Beachfront properties: Calabria is winning over foreign buyers – six of Italia’s most sought-after destinations

Foreign buyers are favouring less well-known – but no less beautiful – areas when buying a home by the sea. Against this backdrop, the most popular region is Calabria, which accounts for the highest proportion (over 30 per cent) of homes sold to foreign buyers. This is according to a report compiled by Gate-away.com, the property portal dedicated exclusively to foreign buyers interested in the Italian market. The first half of 2026 confirms a shift that is now structural: demand no longer favours only the most famous destinations, but is shifting above all towards those locations capable of offering a balance between scenic beauty, quality of life, authenticity and affordability. Leading this transformation is, above all, Calabria, which holds six places in the national Top 10 of coastal municipalities most sought after by foreigners.

Tortora takes first place thanks to a combination of its beaches, its location on the Riviera dei Cedri, prices that remain competitive and a particularly varied range of property on offer. Parghelia and Tropea, meanwhile, confirm the strength of the Costa degli Dei, which is now increasingly well-known abroad as an alternative to the more expensive destinations in the Mediterranean. Scalea and Santa Maria del Cedro further strengthen the role of the Riviera dei Cedri, which has already been a key player in recent years in the growth of international demand thanks to affordable property and a particularly favourable climate. Finally, Sant’Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio on the Costa degli Aranci (in the Gulf of Squillace), renowned for its wide beaches of fine white sand and crystal-clear sea.

“The result reflects a shift in the profile of foreign buyers. Increasingly, those buying a home in Italia are not just looking for a second home for holidays, but a place where they can spend long periods of the year, work remotely or plan a future move,” Gate-away.com points out. This is why factors such as quality of life, tranquillity, the availability of amenities, easy access to beaches and better value for money compared to the most exclusive Mediterranean destinations are becoming increasingly important.” The average property value is also following this trend: “around 598,000 euros, with demand concentrated mainly in the price brackets below 250,000 euros, a sign that the market is much broader than just the luxury segment”. Alongside Tortora, which tops the ranking, the list includes Parghelia, Tropea, Scalea, Sanremo, Syracuse, Castelsardo, Santa Maria del Cedro, Sant’Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio and Positano.

The United States remains the leading source market, accounting for over 23 per cent of enquiries. It is followed by the United Kingdom and Germany, whilst the share of Northern European countries is growing, with Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland consolidating their position amongst the main markets. Also worth noting is the proportion of foreign buyers already living in Italia, who account for over 6% of enquiries: an indicator confirming that many purchases are made following a stay in our country. Flats remain the most sought-after property type (31.6%), followed by villas (24.3%). In terms of quality, there is an increasingly marked preference for properties that have already been renovated or are ready to move into, chosen by over half of buyers. Demand is concentrated mainly in price brackets below 250,000 euros, confirming that the international market interested in the Italian coast is much broader than just the luxury segment.

“This ranking reflects a significant shift in the way foreign visitors choose Italian seaside destinations. Today, it is not necessarily the most famous destination that comes out on top, but the one that manages to offer authenticity, quality of life and a sustainable investment over time. Calabria is the clearest example of this transformation,” comments Simone Rossi, co-founder of Gate-away.com. “Areas that until a few years ago were considered niche markets are now among the most sought-after destinations for international buyers. At the same time, interest is growing in areas such as Salento, the Gargano and the Cinque Terre, a sign of demand that is increasingly curious, informed and spread across the whole country.”