Does your dream life in Italy revolve around long lunches, food markets, street food and Sunday aperitivos? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading, as we explore the best regions in Italy to buy a home if cuisine is high on your list of priorities…

Piedmont: for wine and white truffles

If you like the idea of autumns filled with earthy white truffle dishes, Piedmont might just be the place for you.

As well as hosting the annual Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba (International Alba White Truffle Fair), this region is renowned for Barolo and Barbaresco wines, rich hazelnuts and the global Slow Food movement.

The town of Bra – where Slow Food was founded – is a great choice if you’re looking for authenticity and a deep-rooted local food culture.

Apulia: for homegrown produce and seafood

Italy’s heel is a paradise for foodies who love cooking with simple, fresh ingredients, like olive oil, seafood and homegrown vegetables.

Towns like Ostuni and Polignano a Mare are well known for their weekly markets where you can fill your basket with local burrata, fresh orecchiette and seasonal greens. The seaside town of Polignano a Mare has a weekly market that sells high-quality produce, and in Ostuni, there’s a market on Wednesdays at Largo Vittorio Emanuele Orlando and another on Fridays at Viale dello Sport.

Emilia-Romagna: the food capital of Italy

You could argue that Emilia-Romagna is the food capital of Italy. It’s where Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, mortadella and ragu all originate.

Bologna, the region’s capital, is the birthplace of ragù alla Bolognese, while Modena is home to traditional balsamic vinegar.

Smaller towns like Forlì and Cesena offer a more laid-back lifestyle with weekly food markets to explore, local wineries to visit and cooking schools where you can learn regional recipes.

Sicily: for street food and seafood

Sicily’s blend of Arab, Spanish and Italian influences has shaped a cuisine unlike anywhere else in Italy: bold, rustic and full of flavour.

Street food is a way of life in Palermo, the island’s largest and capital city. There, you’ll find arancine (deep-fried rice balls), pane ca meusa (spleen sandwiches) and crispy panelle served straight from sizzling stalls.

Beyond the capital, coastal towns like Noto, Ragusa and Trapani offer fresh seafood and daily markets bursting with citrus fruit, aubergines, herbs and spices.

Campania: for pizza and sweet treats

Home to Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, Campania is the birthplace of pizza – but it’s also a haven for pastry lovers. Think creamy sfogliatella, rum-soaked babà, sugar-dusted zeppole and ricotta-filled pastiera, served alongside strong espresso.

Living here, you could start your day in a tiled café with an espresso and pastry and finish it with a wood-fired pizza made the Neapolitan way.

 

For help buying a property in Italy, download our Italy Buying Guide. In it, you’ll find everything from legal considerations to negotiating tips.

 

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Written by PropertyGuides for Rightmove