Fruit market square and Portici

Piazza delle Erbe is where the fruit market is held every day in broad daylight, in a long and narrow street turning like a snake that for some reasons is considered to be a square. It was created by a local Aristocrat at the end of the 13th century, in contraposition to Piazza del Grano where another market was held, but controlled by the bishop. At the intersection of the market with Via dei Portici, don’t miss the fountain depicting Neptune, locally called Gabelwirt. Being a complete pedestrian area, you can enjoy your visual and olfactive experience in total safety. Piazza delle Erbe is also where the nightlife is concentrated at night. While Bolzano is considered to have a quite poor night scene, if you come here in the week-end, you’ll see plenty of people hanging out and drinking beer, mainly high school students who have moved to the city from the valleys surrounding Bolzano.
Two popular pubs in this area are the Nadamas and Hopfen & Co, offering local beer brands and food. From Piazza delle Erbe begins the long street of the Portici, the arcades, extending all the way beyond Walther Square. It’s the main commercial street of the city lined up on both sides with porticoes protecting never-ending lines of shops.