Walking among stone walls, towers rising above the hills, and cobbled lanes that seem frozen in time is an experience Italy does particularly well. The most beautiful medieval villages in Italy tell the story of an era shaped by castles, Romanesque churches and communities perched high up for protection, places that have since become popular travel destinations.
Owning a home by the sea is a dream for many people. Buying one, particularly in certain locations, is a luxury reserved for a select few. In the third quarter of 2026, the most exclusive coastal municipalities in Italy confirm a clear trend: prime property shows no sign of slowing down, with prices in some cases rising by more than 40% over the past five years.
August is the holiday month par excellence in Italy, when many people are off work and looking to escape the daily routine.
When it comes to green homes, 2030 is a deadline that's generating attention and, in some cases, even some concern. However, it's important to remember that this isn't a doomsday year for the real estate market. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has mandated the achievement of certain overall national targets. These targets must be interpreted correctly: new residential buildings must be zero-emission by 2030; while for existing residential buildings, Member States must adopt measures to ensure a reduction in average primary energy use of at least 16% by that year. Therefore, there's no requirement for a minimum energy class for each individual home. But what does the latest news on the European directive on green homes tell us?
August is Italy’s busiest holiday month, and prices rise sharply in the country’s best-known seaside resorts.
Finding a quiet beach in Italy in July or August seems almost impossible. Yet the peninsula still hides dozens of coves accessible only on foot, bays protected by nature reserves, and inlets where the only sound is the crashing waves. Many of these uncrowded beaches owe their tranquility to their difficult access: forest trails, boat arrivals, or limited-access reservation systems that limit daily admissions.
If you strip the Italian market back to its absolute lowest price bracket, a small but striking group of municipalities sits below €500 per m².
Lampedusa is famous for its transparent waters, deep turquoise seabeds and still largely unspoilt scenery. If you don’t want to give up an umbrella, a sunbed, a shower and a proper lunch with a sea view, choosing the right lido (beach club) can really shape your holiday. The equipped beaches in Lampedusa strike that balance between wild nature and comfort. Here’s a complete overview of the main beaches with facilities, including where most of the lidos are concentrated, which areas are easiest for families and which are better suited to snorkelling and proper relaxation.
Italy remains one of Europe's most popular retirement destinations. Its slower pace of life, excellent cuisine and history continue to attract retirees from around the world.
A reopened flight route, a surname spotted on the village bell tower, a recipe scribbled in pencil: sometimes that is all it takes to trigger a return ticket.
The award-winning director Christopher Nolan has returned with a new cinematic adaptation of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, with Matt Damon in the star role. For a story so strongly rooted in a specific geographical and cultural imagination, which locations were chosen?
An uninhabited island, flat as a table and hidden among sandbanks and canals: one of the most surprising places in the Venetian Lagoon is about to be reopened. San Giacomo in Paludo, just over a hectare between Murano and the route to Burano and Torcello, is at the center of a project that combines environmental restoration, research, and contemporary art.
If you’ve been watching the Italian market and wondering where prices are still genuinely low, this is where things get interesting.
A beach without stifling heat, set among forests and peaks, really does exist. In many cases, it’s just a few hours by car, with clear water to dive into and meadows where you can stretch out in the shade. The new “cool” summer destinations aren’t by the sea but at altitude: Alpine lakes and valleys with proper lidos, equipped or completely natural, suited to swimming, picnics and sport.
If you spend any time in Italy in summer, you’ll quickly hear one word over and over again: Ferragosto.
With the growing number of dog-friendly beaches in Italy, planning a holiday with your four-legged friend has become much easier. Your dog deserves a few days of fun and relaxation under the sun too, with sand under their paws and the sea close by. To help you organise your holiday with your dog, we’ve put together a selection of the most beautiful pet-friendly beaches in Italy, so you can enjoy the coast without stress. But that’s not all. As well as the beach, you’ll need dog-friendly accommodation. You can book your holiday home on Rentalia online, simply by using the “pets allowed” filter.
The idea of owning a penthouse looking out over the sea can seem like an impossible dream for many people, almost too good to be true. Yet the Italian property market often hides exactly this kind of surprise. The key to finding sea-view penthouses starting from €35,000 lies in looking beyond the big, famous holiday hotspots and focusing instead on smaller coastal towns, villages in the South and areas where demand is more limited. In many cases, these are top-floor properties, with a terrace or panoramic outlook, located in places outside the most exclusive circuits.
To find Italy’s most pleasant climate in 2026, you need to look east, along the Adriatic coast, which dominates the ranking. In this context, Bari confirms its place at the top for the third consecutive year. The data comes from the Sole 24 Ore Climate Index, which each year compares Italian provincial capitals based on overall climate wellbeing.
A place in the province of Biella in northern Italy’s Piedmont region is identified by idealista as the cheapest municipality in Italy for buying a home in the second quarter of 2026. Average asking prices are €331 per m², compared with a national average of €1,903 per m² for the same period.Th
The southernmost tip of southeastern Sicily offers wild coves, stretches of golden sand, and waters that rival the world's most famous seas. Fortunately, within just a few kilometers of coastline, there are a wide variety of environments, from low cliffs to dunes protected by nature reserves. Pachino is located at the southern tip of the province of Syracuse, a stone's throw from Portopalo di Capo Passero and Marzamemi. Due to its strategic location, it's worth discovering the most beautiful beaches near Pachino.
In Southern Italy, some of the most iconic cheeses in the world are produced. The stretched-curd traditions of Sicily and the creamy richness of Puglian burrata each tell their own story through milk, pastureland and the skilled hands of producers who still follow age-old methods.
Can a small cup of coffee change the fate of a borgo, a historic village? In Sardinia, three young women have turned an everyday gesture into a collective invitation to put down roots again in places many had stopped believing in.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for general information purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments.
There’s a stretch of Sardinian coastline where the sea laps at a very long beach and, even in high season, it never feels cramped.
Ready to plan your perfect summer?Here’s a look at 6 dream islands between Italy, Spain and Portugal, ideal if you’re after striking beaches, dramatic scenery, high levels of comfort and unspoilt nature.If you’re looking for peace and quiet, outdoor experiences or special moments to share with famil
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