Best places to buy in Tuscany

Expats have spread throughout the region of Tuscany, and for good reason. The beauty of the charming vineyards and countryside can only be rivalled by its elegant cities. So, whether you enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life or the quiet of rural areas, Tuscany has plenty to offer! Here are our picks of the best places to buy property.

Florence

Rich in art, fine architecture and culture, Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance. Apartments match the city’s grand feel. You’ll find prestigious properties in 16th century buildings possessing frescoes, hard wood and terracotta floors and vaulted or wooden beamed buildings.

Expats with families tend to head out towards Arcetri, Piazza Calda or Bagno a Ripoli for proximity to the International School of Florence (and a bit more greenery). Here, homes can still be pricier, at around € 425,000 for an 80m² property.

Rich in art, fine architecture and culture, Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Lucca

Lucca is very easy to reach by car as well as train from both Pisa and Florence. In recent years Lucca and the surrounding villages have become more and more popular with British house buyers. The area combines good holiday rental prospects with very reasonable property prices. It is also well located to reach Pisa airport.

Lucca

Garfagnana

A more affordable alternative to the major Tuscan hotspots would be the area of Garfagnana. It is situated between the Apuan Alps and the Tosco-Emiliano Apennines and is a broad valley covered surrounded by the waters of the Serchio River. The Garfagnana is home to two nature parks.

Less than a hours’ drive from Lucca, it boasts incredible mountainous scenery and quaint towns, the main one being Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. This area is perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors and who would prefer to live away from bustling tourist traps.

Less than a hours’ drive from Lucca, Garfagnana boasts incredible mountainous scenery and quaint towns.

Maremma

Maremma is another area that is perfect for escaping the tourists and experiencing an authentic, Italian way of life. Dotted with beautiful medieval towns, everywhere is small and provincial with beautifully preserved Renaissance and medieval homes. As the area is rural, you’ll find that the properties here are a little more affordable.

The biggest city and capital, Grosseto, only has 80,000 residents, which is pretty small compared to Tuscany’s big cities. The area is quite a way from Florence; however, you’ll only need to travel around an hour and a half to get to Rome.

Marina of Piombino, Maremma

Lunigiana

A small expat community has even popped up in Lunigiana in the Apennine mountains. Home to unspoilt countryside, the Lunigiana has countless tiny villages and several larger towns. This area offers the opportunity to engage in a different kind of life, to slow down and reconnect with nature.

With tourism only just starting to be established, you’ll be living in ‘real’ rural Italy. However, it’s about an hour’s drive from Pisa, Genova and Parma and so you can get your taste of city life when you need it. It’s also perfect for airport connections.