Italy’s map is dotted with small towns that seem straight out of a novel. These places are often overlooked by those rushing to the metropolises but hold an intimate part of the country: a daily life made of neighborly friendships, small shops and seasons that regulate the rhythm of the days.
Those seeking a true refuge, a real estate investment or simply a new life perspective are increasingly drawn to these villages. Before the rediscovery changes their faces, it’s worth packing your bags, crossing Italy through its characteristic lanes and sitting on a warm stone wall to breathe in the feeling of home.
Backpacking in Italy
Buying a house in Italy: metropolis or village?
Real estate offerings in Italy’s big cities range from modern penthouses to noble palaces in need of restoration. Cities offer services, jobs and cultural life — but also a fiercely competitive market.
Those venturing into Alpine valleys or central hills discover lower prices and larger spaces, with the chance to transform century-old dwellings into dream homes. On specialized portals, searching for Italy houses for sale opens windows onto very different scenarios: lofts overlooking the Navigli in Milan, stone farmhouses among olive groves or typical Apulian trulli.
The first step toward a serene purchase is choosing the setting that best suits your needs: that’s why it’s smart to consider towns offering a high quality of life without losing their connection to the land.
Chianale, Piedmont: stone and silence at high altitude
Chianale sits in Piedmont, at 1,800 meters among larch trees and pastures. The landscape is filled with stone roofs and wooden balconies sculpted by sun and snow. Walking along the streams, you notice how houses were built to withstand the harsh mountain weather. Hiking enthusiasts start here to reach the alpine lakes.
The real estate market is small, but a few old cabins still await a buyer ready to invest in raw stone and profound silence. Renovation costs are repaid by the satisfaction of sipping a morning coffee surrounded by painted-like peaks.
Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio: the city that is reborn every day
A pedestrian bridge connects Civita di Bagnoregio to the rest of Lazio. Upon arrival, Porta Santa Maria frames a town carved from tuff stone. Over time, landslides reduced the plateau’s size, creating a landscape that enhances the feeling of isolation — a condition many travelers turn into a privilege.
Permanent residents are very few, but essential services remain: small vacation homes, artisan shops, trattorias serving typical dishes and local wine.
Dozza, Emilia-Romagna: glasses to savor and days that flow slowly
A short distance from Bologna, Dozza suddenly appears, protected by a majestic fortress. The house facades aren’t plain-colored: artists have left their marks during the Biennale of the Painted Wall, turning the village into an open-air museum.
Along the main street, you’ll find wine shops and artisan stores. You can taste many labels, with Sangiovese starring. Buying an apartment within these walls means joining a lively community — where tourists are enchanted for a weekend, while residents enjoy wine tastings and piazza festivals.
Savoca, Sicily: terraces overlooking the Ionian Sea
Savoca gazes toward the Messina coast from a stunning height. The historic center, protected by ancient churches, offers sandstone houses often equipped with panoramic terraces — some awaiting new owners to reopen doors closed for decades.
Village life flows through local events, markets and music evenings, while the coast — with Taormina and its beaches — is less than half an hour away. In terms of real estate, Savoca still offers lower square meter prices compared to other nearby towns, but the growing number of international visitors suggests it’s wise to seize the opportunity before word of mouth drives up the prices.
Alberobello, Apulia: white trulli in an iconic setting
Buying a house in Alberobello, Apulia, means living in one of Italy’s most iconic landscapes, where tourism supports the economy, but daily life still follows the rhythms of the surrounding farmhouses.
Both single trulli needing restoration — perfect for a scattered hospitality project — and larger properties already converted into residences are available for sale. Another treasure trove of beauty that wins hearts with its unique charm.