11 best destinations to live in Italy

Rome, Lazio

Rome, the eternal city, is by far the most popular destination to move to Italy, with the highest percentage of property enquiries and sales, according to Kyero data. People are drawn to Rome because of its grand and elegant monuments, buzzing vibe, and of course, its world-famous history, making it one of the best places to live in Italy. You'll never tire of things to do in Rome, and even after years of living there, you'll always find something new to discover. However, Rome is also one of the most expensive places on our list, so be aware that your money won't stretch as far in the capital. Rome is big and always lively, making it great for young couples or digital nomads. Home to 21 international schools, it could be a great choice for families too, or even investors who want to buy a property they could rent out. 

San Remo, Liguria 

San Remo sits on the coast of northwestern Italy in the region of Liguria. It is, in fact, closer to the French city of Nice than it is to its closest Italian neighbours of Genoa and Turin. A popular resort town for the rich and famous up until the middle of the 20th century, it's full of elegant mansions and villas, a pretty beach, and a small harbour. Often referred to as The City of Flowers, it's home to Italy's most important flower market and is also well known for its annual music festival. Surrounded by charming mountain villages, the city lies just an hour and a half drive from the nearest ski resort, meaning you can ski in the morning and spend time on the beach in the afternoon. One of the best beach towns in Italy to live in, San Remo would suit young active couples, retirees or families, making it a worthy place to take spot number two on our list. 

Sicily

The island of pistachios, lemons and beautiful coastlines, it is not surprising that the island of Sicily makes it to number three – it's simply one of the most beautiful places to live in Italy. With the most annual hours of sunshine in Italy, plenty of beaches and unique, delicious cuisine, Sicily is also one of the cheapest places to live in Italy. This makes it ideal for families and retirees wanting to stretch their money further or investors after a renovation project. Some of the best places to live in Sicily include the lively capital of Palermo with its many gorgeous churches; Siracusa, known for its ancient archaeological sites; Cianciana, a picturesque hilltop town; and Biancavilla, a cute village home to natural springs and lava caves. 

Castiglione del Lago, Perugia 

Castiglione del Lago can be found in the province of Perugia and occupies a spectacular location on the corner of Lake Trasimeno. The town has a historic centre surrounded by medieval walls and is topped by an impressive castle. Home to just under 15,000 people, it's small enough to enjoy the quiet side of life but big enough to have most of the services you'll need, from supermarkets and bakeries to excellent restaurants and a weekly market selling fresh produce. And if you need anything else, the city of Perugia is just a 40-minute drive west, and Florence is a one-and-a-half-hour drive north. There are plenty of lakeside beaches and cycle tracks nearby if you want to stay active, and the town is also home to Italy's most important kite and hot air balloon festivals. Despite its size, properties here are not cheap, and in fact the town is home to one of the most expensive streets in the Italian lakes. 

Scalea, Calabria 

Scalea is a coastal town in southern Italy along the Cedars Riviera. It's popular with both foreign buyers and local Italians, many of whom own holiday homes here where they like to decamp for most of August. With a population of just over 11,000 people, the latest statistics from 2021 show that around 1,050 are foreigners. Home to several UNESCO blue flag beaches, it's also filled with some stunning historic buildings, including the Palace of the Princes and the Norman Castle. All this makes it one of the best places to retire in Italy. It could also suit families or couples who want a quieter pace of life near the coast. 

San Cataldo, Lecce 

Right on the southern edge of Italy's heel in the region of Puglia, the small village of San Cataldo borders the Ionian Sea. It is home to a population of just 365 people. Once an ancient fishing village, today it's a lively town with everything from restaurants and bars to a weekly Sunday market and even a sailing club. One of the best beach towns in Italy to live in, it's surrounded by several kilometres of fine sand backed by beach cabins, pine forests, and a natural park. Situated just 12km from the city of Lecce, it's a popular town with local day trippers throughout the year, particularly in summer, because of its excellent beaches. It's ideal for retirees, families and nature lovers. 

Volterra, Tuscany 

This walled medieval city lies just southeast of Florence and is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of Tuscany, not far from Pisa and Siena. Located on a hilltop between the lush Era and Cecina valleys, it stands out for its honey-coloured architecture. Volterra has become famous over the last ten years or so, thanks to the Twilight series, which deemed the town to be where the royal vampires live. Home to around 10,000 inhabitants, it's known for its alabaster, white truffles, and Etruscan archaeological sites. Big enough to have everything you might need, it's an excellent place for families, retirees and even digital nomads. 

Lucca, Tuscany 

The city of Lucca sits just northeast of Pisa in the heart of Tuscany. It's an hour west of Florence and an hour and half east of some of the region's best beaches. Lucca has more of a city vibe than many of the smaller towns on our list, with a population of around 88,000. However, it's not so big that you'll feel that it's too big and crowded. Lemon and terracotta buildings surround pretty piazzas and historic monuments, which look out onto verdant rolling green hills. With lots of culture, good restaurants and services, it's a great city for young couples and digital nomads. With two international schools, it's also popular with families. Favoured by many foreigners for all these qualities, it's one of Italy's best cities to live in. 

Siena, Tuscany 

Another city on our list, also located in Tuscany, is Siena. Siena is often on the list of Italy's most beautiful cities. Packed with caramel-coloured medieval buildings, it's located just south of Florence and is home to just under 54,000 inhabitants. Siena has often been called the most liveable city in Tuscany and has even been voted fifth-best in Italy for its quality of life, making it one of the best cities to live in Italy. There is also one international school, meaning it could be a good choice for families. The city is trendy and lively because of its big student population, but it is also steeped in history and tradition. The countryside surrounding the city is full of classic rolling Tuscan hills, dotted with many beautiful villas and vineyards. 

Genoa

Genoa is Italy's sixth most populous city and is said to be where the explorer Christopher Columbus was born. Located in the north of the country on the coast of the Gulf of Liguria, it's the gateway to the Italian Riviera. If you move to Italy and choose Genoa, you'll have the best of both worlds – the lively city life and the colourful villages of the Cinque Terre nearby, such as Rapallo. Genoa is a big foodie city with a strong maritime tradition and a beautiful mix of architectural styles, including Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance. The heart of the city is very atmospheric, comprised of many narrow alleyways or caruggi, and the old harbour area has everything from cafes and cinemas to an aquarium and department stores. With three international schools to choose from, it's great for families but could also be ideal for young couples and digital nomads. 

Lake Como 

Glamourous Lake Como is Italy's third largest lake and is one of the most beautiful places to live in Italy. Choose to live in the picturesque villages surrounding the lake and you could call George Clooney your neighbour. But Clooney is not the only celebrity who has chosen Lake Como, the likes of Richard Branson, Madonna and Donatella Versace have all owned or still own properties in the area. Property prices unsurprisingly are among some of the most expensive in Italy. Still, you'll be paying for what you get – grand glitzy mansions and stunning apartments with incredible views over the surrounding mountains and across the water. One of the best places to retire in Italy, some villages you could choose include Bellagio, Bellano, Como, Menaggio and Lecco. 

These are some of the best places to live in Italy and some of the most popular with our foreign buyers. Wherever you choose to live, whether it's Italy's big historic cities such as Rome and Genoa, its beachside beauties such as Scalea, San Cataldo and San Remo, or its glitzy lakeside locations like Lake Como and Castiglione del Lago. You're sure to find somewhere to suit your needs. With such vastly different cities and landscapes, Italy offers a myriad of different lifestyles.