Welcome to Italy, world-famous for its fantastic cuisine. It has many upsides including the way of life, the climate, excellent cuisine, interesting culture, and a relatively low cost of living. The cities in Italy offer you many world-famous ancient buildings to visit, and at the same time, you can get lost in beautiful rugged nature. And what about the wonderful lakes in Italy and the sea? No matter what you’re looking for, living in Italy can be a great choice. Whether it is as a retiree, an expat, or a family. Italy ranks 8th worldwide when it comes to quality of life.
Our guide will tell you why Italy is a desirable place to live and show you the best destinations to live (and to visit).
Think about pasta, risotto, lasagna, and much more! There’s no other country in the world that can outperform Italy in terms of food. Italy is seen as the country with the best cuisine in the world. Think about all the sweets and beverages: tiramisu, cannoli, Italian Gelato and more. Or all the thousands of well-known wines and the cappuccino, espresso, amaretto, prosecco, and limoncello. But the country has more to offer than just excellent food and drinks. Take Italy’s climate, for example. In the north, the winters are cool and humid. Whereas in summer it can get quite hot with temperatures usually in between 28 and 33 degrees. Sometimes, it can get even 40 degrees.
The weather in the south of Italy is usually warmer and drier than in the north. Here you’ll get cool and wet winters and hot and dry summers. This gives Italy a Mediterranean climate which is the same as other southern European countries. Furthermore, Italy is filled with culture and history. Think about all the thousands of small hidden museums and little churches. You will have enough to explore with other attracts distributed around the whole country. Besides, Italians are known as outgoing, welcoming, sociable, affectionate, and emotional people.
Generally, the north of Italy is economically better developed and more expensive compared to the south. This makes the south more attractive for those who want to buy cheaper residences. In the north of Italy, the cities are more cosmopolitan, the pace of life is more immediate, and you will find a better tourism infrastructure. In the south of Italy, there are fewer investments in tourism infrastructure but chances are you will also experience a more relaxed feel. The south of Italy has a popular coastline with more consistently sunny weather.
Interesting is that Italy has a huge coastline of about 7500km. This gives you huge possibilities to do activities related to the sea like watersports. And don’t forget the lakes as Italy counts more than 1.500 lakes. You can find the largest in the north of Italy, where the Alps from a boundary with other northern countries. Italy borders France, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Austria. It also surrounds two microstates: San Marino and the Vatican. The largest lakes of Italy are located in the north, which is named Lago di Garda, Lago di Como, and Lago Maggiore. These are breathtaking by the way, and we will cover these when we talk about the best destinations to live in Italy.
When it comes to the economical situation, Italy does a pretty great job. They are the 3rd largest national economy in the EU, with the world’s 8th highest nominal GDP. Furthermore, they are the 8th largest exporter of goods and the 2nd largest producer of renewable energy. Still, Italy is highly dependent on tourism which makes this the main industry of Italy, followed by the machinery and mining industry. And as you can imagine, Italy is also among the world’s largest wine producers and they even own the world’s 3rd largest gold reserves. Interesting is that Italian is not the only language that’s spoken in the country. They also speak French, German, Ladin, and Slovene in autonomous regions in the north.
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Liguria is the smallest region in the northwest of Italy where you can find the perfect real estate. The region is bordered by France in the west and Piemonte in the north. It has a seacoast that’s 300km long called the Italian Riviera! It is a rocky, stunning coastline where you will find mountains to the north and lots of lovely towns. These mountains are excellent for promoting a better climate, as these block those colder winters. On the eastern tip of Liguria’s coast, you will find the Gulf of Poets or also known as the Bay of Poets. This is a wide and deep bay that will make you fall in love with the area. For those who love both the sea and the mountains, the area Liguria could be a fantastic choice.
We’re going to zoom in a little at Imperia. This is a mountainous and hilly province in the Liguria region of Italy, with Imperia as its capital. This area is still an upcoming tourist destination, with lots of unique things to do and see. The province of Imperia has a brilliant position as it’s situated between France to the north and the west, an arm of the Mediterranean sea to the south, and the Ligurian sea. Wouldn’t you get the best of multiple worlds here? Mountains, seas, and even a country that’s nearby. Imperia is an excellent province for exploring the rest of the area, and it has beautiful places to settle such as Cipressa, San Remo, Bordighera, and even the capital itself. Let’s talk a bit more about the capital of the province Imperia.
The capital of the province Imperia is, as you may have guessed: Imperia. Most people know the Imperia capital for its olives and the cultivation of flowers, or the local pool named Piscina Felice Cascione which hosted numerous international and national events. Not to forget mentioning the impressive Cathedral of San Maurizo, the city hall, and the province building which are very notable. The town is a little gem that’s hugged by the mountains on one side with the sea on the other side. All year round, there’s a mild climate thanks to the mountains where cold gets trapped.
It never snows in Imperia and it’s almost always sunny! Imperia shares the same coastline as the south of France, and it’s also one of the 15 towns that’s part of the Riviera del Fiori (River of Flowers). You can still see the results of the introduction of the olive tree cultures in the 12th century. The city is still characterized by its olive harvest as the olive groves are very widespread. These olives play a big role in the economy of Imperia besides the floriculture. There’s even an olive museum you can visit to find out interesting facts about the production, harvesting, and cultivation of the olives.
And did you know that you could even go whale watching? Directly in front of the Ligurian coast, you will find the first whale sanctuary. You won’t forget this five-hour discovery tour.
Interesting is that Imperia has two historic towns, one called Porto Maurizio and the other Porto Oneglia. Porto Maurizio is the older and higher part of Imperia where it’s usually quieter compared to the coastal road. When you walk through Porto Maurizio you will come across lots of old houses, the cathedral – which is the biggest of Imperia, churches, and many little streets. There’s a nice tranquil and relaxing atmosphere here in the middle of the Italians. The port used to only have old fisher boats, but nowadays it offers you the chance to see unique boats and yachts. After watching these boats at the old port of Porto Maurizio, you can get a quick refreshment by visiting the cosy restaurants.
For example. In the middle of these old fishermen’s houses, there’s a pizzeria named L’Oasi la Pizza where you’ll be surprised with pizzas served according to the random principle. Furthermore, there are nice beaches where you can rent sunbeds or visit some rocky beaches for a more unspoilt experience. Porto Oneglia is also a good place if you want to spend a day at a rocky beach with a beautiful and clean sea. The same as with Porto Maurizio, you can find lots of boats and shops besides multiple restaurants and bars.
The harbour has a long walking pier where you can find stunning yachts. And on the other side, you can look up the hill from the old town of Imperia! The old city centre is located a little bit above sea level which offers you great views over the sea.
Genoa is a city in the northwest of Italy and the southwest of Milan, located on the Ligurian sea. With its port, it’s the biggest port city in Italy! It’s one of the Mediterranean’s two largest ports with the other being Marseilles. The harbour of Genoa has 22km of wharves that host transport, cruise, and pleasure vessels. The port is called Porto Antico and was soon expanded with new facilities and a maritime station when the traffic outgrew the old port, called Porto Vecchio. You can still experience the history of this section where the galleys of Admiral Andrea Doria were built.
The port is a big part of what makes Genoa special. It’s one of the oldest and most important ports in Europe. About 600.000 residents are enjoying the beauty of Genoa. Now, what makes it so special? We find it an underrated gem that has a lot to offer. It has one of the largest historic centres in Europe! Genoa’s city centre showcases a range of heritage shops, architectural styles, and a Gothic church. You can also find great art and museums with works of Veronese, Durer, Rubens, Van Dyck, and more.
There are a lot of other old masterpieces in many landmarks. Take the Gallerie Nazionali di Palazzo Spinola for example, which is an aristocratic residence from the 16th century decorated with paintings and frescoes of that time. Furthermore, you will find gorgeous palaces such as Palazzo Stefano Balbi, Palazzo Blanco, Palazzo Rosso and other well preserved-palaces. The black-and-white stone facades you’ll see were once owned by members of the Doria clan. This clan was known to be one of the city’s most powerful families.
A famous naval leader lived in the Villa del Principe, which you can find outside the city walls. You can tell why this famous admiral loved living here, as the villa overlooks the sea. This also made him possible to keep an eye on his fleet. And the old port of Genoa named Porto Antico is designed by a star architect Renzo Piano. With a botanical garden, lovely old buildings, and the Bigo Crana it’s a great atmosphere to be in. The Bigo Crana resembles the cranes of the Genovese harbour to load and unload goods that happened for centuries.
Another building that’s worth seeing is the dramatic Cathedral of Son Lorenzo. You can find this impressive cathedral on the Piazza Matteotti. It had undergone a lot of changes. Because originally, it was built as a Romanesque basilica in the 1100s. Then, it got a Gothic style in 1307, and in 1557 it was finished off with a Renaissance dome. When you go inside you will find the earliest example of Renaissance architecture in Genoa by the large 15th century Cappella San Giovanni Battista. It has a treasury that lies under the cathedral named the Tesoro della Cattedrale. Here, you can find a bowl that’s long-held to be the Holy Grail. It’s one of the most important pieces which is a sacred bowl brought by Guglielmo Embriaco after the conquest of Caesarea.
The Aquarium of Genoa is known as the 2nd biggest aquarium of Europa! It has an educational, cultural, and scientific purpose. It has a large and unique collection of mammals, reptiles, and fish. You can find this aquarium in the middle of the city. There are even penguins, quite big sharks and seals to find and they hold multiple dolphin shows. Some of the species that you find here are species you won’t quickly see somewhere else. You can tell there’s a lot to see and it’s a great visit for children too.
We can’t skip talking about the food in Genoa, as this place is known to have some of the tastiest food in Italy. As it is the capital of the Liguria region, it couldn’t miss out on offering you the best Italian food. What kind of food can you find here? There’s pesto, the Italian bread ‘focaccia’ which originates from the region around Genoa, and plenty of seafood.
But the city cooks a lot more that’s extremely delicious. Take the figure-8-shaped corzetti, the pansoti in salsa di noci, lots of fish stews, wonderful sweets like pandolce, and a dessert named gobeletti which is thought to be the oldest of Genoa. To find out what everything tastes like, why not give Genoa at least one visit? And image being a resident you’ll have unlimited access to this amazing food.
Meet Portofino, one of the prettiest places in Italy on the northwest coast in the region of Liguria. This small town is the ideal version of a seaside village and admired by painters, poets, writers and artists for centuries. It’s only twenty miles south of Genoa and the architecture in this town is like a dream that comes to life. It belongs to the top 100 special destinations in the world – so it’s a must-visit area or a great destination to live in! During summer, we recommend going here by public transportation as the parking spaces will most likely be filled. In this period public transportation is the best, where you can either go by van or by boat. For example, go there by van and leave by boat.
Portofino is characterized by its beautiful fishing boats and yachts, and rows of shops and restaurants with old-pastel coloured buildings that embrace it. This sheltered cove combined with its pretty buildings makes you understand why it’s world-famous. Furthermore, there are many shopping streets with kiosks and all kinds of souvenirs. The waterfront is the most spectacular area, great for strolling around and surprising yourself with high-quality restaurants. Even though they’re of such good quality, these are still about the same prices as the other restaurants in Italy.
The place where people in Portofino come together is calle Piazza Martiri del l’Olivetta. This inviting area encourages you to rest as there are lots of benches and places to sit on. The many inviting restaurants surrounding it offer great food like pastry, pizza, or a complete meal. What about trying their great wine, a spritz, or freshly made Gelato?
As it is such a small village, it’s easy to walk around. And one thing you should do is walk up the hill to get that world-famous view. There’s only one road that goes up but it’s a bit hard to find as it is pretty inconspicuous. You can find it on the right side of the village between the shops, which is a fifteen-minute walk that’s pretty easy. Along the way, you will be rewarded with stunning views but the best view you’ll get is once you reach the church of Saint George. From here, you get amazing views of the coloured houses, the water, and the sea cliffs behind you in the other direction. This area is protected as a national historic landmark.
Close to the local marina of Portofino, you will find an open-air museum. Within a beautiful terraced garden, you will spot several contemporary artworks among the bushes and trees. From here you can enjoy the sea, art, and Mediterranean scrub at the same time! This unique concept exists since the 1980s when the collection has been constantly implanted with works of famous artists like Lucio Fontana and Fortunato Depero. And what about getting yourself immersed in the 15th century? The Brown Castle is an ancient military fortress to protect the area from enemies such as pirates. Thanks to this castle the village gained a victory from the Venetian’s fleet in 1435.
We can say that anyone loves Portofino. It’s a place you won’t see anywhere else, especially once you got on top of that hill to get that most-famous view. Millionaires, billionaires, and even Hollywood royalty or media superstars get here to unwind from their bustling lives. The harbour makes the spectacular complete as it’s near a rocky tip of a lush promontory that protects the sheltered cove. It functions like a giant breakwater for the Gulf of Tigullio. If you go further inland from Portofino, you will find a series of small lanes and promenades with a few hotels. Prices here are the same as anywhere else in the country. And the centre of the little town has a small garden with old trees, that provides a unique atmosphere. It’s perfect for those who like to visit the surrounding region to use it as a home base.
Everybody knows Milan. Well, Milan is the capital of the wonderful region Lombardy, located in the northwest of Italy. When it comes to nature, this region has so much to offer as it stretches from the Po River in the south to the Central Alps in the north. On the west, Lombardy borders the wonderful lake of Lago Maggiore and the Ticino river. Therefore, Lombardy is also known as the land of lakes. And in the east, it borders Lago di Garda and the Mincio river. Furthermore, Lombardy is the richest, most productive and most populous region in Italy. This is also visible in Italy’s GDP, as Lombardy forms more than a fifth of Italy’s GDP.
The countryside of Lombardy is full of historic and beautiful towns. More than 10 million people live in this gorgeous area. And a lot of delicious food comes from here as well. Think about the famous risotto, and polenta, osso bucco, minestrone, and scaloppina Milanese. The delightful region of Lombardy deserves more tourists and most people don’t even know in which region they’re in. For example, the people who go on holiday to Lago di Como don’t know they are in Lombardy. Regions in Italy are very different from each other in many aspects: architecture and art, landscape, history, local food and traditions.
Even though Lombardy is the region that’s most industrialized, it’s a very diversified region that’s overlooked by visitors. Not only does it have charming, small cities and towns like the stunning Bergamo. It’s only a one-hour drive away from Milan and it offers great medieval architecture and local cuisine. Moreover, there’s Vigevano with its superb large square, Cremona with its violin-making tradition, and Chiavenna with its surrounding mountains, pretty alleys and old houses. And remember Lago di Como we mentioned before? The picturesque town Bellagio overlooks this lake.
Additionally, Lago di Garda is also a part of Lombardy which is the largest Lake in Italy that’s popular for its water sports. It’s also seen as a sea because of its size. Wonderful towns are located along the Lombardy shoreline such as Salò, Desenzano del Garda, and Sirmione. And only a few people know that Lombardy has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites which makes this region the highest number in Italy for this. As a lot of people associate Lombardy with industrial development, there are still plenty of local traditions such as festivals. Many of these are food-related, but there are also medieval festivals in Soncino, for instance. Soncino is known as one of the prettiest villages in Italy.
The mountains in Lombardy offer plenty of outdoor activities. No matter if you get here in winter or summer, the area offers a lot of fun all year round. And what about a ride on the Bernina red train, where you will get a scenic ride through the alps? You will find the starting point for this train in Tirano. This lovely quiet town has a little historical interest including a church sanctuary that was built at the beginning of the 16th century. Lombardy is known as the land of the lakes. Therefore, as you can imagine, it’s full of watersports activities and wonderful holiday and property destinations. Hiking and cycling possibilities are endless as well. And the food and wine of Lombardy are just excellent.
Now we moved over to an island: Sardinia! Porto Cervo is located here in the northeast, about a half-hour drive north of Olbia airport. And why do we want to mention Porto Cervo? This is because it’s one of the best beach resort towns in Italy with clear green and turquoise waters. For those who want to profit from the beautiful Sardinian weather, Porto Cervo is worth a visit or a fantastic destination to live in. The climate is excellent as you get a warm Mediterranean climate with long, hot summers and coastal temperatures. The island is known for having a summer that’s six months long. From May till October the sea is warm enough to enjoy swimming.
Porto Cervo is a true hotspot for the famous. During summer, celebrities and other people who seek luxury holidays come here to enjoy the wonderful area. The town itself only has a few hundred residents, with a lot of them being proud of having their yacht. It’s also a great place for parties and social events but still, for those who seek peace and tranquillity, you can find it there as well. Almost the whole town is located along the coastline. Porto Cervo is the capital of Costa Smeralda, which is the diverse coastal area in Sardinia that consists of picture-perfect bays, white sandy beaches and coves. These beaches belong to the best beaches in Europe.
No matter where you walk in Porto Cervo, everything will be a delightful experience. The picturesque town has Moorish-style architectural buildings. A few great buildings to visit are the Church of Stella Maris, which is a Catholic church filled with artwork. It is an ancient yet contemporary treasure that you can find close to the stunning yachts in the Porto Cervo Marina. It was designed by Michele Busiri Vici in 1960, who was an Italian architect and urban planner. Furthermore, you can visit the SimonBart Gallery which is a museum that shows unique art and design. The exhibits reflect well on the colourful island of Sardinia. It is a great way to know more about the local culture and the artistic past.
Besides walking through the picturesque town and visiting these historical buildings, the activities near the water are the most favourable. There are plenty of things to do at Porto Cervo such as diving and snorkelling. You can also go on a journey for dolphin or whale watching! If you visit Porto Cervo for the first time, you must explore the impressive surrounding waterways. Visit the Orso Diving Club to learn technical dives, and dive near a giant Messerschmitt 323 wreck or the Clan Olgive wreck. Porto Cervo is a playground for billionaires and a magnet for luxury yachts. With a world-famous nightclub, numerous parties, and all other kinds of social activities people love to come here and escape from their hectic lifestyles. There’s even a golf club named Pervero Golf Club which offers spectacular views of the sea from every hole.
We arrived at one of the largest lakes in Italy: Lago Maggiore. This beautiful lake is located in the border area of Italy and Switzerland, where the northern part enters Switzerland. The lake is surrounded by mountains and beautiful hills. These are especially beautiful to see because the light that shines on them creates different colours. Living here or being here will mean that you get a true delight for the eye, and Lago Maggiore is usually not as touristy as Lago di Garda. It’s more peaceful and tranquil, known for its flat and narrow shore. Lago Maggiore was created by the glaciers during the ice age and the lake is about 370 meters deep.
The peaceful area offers plenty of hiking routes, biking routes, and of course water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, canoeing, wild water rafting and more. Don’t forget to go for a swim in this wonderful lake as well. Compared to the other lakes we will mention after this which are Lago di Como and Lago di Garda, Lago Maggiore is less popular. This also benefits the authentic feel of this Italian lake as the area around it doesn’t have as many tourist shops and restaurants – and of course, tourists. Furthermore, it’s less expensive and more relaxing compared to the other excellent lakes for a holiday destination – or even a property destination.
Lago Maggiore has many towns surrounding it to explore, such as Laveno, Arona, and Stresa. In Laveno you have the chance to go into a bucket lift that takes you up to the top of the mountain with incredible panoramic views. Arona is a charming and relaxing area with a lakeside promenade, nice streets, and pretty piazzas. A piazza is an area where people come together to relax and socialize, usually surrounded by restaurants and bars. You will also get breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the lake. What’s also an amazing activity is to visit the Borromean Islands. The town Stresa we mentioned earlier, is located here. These islands are named Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola Dei Pescatori. You can easily visit them by ferry.
In ancient times, Lago Maggiore was named after Maximus by the Romans. Once Italy was connected with Switzerland through the Simplon Pass, it became a more well-known tourist destination. Since the 19th century, the number of visitors started to rise and even Italian families went here to get away from the bigger cities. And soon, the most stunning villas were built in numerous towns along the lakes. A lot of them were built by the Borromean family, who are Italian aristocrats. They bought the three rocky islands which are now known as the Borromean islands and are worth a visit. You will agree they transformed them into masterpieces.
Lago di Como is a more favoured and well-known area among tourists and visitors if we compare it to Lago Maggiore. It is Italy’s 3rd largest alpine lake loved by nature and hiking lovers. It is also the deepest lake in Italy: 425 meters to be exact. It is a fantastic area for both visitors and residents. Lago di Como is dotted with lovely resort villages and surrounded by mountains, shaped like an inverted Y. Even during the ancient Roman times people went to Lake Como to escape the chaos and heat of the city because, at Lago di Como, you will find yourself at pleasant cooler temperatures.
It’s only 40km away from Milan which is also a big reason why this lake is more crowded during the summer months. A lot of people visit the area with Milan as a starting point. The easiest way to get here from Milan is by train from Milan’s central station. From there, you can go to Tirano or Sondrio. Another way is to go to Como but this trip is less convenient. When you arrived in Lago di Como, it’s pretty easy to travel around the area. You can easily take a ferry from Varenna for example to get to many of the charming towns.
Even though Lago di Como is more touristy and crowded than Lago Maggiore, it’s still almost entirely abandoned when you get there from November to February. This is a huge benefit for those who seek peace and relaxation, but at the same time, you get the chance to experience Lago di Como at its liveliest. Lago di Como is excellent for those who love watersports as you can do windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing, and much more. Thanks to the mountains Lake Como keeps a mild and cool temperature, even in the middle of the summer.
Lago di Como has a lot more fun things to do, such as visiting the Como Cathedral – or at least, visiting Como itself. Como is located right at the base of the lake and is often overlooked but it has a lovely atmosphere with a charming lakeside promenade. It has a medieval city centre with the 15th century Como Cathedral and a museum named Silk Museum. This is the only museum in the world that’s able to show you the entire production process of silk. Another great experience is to ride the cable car from Como town to get an aerial view of Lago di Como.
Furthermore, there are plenty of towns to discover with each their unique beauty. Tremezzo is a famous town for Villa Carlotta. This is a garden with more than 500 plant and flower species over 14 expansive areas. The villa even has pretty paintings, tapestries, and sculptures. And for those who seek the most luxury hotel on Lago di Como, then you can’t miss Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Then we have Lenno, which is a relaxing and quiet town with beautiful landscapes and an ivy-covered terrace. It’s known as the most romantic place in Italy for a wedding!
Lago di Garda a highly known among visitors and tourists. It’s the largest lake in Italy surrounded by mountains. Interesting is that these mountains vary as the mountains in the north are mostly steep, whereas the mountains in the south end in a wide basin. Of all the lakes we’ve mentioned, Lago di Garda is the most sought-after area which makes it a more touristy place. You will find lots of tourist shops and hotels along the lake. People even call Lago di Garda one of the most beautiful regions of Northern Italy.
With unique little towns and villages all along the lake, you will always find enjoyment.
Enjoying water sports in Lago di Garda is highly favoured. For example, take a speed boat and let someone else steer whilst you try to stand on the water – yes, waterskiing. As you can imagine, there’s room for uncountable water sports activities. The water is clear, very clean, and a little bit cold but not too cold to not enjoy your swim. Especially during the summer, the water is a nice cool off. The shore of Lago di Garda is around 150 kilometres long with lots of narrow streets. Many of the lovely towns around it are connected by ferry lines which makes it easy for you to discover the area.
Besides doing all kinds of watersports, Lago di Garda is also the place where you can do activities such as paragliding, kite surfing, or mountain biking. The area has ideal conditions to do your favourite outdoor sports.
As you knew, Lago di Garda is surrounded by beautiful little towns. Sirmione is one of them: a little town with a beautiful waterfront and outstanding nature. During the Roman empire, it was already famous as a spa town thanks to its waterfront. Those who seek wellness can regenerate and relax in the Virgilio Spa or the Catullo Spa. Still, there’s plenty to see for those who love history and architecture. Think about visiting an old Roman villa named Grotte di Catullo, which served as a sanatorium. It had a thermal bath and its remains are the most important archaeological attraction in the north of Italy.
Desenzano del Garda is the largest town of Lago di Garda, with more than 28.000 residents. It’s the place to go to if you want to party. The piazza in the centre of the town used to be one of the most important trade centres. You can go to lots of chic shops, admire the large marina, and still see the trading houses. It’s a popular shopping place with vibrant nightlife and high-end clubs and bars. Salò is also a fantastic destination that remained its authentic charm even though it gets crowded by tourists during summer. It has the longest promenade to walk around, and the old town offers nice sights such as the cathedral.
The second largest town which once belonged to Austria till 1919, is Riva del Garda. It’s known as the capital of the lake with more than 17.000 residents. Not only is it a popular health resort since the 19th century, but it also shows fortifications that are evidence of the contested period. Furthermore, it has the longest beach on the lake that attracts lots of tourists and cyclists who enjoy the annual mountain bike festival.
As you can see, there are many towns to visit and explore in Lago di Garda. If you want some advice on the best destination for your new home, then make use of the experts of Baerz & Co. With our extensive network, we have deep knowledge about every hotspot in Italy and the rest of Europe.
In the centre of Italy, you will find the historic region of Tuscany. It’s quite large, as it occupies about 7.6% of the national territory. It has a mild climate with the Tyrrhenian Sea that borders on the west of the region, and a stunning mountainous and hilly landscape as a cherry on the cake. Tuscany is mostly known for its great wine. It belongs to the best wine regions in Italy together with Piemonte. Some of the famous wines are Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and more.
Additionally, Tuscany belongs to one of the oldest inhabited areas in the country. It provided an excellent settlement for the first farmers because of the fertile hills with a river that meanders through.
As it is a historic region packed with history, you will find many historic cities like Florence, Siena, and Pisa. Furthermore, Tuscany is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites! These include well-known sites like Florence and the Square of Miracles in Pisa, to lesser-known sites like Pienza and Valdorcia.
Most visitors go for the popular hill towns, but there are many less-visited and smaller areas well worth visiting. And for those who like to enjoy the sun, sea, and the beach, there are many beautiful cities like Viareggio or Ortebello. Tuscany is also home to several islands located in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Let’s zoom in a little bit on Florence. This is a true art paradise with artists who lived here like Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelango. They’re synonymous with Renaissance art and gave Florence the nickname of Cradle of the Reinassance. One of Italy’s most recognizable sights is located in Florence, which is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The architecture is simply brilliant and the building is so impressive. Florence is full of hidden gems and wonderful architecture. And besides visiting historical cities, what about going for a long hike in the mountains?
Tuscany’s mountains offer a range of excellent activities, besides the wonderful views from there that will always be in your heart. Think about skiing, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, or other extreme sports. Even wellness lovers can visit a great spa here no matter the season. You can find popular hot springs in Bagni San Filippo, Petriolo, Bagno Vignoni, and Saturnia. And the Tyrrhenian Sea allows doing watersport activities. You can tell that the region has it all, from mountains to the sea. It has more than 250 miles of coastline with quite some dive centres between Argentario and Livorno.
As said at the beginning of this guide, each region is unique and has great food and wine. The food of Tuscany is worth mentioning as it’s unforgettable. Here you can find incredible soups and kinds of pasta, handmade spaghetti and ribolleta, and much more. The ingredients are found in and around Tuscany, where they use lots of bread, pork, tomatoes, and pasta. And did you know that the famous gelato was invented in Florence? Nowadays, the gelato in Tuscany is still the best in the world. And as you know, Tuscany belongs to the best wine regions in Italy – and even the most famous wine regions in the world. Therefore, don’t skip its wine and maybe even take a wine tour.
Puglia is a region in the south of Italy, which is also known as the land of the sun. This makes sense, as the more south you get in Italy the sunnier it becomes. Puglia is the region where two seas meet as it is located on the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, which gives it scenic and beautiful coastal towns. Furthermore, the Puglia region is the largest olive producer in Italy. Two olive producers in this region belong to the top 10 in the world! You can find this region at the heel of the Italian boot. This region hides a thousand distinct treasures and is rich in history, tradition, exquisite cuisine, and spirituality. Furthermore, it’s filled with beautiful nature that you can admire all year round.
Puglia has a population of more than 4 million people, and it compromises 19,345 square kilometres. The unspoiled region has relatively fewer tourists than in other regions, but it starts to become more popular. Puglia has white-washed mountain villages and picturesque coastal towns filled with old streets and buildings. Additionally, Puglia shows a lot of contrast as it has brown-green valleys, extravagant baroque (Lecce), the unique ‘’trulli’’ houses, and of course thousands of olive groves. It is also one of the poorest regions in Italy which result in lower prices.
There are 5 provinces in Puglia: Foggia, Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Brindisi, Tarente, and Lecce. Every province is unique in history and beauty. Apart from the beautiful countryside, Puglia has many resort towns like Vieste with a 30km long coastline and crystal-blue sea, cliffs, sandy beaches, islands, caves, and magnificent bays. Or take Monopoli, which has an atmospheric fishing port, boulevard, and a wonderful historic city centre with medieval churches. We will now mention a few towns located inland that have very much to offer you and are an absolute delight to the eye.
One of the nicest and most unique towns in Puglia is Alberobello. It’s located on two hills separated by a riverbed and surrounded by extensive olive yards. Alberobello is known for its famous ‘’trulli’’ houses that you can find in Valle D’Itria. These are limestone houses with conical roofs, built with dry-stone masonry. No material holds the stones together. The earliest evidence shows that they’ve been in Puglia since the 4th century. There are about 1500 of them which are well-preserved, and they are on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996.
The second most beautiful town in Puglia and Italy we want to mention is Locorotondo. With its circular shape, it’s great to get immersed in the Puglia charm. It’s situated on a hill in the middle of the Itria valley, where you’ll be surrounded by vast vineyards and white trulli. Compared to Alberobello, it’s less touristy. The historic town with narrow streets and great cuisine where you can try the famous Locorotondo wine is absolutely worth visiting. And not to forget the wonderful views that you’ll get.
Furthermore, the capital of Puglia named Bari is a cosy and atmospheric port city. It’s a true highlight in the area that has lots of alleys full of small altars of Mary, hidden churches, balconies of fresh laundry and a labyrinth of streets, piazzas, and gates. In the newer part of Bari, you will find large shopping streets, and outside the gates of the old town, there’s the harbour promenade with lots of fresh fish to eat. Especially in the evening, the atmosphere is very nice in Bari.
Another splendid city is Lecce, which is bombarded with wonderful architecture. Piazza del Duomo is a wonderful square with the bishop’s palace, a seminary and a cathedral with its double façade, and a bell tower. The old centre has more than 40 churches and ‘palazzi’, built with unique yellow-white stones. Various artists have worked for 150 years on a façade of the Basilica di Santa Croce.
A great hidden gem in Italy is the region Le Marche, located in the heart of Italy next to the Adriatic Sea. You can tell it’s a little piece of paradise on earth, where three colours dominate the area: gold, green, and blue. The gorgeous countryside with picturesque coastal towns, lots of vineyards and olive groves, and great coastal areas to explore such as caves makes it an area that cannot be overlooked. Imagine walking through a fantastic historical hilltown, where you end up at one of the wonderful beaches and caves. It’s all possible in Le Marche. It’s not a well-known area in some countries, which makes it famous for its authenticity s well.
And because it’s less touristy and crowded, you can perceive a genuine atmosphere in the landscapes, traditions, people, and more. At one time you can find yourself in between rolling hills in all shades of green, and at another time you’ll be in a medieval hilltop town or a tiny village with lots of little streets, or at one of the breathtaking beaches alongside the blue sea. Impressive is that you can go from 2000m above sea level to the sea in just one hour. And did you know that the Marche region is home to some of the world’s most unique heritage and art?
The region consists of five provinces: Fermo, Ascoli Piceno, Macerata, Pesaro e Urbino, and Ancona. Each of these provinces has its wonderful nature and untouched landscapes. Le Marche is also known for its relaxing pace of life. You can find here the best Italian history, cuisine, traditions, and lots of breathtaking spots in the middle of nature. Let’s show you some interesting destinations in Le Marche where you can experience that authentic feel.
This is a small slice of true paradise in Le Marche, which is a protected regional park as well. It has a wonderful crystal-clear sea, clean beaches and an astonishing wild and green nature. Beaches like Sirolo, Numana, Porto Recanati, and Portonovo are known as some of the best beaches on the Adriatic coast. It has family-friendly beaches as the waters are shallow with calm waves, and good restaurants to complete your day with a refreshing drink or a great meal. The area is quite diverse and you can say that it has everything in one place as it has hills, mountains, long flat beaches, rugged cliffs, and beautiful coves.
For those who want to see the most impressive caves, you should go to the Frasassi Caves or in Italian named the Grotte di Frasassi. You will find it at one of the most magnificent passageways in the world! It’s impressive to see the range of rock formations, water pools, and stalactites. As you explore these caves there’s a high chance you will encounter another surprise: the Temple of Valadier. It was built in 1828 and it was a refuge for those looking for absolution. Anyways, you will be very impressed by the stalagmites and stalactites which are spread along 1500 meters of accessible caverns. The various light effects make it even more breathtaking.
Do you want a magical experience? The Furlo Pass or the Gola del Furlo is a landscape with rocky cliffs, green fields, intense forests and deep green waters of the Candigliano river. It has many hiking trails all around where you can admire the stunning landscape and of course, many rare birds. There’s even an ancient tunnel from the Roman Age. The Furlo Pass is the place to go to hide from the frenetic life and get a walk in a magical area with emerald green water snaking its way through the high limestone cliffs. The deep gorge exists because of extensive erosion by river waters.
In the south of Italy at the bottom of the boot, you will find the wonderful city, Bari. This is the capital of the Puglia region which is a true foodie paradise, with plenty of history and culture to discover in the backstreets. It has a pyramid centre which is a road that walks around the old city, with super old houses on one side and the sea on the other side. This also makes the seafront promenade a great area to walk around. And of course, you’ll find lots of nice restaurants, bars, and shopping streets along the way. As you can imagine Bari has a very pleasant climate as it’s one of the areas on the most southern point of Italy.
The Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild, relatively rainy winters is very attractive. There’s a chance that you will get snow on one day of the year! So for those who love snow, you won’t find it here. The port of Bari is well worth a visit, as it has a traditional harbour that’s still a working port. Ferries leave here to go to all kinds of destinations and even countries like Greece, Croatia, and beyond. Lots of fishermen come here to sell their seafood straight off their boats, which is very interesting to see.
We can’t skip the food in Bari, as they offer the freshest seafood you’ve ever got. This seafood is freshly caught by the fishermen who brought it to the lovely harbour of Bari. But seafood is not the only speciality of Bari. Throughout Bari, you will find plenty of street food as this is quite popular there. You can try food like panzerotti, which are deep-fried pastries stuffed with tomato and cheese. Or take the speciality riso, patate e cozze. This food consists of delicious layers of rice, with mussels and potatoes baked in terracotta pots in the wood-fired ovens. A unique Pugliese pasta named orecchiette is one of the most common and best-loved dishes.
From the harbour, you can easily start your tour of Lungamare, which goes along the grandest and longest seafront in Italy. It’s built by Mussolini in a true fascist style. Furthermore, Bari has an atmospheric old town named Bari Vecchio which overlooks the old harbour. It’s a labyrinth of cobbled streets, small piazzas, and twisting alleys. There are thick stone walls that once protected the city and as many as 40 churches to find. The Basilica St Nicholas and the cathedral are also impressive buildings. Even though Bari is an old town, it’s very much alive with everyone doing their daily tasks as if nothing has changed over the past centuries. And don’t forget visiting the Bari castle, which now functions as the headquarters of Puglia’s Directorate for Cultural and Landscape Heritage.
Bari is all about the sun and enjoying some of the best beaches in Italy, like Cala Cavallo which is a small sandy beach that’s ideal for families. Then you got Cala Porto Beach with white coloured pebbles which gives it a distinguishing feature, or Polignano a Mare Beach that’s excellent for cliff diving in the crystal clear waters. You can also do numerous watersport activities at Mola Di Bari beach, for example. Which has a long coastline. It has both sand and rocky sea beds so there’s something for everyone. Additionally, the south coast has many coves and bays with atmospheric seaside towns all along. Many people agree that this is even the most beautiful coastline in Italy.
Umbria is another region located in the heart of Italy, that’s not yet been discovered by mass tourism. Not only is the capital famous for its delicious chocolate. The whole region has breathtaking landscapes with high hills, beautiful medieval villages, and true peace and authenticity that can still be found to this day. Especially during spring, the Piano Grande is a true paradise and one of the world’s most beautiful sights when the flowers open during spring. Piano Grande is, by the way, a large plateau that’s more than 1200 meters above sea level located in the central Italian Apennines. What sets Umbria apart from other regions in Italy, is that it’s the only region without a coastal strip. However, it has beautiful lakes like Lake Trasimeno.
On Lake Trasimeno, you can do plenty of activities like going on a pedal boat, a boat trip, or surfing. And the cuisine is excellent. Popular food in Umbria is the delicious black and white truffles used in bruschetta and pasta dishes. Summers can be very hot and the winters cold, but during spring and autumn, the temperatures are still ideal for a holiday in Umbria or maybe even a permanent residence. Temperatures can differ in the north and the south of Umbria. You can compare Umbria with Toscane, but then it has fewer tourists. This could also mean that there are fewer restaurants in those tiny villages, but you will be rewarded with even more authenticity and hospitality.
Let’s name a few areas that are a must-visit in the Umbra region.
Perched on a mountain hill you will find the wonderful Montefalco. Thanks to its elevated position it has beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards. Even though it’s a small village, you can easily spend your whole day there and you’ll be away from the crowds. The market square is lovely which invites you to sit and watch the world go by whilst you eat some delicious Italian food. Discover the Sagrantino di Montefalco, which is an Italian red wine made of 100% Sagrantino grapes. You can discover these grapes in the surrounding vineyards. Furthermore, there is a lovely former church which is now a museum as there were many frescos made. This is a type of wall painting where the plaster is applied to the walls while still wet. That’s why it comes from the Italian word for fresh.
Orvieto is a city that you can see from far away. It is located on a hill where all attention goes to a wonderful church named Duomo. It took about 300 years to complete it. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many Italians and foreign visitors agree that this is probably the most beautiful church in Italy. Once you get there, you will get silent because it’s so breathtaking. Visiting the church from inside is an unforgettable moment with impressive frescoes and visuals that were saved through multiple centuries. The museum in Orvieto shows works that were donated to the church. Orvieto maintained its old charm and authenticity, where you can still see a historic dwell named San Patrizio which was once used to provide the citizens with water. The downtown area has lots of stores to explore and you shouldn’t forget to taste the delicious white wine.
The ancient Spello is often overlooked for those who travel through Umbria. However, it’s a very pleasant and picturesque Umbrian town with many narrow streets in between flower boxes. It has a famous flower festival as well named the Infiorata. The medieval town is surrounded by walls with two beautiful gates that will complete this medieval feel when you walk through the town. At Porta Conselare you can climb up and find the Santa Maria Maggiore church with a series of priceless frescoes made by Pinturicchio. He was a famous Renaissance painter with Perugia as his birthplace. When you climb even further you will get at a market square named Piazzetta Mazzoni with numerous small stores. Moreover, Spello is perfect for outdoor activities like mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking.
Another village that takes you away from the crowds, is Spoleto. This village has an authentic landscape and lovely small streets and alleys. When you follow your way up to the bridge of Ponte del Torri, you can see the whole village and its surroundings which is stunning. In Spoleto, you can even get a Niagara feeling because of the majestic Marmore waterfalls. Spoleto will be one of the best discoveries you can do in Italy as it’s rich in almost unknown beauty, such as forests of oaks, monasteries, valleys, and mountains. The village was a protagonist of different eras of which you can still find evidence through its immense artistic and historical heritage.
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Now you know the best places to live in Italy, have you seen our other guides?
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