One last Pizzazza – properties with a view of Italy’s village scene

In Italy, life doesn’t begin in the streets – it begins in the piazza. Where children play football, old men shuffle cards, and the aroma of freshly baked pizza wafts through the air. It’s a place where time passes more slowly, and encounters are a matter of course.

‘One Last Pizzazza’ – this is more than just a play on words. It is a feeling. A mixture of pizza, piazza, and what Italy is all about: community, enjoyment, serenity.

More people dream of owning a property in an Italian village – not as a holiday home, but as a retreat with soul. A balcony overlooking the piazza is not a luxury – it is a window into a different way of life.

The return of villages – and why they are now in demand

Just a few years ago, many Italian villages stood empty. Young people moved to the cities, houses fell into disrepair, and time seemed to stand still. But now the tide has turned. The desire to slow down is growing – and Italy offers the ideal setting for this. Many are discovering the ‘other Italy’: life among vineyards, natural stone and neighbours. Here, time is not a luxury, but part of everyday life.

While cities such as Florence and Milan are reaching their limits, places such as Pietrasanta, Orvieto, Matera and Noto are coming to life. Low property prices, cultural depth and a Mediterranean lifestyle make them desirable places to live – not only for Italians.

Architecture and atmosphere – living among stone, history and espresso

Anyone strolling through an Italian village will quickly notice that everything here follows an old order. The piazza is the heart, the houses around it set the rhythm.

Natural stone façades, terracotta roofs and window shutters in faded colours are typical features. Many buildings date back to the 17th or 18th century. Behind narrow doors lie vaulted cellars, courtyards and roof terraces with views over the village.

A house overlooking the Piazza is more than just a property. It is a place where you become part of everyday life – in the morning to the sound of church bells, at midday to the cries of the fishmonger, in the evening by the light of the lanterns.

Regions with charm – villages that tell stories

Tuscany: between cypress trees and bell chimes

Tuscany remains a classic – but off the beaten track, you can find places with real character: Montefioralle, San Quirico d’Orcia, or Pienza.

Here, restored stone houses measuring 100–150 square metres cost between 225,000 and 540,000, depending on their location and amenities. With a little patience, you can find properties in need of renovation from around £175,000 – perfect for those who want to design their dream home themselves.

Tip: In southern Tuscany (Val d’Orcia), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, demand for authentic properties remains stable – not least because of their high resale value.

Piemont: an insider tip for connoisseurs

Between vineyards and the foothills of the Alps, new places of longing are emerging in Piedmont: La Morra, Neive, and Barolo. World-class cuisine meets rural serenity here. Old farmhouses – known as rustici – are particularly sought-after, often w h vaulted cellars and large plots of land. The price per square metre is between 1,800 and 2,500. A well-restored country house costs between 250,000 and 400,000 on average.

Property prices in comparison: Where to invest in Italy

Italy offers a wide variety of property locations – and there are significant price differences between regions. At the upper end of the scale is Tuscany, with an average price per square metre of around €2,800, mainly due to the high resale value and international demand. Umbria, often considered the quieter, more unspoilt sibling of Tuscany, is around 1,900 per square metre. Piedmont, at €1,900 per square metre, not only offers lower entry prices, but also impresses with its growth potential in the wine region. The South is significantly cheaper: in Apulia, you pay around €1,600 per square metre for charming trulli and masserie – ideal for renovation projects. Sicily is currently the cheapest, at €1,300 per square metre – an up-and-coming market with plenty of authentic character and potential for long-term value appreciation.

Southern Italy and Islands: Sunshine and the rebirth of old places

In the South, you can experience Italy at its most authentic. Regions such as Apulia, Calabria and Sicily attract visitors with their light, authenticity, and a property market on the rise. A well-known example is Sambuca di Sicilia, where houses were sold for €1 to revitalise historic town centres. But beyond the marketing, there is real change: restorations, new cafés, creative projects. In many villages in Sicily, houses with sea views can still be found for less than €200,000 – with potential and history. And, in many places, an espresso still costs €1.20.

Investment with soul – between return and quality of life

Italian village properties have long been more than just a romantic ideal – they also offer economic advantages. In many regions, prices are rising slowly but steadily – especially where culture, nature, and infrastructure converge.

The opportunities for returns lie in holiday rentals and long-term value appreciation. At the same time, ancillary costs and property tax remain moderate by international standards.

Economic advantages: Why village properties in Italy are worthwhile

Buying a property in an Italian village is not only an emotional decision, but often also a wise economic one. In many regions, purchase prices are 40–60% lower than those of comparable urban properties, which makes it much easier to get started. The tax burden is also moderate: those who use the property as their primary residence benefit from low property tax (IMU). Attractive opportunities are available for landlords – demand for authentic holiday homes in charming villages is stable and growing in many places. In addition, many regions offer government subsidies for renovations, especially for energy-efficient refurbishments or repairs in line with conservation guidelines. This combines quality of life and investment in a particularly sustainable way.

Note: The so-called “Superbonus” – a subsidy programme for energy-efficient renovations – is particularly interesting.

Restoring with sensitivity – between modernity and tradition

Living in an Italian village house is not just about living – it is about preserving history. Many buildings are listed (Vincolo Storico), which means that details such as wooden beams, stone walls or frescoes cannot simply be changed.

Nevertheless, modern technology can be integrated – with a delicate touch. Underfloor heating, energy-saving windows, or WiFi in thick walls are possible if you work with local architects and craftsmen.

3 tips for buyers of village houses

• Check the energy performance certificate (APE) – mandatory for every sale.
• Calculate renovation costs realistically: approx. £800–1,200/m².
• Work with local tradespeople – they know the materials, style and climate.

Life on the piazza – the most beautiful asset

The true value of a house in Italy lies not only in the price per square metre – but in its view. A balcony overlooking the piazza means participation: in life, in the community, in the moment. Here, everyday life is not anonymous. People greet each other, exchange a few words, drink coffee together. Children play, nonni chat, tourists marvel – and you? You become part of it.

“In Italy, a house is not just a place to live – it is a place to live life.”

From holiday home to home

Many people start with a holiday property – but those who stay for several months quickly realise that life naturally slows down. Remote working makes it possible to work in the South, and more communities are encouraging international residents to move there.

This is giving rise to a new generation of part-time Italians: digitally connected, locally rooted. Mornings at the market, afternoons in the sun, evenings eating pizza on the terrace – including one last pizza.

Conclusion: between stone, sun and soul

A house in an Italian village is no ordinary property – it is an investment in quality of life. A promise to feel time again, breathe history, and become part of a community that still knows what closeness means. Whether you’re looking out onto the piazza while children play below or closing the shutters in the evening – at that moment, Italy no longer feels like a holiday. It feels like home.