For more than 100 years it has been a byword for the sinister Mafia. Yet Sicily in Italy is now gradually opening up to foreign property buyers in the way the ever-popular Tuscany did more than half a century ago.
One major change has been theincreased availability of properties on the Sicilian market. Until only a few years ago, they were chiefly passed from fathers to sons. Now, however, younger generations are more likely to give up the family property tomake their own way elsewhere. Another contributing factor behind the soaring popularity among foreigners for property on the island is its prices, which are in general not merely far cheaper than Tuscany's but some of the most affordable throughout Italy.
Admittedly you will struggle to come across bargains to beat the homes for Euro 1 offered in Salemi a couple of years ago, the catch being that purchasers had a couple of years to fix damage caused by a 1960s quake. Nonetheless|However}, just Euro 55,000 should cover a 70sq m property to renovate if you don't mind being a quarter of an hour by car from a beach resort. Expect around Euro 70,000 for an apartment under a 10-minute stroll from the beach in towns such as Calatabiano on the island's east coast and close to the famous resort of Taormina. If you insist on being a stone's throw from the sea, you might pay Euro 90,000 in nearby places like Giardini Naxos.
The burgeoning popularity of this sun-drenched corner of Italy among real estate buyers and holidaymakers has also been helped by thearrival of new direct routes from low-cost air companies such as easyJet and Ryanair to its three coastal airports in Palermo in the north, Trapani in the north-west and Catania in the east. A further airport is due to be inaugurated soon in Ragusa. Furthermore plans have been announced for a Euro 6billion bridge connecting the island with Calabria on the mainland. By the way, visitors can dismiss the exaggerated spectre of the Mafia, which foreigners will not have contact with.
An expert at Italian real estate finders the Property Organiser sums up the area's attraction and says: "It has always attracted tens of thousands of holidaymakers thanks to its sunny temperatures, rich history, spectacular landscape and affordable prices. Until the past five years or so, there wasn't a fantastic choice of homes for sale apart from in beach resorts as they tended to remain within familes. Now a younger generation feels less tied to tradition. They are happy to realise these assets to enable them to move up the property ladder themselves.
"It remains quite possible to pick up a three bedroom villa in Sicily for less than Euro 225,000. Bear in mind some areas are expensive, such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Cefalu and Scopello, but they boast superb rental potential because they are tourist hotspots practically 12 months a year."
Resorts such as Cefalu, Scopello, Trapani and Castellammare del Golfo still draw the bulk of overseas buyers. Around Euro 155,000-Euro 165,000 will typically be enough for a two-bedroom property in Cefalu. If you must have a view over the sea, expect to pay Euro 220,000 either here or in Castellammare, 1hr 90 mins along the coast.
Taormina is arguably the island's most sought-after spot for foreign buyers and consequently its most costly. (In comparison, prices in Catania, 50km along the coast can often be 50% more affordable. Luxury properties in the Taormina area frequently fetch more than a seven-figure sum. However, letting potential impressive and and can top Euro 12,000 a month. Notwithstanding this it is possible to unearth bargains. .
Sicily certainly lacks nothing in star quality. Part of Ocean's Twelve was filmed in Castellammare del Golfo while Cefalu was the setting of the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.
Among Sicily's jewels are its incomparable architecture and breathtaking scenery. The ancient ruins speak of the numerous civilisations that have left their influence across the ages French, British, Spanish, Normans, Arabs, Romans, Phoenicians and Greeks. The Med's biggest island, Sicily boasts a rare beauty as well, from its 620-mile coastline to its spectacular mountains. Then again there aren't many places where you can buya villa with a view of Mount Etna.
Sicily is not just its mainland, it also has sun-drenched isles. Off the north coast are the Aeolian isles of Stromboli, which has an active volcano; Vulcano, with its black beaches; Panarea, where rich Italians go; Lipari and Salina, popular with day-trippers; and the more tranquil Filicudi and Alicudi. To the west lie the Egadi Islands and Pantelleria and the Pelagie islands of Lampedusa and Linosa off the south are nearer the North African coast than Sicily.
All this and practically never-ending sunshine. What are you waiting for? You might find yourself making some houseowner an offer they can't refuse
One major change has been theincreased availability of properties on the Sicilian market. Until only a few years ago, they were chiefly passed from fathers to sons. Now, however, younger generations are more likely to give up the family property tomake their own way elsewhere. Another contributing factor behind the soaring popularity among foreigners for property on the island is its prices, which are in general not merely far cheaper than Tuscany's but some of the most affordable throughout Italy.
Admittedly you will struggle to come across bargains to beat the homes for Euro 1 offered in Salemi a couple of years ago, the catch being that purchasers had a couple of years to fix damage caused by a 1960s quake. Nonetheless|However}, just Euro 55,000 should cover a 70sq m property to renovate if you don't mind being a quarter of an hour by car from a beach resort. Expect around Euro 70,000 for an apartment under a 10-minute stroll from the beach in towns such as Calatabiano on the island's east coast and close to the famous resort of Taormina. If you insist on being a stone's throw from the sea, you might pay Euro 90,000 in nearby places like Giardini Naxos.
The burgeoning popularity of this sun-drenched corner of Italy among real estate buyers and holidaymakers has also been helped by thearrival of new direct routes from low-cost air companies such as easyJet and Ryanair to its three coastal airports in Palermo in the north, Trapani in the north-west and Catania in the east. A further airport is due to be inaugurated soon in Ragusa. Furthermore plans have been announced for a Euro 6billion bridge connecting the island with Calabria on the mainland. By the way, visitors can dismiss the exaggerated spectre of the Mafia, which foreigners will not have contact with.
An expert at Italian real estate finders the Property Organiser sums up the area's attraction and says: "It has always attracted tens of thousands of holidaymakers thanks to its sunny temperatures, rich history, spectacular landscape and affordable prices. Until the past five years or so, there wasn't a fantastic choice of homes for sale apart from in beach resorts as they tended to remain within familes. Now a younger generation feels less tied to tradition. They are happy to realise these assets to enable them to move up the property ladder themselves.
"It remains quite possible to pick up a three bedroom villa in Sicily for less than Euro 225,000. Bear in mind some areas are expensive, such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Cefalu and Scopello, but they boast superb rental potential because they are tourist hotspots practically 12 months a year."
Resorts such as Cefalu, Scopello, Trapani and Castellammare del Golfo still draw the bulk of overseas buyers. Around Euro 155,000-Euro 165,000 will typically be enough for a two-bedroom property in Cefalu. If you must have a view over the sea, expect to pay Euro 220,000 either here or in Castellammare, 1hr 90 mins along the coast.
Taormina is arguably the island's most sought-after spot for foreign buyers and consequently its most costly. (In comparison, prices in Catania, 50km along the coast can often be 50% more affordable. Luxury properties in the Taormina area frequently fetch more than a seven-figure sum. However, letting potential impressive and and can top Euro 12,000 a month. Notwithstanding this it is possible to unearth bargains. .
Sicily certainly lacks nothing in star quality. Part of Ocean's Twelve was filmed in Castellammare del Golfo while Cefalu was the setting of the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.
Among Sicily's jewels are its incomparable architecture and breathtaking scenery. The ancient ruins speak of the numerous civilisations that have left their influence across the ages French, British, Spanish, Normans, Arabs, Romans, Phoenicians and Greeks. The Med's biggest island, Sicily boasts a rare beauty as well, from its 620-mile coastline to its spectacular mountains. Then again there aren't many places where you can buya villa with a view of Mount Etna.
Sicily is not just its mainland, it also has sun-drenched isles. Off the north coast are the Aeolian isles of Stromboli, which has an active volcano; Vulcano, with its black beaches; Panarea, where rich Italians go; Lipari and Salina, popular with day-trippers; and the more tranquil Filicudi and Alicudi. To the west lie the Egadi Islands and Pantelleria and the Pelagie islands of Lampedusa and Linosa off the south are nearer the North African coast than Sicily.
All this and practically never-ending sunshine. What are you waiting for? You might find yourself making some houseowner an offer they can't refuse
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