The second-most populated community in Italy's northernmost region, South Tyrol, is Meran, frequently called Merano. German speakers outnumber Italian speakers in this picturesque town surrounded by mountains on three sides and 33kms northwest of its nearest airport in Bolzano. There are a total of 4,739 rooms in Meran hotels, many of which are housed inside historic castles. Several more castles contain museums such as the South Tyrol Museum of Tourism and its botanical garden, housed inside Trauttmansdorff Castle. The Princely Castle Museum is located inside a 15th century building, while the Jewish Museum is situated inside South Tyrol's only synagogue. A white marble statue of the Austrian Empress Elisabeth, who visited Merano no fewer than four times during her lifetime, stands at the entrance of the summer promenade. Another relaxing local walk, Tappeiner Walk, takes visitors near majestic Mount St Benedetto and a River Passiro ravine. The river runs through the middle of Merano and has hosted several world class canoeing competitions. An equally world class thermal spa centre has been located on the river's opposite bank since the 1970s.

other spellings: meranhotels, muran otel, muran hotell, merran hote, merran hotes