If your plan is to move to Italy, or if you wish to purchase a vacation property there, this article will provide you with a few ideas on where to actually relocate and/or purchase a property. Italy is home to some of the most stunning locations, however, it is impossible to describe all of them in one article so we have selected a few that we believe are worth mentioning.
At the bottom of the page you will also find a podcast where you can learn more about Italy’s charming coastal towns.
Italy has some of the most stunning seaside locations in the world. Some are very well known and very popular among tourists, but there are also a few that do not get as crowded with tourists as you may think. This is the case of Sardinia, for instance, which is one of the two biggest islands off the coast of the Italian peninsula. Sardinia is one of the least populated regions in Italy, therefore even during the summer when tourism hits its peak, this region does not get too busy. Sardinia is an ideal place for people who enjoy breathtaking views and a quiet and relaxing environment. In April 2022, the average price for residential properties for sale was 2.215 euros/m2. The most expensive and sought-after villas are in Northern Sardinia, and more specifically in Costa Smeralda, San Teodoro and in the Gulf of Arzachena. These places are very famous both for their beaches and for the night life and the luxury shops. On the other hand, the least expensive properties are located in the Sardinian hinterland in the towns Barumini, Isili and Samugheo, to name a few. In these towns, a house in the historic center can cost approximately 50,000 euros.
If you prefer a more exotic location then you might consider the region of Apulia, which has become famous for the so-called “Le Maldive del Salento”, (in English they are referred to as the Maldives of Italy), with their wonderful sandy beaches and extremely crystal clear and clean water. A town which is definitely worth visiting in the province of Bari is Polignano a Mare, which is perched upon limestone cliffs overlooking the azure sea. The historic old town has many panoramic terraces offering views of the Adriatic Sea. Santa Cesarea Terme in the ‘heel’ of Southern Italy in the province of Lecce is also a beautiful coastal spot, which sits atop a rugged plateau overlooking the sea. The town is characterized by an architectural style typical of the early 20th century, while the coast is punctuated with thermal springs and natural caves. Santa Cesarea Terme is not as popular with international tourists as it is with Italians themselves, which makes it all the more authentic. Indeed, Apulia attracts many tourists from all over Italy, especially from the north, as well as many foreigners and it has become particularly popular among British, French and Americans. Indeed, Apulia has witnessed a serious boom in tourism in the past ten years and the trend continues to grow. Therefore, investing in a property in this region has excellent growth potential and currently prices are great value for money. Furthermore, there are properties to meet every budget, from the iconic trulli, the fairytale farmhouses which are sold for 25.000 euros, to modern 2 bedroom villas offered for 65.000 euros.
Therefore, luckily, these areas can be quite affordable if you want to buy real estate or you want to move there permanently. In fact, the most expensive seaside areas are Liguria in the northwest and the Amalfi Coast in the south. In particular, in Portofino-Santa Margherita Ligure (Liguria), for instance, the average price for a property is of 5189.18 euros/m2. As for the Amalfi coast, perhaps the most famous spot is Positano due to its rustic charm and wisteria-draped hotels, which also make it most photogenic town in Italy and therefore, it is also the most expensive spot on the coast. Furthermore, due to its position, its visitors can travel by boat to the nearby islands of Capri, Ischia and the Grotta dello Smeraldo. As for property prices, the average price in Positano is 8.486 euros/m2 whereas in Capri it is 8.264 euros/m2. Among the most expensive seaside towns in Italy for buying a holiday home are also Forte dei Marmi, Bonassola, Anacapri, Ravello, Sperlonga and Minori. On the other hand, Calabria’s Tropea Promontory is mid-priced; the average property price is 890 euros/m2.
It is important to bear in mind that many towns by the sea become deserted during winter. However, in the countryside towns and the cities, life goes on all year round. This is also the case for Venice, for instance, which is close to the coast but has tourism all year round. Mestre is another area which is worth considering as it is close to Venice and has good transportation links to Venice and to the islands of the Venetian lagoon, such as the famous Lido, Murano, Burano, Torcello and Mazzorbo. Owning a property in these locations also offers a good source of income should you decide to rent it.
If you would like more information about this topic please watch our podcast below. Finally, if you would like more information about the process of purchasing a property in Italy, please send us an email at info@italianrealestatelawyers.com. We will be glad to assist you!
