Inside Cortina d’Ampezzo: a local’s guide to Italian alpine life 

Discover why Cortina d’Ampezzo continues to draw buyers with its balance of nature, privacy and alpine charm 

Ellie Pryor

05 August 2026

2 mins read

Inside Cortina d’Ampezzo: a local’s guide to Italian alpine life — Lago di Limides in the Dolomites © Achim Thomae

Recently in the spotlight with the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Cortina d’Ampezzo offers a distinctive lifestyle that is both elegant and authentic, international in outlook yet deeply rooted in alpine culture.  

Knight Frank partner Abitare Cortina specialises in the mountain region, supporting both Italian and international buyers in finding their ideal home in the Italian Alps. Here, owner and Managing Director Marino Piccolotto shares what makes Cortina so distinctive, along with the enduring appeal of the alpine heritage that defines the area.   

How would you describe the lifestyle and community in Cortina to someone discovering the region for the first time?   

Cortina d’Ampezzo offers a distinctive lifestyle that is both elegant and authentic, international in outlook yet deeply rooted in alpine culture. Quality of life in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is shaped by nature and the seasons, from skiing in winter to hiking and outdoor sports in summer, complemented by a vibrant social dimension grounded in heritage, gastronomy, and village life.   

Here, local life involves strolling along the main shopping street, Corso Italia; visiting historic mountain huts, reachable on foot or on skis; attending sporting events; and celebrating customs connected to alpine heritage and the Ladin language. Gastronomy plays a central role, combining refined international influences with a strong mountain identity. 

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, Veneto

Chalet, 587.98 sqm

Renovation project in one of the Dolomites’ most scenic locations

Asking Price €10.500.000

View Property

Why are buyers drawn to Cortina?   

Cortina is a place that brings together privacy, wellbeing and a strong sense of community. Increasingly, people from large cities are choosing to relocate here, often to offer their children a healthier environment and a higher quality of life, with many enrolling them in local schools. This reflects a broader desire for a slower, more balanced lifestyle immersed in nature. 

More buyers are now looking to Cortina for a home to enjoy throughout the year rather than as a purely seasonal retreat. International buyers, in particular, are attracted by the beauty of the Dolomites, the sense of safety and the timeless charm of the Italian Alps. They also value the abundant sunshine, clean air and the focus on nature and wellbeing that defines life here in every season. 

Where are buyers looking in Cortina?   

Beyond the well-known areas near the centre, panoramic and slightly more secluded locations are attracting growing interest from those seeking greater privacy and a closer relationship with the surrounding landscape. At the same time, Cortina retains a unique historical and cultural structure: the seven regole, ancient institutions responsible for the collective management of land and forests, which remain central to local identity. 

In recent years, Cortina has undergone significant development, with major investments in infrastructure and growing international visibility, partly driven by the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Despite this, it has preserved a clear and recognisable identity, thanks to careful landscape protection, architectural quality and a strong local culture. 

What types of homes define the area?   

The most sought-after features include natural materials, especially wood, spacious terraces, and a design approach that emphasises a direct relationship with the surrounding landscape — an essential element of architecture deeply connected to the mountains and local heritage. The property market reflects this balance, offering alpine chalets, high-end apartments with panoramic views, and historic properties reinterpreted in a contemporary way.  