Buy real estate in Trentino-Alto Adige — about the region

The most northerly of the regions of Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige offers buyers of real estate some interesting choices. Not least of it is that this clunkily named region is in fact two regions stuck together. With much of the flavour of its neighbouring Germanic countries, Trentino-Alto Adige is a fascinating blend of north and south. It also enjoys a large degree of autonomy from central government, a 1948 statute guaranteeing that it is the locals running things and not Rome. This lovely north Italian region has some beautiful property for sale.

The Alto Adige portion only joined Italy in 1919. Before that it was part of Austria, and known as South Tyrol (a provenance reflected in the Tyrolean flavour of its wooden chalets, domed churches, snowy peaks and sauerkraut and strudel on the menu). The then leader of Italy, Mussolini, tried to make the region instantly Italian by naming it after the upper (Alto) reaches of the River Adige, which runs through the region. Many of the ethnically German inhabitants opted to move to Germany, while more stayed but became more Germanic than ever, clinging to language, food and culture. Today, you’ll find street names in German and Italian. Head south to Trentino, and you’ll find things conducted almost exclusively in Italian, the menus, conversation and buildings changing quite dramatically.

Where to buy real estate in Trentino-Alto Adige and how much

Why would you want to buy real estate in Trentino-Alto Adige? Top of the list might come some simply stunning scenery. The region borders Switzerland and Austria and nestles amidst the Alps and the Dolomites, with their characteristically steep and jagged peaks. There is marvellous skiing, excellent trekking and horse riding on these slopes, and tourism now vies with agriculture and wine as the fulcrum of the economy. Though sparsely populated this is an affluent region.

In fact Trentino-Alto Adige has the second lowest population density in Italy (only Valle d’Aosta has fewer people per square mile), with the mountain folk having deserted the peaks since the 19th century. For those wishing to buy a home in Italy, that offers a combination of outdoor activities, plenty to do, but unspoiled emptiness, Trentino-Alto Adige is hard to beat.

Buy real estate in Bolzano (Bozen) or Trento

The respective capitals of Trentino and Alto Adige are Trento and Bolzano, and the two take it in turns as capital. Bolzano (or Bozen) is a thriving town of just under 100,000 people — the university, founded in 1997, contributing greatly to the economy and buzz of the town. Bolzano airport connects to Rome and Naples, though if you are buying real estate in Bolzano you may elect to drive down from central Europe. Bolzano sits at the head of the Strada di Vino (Wine Road) and has a great white wine tradition, being best known for its Chardonnays. This ancient market town today has a thriving cafe and bar society and a lovely relaxed vibe. Expect to pay from around €2000 per square metre for real estate in Bolzano, with town centre apartments and pretty old houses good bets.

Trento is home to some 105,000 people. This Italian Renaissance town is dramatically overshadowed by Monte Bondone, is encircled by the mountains, and is only three hours’ train ride from Venice. Real estate in Trento is a good bet because, like Bolzano, it forms not just a transport centre, but is the hub of the Alpine valleys that radiate out like spokes from the town. Thus Trento is a marvellous base for those looking to buy property in Italy to feed their skiing and hiking habit. Cortina d’Ampezzo and Madonna di Campiglio are just two of the top-notch ski resorts that lie nearby.

Property prices in Trentino and Alto Adige

Property tends to be rather cheaper in Trentino than Alto Adige because of different property inheritance laws, with many rural estates being subdivided between families, down into ever-smaller parcels of land. Adventurous property investors in Italy should look for the continuing supply of abandoned mountain properties. Even a well-maintained maso — the archetypal wooden, shingle-roofed house — can be had for around €1500 per square metre. And with the skiing and hiking seasons neatly dovetailing to cover 12 months, you can be confident of getting holiday lets for your Trentino-Alto Adige property, should you need to.

At the other end of the scale was the recent sale of the former mansion of British cigarette tycoon Alfred Dunhill. 800 square metres of fairytale Alpine castle, with an indoor pool, three terraces and huge wine cellars, set within a 1600 square metre estate … yours for €3.2m.

Real estate for sale in Trentino-Alto Adige — airports and communications

Property buyers in Trentino-Alto Adige are well situated for reaching central Europe. The main A22 highway runs up through the centre of the region, via Trento and Bolzano and to the Brenner Pass, through the Alps into Austria and central Europe. There are major airports at Venice, Verona, Brescia and Forli. Should you be planning a flying visit to this area, you're more than likely to be staying in hotels for a night or so; ahotelinitaly.com feature thousands of Italian hotels, all with full online booking, and have many hotels in Trentino.

A large part of buying real estate in Italy is the delight in discovering fine regional (even village) specific cuisine, as well as the reliably good Italian staples. Trentino-Alto Adige is no exception, its Italo-German background throwing up a lively mix. You’ll find good hearty soups, plenty of game (often served with fruits such as bilberries and plums), rye and black breads, freshwater trout and strudels, goulash and sachatorte.

Even as you travel into Italian Trentino you taste a German influence, with speck, bread dumplings and salt beef complementing the pastries and polenta. Both halves of the region are superb for wine, with more DOC wines produced here than anywhere else in Italy. Watch out for Pinot Grigios and Chardonnays, good Trentino Classico spumante sparkling wine, reds such as Teroldego and Schiava, and the vin santo dessert wines.