Explore Italy, Its Regions, Lifestyle and Property
Discover Italy with Realpoint Property and explore a country of remarkable regional variety, from the Alps and northern lakes to the rolling hills of central Italy and the Mediterranean landscapes of the south and islands.
For anyone considering buying property in Italy, choosing the right location is one of the most important decisions. Italy’s 20 regions differ considerably in landscape, climate, architecture, property styles, transport links and everyday lifestyle. A farmhouse in Tuscany, apartment in Milan, trullo in Puglia and coastal home in Sicily can offer very different experiences of Italian life.
Use our Discover Italy guides to learn more about the regions, towns, landscapes and property markets before deciding where to focus your property search.
Discover the Regions of Italy
Italy is divided into 20 regions, each with its own character, traditions and property market.
From mountain communities and major northern cities to medieval hill towns, rural countryside and long stretches of Mediterranean coastline, buyers can choose between very different locations without leaving Italy.
Each Discover guide can provide more detailed information about the region’s provinces, important towns, landscape, lifestyle, transport links and property market.
Region Buying Guides
Prices, where to look and what to check before you buy, region by region. New guides are added every week.
Northern Italy
Northern Italy includes some of the country’s largest cities, Alpine landscapes, major lakes and important economic centres.
Regions such as Lombardy, Piemonte and Veneto combine city living with countryside, vineyards, mountains and lakes. Buyers may find apartments in historic centres, villas around the Italian lakes, rural homes in wine-producing areas and mountain properties closer to the Alps.
Liguria offers a very different environment, with steep coastal landscapes and towns overlooking the Mediterranean, while Trentino-Alto Adige and Aosta Valley provide a predominantly Alpine lifestyle.
Northern Italy generally has strong road, rail and airport connections, making many areas attractive to buyers who expect to travel regularly between Italy and other European countries.
Central Italy
Central Italy is particularly associated with historic towns, rolling countryside, traditional stone houses and rural property.
Tuscany is internationally known for its farmhouses, villas, vineyards and cities including Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca. Neighbouring Umbria offers wooded hills, medieval towns and a large stock of traditional countryside property.
Le Marche combines hill towns and agricultural landscapes with the Adriatic coast, while Abruzzo stretches from high mountains and national parks to beaches on the Adriatic.
Lazio contains Rome but also extensive countryside, lakes, hill towns and coastal areas beyond the capital.
For buyers seeking traditional architecture, countryside and historic communities, central Italy offers some of the country’s most established property markets.
Southern Italy
Southern Italy includes Puglia, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata and Molise, with long coastlines, rural hill country and often more affordable property than the north.
Puglia is known for its trulli, masserie and whitewashed coastal towns, while Campania includes Naples, the Amalfi Coast and the islands of the Bay of Naples.
Calabria and Basilicata offer quieter coastal and mountain areas, and Molise has traditional villages and unspoilt countryside.
Summers are long and hot, and many buyers look here for holiday homes, sea-view properties and renovation projects.
Sicily and Sardinia
Italy’s two largest islands offer their own distinct property markets and lifestyles.
Sicily combines historic cities, agricultural countryside, mountain landscapes and extensive coastline. Property ranges from apartments and townhouses to villas, rural estates and renovation opportunities.
Sardinia is particularly known for its beaches and coastal landscapes, but the island also contains traditional inland towns, rural areas and agricultural property.
Both islands offer Mediterranean climates, but accessibility, seasonal tourism and local infrastructure can vary considerably depending on the area.
Climate and Geography
Italy stretches a long distance from north to south, so climate varies considerably.
Northern areas can experience cold winters, particularly around the Alps and higher elevations. Central Italy generally has warmer summers and milder winters, although inland and mountainous areas can still experience significant seasonal variation.
Southern Italy and the islands generally have warmer Mediterranean conditions, especially near the coast.
Altitude can be just as important as latitude. A hill town or mountain village may have a noticeably different climate from a coastal area in the same region.
Buyers planning to live in Italy year-round should consider winter temperatures, summer heat and the efficiency of heating and cooling systems in older properties.
Cities, Towns and Rural Italy
Italy offers very different lifestyles depending on the type of location.
Major cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin, Bologna and Naples offer extensive services, public transport and cultural attractions, but property prices and day-to-day costs can be higher.
Historic towns and smaller provincial centres can offer many of the conveniences of city life on a smaller scale.
Village and countryside properties may provide more space, privacy and traditional architecture, but buyers should investigate transport, healthcare, shops, internet connectivity and access before purchasing.
Transport and Accessibility
Italy has an extensive road and rail network, although accessibility varies greatly between regions.
High-speed rail connects many major cities, while regional trains and buses serve smaller centres. Buyers considering rural properties should not assume public transport will be convenient.
International airports are located throughout the country, including major hubs serving Rome, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Naples, Pisa and other cities.
When choosing an area, it is worth considering not only the nearest airport but also journey times to the property and the availability of year-round flights to destinations you use regularly.
Living in Italy
Property choice is only one part of deciding where to live in Italy.
Everyday life can vary greatly between a busy northern city, a Tuscan hill town, a small Abruzzo village and a coastal community in Sicily.
Factors to consider include:
- Cost of living
- Healthcare access
- Transport
- Local services
- Climate
- Language
- Community
- Seasonal tourism
- Employment or remote-working requirements
Spending time in an area during different seasons can provide a more realistic understanding of what living there throughout the year may be like.
Start Exploring Italy
Italy offers an exceptionally varied choice of places to live and property to buy, from Alpine villages and northern cities to central Italian countryside and Mediterranean coastal communities.
Start with our regional Discover Italy guides to compare different areas, then explore property for sale in Italy when you are ready to look at available homes.