Discover Oltradige and Bassa Atesina

Oltradige and Bassa Atesina feel noticeably different from much of South Tyrol. The landscape becomes softer, warmer and more Mediterranean. Vineyards stretch across the hills, cypress trees appear beside old farmhouses, and life seems to move at a slightly slower pace.

Wine shapes the identity of the region almost everywhere. Towns such as Caldaro, Termeno and Appiano are internationally known for wines like Gewürztraminer and Lagrein. Vineyards, wine cellars, historic manor houses and narrow rural roads create a landscape that feels elegant without trying too hard.

The region is also home to some of South Tyrol’s most beloved lakes. Lake Caldaro and the Montiggl Lakes are popular during summer, while the small Lake Fennberg remains quieter and more hidden among forests and mountain slopes. The kind of place people tend to describe with phrases like “we almost don’t want to tell anyone about it”.

Traditions remain deeply connected to everyday life here. In Termeno, the famous Egetmann carnival still plays an important role in local culture, blending humour, costumes and centuries-old customs in a way that feels both chaotic and remarkably organised. Somehow very South Tyrolean.

Historic towns such as Egna reveal another side of the region. Long arcades, narrow streets and old trading houses still reflect the importance of the valley as a historic route between northern Europe and Italy.

One of the most fascinating places is Castelfeder, a hill between Ora and Montagna covered with archaeological remains, dry meadows, forests and ancient walls. The area has been used as a settlement and ritual site for centuries and still carries a strange sense of quiet significance.

Toward the Mendola Pass, the landscape slowly rises back into the mountains, while farther south near Salorno, the influence of Trentino becomes increasingly visible. Few regions in South Tyrol show these cultural and geographic transitions as clearly as Oltradige and Bassa Atesina.

This is a perfect area for travellers who enjoy slow exploration, local culture, lakeside evenings and landscapes best experienced without rushing. Preferably with good wine somewhere nearby.