Sicily, Messina, Sant`Agata di Militello, Italy

Ref. Casetta Chiara - Looking out towards the Aeolian Islands from a quiet hillside lane, Casetta Chiara is a stone cottage above Sant'Agata di Militello, on Sicily's northern Nebrodi coast.

A View that Rewards the Climb

At close to 480 metres above sea level and under three kilometres from the coast, the cottage looks north over the Tyrrhenian Sea towards the Aeolian Islands, sharp and clear on the brightest days and a fixture of the view all year round.

Around the house there is little but country lanes, light woodland and open meadow, an easy place to feel properly removed from the crowds.

A Practical One-Bedroom Retreat

A driveway climbs from the lane to a terraced front garden, where a traditional oven is built into the cottage's stone wall, ready to be brought back to life as a wood-fired barbecue or replaced with a small outdoor kitchen.

Inside, the larger room has a dual aspect and will fill with light once the west-facing window is unshuttered, while the smaller room next door opens straight onto the garden, sea view included. A hidden door in the living room leads through to a bathroom space, and the exposed timber beams overhead are worth keeping on show.

Renovate on a Modest Budget

The solid stone walls keep the rooms naturally cool in summer and cosy in winter. The roof has recently been redone, but kept on show, perfectly in keeping with the rustic feel of the property.

Electrics, plumbing and drainage will be the three biggest challenges to address, with the site not currently connected to the municipal main. However, a pipe passes nearby, so connecting to it will not be a complicated task. A septic tank will be needed, too, but we suggest a realistic budget to turn this into a charming and fully habitable retreat would only be around €40,000.


Easy Reach, Far From the Crowds

Sant'Agata di Militello, with its shops, cafes and services, is a short way downhill. Cefalù is under an hour's drive away, and Messina and Milazzo, both within around 80 minutes, offer ferries to the mainland and boats out to the Aeolian Islands themselves. Catania and Palermo airports are roughly equidistant, and Mount Etna begins to rise just 30 kilometres to the south.