Egna
Egna (Neumarkt in German) is one of the most charming small towns of the Bassa Atesina (Unterland), in South Tyrol, set along the...
Updated 17 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
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The story
The story of Egna
A small town in the Bassa Atesina on the Wine Route
Egna lies at the heart of the Bassa Atesina, the southern area of South Tyrol that stretches along the Adige valley between Bolzano and the border with Trentino. The town stands exactly along the route of the South Tyrolean Wine Route, one of Europe's oldest wine itineraries, which links wineries, vineyards and historic villages from Nalles all the way to Salorno. Thanks to its strategic position, Egna has for centuries been a landmark for travelers along the valley, both for trade and, today, for food-and-wine tourism. The mild, sunny climate, favored by the basin sheltered by the surrounding mountains, has made this area particularly suited to viticulture, helping to make Egna an essential stop for anyone wishing to discover the authentic flavors of South Tyrol.
The old town, arcades and erker bay windows
The heart of Egna is its old town, one of the best preserved in the entire region and recognized among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy. The main street is lined with long arcades, known as Lauben, which shelter passersby from summer sun and winter snow as they stroll among shops, cafés and craft workshops. Looking up, visitors notice the erker, elegant wooden or stone bay windows projecting from the facades of noble houses, often decorated with frescoes, coats of arms and architectural details that recall the wealth of the merchants who once lived in these buildings. Together, the arcades, erker, cobbled squares and narrow lanes create a unique atmosphere, making Egna one of the most photographed and admired towns in the Bassa Atesina among visitors from across Europe.
A merchant past along the Brenner route
Egna owes its architectural richness to the role it played for centuries as an important merchant town along the Brenner route, the ancient artery that connected Northern Europe to Italy across the Alps. The town developed as a stopping and trading point for merchants carrying goods, wine and textiles between the two cultural areas, becoming a lively commercial crossroads as early as the Middle Ages. The arcades themselves were originally built for this practical function, offering shelter for displayed goods and merchants' stalls. This commercial vocation has never entirely faded: even today Egna retains an identity linked to trade and hospitality, visible in the liveliness of its arcaded streets and in historic businesses that pass down crafts and traditions from generation to generation.
Vineyards, orchards and markets
Around the town of Egna stretches a carefully tended and productive agricultural landscape, made up of orderly vineyards and orchards that color the valley in every season. The sunny hills of the Bassa Atesina are particularly suited to growing red and white grapes, while apple orchards thrive in the valley floor, making South Tyrol one of Europe's most important regions for apple production. This combination of wine and fruit is reflected in the historic markets that still animate Egna's squares and arcaded streets, where local producers offer typical products, from local wines to cheeses, cured meats and fresh fruit. Attending one of these markets is an authentic way to connect with the area's agricultural culture and discover up close the flavors that make the Bassa Atesina famous.
Monte Corno Nature Park and the surrounding Wine Route
Visitors staying in Egna can easily explore the surrounding area, rich in natural landscapes and other stops along the Wine Route. Not far away lies the Monte Corno Nature Park (Trudner Horn), a protected area that shelters forests, high-altitude meadows and a remarkable variety of alpine flora and fauna, ideal for hiking or mountain biking away from the crowds. In the opposite direction, heading south, one reaches Lake Caldaro, one of the warmest swimmable lakes in the Alps, likewise surrounded by vineyards and other wine villages of the area. These two poles, mountain and lake, allow visitors to complete a stay in Egna with varied experiences, from nature walks to lakeside relaxation, never straying too far from the Wine Route and its cultivated landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see.
Not to be missed
- A stroll beneath the Lauben arcades of Egna's old town
- Spotting the erker bay windows on the facades of noble houses
- The historic market in the square, with typical Bassa Atesina products
- A hike in the Monte Corno Nature Park (Trudner Horn)
- A day at Lake Caldaro amid vineyards and relaxation
To see
What to see in Egna
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Routes in Egna
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