Many of Italy’s seaside and cliff villages are located on stretches of coastline with dramatic scenery, including sea caves and beautiful coves. As well as beach walks, there are some great hiking trails to enjoy that have breathtaking panoramic views. Here we look at four stunning sections of the Italian coast, where you can find homes with incredible sea views, fresh sea air and crystal-clear waters.
Some seaside cliff villages in Italy appear to grow out of the rock, with coastal houses stepped up the mountain side or balancing on a cliff. These homes can have the most stunning views of the sea and coastline. Just imagine, after a romantic sunset dinner, falling asleep to the sound of the waves lapping against the rock, the fresh sea air gently blowing the curtains of your balcony window.
Even if you prefer to live in a more countryside setting, having a seaside town nearby is great for day trips or to enjoy a special dinner out at a waterfront restaurant. It is one of those experiences that makes living in Italy feel so special.
Cinque Terre, Liguria
Cinque Terra is located in the region of Liguria, in northwest Italy. This famous section of outstandingly beautiful coastline encompasses five charming seaside cliff villages. Along with the surrounding landscape they have been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO.
Seaside and cliff villages of the Cinque Terre
The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Monterosso al Mare is on fairly flat ground nestled among green hills. The village has two parts: the residential area and the historical port. As it is the biggest of the five villages, with a population of over 1,300, it has the most amenities. There are several bars and ice-cream shops along the beach front promenade. Plus, restaurants and shops in the historic alleyways.
Vernazza is included on the list of “The most beautiful villages of Italy” (I Borghi più belli d’Italia). Its narrow streets flow down the rocks to the piazza at the small port. It also has a castle that looks out to sea. There are grocers, bakers and a weekly market, where you can pick up fresh produce.
Corniglia is more relaxed, less touristy and a favourite with hikers. Because of its position on top of a high promontory, properties in elevated positions have great panoramic views to the sea or across terraces of vineyards. 377 steps lead from the train station up to the village, but there is also a bus.
Behind the small port of Manarola, colourful houses cling to the rock and cascade down to the sea. It’s a romantic village most suited to couples who want to enjoy panoramic walks, romantic meals overlooking the sea and swimming off the rocks.
Riomaggiore is another village that is perfect for a quiet romantic getaway, with lovely bars and restaurants for sunset meals, plus, the most famous and romantic path of the Cinque Terre, Via dell’Amore, which connects the villages of Riomaggiore and Manarola. Houses painted in the typical Ligurian colours of terracotta, yellow, peach and pink stretch up the rocks on both sides, looking down on a slipway for small boats.
Landscape of the Cinque Terre
The coastline and surrounding hills are part of the Cinque Terre National Park and marine protected area. Because of the landscape, the few roads in the area are narrow and winding, and cars can only get as far as the outside edges of the villages, where parking is limited. Access to the villages is mainly either by train or boat or on foot. In fact, there are 48 trails along this piece of coast.
To help finance protecting the environment and the tracks, which were originally just for farmers to reach their terraced land, you should purchase a Cinque Terre trekking Card. This gives you access to the park and guided tours etc. Cards cost from €7.50 for an adult day pass. Alternatively, you could purchase the Cinque Terre Train Card which also gives you access to local trains.
How to get to Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is about an hour-and-a-half drive from both Genoa and Pisa airports. However, the best way to reach the villages of Cinque Terre villages is by train. The Genoa to La Spezia line stops at all the villages. Plus, there are buses which link Genoa airport to the city train stations.
Why buy property in Cinque Terre
These charming villages enjoy a mild climate in beautiful surroundings. As they attract many visitors, property here is in great demand, allowing owners to get good returns on their investment, should they decide to rent it out to tourists. A one-bedroom apartment right in one of the villages can cost from around €300.000.
Amalfi Coast, Campania
The Amalfi coast is located in the region of Campania, just down the coast from Naples. This breathtaking stretch of coastline runs from picturesque Positano all the way to Vietri sui Mare, near Salerno. In between there are 16 municipalities including a cluster of 13 seaside towns and villages. Its proximity to Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and the Greek temple at Paestum also means the area is particularly appealing to those looking for a property in a region that combines history with a stunning landscape.
Seaside and cliff villages of the Amalfi Coast
There are many spectacular seaside and cliff villages dotted along the Amalfi coast. These include Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca de’Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala, Tramonti, and Vietri sul Mare. They each have their own character and provide homeowners in the area endless opportunities to visit interesting places and enjoy amazing sea views.
Positano has villas and apartments that offer stunning views of the sea and the cliffs, providing both a beautiful and unique place to live. Positano provides the glamour, while neighbouring Paiano is quieter with an authentic charm and a great beach. Families who enjoy time by the sea can find the biggest beach at Maiori. You will also find family-friendly sand beaches at Minori and Erchie.
For a location with an historic atmosphere take a look at the village of Amalfi. It’s a maze of alleys and stairways, with a beautiful cathedral. A strong sense of faith can also be found in Scala, with its cathedral and small churches. This is also a good area to go hiking.
The village with the biggest connection to fishing and the sea is Cetara, which is famous for its tuna and anchovies. Another coastal highlight can be found at Conca dei marini, where you’ll find the emerald grotto. Reached only by boat, it’s a magical trip into a cave with stalactites and emerald-green waters. If good food is your priority, you should head to Minori, which is renowned for its gastronomic and artisanal traditions.
Ravello is the place to find creative inspiration, from art to botany to music. A highly regarded music festival takes place here in July and August, hosting 15 concerts including baroque, classical, soundtracks and jazz. Art lovers will also be fascinated by Furore, due to the incredible murals adorning its buildings.
Landscape of the Amalfi Coast
Villas and apartments in Positano offer stunning sea views
Viewed from the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Amalfi coast is recognised for its dramatic cliffs, small bays and terraces filled with vines, olive trees and lemon groves. Colourful houses cling to the steep slopes, like the tiered seating of a grand theatre; each one making the most of the sea views. Listed by UNESCO, the Amalfi coast is considered a perfect example of Mediterranean scenery of great cultural and natural value. Hikers can enjoy the sea views from a nine-kilometre-long nature trail called the “Path of the Gods”.
How to get to the Amalfi coast
The Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport offers connections to several domestic and international seasonal destinations, especially during the peak tourist season. It is served by several well known airlines including Ryanair, easyjet, British Airways and Volotea. There is also an International Airport in Naples.
Driving along the coast road is both breathtaking and sometimes hair raising, as it weaves in and out, with rock on one side and a drop on the other. In high season, restrictions are put in place to reduce traffic and pollution. Cars with a license plate ending in an odd number cannot drive Amalfi Coast on odd numbered days, while cars with a license plate ending in an even number can’t drive on even numbered days. However, property owners in the area are exempt from this rule.
Why buy property on the Amalfi Coast
The market for luxury real estate is thriving here, with many properties offering luxury, historic charm and stunning views. The villages that have the highest average asking prices per square metre are Positano, Conca, Atrani, Amalfi and Ravello, ranging from 6,409 (€/m²) in Ravello, up to 10,717 (€/m²) in Positano [1]. However, in Cetara, Furore, Minore, Scala, Vietri sul Mare and Tramonti the average per square metre is less than €4,000.
Property for sale with a view of the Positano coast (€980,000)
Costa Adriatica Pugliese, Puglia
The region of Puglia is located in the south east of Italy. As Puglia’s airports are on the side facing the Adriatic sea, the coastline between Bari and Brindisi have become popular with tourists and house buyers. A fast road and train connect the two, making it easy to reach seaside villages along this section of the Adriatic coast. While some of these villages are located behind beaches, two historic villages stand out for being right on the water’s edge.
Seaside and cliff villages of Costa Adriatica Pugliese
There are several villages along the coast between Bari and Brindisi. Of particular note are Mola di Bari, Polignano a mare and Monopoli.
Polignano a mare
Polignano a mare is the most famous for having houses right on the edge of dramatic cliffs. Plus, for that extra special dinner date, how about a restaurant in a cave, in a cliff? At Grotta Palazzese you can actually experience this amazing dinner setting. One of the highlights of the year, is when the town hosts the cliff-diving competition. You see competitors actually walking through a house to reach a diving platform, before jumping into the crystal-clear waters. Spectators applauding them from the small town beach and nearby rocks.
Monopoli
Monopoli is a picturesque coastal town with blue fishing boats bobbing around in the charming harbour. It has a well-preserved medieval centre, castle and large piazzas. As well as sandy beaches and pretty coves, there are caves and rock churches. Monopoli offers a relaxed atmosphere with friendly locals. The population of around 35,000 are well catered for in the residential and town areas, where you will find facilities for young and old, all year round.
Close by is the famous Borgo Egnazia resort and Dominica golf course, both of which have attracted the rich and famous to this region. By offering a quality service and introducing guests to the very best of the Puglia region, including cuisine using fresh ingredients, traditional music, dance and hospitality, many people return again and again to explore this region further. Attractions in this area include, a zoo safari, caves, a water park, the trulli of Alberobello and the white city of Ostuni.
Landscape of the Costa Adriatica Pugliese
In the section between Brindisi and Bari the land is mostly flat, with some inland towns perched on small hills. However, the coastline is very varied, with rocks, high cliffs, small coves and stretches of beach. If you get a window seat on a flight to Brindisi airport, you may be treated to a stunning view of the curves of this beautiful coastline.
How to get to Costa Adriatica Pugliese
You can find flights to both Bari and Brindisi airport from many destinations. You can even fly direct from New York. Italian airline Neos just recently launched weekly summer season flights from JFK airport direct to Bari, Puglia.
From the airport, I’d recommend hiring a car to fully explore the area. Polignano a Mare is around three quarters of an hour’s drive from Bari airport and 52 minutes from Brindisi airport. Monopoli is 52 minutes’ drive from Bari airport and 49 minutes from Brindisi Airport. A trainline also goes along the coast connecting Bari and Brindisi, with stops at Polignano a mare and Monopoli.
Why buy a seaside property in Puglia
The villages along this section of the Adriatic coast are close to trains, roads and airports. There are interesting places to visit in the area and they are located between two coastal cities with shops and hospitals etc. Being in the south of Italy, the summers are hot and long and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Breathe the sea air here and you are sure to sleep like a baby. A one-bedroom apartment right on the cliff edge costs from €290,000.
Two-bedroom seaside apartment in Scilla, Calabria (€220,000)
The Coast of Calabria
Calabria is the region that makes up the toe of the Italian boot. Known for its countless beaches and beautiful coastline, it faces the Tyrrhenian sea to the west, the Strait of Messina at the point and the Ionian Sea to the east. The particular stretch of land along which Tropea is located is known as the Costa degli Dei or Coast of the Gods. Towns and villages here are authentic and relatively untouched by mass tourism, compared to other more popular regions. The local people want to welcome more tourists.
Seaside and cliff villages of Calabria
Tropea
Tropea is a seaside village that combines crystal clear waters, beaches, cliff views and an authentic Italian atmosphere. Located in the province of Vibo Valentia, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Tropea is one of the most enchanting places on the Calabrian coast. One of the most photographed places in Tropea is the Benedictine Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola which stands on a rock right in front of the town. The old town perches on a balcony over the sea, with houses built right to the edge of the rock, directly above the shore road and beach. Tropea’s historic centre is a maze of medieval streets and squares full of café and shops selling local products, plus, doorways from the renaissance and baroque periods.
Scilla
In Scilla, a rocky cliff forms a small promontory next to a long beach. At the top of the rock is Ruffo castle, which offers outstanding panoramic sea views. Flowing down the rocks to the side are houses and apartments with great views of the sea, a beach and even part of the coast of Sicily. The San Giorgio neighbourhood is the heart of the town, with the most elevated views being from Piazza San Rocco. A big attraction here is the seafood, especially swordfish, which can be enjoyed at a number of restaurants, cafes and from sellers of street food.
How to get to Calabria
Lamezia Terme is the main airport which serves the Calabria region. It receives domestic flights from major Italian cities, such as Milan, Rome, Turin, Venice, Pisa and Bologna. In addition, you can get direct flights from many other cities in Europe, including London, Munich and Paris. From the airport, Tropea is less than an hour’s drive down the coast. Scilla is further down the coast, therefore its nearest airport is actually Reggio Calabria Airport (REG), which is a 20-minute drive. It also receives flights from many cities at home and abroad.
Why buy a seaside property in Calabria
Calabria is one of the most affordable regions to live and buy property. The average asking price of property in Tropea can be around half of a similar property on the Amalfi coast. A sea view apartment in Tropea or Scilla starts at around €165,000. However, prices are steadily rising as more people discover the region. For now, towns here don’t get as busy with tourists as Cinque Terre or the Amalfi coast, therefore the atmosphere is more relaxed.
Source:
[1]: Real estate market Amalfi – Immobiliare.it
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