Sardinia, where to buy your Holiday Home

The white sand beaches and crystal clear sea together with the culture and cuisine have been the magnets drawing foreign buyers looking for holiday homes on this fascinating island for decades.  Sardinia is steeped in ancient history and provides some architectural gems arising from its colourful heritage.  Frequently people come for a summer holiday and fall completely in love with the island.

The real estate market in Sardinia is expanding; Cagliari, the capital city of Sardinia is enjoying the fastest growth rate.  There are good lines of transport in the shape of three international airports across the island with direct flights to and from the UK, mainland Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Scandinavia and other major European countries, operating all year round.  The ferries embarking from Santa Teresa di Gallura in northern Sardinia reach Corsica in 50 minutes. 

The sunny climate and slower pace of life makes Sardinia an extremely attractive destination and there are plenty of opportunities for investment in Sardinia.  The globally recognized luxury resort of Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) has been the resort of choice of the international jet set since 1960s when it became the destination for the rich and famous bringing with them their luxury yachts.  The opulent villas edging the elegant bays still attract international millionaires and famous personalities, adding to the fascination of the island.

Whilst the waterfront properties in Costa Smeralda are sold for tens of millions of there are still plenty of areas that are more affordable.  The peninsula bounded by Olbia to the east and Castelsardo to the west are popular areas for foreign buyers where prices start from around €100,000. Apartments and houses in Castelsardo, an old town fortified with a castle, the prices also start from €100,000.  Alghero, one of Sardinia's most beautiful medieval cities, located in the northwest offers large apartments and houses with prices starting from €120,000.  The properties that are close the sea coast and have breathtaking views are more expensive and villas with sea view from € 2.25 million; around Cagliari, the southern of Sardinia, properties by the coast start about €1.25 million.

Lake Omode, the man-made reservoir created in the 1920s by the construction of a dam on the River Tirso, has provided beauty from the serene reservoir together with the surrounding mountain scenery making this a wonderful place to be and property prices in this area are extremely competitive starting from €30,000.

There are some extraordinary opportunities for those individuals who would like to spend a little less on buying a Sardinian property in the many villages that require restoration.  A property requiring renovating can be found for as little as €20,000, there are conditions attached in that a purchaser will have to commit to the restoration of the property, often to a minimum value of something in the region of €15,000. 

Regardless of whether your property purchase is in Costa Smeralda or a property in a renovation project, instructing a lawyer to assist with the purchase will protect the purchase and provide you with the confidence of knowing that there will be no unpleasant surprises once the property passes into your possession. 

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.