Jannik Sinner and San Candido are two names now inextricably linked in the history of Italian tennis. The talented athlete, fresh from winning Wimbledon and with four Grand Slam titles to his name, hails from this village in the Puster Valley, having been born here on 16 August 2001. But what is San Candido like? And what is there to see? Here’s what you need to know about Sinner’s hometown.
Where is San Candido? The village in the Puster Valley
This small Alpine village sits at around 1,175 metres above sea level, surrounded by a landscape dominated by the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. San Candido’s strategic location, just a few kilometres from the Austrian border, makes it a place where different cultures and languages coexist. Nearby municipalities include Sesto, where the tennis star grew up, Dobbiaco, and, across the border in Austria, Innervillgraten and Sillian.
Getting to San Candido is fairly straightforward, whether you are travelling from Italy or Austria. The village lies along the SS49 Puster Valley road, the main route linking Brunico with Lienz in Austria. If you are driving from Bolzano, the capital of South Tyrol, the scenic journey takes around two hours and runs the length of the Puster Valley.
Alternatively, the rail connection is particularly efficient: the regional Puster Valley railway line allows you to reach San Candido directly from Brunico, with frequent and comfortable trains.
What to see and do in San Candido
Like many mountain destinations in the area, San Candido is full of things to do. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, a nature lover, or curious about history and culture, this village has plenty to offer.
The trails winding through the Three Peaks Nature Park offer breathtaking views of the Sesto Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are suitable for both families and experienced hikers. In winter, the area transforms into a paradise for snow sports, with alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing among the many activities you can enjoy.
There are also several sights worth visiting in San Candido. Don’t miss the Collegiate Church of San Candido, one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in the Alps, and the Church of San Michele. Other highlights include the central Piazza San Michele and the Wildbad Baths, a former thermal spa. Finally, be sure to visit the DoloMythos Museum, dedicated to natural history, and the Chapter Museum.
Sinner’s life in the Puster Valley
Today, Jannik Sinner lives in Monte Carlo, but his sporting journey is deeply intertwined with the Puster Valley, particularly with San Candido and Sesto, the places where he grew up both as an athlete and as a person.
From a very young age, Sinner excelled not only in tennis but also in alpine skiing, a sport widely practised in the Puster Valley. His childhood was divided between the snowy slopes and the tennis courts. Although Sinner achieved excellent results in giant slalom, winning a major prize at just seven years old, he made the definitive switch to tennis around the age of thirteen, when he chose to dedicate himself fully to the sport.
This decision marked a turning point in his career: he left the Puster Valley to train in larger centres, eventually moving to Bordighera to train at the renowned academy of Riccardo Piatti, the coach with whom he would part ways in 2022. Academically, he attended secondary school at the Walther Technical Institute in Bolzano, the provincial capital.
Living in San Candido
But beyond its stunning landscapes and the many outdoor activities to enjoy both in winter and summer, what is life like in San Candido? One of the most appreciated aspects of living in San Candido is the quality of life. The air is clean, services are efficient, and the level of safety is high.
The village also frequently hosts cultural events, traditional markets, concerts, and sporting events. On a practical level, San Candido offers a hospital, sports centres, shops, and a train station that provides convenient connections with the rest of South Tyrol and with Austria.
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