by 
Published · 5 min read
Abruzzo lies on the Adriatic side of central Italy, where the high peaks of the Gran Sasso and the Majella fall away through olive-covered hills to a long, sandy coastline. On Realpoint it is one of the most affordable regions in central Italy, and most of what is for sale sits in the hill country of the north, between the mountains and the sea. This guide looks at what is actually for sale in Abruzzo on Realpoint, what different budgets buy, and what to check before you sign anything.
For an introduction to the region itself, its towns and transport links, see our Abruzzo property page.
What’s on the market in Abruzzo
- Houses make up the majority: detached country houses and family homes in and around the hill villages.
- Villas and townhouses are the next largest groups, each roughly one listing in six. Townhouses here are terraced houses in village and town centres.
- Apartments are few, and there is the occasional plot of land or farmhouse.
- Fireplaces, terraces and panoramic views are the most commonly listed features; more than a third of homes mention a view. Swimming pools are less common than in many central Italian regions: fewer than one home in ten has one.
- The typical home has three bedrooms.
One thing the Abruzzo listings don’t tell you consistently is condition. Agents here rarely record whether a home is restored, habitable or in need of work, so read each description carefully and ask the agent before you travel to a viewing.
What does a home in Abruzzo cost?
Asking prices run from under €20,000 to around €2 million at the very top. In practice:
- Half of all homes are listed between about €70,000 and €250,000, and a typical home is around €125,000.
- Around two in five are under €100,000.
- Homes over €1 million are very rare. On Realpoint, Abruzzo is not a luxury market.
Townhouses are the least expensive option, typically around €55,000, followed by apartments. Detached houses are typically around €135,000, and villas cost the most, typically a little over €300,000.
What your budget buys
- Under €70,000: village townhouses and some small apartments and country houses. A low-cost way in, but find out exactly what work is needed. See Abruzzo homes under €70,000.
- €70,000–€150,000: detached country houses and family homes in the hills, many with terraces and views.
- €150,000–€300,000: larger houses, often with more land, and the less expensive villas.
- €300,000 and above: villas and the larger country homes, some with a pool. See Abruzzo homes with a pool.
Where the homes are
Abruzzo has four provinces. On Realpoint, homes are concentrated in the two northern ones: Teramo, which has the most listings, and Pescara. Most are not on the coast itself but in the hill towns inland, between the Gran Sasso and the sea:
- Penne: a historic hill town in Pescara province and the busiest single market on Realpoint in Abruzzo, along with nearby Loreto Aprutino and Montebello di Bertona.
- Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Bisenti, Castilenti and Montefino: a cluster of small towns in the Teramo hills.
- Atri and Cellino Attanasio: hill towns nearer the coast and the A14 motorway.
- Arsita: a village on the slopes of the Gran Sasso, for those who want to be closer to the mountains.
There are only a few listings in Chieti province in the south, and a handful in L’Aquila, the mountainous province around the regional capital. If you are set on the Costa dei Trabocchi or the high mountains, save a search and check back regularly.
Five things to check before buying in Abruzzo
1. Earthquake risk and structural condition
L’Aquila and much of inland Abruzzo lie in earthquake zones, and the city of L’Aquila was badly hit by the 2009 earthquake. For any older building, ask for its structural history and details of any repairs, and have a geometra or structural engineer inspect it before you commit.
2. Post-earthquake repair funding
Some buildings in Abruzzo have been repaired with public post-earthquake funding, or have applied for it. Ask whether any such funding applies to the property you are looking at, and whether it affects the sale or what you can do with the house afterwards. Your notary and geometra can check the paperwork.
3. Mountain homes: snow and winter access
If you are looking in the mountains, think about winter as well as summer. Snow can make minor roads slow or impassable, and a house that is easy to reach in June can be hard going in January. Ask how the road is cleared and who is responsible for it.
4. National parks
National parks cover large parts of Abruzzo, including the Gran Sasso and the Majella. Building rules inside a park are stricter, so extensions, new outbuildings and other changes may need extra permission or may not be possible at all. Check this before you make an offer.
5. Is everything on the plans?
Extensions, verandas and converted outbuildings are not always recorded. Before the preliminary contract, your geometra should confirm that the building matches the land-registry and planning records (conformità catastale e urbanistica). Don’t rely on the sales description for this.
Buying costs in brief
On top of the price, allow roughly 7–15% for taxes and fees, depending on the property and your situation:
- Registration tax when buying from a private seller: 9% of the property’s cadastral (land-registry) value for a second home, or 2% if it will be your main home in Italy, plus small fixed taxes. From a builder, VAT applies instead.
- Notary: required by law for every purchase.
- Estate agent: in Italy both buyer and seller usually pay the agent. Agree the percentage in writing at the start.
- Your own surveyor and lawyer: strongly recommended, especially for older rural homes.
You will also need an Italian tax code: see our guide to getting your codice fiscale. Our article on the 7 most common mistakes foreign buyers make is worth reading before you make an offer.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Always confirm costs and rules with a notary, geometra or commercialista for your own purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find a house in Abruzzo for under €100,000?
Yes. Around two in five of the Abruzzo homes on Realpoint are under €100,000, including most of the village townhouses and many of the apartments.
Is Abruzzo cheaper than Umbria?
On Realpoint, generally yes. Typical asking prices are somewhat lower in Abruzzo than in Umbria, and far lower than in Tuscany.
Can I buy near the sea?
Some homes with sea views are listed, but they are a small share. Most Abruzzo homes on Realpoint are in the hill towns inland, where many listings mention panoramic views. See Abruzzo homes with a sea view.
Start your search
Browse all homes for sale in Abruzzo, or simply describe your ideal home in our AI search, for example “country house with a view near Penne under €150,000”.
Homes for sale in Abruzzo
- €55,000
- €248,000
