Seaside homes: the 10 most sought-after Italian coastal municipalities among international buyers in the first half of 2026. Calabria takes centre stage as authentic destinations gain appeal.

The sea continues to be one of the main reasons driving international buyers to purchase property in Italy. However, in 2026, new dynamics are emerging more clearly than ever, reshaping the geography of demand.

According to data analysed by Gate-away.com, the Italian property portal dedicated exclusively to international buyers interested in the Italian real estate market, the first half of 2026 confirms a structural shift: demand is no longer focused solely on the country's most famous destinations, but increasingly favours locations that offer a balance between scenic beauty, quality of life, authenticity and affordability.

Leading this transformation is Calabria, which secures six positions in the national Top 10 ranking of the most sought-after seaside municipalities among foreign buyers, demonstrating that the international market is increasingly willing to move beyond traditional destinations to discover areas that remain relatively undiscovered yet full of potential.

This result reflects the changing profile of international buyers. More and more people purchasing property in Italy are not simply looking for a holiday home, but for a place where they can spend extended periods throughout the year, work remotely or even plan a future relocation. As a result, factors such as quality of life, tranquillity, local services, easy access to beaches and better value for money compared with the Mediterranean's most exclusive destinations are becoming increasingly important.

The average value of the properties sought also confirms this trend: approximately €598,000, with demand concentrated mainly in price ranges below €250,000, demonstrating that the market extends well beyond the luxury segment.

Top 10 most sought-after seaside municipalities in the first half of 2026

• Tortora (Calabria)

• Parghelia (Calabria)

• Tropea (Calabria)

• Scalea (Calabria)

• Sanremo (Liguria)

• Syracuse (Sicily)

• Castelsardo (Sardinia)

• Santa Maria del Cedro (Calabria)

• Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio (Calabria)

• Positano (Campania)

Calabria, the new star of Italy's seaside market

The most striking finding is Calabria's remarkable performance, occupying six places in the Top 10. Tortora ranks first thanks to its beaches, its location on the Riviera dei Cedri, still-competitive property prices and a particularly diverse real estate offering. Parghelia and Tropea further confirm the strength of the Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods), now increasingly recognised abroad as an alternative to the Mediterranean's more expensive destinations.

Scalea and Santa Maria del Cedro further reinforce the importance of the Riviera dei Cedri, which in recent years has become one of the main drivers of growing international demand thanks to affordable properties and a particularly favourable climate.

The ranking also includes Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio, located on the Costa degli Aranci (within the Gulf of Squillace), renowned for its wide stretches of fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.

Overall, Calabria attracts almost 30% of all foreign enquiries for Italian coastal locations, confirming its position as the country's leading seaside region for international buyers.

Iconic destinations remain attractive, but their role is changing

Alongside these emerging destinations, some of Italy's most iconic seaside locations continue to enjoy strong international appeal. Positano remains one of the world's most desirable premium markets, while Sanremo continues to benefit from its proximity to France and the international French Riviera market. Syracuse further strengthens the appeal of eastern Sicily thanks to its historical heritage, seaside location and a property market capable of meeting the needs of both premium buyers and those seeking medium-term investment opportunities. Castelsardo, meanwhile, confirms Sardinia's growing international appeal, increasingly appreciated beyond the traditional destinations of the Costa Smeralda.

Salento, Gargano and the Cinque Terre continue to grow

The analysis by coastal area highlights some of the market's most interesting trends. Salento remains the Italian coastal area generating the highest volume of enquiries. The Amalfi Coast also performs strongly, while Gargano and the Cinque Terre stand out for their significant growth, confirming that international demand is steadily expanding towards new coastal destinations characterised by authenticity, outstanding landscapes and high-quality real estate.

Who is buying seaside property in Italy?

The United States remains the leading country of origin, accounting for more than 23% of all enquiries. It is followed by the United Kingdom and Germany, while Northern European countries continue to strengthen their presence, with Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland consolidating their position among the leading markets. Also noteworthy is the share of foreign users already present in Italy, accounting for more than 6% of enquiries, further confirming that many purchases begin after experiencing the country firsthand during a stay.

What international buyers are looking for

Apartments remain the most requested property type (31.6%), followed by villas (24.3%). From a qualitative perspective, buyers increasingly prefer fully restored or move-in-ready properties, chosen by more than half of all international buyers. Demand is concentrated primarily in price ranges below €250,000, confirming that the international market interested in Italy's coastline extends far beyond the luxury segment.

Comment by Simone Rossi, co-founder of Gate-away.com

"This ranking tells the story of an important change in the way international buyers choose Italy's seaside destinations. Today, it is no longer necessarily the most famous location that comes out on top, but the one capable of offering authenticity, quality of life and a sustainable long-term investment. Calabria is the clearest example of this transformation: areas that until only a few years ago were considered niche markets have now become some of the most sought-after destinations among international buyers. At the same time, interest is growing in areas such as Salento, Gargano and the Cinque Terre, reflecting an increasingly curious, informed and geographically diverse international demand across the whole of Italy."