Recently dubbed the ‘hidden gem’ of Italy by Conde Nast Traveller, Lucca is a lesser-known location in Tuscany that is the epitome of a traditional Italian city.

Located on the Serchio River, Lucca is a unique city which is surrounded by a huge circuit of walls that date back to Roman times.

The city is home to some 89,000 residents, while the wider province is home to over 300,000. You wouldn’t be the first person to compare its design to a fairytale city, with a mass of churches, palaces, gardens, and of course – in true Italian style – grand palazzos.

The medieval walls of Lucca

Unlike more modernised cities across Italy, Lucca has a pedestrian-friendly centre, which is surrounded by towering Renaissance walls and medieval towers. These structures once housed the ancient city, but as Lucca grew in popularity, life continued to grow outside the walls. Today, the walls are well maintained, unlike in other areas across Italy, and serve as the city’s connection to the ancient world. What makes Lucca unique is that these well-preserved walls are topped with tree-lined pathways (yes, they’re that wide) which are perfect for walking and cycling.

Lucca’s location

The city itself sits at the foot of the Apuan Alps and is less than half an hour’s drive from the coast of Versilia – perfect for residents looking to be close to the sea. The city is a beautiful place to live, with a maze of narrow streets, charming piazzas and many churches, so many, in fact, the city earned itself the moniker, “the city of 100 churches”.

Outside the city walls, the province of Lucca features a variety of landscapes that would make a fine backdrop to everyday life. Notable sights include the Plain of Lucca, a stretch of fertile lands which are home to a number of medieval villages. There’s also the Garfagnana region to the north of Lucca, which is renowned for is rugged hills and mountains – ideal for outdoorsy property buyers.

Property in Lucca

Speaking to MansionFLIP, Amy Redfern-Woods of property organization Knight Frank, said, “Greater overseas consumers are seeking out buying possibilities inside the city and its surrounding areas than ever.” In Lucca city centre, there are ancient apartments and homes for sale, at an average of €500,000. Outside the city centre, prices become more affordable and spacious, due to lack of land constraints. If you’re after a villa with fantastic views, the hills around Lucca are a great place to find properties that combine privacy without being too far from the lively city.

 

Italy’s flat-tax regime for expats

As a foreign buyer purchasing a property in Lucca, you may be able to benefit from Italy’s special tax regime for expats. This regime is for new tax residents in Italy and allows them to move there, become a resident and apply to pay €100,000 per year as your entire tax obligation. This only applies to foreign-sourced income. You can include family members in your application too, which can be very beneficial. This regime lasts for 15 years. For more information, speak to a trusted financial advisor licensed to work in Italy to understand your financial options.

 

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Written by PropertyGuides for Rightmove