Mals, the sunniest locality in all of South Tyrol, is situated at an altitude of 1,050 m (3,445 ft) in the Upper Vinschgau Valley (Val Venosta). The valley lies between the highest mountains of the Eastern Alps: the Ötztalern group to the east, the Ortler group to the south, and the Sesvenna group to the west. Its appeal arises from the great differences which characterize the landscape: glaciers immediately above the bottom of the valley rise up almost to the 4,000 meter (13,000 foot) level, while the valley floor is carpeted with meadows and fruit orchards. Along with the outlying villages of Burgeis, Schlinig, Schleis, Laatsch, Planeil, Plawenn, Ulten­Alsack, Tartsch, and Matsch, Mals has the second largest geographical area of any community in South Tyrol. This community contains 5,054 inhabitants, of whom approximately 1,900 live in the village of Mals itself. It is also the center for commerce and public instruction in the Upper Vinschgau.

[ MALS on Google Maps / Explore Mals with Google Street View ]

The roots of the locality name "Mals" date back to pre­Roman times, thus indicating how ancient the settlement was. The Romanesque towers of the Fröhlichsburg castle ruins, the medieval churches of St. Benedikt, St. Johann, and St. Martin; and the gardens and lanes ringed by walls all give Mals a picturesque aura overflowing with history. The frescoes in the Benedictine Chapel in Mals, along with those in St. Prokulus near Naturns in the Lower Vinschgau, are among the oldest wall paintings in all of Tyrol and, indeed, in the entire German­speaking world, dating back to the time of Charlemagne. In the immediate vicinity of the village are to be found such luring attractions as the 900­year­old monastery of Marienberg, the churches of Söles and St. Stephan that date back to the early Middle Ages, and the walled city of Glurns (Glorenza), which holds the distinction of being the smallest city in all of Italy. The Vintschger Museum in Schluderns provides a window on the archaeological wealth of the valley, while the medieval Churburg castle, with its Hall of Armor and Armaments, renders a unique view of what the life of the knights was like. On the other side of the Malser Haide (the Mals Heath), the breathtaking beauty of the Vinschgau highlands reaches it peak with Lake Reschen, where the church tower of the flooded village of Graun rises up out of the water.
Several public transport connections make convenient day trips possible. The new Vinschgau train running every hour lets the 78-minute-long train journey to Meran become a natural and cultural discovery. Austria (Upper Inn Valley / 12 miles) and Switzerland (Münstair Valley / 6 miles) can be reached by bus service in less than half an hour.

In the winter, the nearby ski area of Watles and the magnificent cross country ski trails at Schlinig offer a variety of recreational vacation options. In addition to these, the Ortler ski area can be reached in less than 20 minutes. For those who are interested in hang ­gliding, Watles offers ideal conditions. On the slightly bent route to Meran, one fo the most beautiful cycle routes in South Tyrol, cyclists will appreciate combined bike and train trips, which are made possible through convenient train connections and bike hire.
The Sports Complex in Mals has available a large indoor swimming pool, an adventure pool, bowling alleys, and tennis courts.
The expansive Oberwaalweg (sunny promenade) is one of the most delightful walking paths in the area. The beautiful park above the village has long provided an area of relaxation.

With all of this available, the market community of Mals in the Vinschgau offers an eventful and refreshing stay to all visitors, no matter whether they are interested in culture, are nature lovers, or are active travelers. And a wide variety of specialty shops lend themselves to leisurely window shopping.