Since we are based in Palermo, our main focus will be on the region surrounding Palermo in the northern and western parts of the island, along with Agrigento and its province.
Palermo
Palermo city
Palermo is a remarkable city full of monuments and amenities. If you find the right house here, the quality of life is notably high. Given the strong demand for houses, it is unlikely that your investment will depreciate in value. Foreign investors tend to favour the historic centre, but there are also many other areas with great potential. In the city centre, you can find one of Italy’s most beautiful seafront promenades with bars, restaurants, and a large, well-equipped area for jogging, sports, and relaxation. Sandy beaches are available in Mondello, but this area becomes very crowded in summer, and prices are high. Palermo is a large city with approximately 650,000 inhabitants. In Palermo, you can find everything you need, and the city has its own airport, making it easy to reach.
Arenella AND Vergine Maria
Arenella and Vergine Maria are two fishing villages in the city of Palermo, located along the coastal road towards Mondello. Both have preserved an original urban structure with very notable tuna fisheries. These are the tuna fisheries that housed the Florio enterprise and where the novel ‘The Lions of Sicily’ is set; the novel has been translated into over 30 languages. In the centre of the villages, there are beautiful sandy beaches that are very popular in summer, especially among Palermo residents. Due to limited space, parking is scarce. There are stunning houses facing the sea or with sea views, but they are few and in high demand. Consequently, prices are high, and it is fortunate to find one.
Palermo west
SferrAcavallo
The first place you encounter heading west from Palermo is Sferracavallo. This charming fishing village is popular with locals during the summer and on weekends. It features many small restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish and regional dishes. The village remains authentic and unspoiled by mass tourism. The highlight of the area is the Capo Gallo Reserve, a stunning natural space with a 2 km sea walk along the cliffs, free of cars and ideal for walking. The village is well known for water sports such as sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. Property for sale is scarce due to strong local demand, but prices stay reasonable. Being part of the Palermo municipality, it is served regularly by buses to and from Palermo city centre. It also has a train line connecting it to Palermo airport.
Isola delle Femmine
Isola delle Femmine is the second village you encounter when travelling west from Palermo. Like Sferracavallo, it is authentic and not heavily visited by tourists. The main attraction of this village is the 2 km-long sandy beach, one of the most beautiful in Sicily. The beach is easily accessible and maintained in a natural state. Although it is true that during the summer months the beach tends to be quite popular with locals, at other times of the year it offers plenty of space for everyone to enjoy a peaceful, undisturbed relaxation in close contact with nature. In the village centre, there is also a very traditional “friggitoria” (fryer shop) that is well known among locals for its sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, and “panellas”. Houses are not easy to find, but with some luck, it can happen. Like Sferracavallo, Isola delle Femmine is also served regularly by buses to and from Palermo city centre and has a train line connecting it to Palermo airport.
Carini
Carini is a charming historic village perched on a hill, offering panoramic views about 5 km from the sea. The area is peaceful, quiet, and cool in summer, and remains largely untouched by tourists. Property prices are generally affordable and demonstrate strong growth potential due to its proximity to Palermo and excellent airport connections.
Terrasini
Terrasini is a charming seaside town not far from Palermo, just beyond the airport. It is known for its rocky coastline, red cliffs, and sandy beaches. Here, you can enjoy the sea and live in a place that is less congested than Palermo, while still being nearby. The area boasts a strong international community, with many foreigners having bought homes here. An added advantage is its proximity to the airport.
Trappeto
Trappeto is a charming fishing village located a few kilometres west of Terrasini. The place is highly recommended for quality of life, space, and proximity to the sea, while remaining reasonably close to Palermo.
Alcamo
Alcamo is a charming historic town famous for its wines and vineyards. Visitors can find beautiful town and country houses at reasonable prices. In our view, the town and surrounding area generally have considerable potential for value appreciation.
Castellammare del Golfo
Castellammare del Golfo is picturesque and has a charming atmosphere. Situated between a high hill and the sea, with a castle and an old town on a promontory, it draws a stream of tourists. The property prices are high, but if the house offers a sea view, the investment can be worthwhile.
San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo has one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily. Houses are quite expensive, but they rarely lose value because demand for homes here is always high.
Trapani
Trapani is a charming medium-sized town where it’s easy to find beautiful houses at reasonable prices. The old town has a delightful historical atmosphere. The town tends to be quite windy, but for northern Europeans, this is often a benefit, as it keeps summers cooler. Not far from the town, there are excellent sandy beaches. As it faces westward to the sea, you can enjoy some of the most breathtaking sunsets in Sicily. Trapani has its own airport, with numerous direct flights from Italy and the EU.
Marsala
Marsala is less popular than Trapani, even though it has much to offer. The old town is very charming, with many wine shops where visitors can sample local Marsala wine. The region is characterised by vineyards and agricultural buildings. Prices are generally not expensive. The area offers good beaches and suites for those who need space and prefer less crowded places.
Mazara del Vallo
Mazara del Vallo is one of the most underrated towns in Sicily. The architecture and the atmosphere are distinctive. The harbour is one of the largest fishing ports in Italy. Tourists have not yet fully discovered it, so prices remain low.
Salemi
Salemi is a bit inland, away from the tourist hotspots, and is considered one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. The landscape is stunning. House prices are very low.
Castelvetrano
What makes Castelvetrano interesting is that you can find sea houses at reasonable prices in this area. The town offers everything you need, and is a good spot for those who love nature and do not place too much importance on infrastructure.
Palermo easT
Casteldaccia and Altavilla Milicia
Casteldaccia and Altavilla Milicia are two villages about 20 km from Palermo towards Messina. Both are situated on slightly elevated ground with a splendid view of the sea and the countryside. On clearer days, the view can extend as far as Cefalù and the Aeolian Islands. These are historically agricultural villages well connected to Palermo by motorway and railway. For this reason, unlike many other places, these villages are not depopulating but are actually growing. Both are surrounded by beautiful countryside dotted with farmhouses, with views of land and sea. The historic centre of Casteldaccia is charming and has good potential given the low prices. Both villages have fewer than 20,000 inhabitants and qualify for a 7% tax rate on foreign pensions.
Bagheria
Bagheria is a very authentic agricultural town, surrounded by large olive and orange groves and offering views of the hillsides. The area is dotted with charming rural houses and gardens. The price of houses is generally reasonable; however, due to the strong local market, you need to be fortunate to find the right property at the right time. Bagheria’s seafront district, Aspra, has become quite busy and expensive in recent years. If you are seeking a luxurious villa with sea views and private access to the sea, this might, however, be the right choice for you.
Porticello
The village is renowned for its fishing harbour, a variety of restaurants and bars, and scenic sea views. Recently, however, it has lost some of its authenticity due to rising house prices and the presence of a strong international community, especially from northern Europe. The positive side of this is that houses can maintain their value more easily in the international real estate market.
Termini Imerese
Termini Imerese is a medium-sized town located on the Palermo-Messina motorway. Although the area is quite industrial, it has a charming character and shows strong growth potential due to its affordable prices. When selecting a house, however, consideration should be given to the new planned high-speed railway line, as it could impact some countryside houses with noise and visible infrastructure.
Cefalù
Cefalù is internationally renowned and is visited throughout the year by crowds of tourists. Guides and manuals provide a lot of information on the town’s attractions; here, it is enough to say that the area is quite crowded and property prices are rather high.
Surroundings of Cefalù
On the hills between Termini Imerese and Cefalù, there are villages that have recently been rediscovered by international investors. These villages are valued for their sea views, tranquillity, open spaces, climate, fresh air, and affordable housing prices. Many also regard these villages as authentic, although it is hard to speak of true authenticity, given that they have lost more than half of their population over the last 30 years. Certainly, the international community finds these villages attractive to foreign investors, especially retirees and digital nomads.
Among these villages are Collesano, Isnello, Grattieri, Lascari, and, if you want to go further, Pollina.
South-West
Agrigento
Agrigento is located in the south-west of the island on a hill overlooking the sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the Western world, and history can be felt in every corner, starting with the Cathedral of San Gerlando, which encompasses two thousand years of history. Not to mention the Rabato, the ancient Arab quarter that has remained intact in its structure. The sea and the countryside offer stunning views. House prices are low, and for those who love living in historic environments, finding excellent opportunities is not difficult. Unfortunately, there is a water supply issue, and the historic centre is not very accessible to cars. The city is well connected to Palermo with a regular train service.
Agrigento province
Agrigento province is sparsely populated and rich in natural areas, including the splendid Platani estuary reserve. There are many beaches, and out of season they are practically empty. The villages are agricultural and simple, far from mass tourism. Notable mentions include Sambuca di Sicilia, considered one of the most beautiful towns in Italy and recently known for the €1 house initiative, as well as Realmonte and Montallegro. Water supply, especially in summer, is unfortunately lacking in the area. The region is suitable for those who love tranquillity, spaciousness, and a natural way of life.
