Where to buy property in Italy
Deciding where to buy property in Italy can be a tough decision to make. It’s a beautiful country from the Lakes on the border with Switzerland, all the way down to Sicily 1,200 kilometres south, and from Sardinia in the west to Trieste in the east.
For some, deciding on a location may be a no-brainer, it could be as simple as choosing your favourite holiday destination. For others, there are other factors to consider depending on how you’ll use the property.
Once you’ve established your intent and budget for the property, consider those factors that could affect your lifestyle there.
Lifestyle factors influencing your choice
Italy, with its rich history, diverse landscapes and enviable lifestyle, is a dream destination for property buyers. However, it’s essential to consider several factors before making your purchase. Let’s explore the key aspects that could influence your decision.
Climate
Italy’s climate varies from the sun-soaked coastlines in the south to the cooler northern regions. In summer, it’s all generally hot, but in winter the north, including Lombardy, Piedmont and some of Tuscany, is chillier and wetter.
Sicily, Puglia and other southern locations do experience winter weather, but generally are warmer and sunnier.
Altitude also plays a part. If you love to ski, don’t think you have to stay near the Alps. In Italy you can even as far south as Sicily, with several ski resorts down the spine of the mainland too.
Amenities
Consider the availability of local amenities, including shops, restaurants, hospitals and schools. If you’re moving with children, you’ll find numerous international schools in major cities like Rome and Milan and in regions popular with expatriates, like Tuscany.
Whether you drive or prefer amenities within walking distance, evaluating local facilities is crucial to understanding your potential day-to-day life in Italy.
Accessibility
Assess the transport links, including proximity to airports and public transport. Some regions in Italy may have seasonal flight schedules, potentially making your property harder to access during off-peak months. However, if you’re considering property near major cities like Rome or Milan or areas popular with overseas buyers, such as Tuscany or Lombardy, accessibility should not be an issue.
Italy also has a good train network, with beautiful double-decker trains zipping along high-speed lines.
Property price
Property prices in Italy can vary significantly. Major cities like Milan, Rome and Florence tend to have higher prices per square meter. Coastal locations like Liguria and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia also command higher prices due to their popularity and great weather.
Cities with the highest prices: Florence, Milan, Lucca (more than €2,900/m²) while Rome, Rimini and Aosta Valley (€2,700-€2,900/m²) are slightly more affordable.
Cities with the lowest prices: There are lots of cities across Italy where the average home is less than €1,100 per m². They include all cities south of Potenza (in the shoe part of Italy’s boot), Molise, Perugia, Rovigo, Alessandria, Asti, Vercelli, Biella and Pordenone.
[Seeking an affordable Italian home? Read our top tips to buying in Italy without breaking the bank]
Popular locations for international buyers
Tuscany
It is little surprise Tuscany remains the most sought-after region in Italy with foreigners. The region is known for its tree-covered rolling hillsides and vineyards, and the grandeur of its historic towns and cities that include, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, San Gimignano, and Montepulciano.
Tuscany is admired as a place of culture, art, and sophisticated rural life, attracting both tourists and house buyers. The British have been buying property here for many years and prices have soared since those early days, so you’ll find a thriving expat scene at high values in popular areas.
However, Tuscany is big, and there are plenty of of bargains out there in quieter areas, like the Lunigiana or Maremma.
Discover Tuscany / Gain expert insight with our guide to buying property in Tuscany
Abruzzo
On the east coast, over the Apennines from Rome, the Abruzzo region is divided into four provinces, L’Aquila, Pescara, Teramo and Chieti. It has many lovely towns and villages to explore.
Lovers of nature will be instantly won over by the rugged landscape of Abruzzo, home to numerous national parks and the wildlife that call them home. The region offers a unique combination of natural beauty and low prices – plus skiing.
Sicily
The island of Sicily is also incredibly beautiful, both naturally and architecturally. The water surrounding the coast is crystal clear, and the olive groves and vineyards covering the undulating hills of the interior look like something out of a storybook. Add in an active volcano, fascinating historical attractions including Greek temples, amphitheaters, and Baroque palaces, and it is little wonder Sicily is such a popular spot with tourists.
Sardinia
Sardinia is an island of contrasts. The north coast is famed for luxury holiday resorts, but the south has equally beautiful beaches and more affordable real estate. The centre of Sicily is known for its agricultural communities, old-fashioned towns and a slow pace of life.
The island boasts a warm climate and clean beaches, but high property prices mean that it’s not a viable option for everyone. Porto Cervo and Costa Smeralda are two of its most exclusive spots. You can find reasonably priced properties outside of the Costa Smeralda.
Puglia
On the heel of Italy’s stylish “boot” is the unique and charming region of Puglia — also widely known as Apulia. The region enjoys long hot summers and mild winters, 500 miles of coastline. It’s a great place to indulge in the famous Mediterranean diet as fresh local produce is in abundance. Plus, there are countless friendly communities that make Puglia a lovely place to buy a home.
There are five Puglian provinces: Foggia, Bari, Taranto, Brindisi and Lecce, but it is the southern half — collectively called Salento — that attracts most holiday home buyers.
Umbria
Umbria is known as “The Green Heart of Italy” and consists of just two provinces, Perugia and Terni. It is nestled among the Apennine Mountains and is the only Italian region that borders neither sea nor another country. Rich in history, art and religious heritage, many famous saints come from Umbria, including St. Francesco of Assisi. Umbria’s economy is mainly based on agriculture and industry. So, along with tourism, these are the areas offering the most work opportunities.
Italy’s main cities
Rome
As the capital city, Rome is a bustling place to live, with all of the cultural and work opportunities you would expect. There is a growing British expat community that live and work in the city’s beautiful historic surroundings. They’ve learnt to combine work with a more relaxed Italian outlook on life.
While Rome’s busy tourist trade can make some purchases expensive, property prices are generally cheaper than in other European cities. Rome also has a good variety of healthcare options for English speakers, including both public and private hospitals.
Milan
Milan, the financial hub of Italy, entices international property buyers with its vibrant city life and modern infrastructure. It offers high-end shopping, world-class dining and a thriving arts scene, including the famous La Scala Opera. Its strong economy and excellent transport links, including a major international airport, make it a strategic choice for investment. Moreover, the city’s diverse range of properties, from historical apartments to modern lofts, caters to a variety of tastes and budgets.
Florence
Florence is a real open-air museum containing countless beautiful buildings, including the Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, The Baptistry of San Giovanni, Santa Maria Novella, Palazzo Vecchio, the Pitti Palace, the Uffizi Gallery and not forgetting the Ponte Vecchio bridge across the Arno River.
A small apartment in Florence can cost upwards of €175,000. Of course, you will pay a premium for a place in the historic centre or with views of famous sites. For a home in a prestigious area, maybe a palazzo with frescoed ceilings, you’ll need a starting budget of €500,000.
Arezzo
Arezzo is an amazing city known for its goldsmiths and antiques traders. Among its highlights are the Medici Fortress, the Cathedral, the Diocesan Museum and the Basilica of San Domenico. The city is also home to an Archaeological Museum and a Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. Within the province there are other interesting towns and villages, like Cortona and San Giovanni Valdarno.
You can find castles and religious buildings across the province, some of which you can even buy. Moreover, you can find three-bedroom stone homes near Arezzo for under €300,000.
Lucca
Lucca is unique among Tuscan cities. It has maintained its wide city walls and turned the top of them into a park circling the old town. It’s a place to walk, cycle and relax. The town has several pretty piazzas, most notably the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, the site of an ancient Roman amphitheater. You can also soak up the atmosphere in Piazzale Verdi, Piazza Napoleone and Piazza San Michele. The area combines good holiday rental prospects with very reasonable property prices.
Siena
Siena is a magnificent city of art with characteristic alleyways, towers, artisan shops and beautiful buildings. The city is famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year. The surrounding area has characterful villages, such as San Quirico d’Orcia or San Gimignano, Montepulciano and Castiglione d’Orcia. You can still find apartments and town houses at good prices here.
Pisa
Pisa is only an hour from Florence and its airport is most used by tourists coming to Tuscany. There are good B&Bs within a few minutes’ walk of the airport, offering travellers a good night’s sleep before an early morning flight. The town has a nice local feel to it, and of course the highlight is the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Duomo and Baptistery. There are many lovely stone houses in Pisa with all the traditional Tuscan features. You can still find well priced properties in and around Pisa — a two-bedroom stone house in the countryside can cost around €400,000
Emerging real estate markets in Italy
While traditional hotspots remain popular, several emerging markets offer excellent investment potential.
Naples
Naples is rising in popularity among foreign buyers in Italy who benefit from the city’s affordable property market which is significantly lower than in other major cities. This appeals to both residential buyers and commercial investors.
Palermo, Sicily
Recently popularised by American TV series, The White Lotus, the capital of Sicily, is another emerging market. With its beautiful Baroque architecture and growing tourism, the city is seeing increased interest from both local and international buyers.
Bologna
Known for its high quality of life and strong educational institutions, Bologna is attracting young professionals and students, which is driving demand for rental properties, thus attracting property investors.
Bari
Located in the southern region of Puglia, Bari is gaining popularity due to its coastal charm and improving infrastructure. The city is well connected, thanks to its airport and port, which make the city a strategic location for investors, both commercial and residential.