Where is it worth investing in real estate in Italy?

Ellie Green
Authored by Ellie Green
Posted: Thursday, February 26th, 2026

Buying a home with investment goals in mind? A common decision for many people around the world. To avoid serious mistakes, it is essential to think it through carefully and, above all, to gather information about the area where you plan to buy.

Italy remains a solid point of reference for those seeking a (nearly) guaranteed return. The reasons are several, starting with the country’s enduring tourist appeal, without forgetting its role as a strategic hub for multiple industries, beginning with fashion.

Since the Italian real estate market is extremely diverse, it is necessary to proceed methodically before finalizing a purchase.

First of all, quality should be the priority already during the analysis of Italy house for sale listings: properties truly worth considering are rarely found in generic social media groups. The right choice is always specialized portals, where only verified agencies publish listings.

After this first step, the next move is to understand which areas are the most interesting. Let’s look at a few of them below.

Milan, the high-profile market where prestige meets solid long-term value

When talking about real estate investments in Italy, Milan is a market that always deserves mention. As one of the world’s fashion capitals, the city sees a significant rise in short-term rental demand during fashion weeks, with clear advantages for those who own property to generate income.

Over the past decade, Milan has been affected by several major urban regeneration projects.

Those who want to buy property under the Madonnina must, however, come to terms with high prices.

This factor has a strong impact on net yields. Evidence comes from the results of a survey recently published by Corriere della Sera, which reports annual figures around 2.5% in areas such as Garibaldi and Arco della Pace.

That said, Milan’s objective appeal as a real estate investment destination remains intact.

The appreciation that has affected properties in the city center over recent decades has effectively made buying there more advantageous than investing in the stock market.

Rome, where global demand meets the weight of history

Let’s move on to another classic. Rome, with its enduring artistic and cultural magic, is increasingly in demand among real estate investors from all over the world who are focusing on residential properties.

With particular attention to large homes featuring outdoor spaces such as terraces, the number of potential buyers searching for properties in the Eternal City has grown in recent years due to several factors.

Events such as the Jubilee and the funeral of Pope Francis have certainly played a role, as have redevelopment projects linked to the city’s Olympic bid and, more broadly, investments made possible through PNRR funds.

Here too, high property values limit net returns, which in areas like Parioli often fall below the psychological threshold of 3% per year.

Naples, the southern capital quietly outperforming expectations

Naples is the Italian city that, in 2024, recorded the best data in terms of purchases for investment purposes.

Once again, this comes as no surprise: with an identity that instantly conveys the essence of the made in Italy brand, Naples also benefits from its proximity to places like Capri and Positano, whose iconic charm needs no introduction.

With strong figures for demand for seafront apartments, offering breathtaking views, Naples stood out in 2025 with an average real estate investment yield of 6.8%.

The Surprising Figure from Biella

The Biella area is the most advantageous zone in Italy for real estate investment in 2025. We are talking about yields that, in the third quarter of the year, settled around 10.5%, largely benefiting from low price-per-square-meter levels.

 

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