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Breganze and Thiene

If you've ever thought of living in Italy, the towns of Breganze and Thiene are great options.

I know everybody always thinks of Rome, Florence, or Venice whenever they think of living in Italy, but although these cities are great to visit, they aren't always where you'd want to live.

So many other factors need to be considered when moving to Italy, things like health care, schools, public services, and the opportunities for finding work. In all of these, Thiene and Breganze rank among the best in Italy.

Plus, the locals are really friendly, and the towns are lovely, with hills painted with vineyards and towering mountains on your doorstep.

On your doorstep, too, are Venice, Vicenza , Padova and Asolo.

What more could one ask for?

If you do visit this area, stay at Casa Lidia, which is tucked away in a country setting just outside of Breganze and offers impeccable service and a perfect location for exploring not only Breganze and Thiene but also nearby gems like Bassano del Grappa and Marostica.

How about we head off to explore both towns? We'll start with Breganze:

Breganze

In Piazza

The main piazza is where all the town gets together on weekends and after work on weekdays. You can't really miss it, as the piazza is huge and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta dominates the entire town. Join in and order yourself an aperitivo at Bar Mazzini.

Santa Maria Assunta

Hills and Vineyards

Walk a little outside of town, and you'll soon reach the rolling hills, covered with vineyards, that make the town such a lovely place to be. This old barn is one of my favorite spots, it almost looks as if it has been painted in pastels.

Vineyards near Breganze

Farm in Breganze

Villas & Farmhouses

Some famous villas and a lot of picturesque old farmhouses are to be found in and around town. Many of them have been restored, while others still need a loving owner to bring them back to their former glory. Could that owner perhaps be you? There are some real bargains to be had. Not quite for a euro, but then that euro thing is mostly just a marketing scam, as we discussed in our 1 Euro House article.

Restaurants

Near the main piazza in town are a number of good restaurants serving traditional dishes and catering to locals. Well, they don't have a choice, as there are no tourists to cater to, and I can pretty much guarantee you'll be the one and only tourist for the day.

In most towns in Italy, tourists come to see the town; here, the locals come out to see the tourists. You may well be asked a lot of friendly questions; people are so excited when they see somebody loving their town as much as they do.

Which restaurant should I choose? I'd suggest the Trattoria al Cappello, which is the restaurant on the right-hand side of the picture below.

Trattoria al Cappello

Thiene

Tucked away in the gentle hills of northern Veneto, Thiene is one of those towns that steals your heart quietly. It doesn’t shout for attention—but give it a little time, and you’ll start to wonder why more people don’t know about it. Life here moves at a relaxed pace. You’ll see locals chatting over coffee in sunny piazzas, families strolling past elegant villas, and a rhythm of life that still values tradition, community, and quality of life.

The jewel in Thiene’s crown is without a doubt Villa Thiene-Cappello, a striking example of Venetian Gothic architecture that gives the town a touch of grandeur. But there’s more—small artisan shops, charming boutiques, and regular markets bring the streets to life. It offers all the practical comforts of a modern town—schools, shops, services—wrapped in an atmosphere that’s unmistakably and irresistibly Italian. And best of all? You’re close to everything: Vicenza, Venice, and the mountains are all within easy reach.

Thiene isn’t just a place on the map—it’s a place you’ll want to return to. Or never leave.