Your property in Tuscany
The types of property in Tuscany are as diverse as its landscape, with apartments in Lucca or Pisa through to wine estates in Montepulciano and Montalcino.
International property buyers are drawn to central areas such as Chianti, which boasts restored villas and farmhouses in medieval villages surrounded by stunning natural beauty, as well as the Versilian coastline in northern Tuscany, with its beachfront properties in resorts like Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio.
In southern Tuscany, classic stone buildings and farmhouses make up a large proportion of the property market, each offering something unique in terms of their location, panoramic views or amenities, such as swimming pools, while true solitude is on offer in western Tuscany thanks to its unspoilt coastline and natural landscape.
Inside Tuscany
Culture, beaches, food, wine and shopping; Tuscany has it all and more between its 10 provinces, which are split across the central (or Chianti), northern, southern and western areas of the region.
From the Unesco World Heritage site of Siena, whose historic piazzas and architecture are world-renowned, through to the rolling hills and vineyards surrounding Lucca, the rugged wilderness of Mount Amiata in the south or high-end coastal enclaves along the Italian Riveira, including Monte Argentario, there truly is a home for every property buyer.
Tuscany is one of Italy’s most prolific wine-producing regions, bottling famed wines such as Chianti and Montepulciano, and with its capital being Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance art movement, it hosts a large proportion of Italy’s artistic heritage.
Landscape
Tuscany distils the best of Italy into one region with everything from an awe-inspiring coastline, through to rolling countryside and more secluded wilderness.
Iconic cities like Pisa, Siena and Lucca offer laid-back urban living amid historical surroundings, while in the countryside, small villages and hamlets can be found packed with vineyards and olive groves, or high mountain passes.
The so-called Italian Riviera, which runs from south of Livorno to the border with Lazio, melds beaches, wooded hills, marshes and natural thermal baths, making its communities and resorts highly sought-after destinations for locals and expats alike.
Education
Foreign buyers relocating to Tuscany have a good selection of international schools to choose from in places such as Siena, Pisa and Lucca.
Families in Tuscany have an exceptional choice of universities to choose from, with two in Pisa – Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies and Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa – in the top three further education institutions in Italy.
Elsewhere, the University of Florence is extremely well-regarded, ranked in the top 11 Italian universities.
Activities and Entertainment
Tuscany has some of the most awe-inspiring cities and hilltop-towns to explore, with Siena and its Piazza del Campo, widely regarded as one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares, Lucca and its intact 16th Century walls, and San Gimignano with its 15-strong medieval tower skyline.
The region has abundant natural beauty too, with the likes of the Maremme Regional Park containing the Uccellina mountain range, marshy plains and roughly 20 kilometres of picturesque coastline, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts to walk, hike or cycle through. The wider region is packed with botanical gardens and significant nature reserves, including Oasi WWF Laguna di Orbetello, where 140 species of birds have been spotted.
With food and wine central to Tuscan culture, vineyard tours and cooking courses can readily be found, and true relaxation is always on offer on the island of Giglio.
Art and Culture
Copious amounts of magnificent historical architecture can be found across Tuscany, with stunning examples including the Basilica de Santa Croce, the Gothic 13th Century Siena Cathedral or the Fortezza del Girifalco fortress in Cortona with its incredible view over the Val di Chiana to Lago Trasimeno.
The region is also packed with museums and galleries showcasing the exceptional art produced by the country over the years, with top destinations being Siena’s Pinacoteca Nazionale, which houses a collection of Gothic masterpieces, Pisa’s Palazzo Blu, which has an archeological site and art collection, and San Gimignana’s contemporary Galleria Continua.
Tuscany proudly celebrates its historical traditions, with the Palio di Siena horse race taking place twice in the summer, and countless religious, food and flower festivals occurring throughout the year.
Food and Drink
Every meal is a celebration of exquisite local produce carefully prepared in traditional ways in Tuscany.
Whether it’s the fish in cacciucco stew, the cut of the beef used in bistecca alla Fiorentina, or the beans and vegetables lovingly combined to make the hearty ribollita soup, the Tuscans always make sure their ingredients are the best. This even extends to the likes of truffles, honey, bread and, of course, extra virgin olive oil.
For wine enthusiasts, Tuscany is a fabulous region thanks to it being home to exceptional wines such as Chianti, Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and Sangiovese. The area is well-known for its various sprits, such as grappa, as well as numerous digestifs.
Accessibility
Tuscany is particularly popular with international property buyers thanks to its proximity to several major airports. Many towns and cities in the area are within striking distance of airport hubs while more rural locations are approximately a 30 minute -3 hour drive from some of the country’s largest airports in Rome, Pisa and Florence.
Excellent rail links make traversing several of the main towns and cities easy, with onward travel simple and efficient thanks to the country’s high-speed rail network.
In terms of driving, the A1 Florence/Rome Autostrada enables excellent access to the area, while several other major roads make exploring the region possible.