Holiday homes by the sea in Sicily and Sardinia - the best places to buy

Before you know it, summer will be here again and there's no better place to spend it than in Italy. But is it better to invest in Sicily or Sardinia? Both are equally beautiful options, so, here are the best destinations to buy a holiday home in each region, according to the real estate agent Tecnocasa, to help you make your mind up.

Holiday homes in Sicily

According to the Tecnocasa Studies Office, tourist resorts in Sicily on the whole have seen a price reduction of 0.6%: the real estate values in the province of Palermo are stable, while those in the province of Messina are decreasing.

In Castellammare del Golfo and Scopello, for some years now, there has been an increase in demand for holiday homes from foreign buyers (especially those from the Netherlands, Germany, France, the UK and, recently, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) looking for independent solutions that guarantee privacy and tranquillity. Italians who buy a holiday home in the area tend to choose 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with a terrace or garden and sea view.

There is also an increase in demand for investment use, meaning that potential buyers are leaning towards buildings that are built with several storeys and are then transformed into B&Bs with an invested budget of around 100,000-150,000 euros. With the aim of making the property profitable, buyers are also looking for two- and three-room apartments. However, in general there are no new buildings in the area,  since there are restrictions due to the Zingaro Nature Reserve, as well as numerous natural and landscape constraints. The only area where new properties are being built are in areas such as Fraginesi, where new properties cost 2000-2500 euros per m2 on average.

In Castellammare del Golfo, the most common type of property is the typical fisherman's house, generally located in the historic centre, with prices per square meter reaching 4000-4500 euros in the area around the port and 3000-3500 euros per square meter around the castle. In recent times, the popularity of the village of Scopello has been increasing. In this village, house prices range from 3500 to 4500 euros per m2 and can be up to 5000-6000 euros per m2 for properties located in the upper part of the village, Tonnara, however the supply of properties here tends to be very low. Prices drop to 2500-3000 euros per m2 towards the Bay of Guidaloca and are higher in the Cala Mazzo di Sciacca area, which is close to the "Zingaro Reserve", with prices at 4500-5000 euros per m2. 

In Sicily, there is also a high demand for tourist and short-term rentals. In the area of Castellammare del Golfo, a 2 bedroom apartment on average costs around 500 euros in June, 600 euros in July, 700-800 euros in August and 600-700 euros in September (prices per week). In Scopello, villas without a swimming pool are rented per week for 800 euros in June, 1000-1200 euros in July, 1200-1500 euros in August and 1000-1200 euros in September. On the other hand, if you want a villa with a swimming pool in Scopello the prices per week can reach up to 2500 euros. 

Holiday homes in Sardinia

In recent times, the seaside resorts in Sardinia reported a slight price decrease of 0.3% but in general, property prices are stable in all provinces with the exception of Sassari, which recorded a decrease of 2.9%. 

In the village of Alghero, holiday home sales are mainly made by residents in Northern and Central Italy who use it as a holiday home or by those who decide to rent it during the summer, rather than foreign investors. For a 2-bedroom apartment, rent is generally around 2000 euros per month in July and 2500 euros per month in August. The demand for holiday homes seems to be oriented around 2 bedroom or small 3 bedroom apartments, preferably with a sea view and a terrace. Holiday homes worth investment can be hard to find in this area and you may have more luck looking on the "Viale Europa" in Sassari, a street with many apartments overlooking the sea. Here you can find a good second-hand apartment for 1800 euros per square meter. La Petraia is also a popular area, with properties mainly purchased by those who are looking for their first home. The prices of a good used property are 1400 euros per m2. 

Castelsardo is known among the most beautiful villages in Italy, meaning it attracts a significant presence of tourists arriving from all parts of Italy and the world. Buyers come from northern and central Italy and increasingly from other European countries. They like the village because it is strategically located to reach Stintino, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Alghero and is on the way to the Costa Smeralda. Foreigners who choose to buy a holiday home often come to this village, which is a little more inconvenient to reach than others, but offers a stunning panoramic. In the area, there are typical coloured houses which often need to be renovated, something which can be costly. A typical property like this could cost around 700-800 euros per m2. In this village, the area of Lu Bagnu, which is right beside the sea, is becoming more and more popular and offers independent and semi-detached housing solutions, with gardens and terraces as well as large housing blocks of 10 to 20 units. In this area, properties range from 1200-1300 euros per m2.

The real estate values of Budoni are stable. The demand for holiday homes is always very lively and once again, the most common buyers are Italian or residents in Northern Europe. The most requested type of property is the 3 bedroom apartment by the sea. Budoni is located beside the sea and stretches towards a hill where there are houses with sea views at lower prices and therefore, within the reach of those who do not have a high budget. In recent times, thanks to different projects in this area, Budoni has also been rediscovered especially by families, prices in the central area around 2000 euros per m2.

Finally, in Villasimius prices are slightly increasing and last year, more penthouse sales and independent sales were recorded, confirming a market that is also moving at higher spending levels. Foreign buyers have played their part, especially Swiss, German and French buyers, who will openly spend between up to 500,000 euros. The other buyers generally come from the same province of Cagliari, but also from Lombardy and Piedmont, Tuscany, Lazio and Emilia Romagna. The most popular property types for those looking for a holiday home are 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, with prices up to 140,000 euros, located in well-served areas, with outdoor spaces and good exposure. There is also a profitable return on investment. From May to August, a 2 bedroom apartment can be rented for up to 800 euros per week and a 3 bedroom apartment for up to 900 € per week. 

Have a look at 5 more seaside towns in Italy that are a must-visit