Many of you may have imagined your retired life waking up to the smell of freshly brewed expresso, sunlight streaming onto the cobblestoned streets outside of your Italian villa. As you step out into a romantic Italian piazza, you wander past the centuries-old architecture to greet a community that knows your name.
Italy is a country synonymous with art, history, and passion, so it comes as no surprise that it is the ultimate retirement destination for many. From charming coastal villages to medieval towns nestled amidst rolling vineyards to modern metropolitan cities, we’ll break down the best places to retire in Italy for everyone’s taste.
1. Chianti Region, Tuscany
If you picture Tuscany in your mind, idyllic hills full of grape vines and olive trees, medieval stone buildings, and dirt roads, Chianti perfectly represents this image.
You’ve probably heard of Chianti from the wine, and if you have the slightest interest in wine, Tuscany is the place for you. Tons of smaller towns throughout the Chianti mountains, like Greve in Chianti, halfway between Florence and Siena, have thriving communities away from the hustle and bustle of bigger cities.
The lifestyle in these small Chianti towns leads to a healthy life. The slow pace, Mediterranean-style diet, and outdoor activities like cycling and hiking give plenty of opportunities for a healthy, active life after work.
Chianti is also a great spot to live due to its central location. From here, you can move throughout Italy with ease, and even throughout the rest of Europe.
Due to its recent popularity, the cost of living in Chianti is comparatively high at $1,346 per month, including rent, about 1.07 times the average in Italy. These averages, though, are increased by more prominent cities like Siena and Florence, so settling in smaller towns is more affordable and more immersive, too.
2. Taormina, Sicily
Even before its famous appearance in the second season of White Lotus, Sicily has been one of the most popular expat retiring locations in Italy. Its beautiful seascapes, amazing culinary culture, and low cost of living make it a hotspot for those looking to balance a beautiful place to live and their checkbooks.
Taormina is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the region and home to remote workers and retirees that make up a vibrant expat community. Though the city is expensive compared to other cities in Sicily, it makes up for it by having strong infrastructure and beaches a few steps away.
Rent in the town center is around €700 to €800, but because the town is smaller than 20,000 people, retirees can benefit from the 7% flat tax program, which is designed to help smaller cities grow.
3. Perugia, Umbria
Often considered the up-and-coming Tuscany, Umbria is one of the cheapest places to live in Italy and a great place to retire. It has almost everything that Tuscany has to offer: beautiful landscapes, delicious wines, rich local food, and all at much cheaper prices.
Perugia is a great place to start if you’re considering Umbria. A college town filled with expats and passionate locals, you’ll be able to enjoy the rich nightlife, delicious local food, and fantastic unique events, all with the small-town charm.
Mix that in with the low cost of living, with the average one-bedroom apartment in the city center averaging as little as €400 and you won’t be surprised at how many retirees settle here.
Additionally, Umbria is home to many small towns that qualify for a 7% flat tax, many of which are outside larger cities like Perugia and Terni.
4. Itria Valley, Puglia
Puglia is home to cliff-hanging cities and vast seascapes that rival the more famous Amalfi Coast but without huge crowds of tourists and high costs. The Itria Valley (aka Trulli Valley) is slightly more inland, a strip of land from Alto Salento to Terra di Bari. The region is iconic for its whitewashed houses and cone-shaped roofs.
The Itria Valley is one of the best places to retire in Italy because of its connection to the land. Rolling vineyards, lined olive trees, and fruit-filled orchards create a stunning landscape of agricultural beauty. Life in this area is much more sustainable, offering some of the lowest-priced property in the entire country.
If we look at Ostuni, one of the best cities in Puglia, a popular retiree and expat location, you can find cheap one-bedroom apartments for just over €300. If that wasn’t attractive enough, the Adriatic Sea is just a 20-minute car ride from the city center.
5. Teramo, Abruzzo
Nestled between the pristine Adriatic coast and the Apennine mountains, the Teramo area of Abruzzo is full of serene beaches and lush parks with a mild Mediterranean climate. The province offers a tranquil environment perfect for retirees looking to unwind and enjoy their golden years.
The cost of living in Teramo is relatively affordable compared to more tourist-centric regions of Italy, making it an attractive option for expats seeking to make the most of their retirement funds. In Pineto, a charming coastal town of around 13,000 residents, you can get by on around €1,000 a month. Considering this town is practically a beach, it’s worth the price.
The Teramo area boasts plenty of well-preserved historical sites, charming cobblestone streets, and beautiful beaches. Retiring here promises a serene and fulfilling chapter of life amidst the beauty and warmth of Italian living.
6. Cagliari, Sardinia
If you’re looking for a place to retire in Italy by the beach, Sardinia is the ideal retirement heaven. Cagliari is an incredible coastal city that offers beautiful beaches and clear blue Mediterranean water. Those searching for mild, sunny weather will love Cagliari, as this area sees the least amount of rain in the country.
As an island a bit isolated, Sardinia doesn’t have the crazy overpopulation that mainland cities do, meaning the area is relatively cheap to live in. Cagliari is one of the larger cities in Sardinia, with over 150,000 residents, with one-bedroom apartments running around €500 to €700 a month.
Life on the island will leave you a bit more isolated than many other options. Traveling to places like Rome or Milan is much more challenging to do from here than hopping on a train on the mainland.
Despite its remote nature, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, shopping, picture-perfect beaches, and everything else you need in the city.
7. Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
Bologna is a top place to retire in Italy. A city both known for its university and its amazing food, Bologna is located in the center of Italy, a great launching point for those interested in retiring in Italy and exploring the country.
The University of Bologna is one of many prestigious schools in the city, which means the city is diverse in its 390,000 residents in age, ethnicity, and interests. People from all over the country and world come to Bologna to study, live, and work because of the value it puts on education, the art scene, and nightlife.
The city is also considered the food capital of Italy, with many iconic dishes now synonymous with Italian food around the world. Ragu alla bolognese, Parmigano-Reggiano cheese, tagliatelle pasta, and cured meats like prosciutto and mortadella are just a few of the food items integral to Bologna’s identity.
The cost of living is slightly higher than many of the places on this list, as competition for apartments is pretty steep. One-bedroom apartments can cost anywhere between €600 to €800 a month.
8. Rome, Lazio
It would be a sin to make a list of the best places to retire in Italy without Rome. It’s one of the most lively cities in the country, full of unique history, cultural sites and great neighborhoods along with modern amenities.
Some may choose to focus on the negative aspects of the city: it’s full of tourists, crowded, comparatively expensive, and the public transportation isn’t great. Despite this, there is something truly special about living in the city of Rome.
Perhaps the history, food, art, shopping, and entertainment draw in tourists and keep locals there. You’ll never run out of things to do in Rome, even if you spend your entire life in the Eternal City.
But if you compare Rome to other big cities, the complaints don’t really add up. One-bedroom apartments outside the city center can cost as low as €750 a month, 25% lower than Paris, for example. Despite the public transportation being inconsistent, you can easily live there without a car.
9. Padua, Veneto
Just 40 kilometers from Venice, Padua is a welcoming “small” town offering a harmonious blend of historical charm, cultural richness, and a comfortable lifestyle. With a population of around 210,000 residents, beautiful Padua is one of the best places to retire in Italy. It maintains an intimate and friendly atmosphere that encourages a sense of community among locals and expats.
Padua’s relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger Italian cities ensures that retirees can enjoy a high quality of life without straining their finances. Housing costs are generally reasonable, with a one-bedroom apartment costing from €500 to €700 depending on the location.
The city’s efficient public transportation system offers a convenient and cost-effective way to explore the surrounding areas. Additionally, the city is largely walkable, including a pedestrian-only city center with a lively food market, shops, and other places of interest.
Padua is also unique in Italy as it’s famous for its craft beer scene instead of wine. Added to this, the city provides easy access to the gorgeous beaches along the Adriatic coast near Venice, so retirees can enjoy sunny summers on the water.
