In Tuscany you can find luxury houses and live a millionaire lifestyle. Fortunately, you can also head there with a much lower budget, confident you’ll be able to enjoy life without spending a fortune. In this article we’ll show what Tuscany has offer for those with both larger and smaller budgets.

Tuscany attracts – has always attracted – the glitterati and jet set. From the days of the Grand Tour to the likes Kate Middleton doing her gap year in Florence. But in this region the same size as Wales, or New Jersey, there are plenty of cheaper options for property buyers.

These renovation projects – as highlighted in the second series of Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job – but also homes ready to move into.

But first, the bling!

Bling: luxury homes in Tuscany

Like the bubbles in your prosecco, a little bling adds that extra sparkle to your Italian home. Tuscany is one of the most sought-after destinations for luxury houses. Of particular appeal are properties that can be transformed into magnificent country houses. Homes that have the real wow factor! Whether it’s historic architecture, breathtaking views, stylish décor, or those special touches that make a house a place to be admired.

Italian Design

The “Made in Italy” brand, is well represented in Tuscany. Here you’ll find businesses that offer design services that will help you create that exclusive and unique look, with bespoke items for your home. Italian designers, not only excel in fashion, food, and fast cars, but also in furniture, art and traditional crafts. Even if you have a low budget, antique markets and local workshops are great places to find interesting items to add something special to your Italian home.

Luxury country houses

In the Tuscan countryside you can buy luxury historic villas, countryside estates with vineyards, and restored farmhouses. They are constructed to last, using stone, terracotta, and wood, in earth tones that blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. These countryside homes offer privacy, as well as the space to invite guests. Your friends will adore the warm character of your Italian home, and its history will be the subject of many an after-dinner discussion.

Your perfect property in Tuscany? (iacomino FRiMAGES / Shutterstock.com)

Furniture and accessories

When you purchase a period residence, you can also add luxury elements to meet your own requirements, while retaining its original charm. Historic homes not only represent a piece of history, they are also a long-term investment opportunity. In Tuscany, you can find high end furniture districts such as Quarrata for upholstered furniture, and Poggibonsi for wood. There are also several furniture companies around Florence that pride themselves on their design, creativity and service. Good examples are Toscanova, Formitalia, and Silvano Grifoni. The world-famous Murano glass chandeliers and Tuscan Carrara marble are another great purchase.

Where to buy a country house

Many house buyers dream of a country residence in Chianti. This is the area between Florence and Siena, the Pisa hills and Arezzo. Famous for its landscape of rolling hills, chestnut forests, vineyards, castles and medieval villages, it is considered the “heart of Tuscany”.

Another excellent rural area is the Val d’Orcia in the province of Siena, close to the border with Umbria. Since 2004, the incredible scenery of the Val d’Orcia has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It encompasses beautiful villages, where you will find village apartments and country houses for sale. Such as those in Montalcino, Montepulciano,  and Pienza. 

Country estates

Estates with vineyards and wineries, offer the opportunity to invest in Tuscany’s high-quality wine industry. Music icon Sting and his wife Trudie Styler own an impressive estate near Figline Valdarno, outside Florence, called Il Palagio. And, Richard Gere produces Brunello Le Lucére, in partnership with the San Filippo Wine Estate in Montalcino.

A palace in the city

In the past, powerful Italian families would mostly live in the cities, in grand houses called “Palazzi” (palaces). Hidden beyond those grand doors today, you might still discover a home of the utmost refinement and class. Courtyards, stone staircases and large hallways lead to rooms with exquisite frescos. Walls might be covered in works of art, and rooms filled with a combination of antiques and quality modern furniture.

Florence, remains one of the most prestigious cities for those who want to live in a period property, near MIchelin-starred restaurants and chichi bars. The city’s artistic heritage and lively social scene make it an exciting place to live. The historic centres of both Lucca and Siena are also very popular and have their own special charm.

Townhouses

Among the many beautiful towns and villages in Tuscany, San Gimignano, Cortona and Montepulciano stand out for their special features. Cortona with its narrow medieval streets and country villas, once owned by noble families. Montepulciano’s renaissance palaces, still inhabited by the upper classes.

When you own a townhouse, first impressions are everything. A huge heavy door with a carved stone surround is sure to impress guests. In the past, powerful families would also build a tower to represent their importance. These towers became taller and taller in an attempt to outdo the neighbours. You can still spot some towers today. The most famous ones being in San Gimignano.

Check out some homes for sale in Tuscany’s San Gimignano.

Luxury homes in Tuscany by the sea

The most prestigious resort towns on the Tuscan coast are Versilia Viareggio, Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi. They are all easy to get to from Pisa airport and Lucca. Forte dei Marmi is particularly attractive, due to its beautiful gardens, fine restaurants, boutiques and nightlife. Buy a home here and you could have Andrea Bocelli as your neighbour. The famous tenor owns a pink mansion right on the promenade, called Villa Alpemare.

Versilia has been a playground for the rich and famous since the early 20th century. It has chic upmarket resorts and a vibrant nightlife. In Viareggio you can relax on the beach, then take an evening stroll along its elegant promenade lined with Art Nouveau buildings and tall palm trees.

Almost two and a half hours drive down the coast is Monte Argentario. Nearer to Rome than Florence, Monte Argentario feels like an island, but is in fact connected to the mainland by narrow strips of land. Surrounded by blue sea and protected by ancient fortifications, the area is known for its luxurious villas. It is a particular favourite among those seeking exclusivity, and the opportunity to go sailing.

Luxury villa in Monte Argentario, for €1,290,000 (click image for more details)

Art Nouveau

For a house façade with a bit more bling, look out for an Art Nouveau/Liberty Style villa. An Art Nouveau villa can be very romantic, with elaborate decorations, floral motifs, wrought iron and murals. You are most likely to find one in Florence, Lucca, Viareggio or Montecatini Terme. See this beautiful Art Nouveau villa in Cortona.

A luxury lifestyle in Tuscany

So you’ve got the house, but how will you and your very impressed guests be spending your time in Tuscany?

Explore the countryside in your Ferrari

There is such a varied landscape to discover in Tuscany, from mountains, to rolling hills and coastal resorts, you’ll want a fast car to drive around it all. Of course, in Tuscany you can simply hire a Ferrari. Or, for an extra special treat, how about the enchanting journey from Rome to Venice, through Tuscany, on the luxurious La Dolce Vita Orient Express. To watch some motorsport, there is the Mugello Italian Grand prix circuit.

Buy (or do) some art

King Charles III of England has visited Italy several times. As a keen artist himself, he spent time painting the Chianti countryside. He was also impressed by the artwork in Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and other churches and galleries in Tuscany. His (favourite) daughter-in-law Kate, Princess of Wales, spent her gap year at the British Institute of Florence in Palazzo dello Strozzino. While most Renaissance masterpieces may be beyond even most millionaire’s budgets, the area is still a magnet for talented artists.

If you enjoy the finer things in life, consider buying your box at the opera. These superb venues include, Florence Opera house, a lake in Viareggio, the three century-old Teatro del Griglio in Lucca, the Teatro Verdi in Pisa, and the historic church of Santo Stephano alla Lizza in Siena.

Sports

The first modern golf course in Tuscany was established by the British community in 1889 near Florence. Since then, Tuscany has turned into a golfer’s paradise, with many excellent courses across the region.

People sometimes forget that Tuscany has a coast, but its coastline and islands are ideal for sailing, and it has several Blue Flag marinas. Maybe surprisingly too, there are also great opportunities for sking in Tuscany. The best of its six resorts is Abetone/​Val di Luce in the province of Pistoia. It has over 44 kilometres of slopes and 17 lifts. Download your complimentary guide to buying a ski home in Italy and elsewhere in Europe here.

If the ‘sport of kings’ is more your thing and you’re going to miss Royal Ascot when in Italy, how about the Palio di Siena instead? Tickets are priced from around €280 for the best balcony seats.

Food and wine

There are numerous romantic wineries and wine festivals to visit. In September, the medieval village of Greve, hosts the most important wine making festival in Chianti. Or maybe, like Sting, make your own wine. 

From historic cafés to the most exclusive bars, Tuscan cities are the ideal place to enjoy an aperitif. The aperitif in Florence is a ritual, particularly the iconic drink, Negroni, which was born in Florence. Discover stylish bars, with rooftops boasting stunning views, such as La Loggia Roofbar, which featured in the film Tea with Mussolini, starring Maggie Smith and Cher.

The “slow food” movement began in Italy, with many excellent restaurants in Tuscany, serving local specialities. There are thirty-eight restaurants in Tuscany that have been awarded a Michelin star. Five have two stars, and the Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence has the most prestigious three stars.

All the bling, at Boboli Gardens, but for €10 entrance

Budget: More affordable homes in Tuscany

If you’re looking for an affordable home in Tuscany, look to the furthest edges of the region. In general, the further you go from the tourist towns, the cheaper the properties become. However, if you are looking for a holiday home, there are some big countryside properties that have been divided up, so you can purchase a section with shared garden, pool etc. at an affordable price.

In rural villages, you can still find town houses and apartments costing from as little as €55,000. The provinces with the lowest prices are, Pistoia, Arezzo, and Pisa. All with average asking prices under €2,000 per metre square.

Pistoia

Pistoia City is only 35 minutes from Lucca and 45 minutes from Florence. The city has some great architecture, including a cathedral. The lowest property prices can be found to the north and towards Lucca.

Pisa

Some of the best property prices in the province of Pisa are in rural areas south and west of the City. Prices in the village of Volterra start at around €80,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. A two-bedroom town house in Montecatini Val di Cecina is currently asking just €110,000.

What a view! Two bedrooms for just €80,000, at the heart of town. (Click image for details)

Arezzo 

Property prices have risen greatly in Arezzo province since 2022, but are still very reasonable. In January 2025 the average price asked for residential properties for sale was €1,846 per square metre, with an increase of 5.43% compared to January 2024 (€1,751/m²). The most popular areas are Cortona and Arezzo City. €280,000 could buy you a two-bedroom farm house, or an apartment in Cortona. 

Lucca

Even within a province there are big variations in price. For example, in the province of Lucca, property prices in the city and the coastal areas achieve high sales prices. However, if you head to the top half of the province, into the hills and mountains, the prices are much cheaper. In Lucca province, a two-bedroom townhouse can cost from €50,000 and a detached house to renovate costs from €75,000.

Affordable lifestyles in Tuscany

The same sun will be shining on you in Tuscany, whatever you have spent on your garden, and the same glorious vistas will open to you when you go for a drive. Here are some of the wonderful ways you can pass your time in Tuscany.

The market in Livorno (Only Fabrizio / Shutterstock.com)

Passagiata

In Renaissance Italy the nobility, used to walk along the main street to see and be seen. Today, between around five and eight in the evening many Italian families go for a walk in the main street, promenade or piazza. It is called the “Passagiata”. It is simply a gentle stroll to unwind before dinner, where you might bump into friends and have a chat. In Florence, the passeggiata often takes place along the Ponte Vecchio, and in Lucca in Via Filungo.

Country walks

Walking and cycling are great ways to see the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Even in Lucca you could start your day with a walk around the ancient city walls. A network of hiking trails cover the entire region with routes to suit all abilities and interests. The cheapest place to go skiing is Careggine, in the province of Lucca.

If you can’t afford your own stately house and garden – or just don’t have the time – you can enjoy the fruits of those who do. Tuscany has some outstanding gardens to enjoy, including the Villa Bardini, and the Medici’s own Boboli Gardens. It’s a wonderful place to cool down on a summer’s day too, with the Fountain of Neptune and the Fountain of the Ocean.

Free museum days

On the first Sunday of the month, from October to March, you can visit state museums for free. These include the Pinacoteca Nazionale in Siena, the Accademia Gallery in Florence, and the Certosa di Calci in Pisa.

Eat like a local

Italian food doesn’t need to be expensive if you eat what the Italians eat and go where the locals go. Tuscany may have plenty of Michelin stars but what beats the taste of a wood-fired pizza under a Tuscan trellis? In cafes, have a coffee and pastry at the bar, rather than paying for table service. Do your fruit and vegetable shopping at the market.

For a free party, watch out for local festivals. Many festivals take place in the streets and piazzas and are free to attend.

Watch sport

The 2025 Giro d’Italia will visit Siena, Pisa and Lucca, and is free to watch from the side of the road. Tickets to watch the Fiorentina football team in Series A, start at €45. However, Luccese are in Series C, with ticket prices from €9.

And if you can’t afford the best balcony seats for Palio di Siena, no problem. Simply watch from the centre of the square. Much more atmosphere, and it’s free!

Whatever your budget, Tuscany’s countryside, beaches, art cities and medieval villages, are always a delight.