Where to buy a seaside home in Italy: a guide to the best locations

Buying a seaside home can be an excellent choice, whether it’s for enjoying holidays, as a long-term investment, or to generate rental income. With nearly 8,000 kilometres of coastline, Italy offers a wealth of destinations to suit every preference and need. 

Here is a selection of some of the most appealing coastal locations in which to purchase a beach property.

The Ligurian Riviera

Split between the Riviera di Ponente and the Riviera di Levante, the Ligurian coastline is dotted with picturesque villages, sheltered bays and scenic coves. Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, Portovenere and Alassio are among the best-known destinations.

Cities such as La Spezia and Genoa also tend to offer more affordable prices compared with other resorts along the Riviera.

The Tuscan coast

Tuscany, too, boasts seaside destinations steeped in art and culture. Among the most famous and exclusive are:

• Versilia, with Forte dei Marmi and Marina di Pietrasanta
• Elba Island
• The Maremma, in the province of Grosseto, with Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia and Orbetello
• Monte Argentario and Giglio Island

Along the Etruscan Coast, in the province of Livorno, towns such as Castiglioncello, Marina di Cecina, Bibbona and Castagneto Carducci offer more reasonably priced options.

Lazio: seaside escapes close to Rome

In Lazio, there are several attractive seaside destinations:

• Anzio and Nettuno, on the Roman coast
• The province of Latina, with Sabaudia, San Felice Circeo, Sperlonga, Gaeta and Terracina, although these resorts are often crowded with tourists
• The municipalities within the Riviera di Ulisse Regional Park

More exclusive, by contrast, are the Pontine Islands, with Ponza remaining one of the most sought-after destinations.

Campania: the most beautiful places

The islands of Procida, Ischia and Capri, along with the towns of the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast and Cilento, rank among the most beautiful destinations in Italy. These locations are not only renowned for their charm but also for their exclusivity.

Sardinia

Sardinia is best known for the resorts of the Costa Smeralda, a favourite haunt of celebrities, where prices are considerably higher than in other parts of the island, such as the more accessible south.

The coast of Calabria

Along the Riviera dei Cedri on the Tyrrhenian Sea lie picturesque towns such as Diamante, Praia a Mare, Scalea, San Nicola Arcella and Paola. These destinations are particularly charming and generally more affordable than those in other Italian regions.

Among the highlights to discover in Calabria:

• the Coast of the Gods, with the breathtaking views of Tropea and Capo Vaticano
• the villages of the Costa Viola
• the Gulf of Squillace
• Crotone and Capo Rizzuto, overlooking the Ionian Sea

Locations in Sicily

Sicily offers an extraordinary blend of art, history, traditions and natural beauty. Among the most popular destinations are:

• the Aeolian Islands
• the Egadi Islands
• the Pelagie Islands
• Taormina
• Capo d’Orlando
• Palermo
• Cefalù
• Syracuse
• San Vito Lo Capo
• Castellammare del Golfo
• Marina di Ragusa

The coast of Basilicata

Less famous than many other Italian regions and generally offering more affordable options, Basilicata boasts two coastlines: one along the Tyrrhenian Sea and the other on the Ionian Sea.

Along these shores lie several charming towns, including Maratea, set in the Gulf of Policastro in the province of Potenza, as well as Nova Siri, Rotondella, Policoro, Scanzano Jonico, Pisticci and the seaside hamlet of Metaponto on the Ionian coast.

Salento and the coast of Puglia: the best beaches

The Salento area offers a wealth of choice. Among the most popular destinations are:

• Porto Cesareo
• Gallipoli
• Torre dell’Orso
• Torre San Giovanni
• Torre Mozza
• Lido Marini
• Marina di Pescoluse
• Santa Maria di Leuca
• Torre Vado

Other notable spots include Otranto, Castro, Santa Cesarea Terme and Melendugno. Further north, more exclusive resorts such as Ostuni and Polignano al Mare are especially popular. The Gargano National Park, with its spectacular towns including Vieste, Peschici, Manfredonia and Rodi, also adds to the long list of coastal gems worth considering.

The Adriatic Riviera

The Adriatic Riviera stretches across several regions (Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Abruzzo and Molise) and is characterised by long sandy beaches alternating with rocky stretches, all well equipped with facilities for visitors.

It includes:

• The Riviera Romagnola, with the well-known resorts of Rimini, Riccione and Cervia, as well as the lesser-known Lidos of Ravenna and Comacchio
• Marche, with the Conero Riviera and the Riviera delle Palme
• Abruzzo, with the Costa dei Trabocchi in the province of Chieti, including Vasto, Rocca San Giovanni, San Vito Chietino, Ortona and Francavilla al Mare
• The Pescara area, with seaside towns such as Montesilvano, Silvi, Pineto, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Giulianova, Tortoreto and Martinsicuro
• Molise, with Termoli as its main destination

Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia

In regions such as Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, a seaside holiday can be combined with cultural and nature experiences. From here it is easy to reach nearby cities of art, first and foremost Venice and its Lagoon, as well as the Po Delta, the Dolomites and even neighbouring Croatia.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini