How many times have we fallen in love with a place, especially in summer, only to think, “I could totally live here… but never in winter”?
It happens because we often take it for granted that a lively, buzzing summer hotspot turns into a ghost town once the cold hits, with barely any services or things to do for the rest of the year.
But what if we told you there are five popular Italian towns that are bursting with life in summer, yet take on a whole new vibe in winter – still perfectly livable all year round?
To find out, we called in our trusty Town Explorer and did a bit of digging among expats to see which cities top their list.
1. Cefalù (Sicily)
We’ve talked about Cefalù before as a great place to live all year round. In fact, it’s no surprise there’s a growing expat community here, with many choosing to settle down all seasons.
One of the pros of having tourists around all summer is the boost in demand for services. In fact, some expats even say one of the best things about living here is also having way more restaurants to choose from:
“Tourism brings stuff you wouldn’t expect in a small town – like Japanese restaurants and a more international vibe” – Robert B.
So, in summer, you get to be just steps from the sea (no need to move your car), and in winter, you can enjoy the peace and quiet, stroll along the waterfront, hit the public fitness areas, or join local celebrations – like the Festa dell’Immacolata Concezione, the city’s patron saint festival in December.
For a full rundown on property prices, transport, and what locals say about living here, check out our recent article: “What People Say About Living in Cefalù”.
2. Fano (Le Marche)
Moving to a spot a bit off the usual tourist radar, Fano is a town of about 60,000 people in Le Marche. It strikes the perfect balance between a quiet, uncrowded town and a lively place full of events and activities year-round.
Plus, it’s a great base if you want a seaside town but also want to explore nearby historic villages and cities like Pesaro and Rimini – both super popular in summer.
Fano is close to three airports: Ancona (23 min.), Rimini (28 min.), and Bologna (74 min.). Plus, it’s also well connected by train, though no high-speed trains run directly through the town.
Property prices are average for a town of this size, with good services and a seaside location; a 100m² home here costs around €200,000, with prices rising the closer you get to the center and the seafront.
3. Alghero (Sardinia)
Alghero is a beautiful town of about 40,000 people in the province of Sassari, Sardinia. If you’ve ever been to this region, it’s hard not to fall in love with it. It’s one of those places Italians usually compare with the best spots worldwide, and it’s easy to see why…from the chill vibe to the food and seriously stunning beaches and landscapes.
Honestly, it’s a perfect town for pretty much everyone – retirees, families, and digital nomads alike (it’s by the sea but also has some coworking spaces). And it’s definitely livable all year-round:
“There are lots of bars and restaurants open even in winter, schools aren’t lacking, and you can take short drives for fun trips with the kids. The quality of life is really high: you can leave work, run errands like grocery shopping or paying bills, find parking, and be back home within an hour. You’re always running into someone you know on the street, so the social vibe is strong and friendly.” – Flavia F.
Property prices here hover around €200,000 for a 70m² home, or about €950 per month to rent, but you can find cheaper options if you look in nearby villages.
4. Arona (Piedmont)
Arona is a small town of about 14,000 people near Novara, in Piedmont. It’s famous for sitting right on Lake Maggiore and being close to beautiful villages like Orta San Giulio, Mergozzo, and Stresa.
I’d personally recommend Arona to both retirees and families. Sure, it’s popular in summer thanks to the lake, but even in winter it stays lively with plenty of bars and restaurants downtown, plus winter markets and events around the holidays.
Another big plus is that it’s only about an hour from Milan. So if you’re a young couple looking for job opportunities but don’t wanna live in the big city, this could be a great option. Plus, if you’re flying in from the US or Australia, Milan Malpensa airport is only 30 minutes away, so flights are super easy to find.
Homes here go for around €140,000 for 70m², but if you’re open to nearby villages, there are plenty of cheaper options nearby. However, bear in mind that living here without a car can be tricky, even if the town does have pretty much everything you need.
So all things considered, Arona pretty much ticks all the boxes – no wonder it scores 94/100 for quality of life.
5. Galatina (Puglia)
We decided to include Galatina because one of you actually recommended it, someone who’s been happily living there for a few years now.
It’s a town of about 25,000 people near Lecce, in Puglia. Usually, it’s a stop people add when visiting Salento in the summer since it’s close to places like Gallipoli, Otranto, Ostuni, and a bunch of beaches.
If you’re after a cozier vibe, with those classic little shops, restaurants, and a historic old town feel, Galatina might be just what you need. On the practical side, it’s close to two main airports: Brindisi (40 min.) and Bari (90 min.), so having a car is pretty much a must, even just to get there.
But once you’re in town, everything’s super accessible: hospital just 4 minutes away, plus cinema, gyms, pharmacies, supermarkets, dentists etc. So it’s totally livable all year round. And property prices are unbelievably affordable. To give you an idea, you can generally buy a 100m² house for just around €80,000.
Want to explore more places like these?
As always, make sure to consider different factors based on what you need. Use our Town Explorer to filter by things like hospital access, transport links, climate, property prices, and more. The more filters you use, the easier it’ll be to find the perfect match for you.
And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We offer a free one-hour consultation to all our members – click below to learn more.
Was this helpful?
