Abruzzo has a lot to offer international buyers. It’s somewhere you’ll typically get more house for your money, yet with a long Adriatic coast and dramatic mountains, much of it within striking distance of Rome. But what and how to buy when buying property in Abruzzo?

Abruzzo is a rural region in central, eastern Italy. Its countryside, dramatic cliff faces and lush national parks, combined with a more affordable property, have brought it onto the radar of more and more overseas buyers lately.

Why buy a home in Abruzzo?

Natural beauty

Lovers of nature will be instantly won over by the rugged landscape of Abruzzo. It’s home to national and regional parks including the Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains National Park. Wildlife here includes wolves and bears, which generally steer well clear of people. The region offers a unique combination of natural beauty and low property prices.

Affordable homes

The Abruzzo property market has something for every taste and budget. You’ll find homes in Abruzzo for less than €20,000. However, do bear in mind the significant renovation costs for these. A budget of €100,000 will buy an attractive flat or small house even in a tourist-friendly location such as Pescara. Just €200,000 buys attractrive detached property and €400,000 you start getting palatial villas with sea views.

Charming villages

Abruzzo is quite a hilly region and nestled between the peaks are charming villages, monasteries and castles. These medieval hilltop villages evoke the feeling of taking a step back in time. Not least in neighbourliness. where friendly neighbours may bring gifts of fresh produce from their garden.

Monteferrante a village in Abruzzo

Ski resorts

The popular ski resorts of Alto Sangro (Roccaraso/Rivisondoli) in Abruzzo offer up to 90 kilometres of slopes. There are also 17 other ski resorts to enjoy in this region that are just two hours from Rome. Read more about buying ski property in Italy.

Pleasant climate

While the weather in Abruzzo varies depending on whether you live by the coast or in the mountains, expect pleasant springs and hot summers. By the coast, daytime temperatures frequently reach 30⁰C in July and August and occasionally much hotter. In summer mountain homes come into their own, with cooling breezes.

In winter the high mountains will be snowcovered, while the foothills enjoy mild temperatures, if wet. November is the wettest month, when mists can suddenly descend on the mountains.

Abruzzo’s property market

Although outside of the traditional ‘one-euro-property’ regions, there are super-affordable properties for sale in Abruzzo. They will require some renovation work, to put it mildly, so do consider why they are less costly. It may be that they are in a remote location, need expensive structural work or have been affected by seismic activity. A renovation project can sometimes become more expensive than expected, especially if the work requires a geometra or architect to prepare drawings, apply for planning permission, or update the structure to comply with rules. If your budget is sub-€100,000, however, it’s an option, but caveat emptor (“buyer beware”), as they used to say in Italy!

Moving up in budget, it is possible to buy a two-bedroom detached property in good condition for upwards of €100,000. Due to young Italians moving to the cities, there are plenty of affordable homes available in villages and rural locations and prices can sometimes be negotiated down even further.

This is great news for many international buyers, who often tend to prefer rural locations. Many countryside houses have lovely features, such as vaulted ceilings and fireplaces, and, once renovated, they transform beautifully into luxury residences. You will get much more house for your money in Abruzzo compared to more touristy regions like Tuscany.

Earthquake risks

A history of earthquakes in the Apennine mountains has put some house buyers off looking for property in the Abruzzo region. This is a shame, as Abruzzo is a large region and in the provinces near the Adriatic coast, the seismic risk is no higher than in it is in Rome. New houses should comply with anti-seismic regulations.

Abruzzo has many types of property for sale, including holiday apartments, townhouses, detached villas and country houses, often with lovely character features and plenty of outside space for barbeques and swimming pools. In Abruzzo, it’s even possible to buy a holiday home near the sea with a large garden for under €70,000.

Is buying property in Abruzzo a good investment?

Purchasing a property in Abruzzo offers buyers the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Italian lifestyle surrounded by rugged landscapes, lush countryside and beautiful beaches.

The rental appeal is definitely lesser in Abruzzo than it is in more touristy locations like Rome, Tuscany and Sicily. However it is affordable, which could be attractive to investors looking to build their portfolios.

While Abruzzo is well-connected, it may not be as easily accessible as more central or northern regions of Italy, which could impact rental demand.

It’s important to consider maintenance costs in Abruzzo, where older properties are common. Historic homes may require significant maintenance and renovation.

Where to buy in Abruzzo

Those who love the great outdoors and being surrounded by nature should check out the areas between the coast and the national parks. You can easily reach the mountains for winter sports and beaches in summer. One of the most picturesque towns is Scanno, located near an enchanting lake in the Sangro Valley, with its narrow alleys, Baroque gateways and old buildings.

Coastal towns are a good location for those looking for a low maintenance home to retire to that enjoys a mild climate. The most popular coastal locations are Vasto and Francavilla al Mare, but for the best investment properties, look to the historic towns and villages in the hills. The regional airport is at the coastal town of Pescara, which is also a popular area for seaside tourism, boasting numerous long sandy beaches. Penne, Città Sant’Angelo and Loreto are well worth viewing in the Pescara province as you will find a wealth of reasonably-priced fixer-uppers. They’re also a good choice if you want a holiday home a short drive from the airport.

Teramo, with the Gran Sasso national park beyond

Further down the coast in the Chieti Province, Vasto is a good-sized town with all the facilities you’ll need, including fish restaurants, shops and banks. As well as being known for its history, architecture and castle, it is also near a good beach. The town of Chieti itself is perched on a hill near the coast and attracts visitors to its impressive 11th century cathedral and archaeological museum. Other popular towns near the coast include Francavilla al Mare, Spoltore, San Vito Chietino and Pianella.

Another important town is Teramo, with its medieval cathedral and the remains of a Roman theatre and amphitheatre. Popular towns in the Teramo province include Atri and Colonnella.

Read more about buying in five buzzing towns in Abruzzo here.