Real estate in Sardinia offers a unique combination of Mediterranean charm, picturesque landscapes, and cultural richness, attracting investors from around the world. The island’s pristine coasts, lined with fine sandy beaches and secluded coves, make purchasing beachfront properties a sought-after option. Traditional stone houses, steeped in the region’s ancient history, coexist with modern villas offering luxurious comfort. The real estate market in Sardinia is also characterized by diversity, with options ranging from rustic properties nestled in the hills to elegant apartments in the heart of historic towns. Due to its constant tourist appeal, real estate investment in Sardinia is often seen as a lucrative opportunity, providing not only a dream residence but also long-term appreciation potential.
- Sardinia in Italy
- Why buy in Sardinia?
- Tourism in Sardinia
- Where to buy in Sardinia?
- Real estate prices in Sardinia
- 1 euro house in Sardinia
- How to buy in Sardinia?
- Mistakes to avoid when buying a house in Sardinia
- Bed and Breakfast in Sardinia
Sardinia in Italy
Sardinia is one of the 20 Italian regions, and the first question that might come to your mind is: where is Sardinia located? Sardinia is the island located south of Corsica. It is the second largest island in the Mediterranean.
On these maps of Sardinia, which we have prepared for you, we can see that the population in Sardinia is unevenly distributed, and the cities along the coast are the most populated by both residents and tourists.
Regarding the weather in Sardinia, summers are hot and dry, while winter temperatures are very mild. On average, in winter, temperatures by the seaside are around 13°C, in spring 20°C, in summer 30°C, and in autumn 23°C. However, temperatures can vary throughout the day. These ideal temperatures make traveling to Sardinia enjoyable all year round!
One of the peculiarities of Sardinia is that it is an autonomous region with a special status, which guarantees it administrative and cultural autonomy.
The island is divided into 8 provinces: Olbia-Tempio, Sassari, Nuoro, Oristano, Ogliastra, Medio-Campidano, Cagliari, and Carbonia-Iglesias.
Why buy in Sardinia?
We could talk for hours about the advantages of investing in Sardinia, but let’s focus on the top 3 reasons:
- The first reason concerns the increasing tourism in Sardinia, with a steady growth in the number of tourists (+32% compared to 2021, +7.36% compared to 2019 before the pandemic, which were record-breaking years in 2021 and 2022).
- The second reason is that Sardinia is still a preserved territory, and in some areas, there are few services, which leaves room for investors.
- The third reason is that Sardinia is among the top 10 favorite regions for foreign investors and is among the top 10 regions with cheaper real estate. Not bad, right?
The increasing flow of tourists is a key factor in Sardinia that can help you understand the potential hidden in this magical place!
Tourism in Sardinia
Where to go in Sardinia? To understand where to invest, it’s important to follow the tourist flow in Sardinia in order to find the ideal area to open a new establishment.
There were 18 million tourists in 2023, which is 10% more than in 2022 and 14% more compared to 2019 figures. Sardinia is a sought-after destination for many foreigners, and each nationality has its own preferences. For example, French tourists in Italy prefer Costa Rei and La Maddalena, while English visitors opt for Golfo Aranci and Stintino, and Germans enjoy Porto Rotondo, Castelsardo, and Bosa.
However, tourists unfamiliar with Sardinia typically choose one of these 10 destinations: Alghero, Olbia, San Teodoro, Cagliari, Villasimius, Costa Smeralda, Costa Rei, Palau, Costa Paradiso, La Maddalena.
Where to buy in Sardinia?
Investing in Sardinia means studying several parameters to identify the ideal sector: airports in Sardinia (is the city I’ve chosen close to airports? Is it easily accessible?), campgrounds in Sardinia, hotels in Sardinia, B&Bs in Sardinia (Are there competitors in the sector? What services do they offer?), what can be visited in Sardinia (points of interest for tourists). Market research is essential if you want to venture into vacation rentals in Sardinia.
Real estate prices in Sardinia
Thanks to the updated data made available by Idealista.it, you can already get an overview of real estate prices in Sardinia, which vary from one province to another. If you want to know which area is the least expensive in Sardinia, on Idealista, you can see that it is the province of Oristano, followed by the regions of Nuoro, Sud Sardegna, Cagliari, and finally Sassari, which is obviously the most expensive province in Sardinia but also the most visited.
As we discussed in our article on buying a house in Italy, the Italian real estate market is advantageous, and Sardinia is among the top 10 regions preferred by foreign investors and is also among the 10 regions with the lowest real estate prices. The average price per square meter in Sardinia varies greatly depending on the regions and ranges between 1,200 euros/m2 (Oristano/Nuoro/Iglesias) and 10,000 euros/m2 (Porto Cervo) for the year 2022 (sources: Idealista.it and immobiliare.it).
However, price isn’t the most important thing to consider when investing in Italy. It’s important to find a property that is financially accessible but also located in an area with services, easy access, and points of interest.
1 euro house in Sardinia
For now, there are few cities participating in the “casea1euro” program in Sardinia, with 4 located in the Province of Sassari, 1 in the Province of Oristano, and 1 in the Province of Nuoro.
Before investing in a €1 house in Italy, make sure to research the purchasing criteria of the different municipalities and develop a business plan for your project so that your real estate purchase in Sardinia is a success! These houses require significant renovation work and are often located in abandoned areas. It is for these two main reasons that they can represent a great opportunity to buy at a low price, but not necessarily to open a bed and breakfast in Sardinia or engage in seasonal rentals.
How to buy in Sardinia?
Buying a house in Italy is a delicate operation, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the language and culture. That’s why we recommend getting assistance during this important step in your life.
Having a professional on-site who speaks English, knows the area well, and can advise you on property choices is invaluable and can save you a lot of money! Additionally, using an intermediary can provide you with reliable contacts for professionals who could carry out renovation work in your future home!
You can view properties for sale on casa.it, immobiliare.it, and idealista.it, which are the go-to platforms for searching for properties for sale or rent in Italy.
Mistakes to avoid when buying a house in Sardinia:
It’s easy to fall into tourist traps, so imagine buying a house! Don’t underestimate the importance of buying property abroad, as it could turn into a nightmare.
- Firstly, before purchasing a property, we advise you to visit the region multiple times and during different seasons. While everything may look beautiful in the summer, if you intend to open a B&B in Sardinia, you need to have a clear vision of what the property can yield throughout the year. Often, small villages depopulate in winter, so you need to ensure that you can continue working during the rest of the year.
- Secondly, it’s unthinkable to buy a property without seeing it. This is the biggest mistake one can make. Real estate is not an item that can be returned to the seller for a refund. The purchasing procedure is lengthy, and resale can be difficult and result in significant financial losses.
- Thirdly, if you don’t speak Italian, don’t make the mistake of trying to buy directly from an individual or through an agency that doesn’t speak English. You need to have all the information regarding the property. Moreover, to proceed with the signing, you will need to engage a bilingual English-Italian notary or an interpreter who will assist you during the signing.
Bed and Breakfast in Sardinia
If you’re planning to buy a house to spend your holidays in Italy, you’ve probably considered renting it out to offset your purchase.
In the article “How to Open a Bed and Breakfast in Italy,” we explained the rules to know before opening your structure, but you should know that each region has its own specificities.
Regarding the administrative aspect, to open a B&B in Sardinia, you need to contact SUAPE (Sportello Unico Attività Produttive ed Edilizia) online or by contacting the municipality concerned with the activity, equipped with the “dichiarazione autocertificativa” (Modello F46).
Upon receiving the request, a IUN number (codice identificativo numerico or identification number) will be assigned to your structure.
Don’t forget to take out home insurance in Italy to protect your property from any damages caused by tenants.
Now you know all about real estate in Sardinia in 2024!