Thinking of buying a property in Italy? It’s a great idea. Italy is a wonderful country with an exceptional climate, breathtaking scenery, delicious food, vibrant culture, and many alluring attractions. We can help you find a suitable property in Italy in five areas: Umbria, Tuscany, Le Marche, Liguria and Piedmont. Here’s a quick overview of each region and what kind of property you can find there.
Umbria
Umbria is the only region in Italy with no coastline. But it makes up for its lack of beaches and fishing villages with a superb range of mountains and smaller hills on either side of the River Tiber. Its jewel is central Italy’s largest and arguably most romantic lake – Lake Trasimeno – while the Cascate delle Marmore waterfalls near Terni must be visited to experience their full beauty.
Driving through Umbria will soon make you understand why the region is called the “Green Heart of Italy”. Its valleys are covered by luxuriant forests that are a hiker’s paradise. Fields are full of wildflowers from early Spring to late Autumn. Ancient Roman towns, beautiful architecture, the remains of Etruscan settlements, the medieval town of Assisi … the list goes on. And we haven’t even mentioned Perugia, Umbria’s main city that teems with cultural and architectural masterpieces and has one of the most extensive museum collections in Italy.
Real estate in Umbria is as varied as the scenery. We are convinced that you can find your dream property here. This could be a luxury villa with an all-year-round swimming pool amidst olive groves, a traditional Umbrian farmhouse perched on a hill overlooking a verdant valley, or an apartment in a medieval castle by the side of a bubbling river. Italian Property Finder will be delighted to help you find your property of choice in beautiful Umbria.
Tuscany
One of the most stunningly beautiful regions of Italy, Tuscany (particularly the city of Florence) is considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. Here, some of Italy’s most influential and legendary scholars, artists and visionaries flourished, such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Not surprisingly, Tuscany is known for its outstanding repository of art, from extraordinary paintings and sculptures to frescoes and architectural masterpieces. The region includes no fewer than seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
But you don’t need to be an art connoisseur to enjoy Tuscany. It’s a region of hills for hiking, plains for cycling, mountains for skiing, and a gorgeous 300-kilometre coastline for sunbathing. And, of course, gourmets and wine buffs descend on Tuscany to enjoy the simple yet wonderful cuisine and wine. Travelling to Tuscany is easy at any time of the year, with airports at Pisa or just outside the province in Bologna and Perugia. Apart from Florence, other cities worth exploring are Siena, Livorno, Pisa and Grosseto.
If you’re looking to buy a property in Tuscany, you can choose from a wide variety of high-quality villas in Tuscany. Or perhaps your dream is a picturesque rural cottage with views over olive groves. If you want to renovate, you can pick up a real bargain outside the main touristic areas. If the coast attracts you, try looking in the Maremma region in the south.
Le Marche
A region of smaller towns and slower rhythms than many other places in Italy, Le Marche was recently selected as one of the world’s top destinations to retire to. This is no surprise. You could spend years, if not decades exploring the delights of this region without becoming bored. Here are a few highlights.
Le Marche is famous for its monasteries, some of which are open to visitors, such as the Fonte Avellana Monastery. Founded in 980, you can visit its scriptorium (where manuscripts were copied) and eat in the restaurant. We love visiting truffle fairs in late autumn. The Sant Angelo truffle fair in Vado has one of the earliest truffle fairs in Italy. Urbino is a Renaissance gem thanks to its important collections of Renaissance paintings, for example, those in the Ducal Palace.
Fancy a beach trip? Head for Grottammare on the Adriatic Coast and specifically the Riviera delle Palme, where a splendid fortress overlooks the sea. Meanwhile, in Urbania, you’ll be tempted to buy more handmade ceramics than you originally intended because they are simply so beautiful.
Property prices in Le Marche are lower than those in other regions in northern-central Italy. Le Marche thus offers an excellent destination for investment in property. For example, you could pick up an affordable farmhouse with plenty of land and an olive grove or vineyard.
Liguria
With more than ten regional and national parks, marine reserves and conservation zones, Liguria is a nature-lovers paradise. And it’s accessible too, thanks to a network of footpaths, hiking trails and mountain biking paths that will enable you to explore “nature as God intended.” If water sports are more your thing, try kayaking between Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure. Prefer something more leisurely? Hire an e-bike or book a private sailing boat to discover the glorious coastline.
Whatever exercise you’ve enjoyed, afterwards, it’s time to try the countless delicacies that the local cuisine has to offer. These include Liguria’s famous pesto and focaccia, its “cucina bianca” (white cuisine), and food made with alternative flours like chestnut and chickpea.
Highlights of Liguria’s Mediterranean coastline, the Italian Riviera, include the five colourful fishing villages of the Cinque Terre, the stylish resort of Portofino and the multi-faceted city of Genoa with its delightful carruggi, the narrow alleys of the old town.
You’ll never get bored on the 300 kilometres of the Italian Riviera. It has the highest concentration of aquatic mammals in the Mediterranean, making it ideal for a whale-watching excursion. Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities and a great way to discover underwater treasures. For those of a more leisurely nature, try snorkelling, or “sea-watching”, as the Italians call it. Or head inland and enjoy trekking in the mountains amidst stunning landscapes.
Coastal properties are higher in price than inland. However, the popularity of the Italian Riviera means that if you are considering renting out your home, you’ll never be short of a booking. For more affordable coastal properties, the coastal area between Imperia and Genoa is worth exploring.
Inland you can find charming farmhouses, luxury villas and renovated apartments. For under 100,000 euros – and sometimes as little as 60,000 euros – you may be able to find your ideal rural property in Italy to renovate and enjoy. Let us know at Italian Property Finder what you’re looking for, and we’ll keep a close eye on the market for you.
Piedmont
Piedmont literally means “at the foot of the mountains” – in this case, the Alps. In fact, it’s surrounded on three sides by the Alps and boasts the highest peaks and largest glaciers in Italy. Not surprisingly, ski resorts abound, such as Via Lattea and Sestriere.
The region extends from Provence in France in the south to the shores of Lake Maggiore in the northwest. Its hills are dotted with medieval villages and family-run vineyards and crisscrossed by river valleys.
Regional cuisine is a highlight, with cheese fondues, raw meats and rabbit featuring on local menus, while the town of Alba is rich with the smell of hazelnuts and chocolate. Its capital is the bustling city of Turin, where you can enjoy Renaissance and Baroque architecture and hundreds of museums and galleries. Other places to visit are the towns of Cherasco and Ivrea, medieval castles like the imposing fortress at Ivrea, and famous spa resorts such as Acqui Terme and Vinadio.
When it comes to buying a property in Italy, uniqueness is virtually guaranteed in Piedmont. Where else could you find an affordable villa with its own vineyard and breathtaking views over the Alps? Or a country cottage needing renovation that’s sited in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage area? Or an apartment that overlooks a 13th-century castle?
Buy a property in Italy with Italian Property Finder
Whichever region you choose for a property, Italian Property Finder can help you every step of the way. From the initial search through all the paperwork, rules and regulations to the signing of the contract – and even beyond to rental advice. We have an extensive local network and can locate properties that are under the radar. Moreover, we’ll help you get the best deal possible!
Interested in buying an Italian property? Contact Italian Property Finder today.