. Narrow lanes weave between pastel buildings and painted facades, while small archways open into quiet courtyards. Look for faded frescoes, carved wooden doors, and artisan workshops tucked into ground-floor spaces.
Between them, you’ll find cute boutiques selling local crafts and regional products, the kind of places where you might discover something unique to South Tyrol.

Piazza Parrocchia

This small square is where everyday village life unfolds. Sitting here with a coffee gives you a feel for Chiusa’s rhythm.
Keep in mind that if you visit on a Sunday, most shops will be closed. However, restaurants remain open, making it a lovely place to enjoy a relaxed meal.

Parrocchia di Sant’ Andrea Apostolo

This parish church reflects centuries of local faith and history. The interior is peaceful and worth stepping inside during your wander.

Ponte Sant’ Andrea

From the bridge, you’ll get one of the best views back toward the old town, with the monastery hillside rising beyond.

Stadtmuseum Klausen

This small museum explores the village’s artistic heritage and its history as a meeting point for travellers and painters.

Eisacktaler Kellerei

This cooperative represents the winemaking traditions of the Eisack Valley. The region is known for crisp alpine white wines shaped by its mountain climate.

Take in the Views Above the Village

As you climb, Chiusa’s rooftops layer beneath you. From above, the pastel colours and compact streets feel timeless. Early morning and late afternoon light are especially beautiful.

Walk the Via Crucis to the Church of the Holy Cross

The Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) path climbs gently above the village. At the top, the Church of the Holy Cross is simple but beautiful. Step inside to see the frescoes before taking in the valley views.

Torre del Capitano (Burg Branzoll)

This tower stands above the village and can be seen from many angles. You can walk up for a closer look. Although privately owned and rarely open, the path offers beautiful views over Chiusa and the Eisack Valley.

Medieval street in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, lined with ornate pastel buildings, carved bay windows, wrought‑iron signs, and cobblestone pathways.

Historic cobblestone street in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, leading to the tall Gothic bell tower of St. Andrew’s Church, with alpine-style buildings on both sides.

Historic cobblestone street in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, lined with colorful medieval buildings, ornate wrought‑iron signs, and traditional alpine architectural details

Sunny town square in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, with leafy trees, outdoor café seating, bicycles, and traditional alpine buildings with shuttered windows.

Aerial view of Sabiona Monastery and Branzoll Castle above vineyard-covered hills in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, surrounded by alpine landscape and village rooftops

Sabiona Monastery perched on a steep rocky hillside above Chiusa (Klausen) in South Tyrol, surrounded by dense green forest and a clear blue sky

Where to Eat in Chiusa

Despite its size, Chiusa has some excellent places to eat. Menus reflect the region’s Alpine traditions and Italian influence, and nowhere feels rushed or overly touristy.

Torgglkeller

Set in a vaulted cellar, perfect for trying South Tyrolean classics and seasonal dishes.

Gasthof Klostersepp

A historic inn just outside the centre serving comforting regional food.

Restaurant Walter von der Vogelweide

Refined regional cooking with a slightly more elegant touch.

Gassl Bräu

Lively and welcoming, pairing house-brewed beer with hearty local dishes.

Zum Hirschen

Traditional in style, with seasonal ingredients and regional flavours.

Gasser Bäckerei

Ideal for breakfast or an afternoon stop, with fresh pastries, bread, and good coffee.

Historic gastropub ‘Albergo al Cervo’ in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, featuring a painted facade with alpine murals, shuttered windows, and an outdoor terrace with umbrellas and café seating.

Nearby Places to Visit

One of the things I appreciated most about Chiusa was how much variety sits within easy reach.

Bressanone (Brixen) — 15 minutes from Chiusa

Elegant arcaded streets and a beautiful cathedral square.

View of Brixen Cathedral in South Tyrol Dolomites framed by stone archways, showing twin bell towers with detailed clock faces and a person walking in the foreground.

Val di Funes — 30 minutes from Chiusa

Peaceful valley with iconic Odle peak views.

Panoramic view of Val di Funes in the Dolomites, with rolling green meadows, alpine farmhouses, a small village church, and dramatic jagged mountain peaks in the background, with a person standing on a path overlooking the valley.

Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) — around 30 minutes away from Chiusa

Europe’s largest high-altitude alpine meadow, with rolling green pastures and dramatic Dolomite backdrops in every direction. Spend the morning wandering the gentle trails, then stop at a traditional mountain hut for lunch with a view. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down and stay a little longer.

Sunkissedblonde.travels at Golden sunrise over the rolling meadows of Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites, with wooden alpine huts, mist in the valley, and a person standing on a sunlit hillside.

Ortisei — 35 minutes from Chiusa

Colourful houses, boutiques, and a relaxed village atmosphere.

Ornate red alpine building with white decorative woodwork and flower‑filled balconies in the town of Ortisei, Val Gardena in the Dolomites, set against a forested mountain backdrop.

Seceda — about 1 hour via Ortisei from Chiusa

Cable car access to one of the most dramatic ridgeline views in the Dolomites.

Iconic Seceda ridgeline in the Dolomites featuring layered rock formations, grassy slopes, and misty Sunrise light over the mountains with Laura Sunkissedblonde.travels standing at the viewpoint.

Bolzano — 30 minutes from Chiusa

Italian piazzas meet Alpine architecture. Visit the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, home to Ötzi the Iceman.

Person walking along the cobblestone market street in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Dolomites surrounded by colorful historic buildings and open‑air stalls selling fresh produce and local goods.

Val Gardena — 35 minutes from Chiusa

Gateway to classic Dolomites scenery and hiking trails.

Person walking along a winding mountain trail in Val Gardena in the Dolomites surrounded by green meadows with yellow wildflowers and dramatic rocky peaks in the background

For my full Guide to the Dolomites check out my Rexby Guide Here

Where is Chiusa & How to Get There

Chiusa sits in the Eisack Valley between Bolzano and Bressanone, just off A22 Brenner motorway. Take the Klausen/Chiusa exit and follow signs to the historic centre.

Its position along the valley floor makes it easy to reach and simple to include while exploring South Tyrol.

Parking tip: I parked just outside the village in Via Città Alta and walked in. The historic centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly.

By train: Chiusa is on the Brenner railway line with regular regional trains connecting Bolzano and Bressanone. From the station, it’s about a 10-minute walk into the village.

Mountain village of Chiusa scene in South Tyrol with a tall Gothic church tower, pastel houses, and a hillside castle above, with a person walking across a flower‑lined bridge

Best Time to Visit Chiusa

Chiusa can be visited at any time of year. The experience shifts slightly with the seasons, but the village’s charm remains the same.

Winter (Dec–Feb)
Christmas markets and occasional snow.
Temperatures: −3°C to 6°C

Spring (Mar–May)
Fresh greenery and fewer visitors.
Temperatures: 7°C to 20°C

Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm days and lively piazzas.
Temperatures: 20°C to 30°C

Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Golden vineyards and harvest traditions.
Temperatures: 5°C to 20°C

Spring and autumn offer the calmest atmosphere, while December adds festive charm.

Where to Stay in Chiusa

Staying overnight allows you to experience Chiusa once the day visitors leave, when the streets grow quiet and the village feels at its most atmospheric.

Person swimming in the outdoor infinity pool at Seehof Nature Retreat in South Tyrol, surrounded by forested shoreline and lakeside loungers under umbrellas.

Hotel	Stars	Location	Why Stay Here
Hotel Goldener Adler	★★★★	Chiusa-Klausen	Historic hotel in the old town with traditional character and an ideal walkable location.
Hotel Bischofhof	★★★★	Chiusa-Klausen	Peaceful vineyard setting above the village
Hotel Ansitz Gamp	★★★	Chiusa-Klausen	Historic manor surrounded by gardens and vineyards
Brunnerhof	★★★	Chiusa-Klausen	Warm, family-run stay with beautiful valley views and excellent value.
Forestis Dolomites	★★★★★	Above Bressanone	Minimalist mountain retreat focused on nature, wellness,
Hotel Elephant	★★★★	Bressanone	Historic elegance, peaceful gardens, in the town centre.
My Arbor	★★★★★	Near Bressanone	Contemporary forest retreat with sweeping views and an exceptional spa.
Seehof Nature Retreat	★★★★	Varna	Lakeside alpine retreat offering tranquility, nature immersion, and a highly regarded spa.

Chiusa — 1 Day Itinerary

Whether you arrive for a few hours or give it a full day, Chiusa has a gentle rhythm that’s easy to settle into. I’d spend my time wandering the old streets, walking above the rooftops, and pausing for good food and valley views. Here’s how I’d spend a day.

Whether you arrive for a few hours or a full day, Chiusa has an easy rhythm that’s simple to settle into.

Morning

Wander the old town, step inside Sant’ Andrea Apostolo, cross Ponte Sant’Andrea, and pause in Piazza Parrocchia for coffee.

Late Morning

Walk the Via Crucis to the Church of the Holy Cross and enjoy valley views.

Lunch

Return to the village for a relaxed meal.

Afternoon

Browse boutiques, visit Stadtmuseum Klausen, or stop at Eisacktaler Kellerei.

Evening

Find a final viewpoint and watch the light soften over the rooftops.

Narrow cobblestone alleyway in Chiusa (Klausen), South Tyrol, lined with pastel buildings, shuttered windows, hanging lanterns, and a view of green hills and a farmhouse in the distance.