Sicily is just off the “toe” of boot-shaped Italy. It’s one of the largest and most populous islands in the Mediterranean and continues to be extremely popular with foreign buyers.

The appeal of Sicily

Sicily is a beautiful island off the south coast of Italy. Many people know Sicily benefits from warm temperatures and its historic background, but did you know Sicilians are some of the friendliest people on earth (or so my friends say).

Expect to see marble palaces, beautiful palazzos bustling with Sicilians going about their daily life, gelaterias (cosy wine bars) where people from all corners of the world unite and Mount Etna in the distance.

International buyers are attracted to Sicily for its laidback lifestyle, hot summers and mild winters. It has plenty of ornate palaces, castles and cathedrals which make a stunning backdrop to everyday life.

Is Sicily safe?

Sicily is not considered a dangerous place. Like any destination popular with tourists, pickpockets are common but caution is easy enough to take in Sicily. High levels of crime are not frequent either, so do not be frightened into missing out on the beauty of Sicily for fear – it’s not necessary.

€1 dream schemes

A few years ago, a €1 dream scheme attracted a lot of press. This was when Sicilian town Sambuca di Sicilia launched a scheme that involved putting traditional homes on the market with starting prices of €1. The reasoning behind the low starting price was to attract homeowners and repopulate the town with people from all over the world.

The scheme unsurprisingly lead to a number of serious inquiries for traditional properties that needed a little TLC – but were still cheaper than your average espresso.

This scheme has since ended, but there are other schemes available. One for example is in the Municipality of Mussomeli. It’s home to the Manfredi’s castle and many famous Italian traditions. Over 100 people have already benefitted from the €1 dream scheme. Could you be next? Apply now. https://www.case1euro.it/contact/

Properties in Sicily

Sicily is typically a lot cheaper than mainland Spain, adding to the appeal of its cultural lifestyle, colourful town and beautiful sights. In terms of property types, Sicily is varied. There are luxury properties available for those with bigger budgets, but there’s also convenient, traditional homes available that can be made your own quite easily.

Some of the most popular areas with foreign buyers include Palermo, Siracusa, Ariento, Trapani and Enna. Each of Sicily’s nine divisions has its own character. The average property price per square metre is €1,127.

Palermo is undeniably one of the most stunning places on the island. There you’ll be surrounded by beautiful Baroque architecture, grand palazzos and popular beaches. Properties in Palermo are, on average, among the most expensive in Sicily with average price per m2 being €1,253.

On the other end of the spectrum, Caltanissetta is the cheapest province on the island, with average sales at €692 per m2. Caltanissetta is inland and often overlooked. But that’s not to say it’s not special. It’s a quiet, rural province with a cooler climate, which makes it ideal for a holiday home.