Elevation
[?]
Elevation of a city refers to the height above sea level at which the city is located, measured in meters.
505
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
9500
Real Population (5km)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
24000
Air Quality Rating
[?]
Based on PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone levels. Higher scores indicate cleaner air.
86
Region
Toscana
Walkability
Walker’s Paradise
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
Medium
Avg Download Speed (Mbps) / Avg Upload Speed (Mbps)
43
/ 10
Climate Description
Mild winters, warm summers, year-round sun, even rain, brief snow, comfortable living.
Volterra
Toscana
Historic hilltop town with Etruscan roots, archaeological sites, and a vibrant expat community.
Summary
Volterra, a historic hilltop town in Tuscany, appeals to foreign expats with its stunning archaeological heritage and vibrant community life. Known for its Etruscan roots, visitors can explore ancient sites like the Acropolis, well-preserved Roman theater, and the striking medieval architecture that defines its charming landscape. The town boasts vibrant squares, such as Piazza dei Priori, and numerous museums showcasing local art, including alabaster creations, a craft for which Volterra is renowned. With a walkable layout and a robust expat community, residents enjoy a high quality of life, complemented by a rich culinary scene featuring local wines and food festivals.
However, Volterra’s remoteness poses challenges, such as limited access to major airports, with the nearest one located over an hour’s drive away. The town’s healthcare quality rate is average, which may be a consideration for retirees. Nevertheless, its serene ambiance and cultural depth continue to attract those seeking a tranquil lifestyle in Italy.
✅ Pros
– Rich cultural and historical heritage to explore and enjoy.
– Mild climate with beautiful Tuscan landscapes year-round.
– Strong community support for expats and integration opportunities.
– Moderate tourism provides a lively yet peaceful atmosphere.
– Good air quality for a healthy living environment.
– Low unemployment rate indicates a stable local economy.
– Access to quality healthcare services in the region.
– Scenic transportation options enhance travel within Tuscany.
– Close proximity to major cities for additional amenities.
– Sufficient internet connectivity for remote work and communication.
❌ Cons
– Limited healthcare quality may require travel for specialized services.
– Infrastructure challenges can complicate daily commuting and transportation.
– Internet speed may hinder high-demand remote work activities.
– Local education facilities may not meet all international standards.
– Mild climate can lead to hot summers and chilly winters.
– Moderate tourism can overcrowd popular sites during peak seasons.
– Limited shopping options may require trips to larger cities.
– Cultural events may not cater to all expat interests.
– Language barrier could complicate integration for non-Italian speakers.
– Smaller community might feel isolating for some newcomers.
Volterra Demographics
Population
[?]
This is a town's official population, measured each year by the national statistics authority.
9500
Real Population (5km band)
[?]
Our "Real Population" metric reflects more accurately a town's real size by including inhabitants in the immediate vicinity of the town's official borders.
24000
Births Per 100 Deaths
30.0
Population Data Source
ISTAT,2023
Estimated Unemployment Rate
Touristy Index
[?]
Calculation of tourist density index for the city, comparing its total tourist number to the overall average tourist number of the region
relative to its own population.The index indicates how a location’s tourist density compares to the average, with values above
100 representing higher-than-average density and values below 100 representing lower-than-average density.
Moderate Tourism
Income per capita (2023)
[?]
This is an estimation of average income per resident for this town, based on 2023 data from the Italian Ministry of Finance.
22300
Income rank in Italy (2023)
[?]
This is a ranking of the town's average income per resident, against the full list of townships in Italy.
2354 out of 7901
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Closest Airport
Name
Ampugnano (Siena)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
1
Driving Time
55min(s)
Siena Ampugnano Airport is located near Siena in Tuscany, Italy, operating primarily as a former small military airfield. With a single runway designated 18/36, it serves a limited number of flights mainly for general aviation. The airport features basic facilities such as refuelling, a flying school at the Aero Club di Siena, and a small restaurant-bar, catering primarily to private and charter flights rather than significant commercial routes.
2nd Closest Airport
Name
Galileo Galilei (Pisa)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
7
Driving Time
56min(s)
Galileo Galilei Airport, situated in Pisa, Italy, is the 10th busiest airport in the country, having served over 5 million passengers in 2023. It operates as a focus city for Ryanair and provides connections mainly across Europe, with notable destinations including London, Paris, and Amsterdam. The airport is known for its budget-friendly options, with a single terminal providing both domestic and international flights, and is conveniently linked to Pisa Centrale railway station via the Pisa Mover shuttle service.
3rd Closest Airport
Name
Amerigo Vespucci (Florence)
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby airport stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
6
Driving Time
68min(s)
Amerigo Vespucci Airport, also known as Florence Airport, is situated near Florence, Italy, serving as an essential international gateway in the Tuscany region. It handles over 3 million passengers annually, offering connectivity to a variety of European destinations such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, and more, with seasonal routes to cities like Lyon and Olbia. As a focus city for airlines such as Vueling and Volotea, the airport is well connected through a light-rail link and buses to central Florence, making it accessible for travellers exploring the vibrant city and its surroundings.
Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Ponte Ginori
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
6
Driving Time
27min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Ponte Ginori includes the following details:
– **Rail lines that stop here**: The station is a part of the regional train network, primarily serving local routes.
– **Key destinations connected by direct trains**: Direct trains connect Ponte Ginori to Pisa, Florence, and Livorno, among other regional spots.
– **Train operators**: The primary operator at this station is Trenitalia, which runs the majority of the services.
– **Frequency of departures**: Trains to major destinations such as Pisa run approximately every 30 to 60 minutes, with a fairly limited number of services throughout the day.
– **Types of trains**: The station predominantly operates regional trains, with no high-speed services available.
2nd Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Poggibonsi-San Gimignano
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
8
Driving Time
43min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Poggibonsi-San Gimignano includes multiple rail lines connecting the station to significant destinations. Key destinations connected by direct trains include Florence, Siena, and Empoli. The primary train operator serving this station is Trenitalia, with no high-speed services available, focusing instead on regional and intercity trains. Departures typically occur frequently, with an average frequency of about every 30 to 60 minutes during peak times, although some routes may have fewer services. The station predominantly serves regional trains, with connections to major cities in Tuscany.
3rd Closest Rail
Name
Stazione di Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni
Connectivity Score
[?]
Measures travel time and service quality of nearby rail stations. Higher scores mean better transport access.
6
Driving Time
45min(s)
Train service at Stazione di Castellina in Chianti-Monteriggioni offers:
– **Rail Lines**: Primarily serves regional lines connecting to larger cities.
– **Key Destinations**: Direct trains connect to Florence, Siena, and Rome, with the journey to Florence varying between 1hr 13min and 2hr 4min depending on the service.
– **Train Operators**: Mainly Trenitalia operates at this station, providing various regional train services.
– **Frequency of Departures**: On average, there are about 10 trains to Florence per day, with services starting around 05:56 and the last at approximately 22:01. Other destinations like Rome may have around 26 connections daily, varying throughout the day.
– **Train Types**: The station mainly offers regional trains with no high-speed services directly available at this location.
Infrastructure & Amenities
Within 10km
Auto Repair Shops
5
Bars
14
Cafes
5
Cinemas
1
Dentists
1
Golf Courses
1
Gyms
3
Health Clinics
0
Hiking Trails
0
Historical Sites
64
Libraries
2
Museums
3
Parks
8
Pharmacies
3
Restaurants
75
Shopping Centres
56
Supermarkets
5
Spas
28
Beach
Name
Lago Braccini
Driving Distance
54mins
Water Quality Rating
1 - Excellent
Mountain Resort
Name
Monte Amiata
Driving Distance
142mins
Healthcare
Healthcare Score
[?]
Evaluates hospital/clinic access, drive time to care, and regional quality rankings. Higher scores mean better healthcare.
49
Nearest Hospital Name
Santa Maria Maddalena
Drive Time to Nearest Hospital
3 minutes
Hospitals and Clinics Within 10km
4
Local Public Healthcare Provider
AZIENDA USL TOSCANA NORD-OVEST
Healthcare Quality Description
In this area of Tuscany, healthcare services rank exceptionally well at a national level, indicating high efficiency and quality. Hospital care is robust, catering effectively to residents’ needs. Cardiac care excels, with commendable responsiveness in urgent cases and negligible readmissions following heart attacks. Orthopaedic procedures are handled promptly, aligning with swift post-operative recoveries. Breast cancer treatments, however, could be less invasive, and the response to severe heart conditions meets an average standard. Overall, healthcare provision presents a reliable system of care, beneficial for expats and retirees seeking comprehensive health services.
Safety
Seismic Zone (risk of earthquakes)
[?]
Official seismic zones classify areas based on earthquake risk.
Moderate to Low Earthquake Risk
Road Accidents Rate per 10k Inhabitants
[?]
Calculation of road accidents per 10,000 people based on the number of deaths and injuries registered in roads for year 2022 for the city.
36
Percentage of Population at Landslide Risk
[?] Percentage of the population in high or moderate landslide risk zones. Higher values indicate greater environmental risk.
18
Percentage of Population at Flood Risk
[?] Percentage of the population in high or moderate flood risk zones. Higher values indicate greater environmental risk.
9
Car Insurance Price Index
[?]
The car insurance price index is a measure of how a city's average car insurance premium compares to the national average,
expressed as a percentage. A value of 100 indicates that the city's premium is equal to the national average.
Values above 100 show higher premiums, while values below 100 show lower premiums.
120.811
Housing & Property Market
Housing availability
[?]
Based on total number of properties (sale and rent) classifies housing availability into five categories: low, relativel ylow, medium, relatively high and high.
Medium
Property Prices per m²
[?]
Calculation of property sale prices per square meter for apartments, houses in the city.
Median (50th Percentile): The midpoint price, where half the values are above and half below.
First Quartile (25th Percentile): The price below which 25% of properties fall.
Third Quartile (75th Percentile): The price below which 75% of properties fall.
First Quartile
1437
Median
2009
Third Quartile
3123
Connectivity & Digital Access
Walkability Description
Walker's Paradise
Education
Avg Schools Ranking (All Criteria)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking at all the indicators provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year. Note that figures are only provided by the ministry at the school catchment area level, and therefore several schools may be grouped together.
Top 50%
Avg Schools Ranking (Standardised Tests)
[?]
This ranking shows in which decile the town's public schools fall while looking the students' results in national standardised tests. The data is provided by the Italian Ministry of Education for the most recent available year.
Bottom 30%
Counts of School
Climate & Weather
Precipitation
[?]
Based on daily climate data for precipitation from OPEN-METEO this parameter indicates how a city's annual precipitation compares to others
in terms of percentage, with values ranging from 0 (lowest) to 1 (highest). For example, a percentile rank of 0.75 means the city's
total precipitation is higher than 75% of other cities.
Somewhat Low (21st-30th percentile)
Sunshine
Somewhat High (61st-70th percentile)
Snowfall
Somewhat Low (21st-30th percentile)
Climate Description
Volterra enjoys a temperate climate, characterized by mild winters and warm, sun-drenched summers. Residents and visitors can expect generous sunshine throughout the year, enhancing the town's appeal and fostering outdoor activities. Precipitation is evenly spread, ensuring lush landscapes without excessive rainfall. Winter brings a brief period of snow that typically blankets the town’s medieval architecture, adding to its enchanting allure. The range of temperatures from the coolest to the warmest months allows for comfortable living year-round, suiting retirees and expats looking for a stable and mild climate away from harsh weather extremes.
Annual Temperature Chart (Min)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Annual Temperature Chart (Max)
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Sunny Days By Month
Climate data provided by Open Meteo, based on 2010–2022 averages.
Environmental & Air Quality
Classifications
PM10
[?]
PM10 levels indicate Good air quality at 0–20 µg/m³, Fair at 20–40 µg/m³, Moderate at 40–50 µg/m³, Poor at 50–100 µg/m³, Very Poor at 100–150 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 150–1200 µg/m³.
Good
PM2.5
[?]
PM2.5 is Good if PM2.5 levels are between 0–10 µg/m³, Fair between 10–20 µg/m³, Moderate between 20–25 µg/m³, Poor between 25–50 µg/m³, Very Poor between 50–75 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor between 75–800 µg/m³.
Fair
NO2
[?]
NO₂ levels are considered Good at 0–40 µg/m³, Fair at 40–90 µg/m³, Moderate at 90–120 µg/m³, Poor at 120–230 µg/m³, Very Poor at 230–340 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 340–1000 µg/m³.
Good
SO2
[?]
SO₂ levels indicate Good air quality at 0–100 µg/m³, Fair at 100–200 µg/m³, Moderate at 200–350 µg/m³, Poor at 350–500 µg/m³, Very Poor at 500–750 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 750–1250 µg/m³.
Good
O₃
[?]
For O₃, the air is Good at 0–50 µg/m³, Fair at 50–100 µg/m³, Moderate at 100–130 µg/m³, Poor at 130–240 µg/m³, Very Poor at 240–380 µg/m³, and Extremely Poor at 380–800 µg/m³.
Fair
Air Quality Rating
[?]
Based on PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and ozone levels. Higher scores indicate cleaner air.
86
Air Quality Description
Volterra, Italy, presents an inviting setting for expats and retirees seeking a place with commendable air quality. The town generally enjoys good levels of particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide, reflecting the area’s minimal industrial activity and lower traffic volumes. While levels of PM2.5 and ozone are rated fair, they rarely detract from the overall pleasant environment. This balance offers a fresh breath of air compared to more urbanized locations, making Volterra an appealing choice for those prioritizing a healthier lifestyle in a historic Italian setting.
Volterra, Italy, presents an inviting setting for expats and retirees seeking a place with commendable air quality. The town generally enjoys good levels of particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide, reflecting the area’s minimal industrial activity and lower traffic volumes. While levels of PM2.5 and ozone are rated fair, they rarely detract from the overall pleasant environment. This balance offers a fresh breath of air compared to more urbanized locations, making Volterra an appealing choice for those prioritizing a healthier lifestyle in a historic Italian setting.
Town Descriptions
Getting There
Volterra is accessible via significant road connections, including SS68 and SP12, linking it to nearby towns. The closest airport is Ampugnano, approximately 55 minutes away, with another airport, Galileo Galilei in Pisa, slightly further. Train services are available at stations within a 43-minute radius, providing moderate connectivity.
Getting Around
Local Cuisine
Volterra’s culinary scene is deeply rooted in its rich agricultural heritage, emphasizing local ingredients such as Cinta Senese pork, truffles, cheeses, and high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Traditional dishes include handmade pastas like pici served with robust ragù, often featuring wild game such as boar. The region also boasts a unique salt known as the ‘purest in Italy,’ enhancing the flavor profiles of local cuisine. The town offers a variety of dining options, ranging from rustic trattorias serving authentic Tuscan fare to modern eateries incorporating international influences. Prominent culinary events, such as Volterragusto, celebrate the local truffle harvest. Notably, Volterra is home to at least one Michelin-starred restaurant that exemplifies the quality and innovation within the region’s dining scene.
Shopping Overview
The shopping landscape offers a diverse array, catering to both daily needs and specialty items. Supermarkets provide essential groceries, while weekly markets display fresh produce and local delicacies, fostering community engagement. Small boutiques feature handcrafted goods, including regional specialties, particularly alabaster products. Additionally, a variety of art galleries contribute to cultural shopping experiences. Overall, the city blends modern convenience with traditional charm, making it suitable for expats and retirees seeking a fulfilling shopping environment.
Neighborhoods
Green Areas and Parks
Volterra offers an array of outdoor activities and hiking trails suitable for various interests and skill levels. The “Volterra – Prato d’Era” trail provides a moderate 6.8-mile trek, while the “Saline di Volterra” presents a more challenging 5.2-mile route. For nature enthusiasts, the Riserva Naturale di Berignone features diverse wildlife and lush trails. History and archaeology can be explored at Parco Archeologico Enrico Fiumi, encompassing green spaces and ancient ruins. The Montenero Nature Reserve presents evergreen forests and the picturesque Strolla stream, ideal for leisurely walks and birdwatching, enhancing the region’s natural appeal.
✅ Pros
– Rich cultural and historical heritage to explore and enjoy.
– Mild climate with beautiful Tuscan landscapes year-round.
– Strong community support for expats and integration opportunities.
– Moderate tourism provides a lively yet peaceful atmosphere.
– Good air quality for a healthy living environment.
– Low unemployment rate indicates a stable local economy.
– Access to quality healthcare services in the region.
– Scenic transportation options enhance travel within Tuscany.
– Close proximity to major cities for additional amenities.
– Sufficient internet connectivity for remote work and communication.
❌ Cons
– Limited healthcare quality may require travel for specialized services.
– Infrastructure challenges can complicate daily commuting and transportation.
– Internet speed may hinder high-demand remote work activities.
– Local education facilities may not meet all international standards.
– Mild climate can lead to hot summers and chilly winters.
– Moderate tourism can overcrowd popular sites during peak seasons.
– Limited shopping options may require trips to larger cities.
– Cultural events may not cater to all expat interests.
– Language barrier could complicate integration for non-Italian speakers.
– Smaller community might feel isolating for some newcomers.
FAQs
Related Posts
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