8 Best Places to Retire in Italy, According to Expats and Experts

• Retiring in Italy combines lifestyle perks with practical challenges like navigating healthcare, language, and legal logistics.
• Smaller cities and towns offer walkable charm, lower costs, and tight-knit communities ideal for slower living.
• Larger cities provide better healthcare, transit, and cultural amenities but come with higher prices and more bustle.

When I moved to Italy 16 years ago, retirement was a faraway concept. While it’s still at least 10 years out for my husband and me, we do think about retirement a lot more than we used to. A ground-floor bedroom and bathroom, a smaller car, a long-term care plan: These are universal concerns of retirees and soon-to-be retirees, no matter where they live. 

But if you’re thinking of making a huge life change and retiring to Italy, there are a lot more factors to consider when choosing the right casa in which to live out your golden years. According to Damien O’Farrell, a global mobility specialist who assists individuals relocating to Italy, there are three key elements to consider when choosing the best place to retire in Italy.

Things to Consider Before Retiring Abroad

Healthcare Access and Support

Sure, it would be nice if we never needed it, but as O’Farrell points out, “proximity to hospitals, specialists, and emergency services is crucial.” In the small Umbrian village where we live, we have to drive 20 minutes to the hospital or to see specialists. It’s fine for now, but if we’re lucky enough to live that long, there may come a day when we can’t drive ourselves and will have to rely on younger friends and relatives. “In smaller towns,” adds O’Farrell, “quality care can be far away, so retirees should evaluate both the local healthcare system and the support network they’ll rely on as they age.” 

Location and Infrastructure

“Beyond beauty and charm, retirees need convenience,” says O’Farrell, “including good transport links, reliable public services, walkable areas, and easy access to daily necessities. Cities like Rome or Florence often provide stronger infrastructure and international connectivity than remote villages, though they will cost more.” To that, I’d add that it’s important to evaluate what you love about Italy. If it’s the idyllic countryside, then you don’t need a big city. But if it’s museums and performing arts, then it’s best to set your sights on a medium to large city.

Language, Integration, and Financial Feasibility

Before you put in an offer to buy that lovely fixer-upper in a small village, make sure your ducks (or anatre, in Italian) are in a row. “Retirees should consider the financial and legal aspects, meeting visa requirements, healthcare contributions, and understanding taxes or cost of living.” 

O’Farrell also points to the ability to build a social network, and to that, I would add that your network should absolutely include Italians. It’s far too easy for English-speaking retirees to stick to their own—make other English-speaking friends and never stray from those circles. Learning Italian is crucial to this integration, and, as O’Farrell says, “makes a huge difference for navigating daily life and helping with isolation.”

With all those warnings in place, let’s get to the fun part—where are the best places to retire in Italy? I polled dozens of foreigners who’ve made Italy their permanent home. Some didn’t even want to share their location, for fear it would get overrun by new emigres, like Cortona after “Under the Tuscan Sun.” But those who were willing to share offer up the where and why of the best places to retire in Italy. 

Best Places to Retire in Italy

Gaeta, Lazio

A beautiful viewpoint over Gaeta, Italy.

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O’Farrell has a second home in this coastal city about two hours south of Rome, and he considers it a particularly attractive spot for retirees considering Italy. “Gaeta sits right on the sea, so you get the Mediterranean lifestyle, fresh air, good food, and daily walks by the water, without the crowds (except August) and sky-high prices of the Amalfi Coast,” he says. “Housing is still relatively affordable, especially compared to the more famous retirement destinations.” There’s also nearby healthcare, as the nearest hospital is just 10 minutes away. “Access to good medical care is one of the most important things retirees often underestimate, and Gaeta puts you within quick reach of both local facilities and Rome’s top hospitals if you need more specialized care.” By car or train, it’s well-connected to Rome and Naples and their international airports. Lastly, O’Farrell cites a year-round community (not just a seasonal population) that’s a well-integrated mix of Italians and some foreigners. 

Lucca, Tuscany

Aerial view of Piazza dell Anfiteatro in Lucca.

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Those who’ve already discovered the appeal of this medium-sized Tuscan town might not want to let you in on their secret. Lucca, with a population of about 90,000, is located in the northwestern part of the region, about 30 minutes from the beaches of the Ligurian Sea and less than 90 minutes from Florence. There are many things that make it just right for retirees, including a flat, walkable center tucked into Renaissance walls, a lively scene of restaurants, cafes, and shopping, and a full cultural calendar, including the popular Lucca Summer Festival, a concert series drawing big names in classic rock. Proximity to quality healthcare doesn’t hurt, either. Lovers of all things Tuscany will appreciate the city’s proximity to the region’s renowned wineries, rolling landscapes, and idyllic dolce far niente lifestyle. A sizable English-speaking expat community might be appealing to those still learning Italian. 

Orvieto, Umbria

Downtown streets near the Duomo Plaza in Orvieto, Italy.

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I am biased, as Orvieto was my first landing spot when I moved to Italy, and it’s still the “big city” to our nearby village—even if only around 10,000 people live there. Orvieto’s flat (notice a theme here?), compact centro sits on an ancient volcanic bluff, which offers views galore of the surrounding Umbrian hills and their rows of olive trees and grapevines. There’s just enough here in terms of restaurants, bars, and events, though things quiet down considerably in the wintertime. The A1 autostrada and the main north-south train line both pass by here, making access to Rome, Florence, and points farther a snap. There are basic health services up in town, and the hospital is 10 minutes away. Though Umbria is no longer one of Italy’s “best-kept secrets” for tourists or retirees, it’s still a more affordable alternative to Tuscany. 

Ascoli Piceno, Marche

Medieval architecture in Ascoli Piceno, Italy.

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If there are “best-kept secrets” left anywhere in Italy, Ascoli Piceno and the greater Marche region are among them. Writer Valerie Fortney, who recently returned to Ascoli after living there in the aughts, calls it a great place to retire. “There are quite a few American and British expats living here,” she says, “but not too many, so it still feels like a community of locals.” Fortney and her husband live close to Ascoli’s grand Piazza del Popolo, one of the prettiest in Italy, and she says they’re “always amazed by the number of events taking place on the piazza, from art exhibits to concerts.” They also appreciate the city’s closeness to the highway and train line serving Italy’s east coast and its nearness to the seaside and several hill towns that make for nice day trips. Some specific health concerns prompted their move back to Ascoli Piceno, where they’ve been very satisfied with the regional healthcare infrastructure. 

Bologna, Emilia Romagna

A busy street in Bologna.

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One of the few big cities that make this list, Bologna consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in a region that consistently ranks as one of the most efficient and livable in Italy. Its flat, walkable, and bikeable center is located inside medieval walls, and residents are protected from the elements by miles of decorative porticoes. The University of Bologna, the oldest in Europe, keeps the city lively, young, cultured, and healthy—there’s a medical school here, and Bologna and Emilia Romagna are top-rated for healthcare. From Bologna Centrale Station, you can catch a train to almost anywhere in Italy and even into the rest of Europe, and flights from the Bologna airport connect to elsewhere in Italy, Europe, and points farther. Food lovers already know why Bologna is nicknamed “La Grassa” (the Fat One)—it’s hands down (and forks up!) the best foodie city in Italy. 

Lecce, Puglia

An ancient archway in Lecce.

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The honey-colored stones and relatively uncrowded piazzas of the city known as the “Florence of the South” might give it a sleepy vibe, but don’t snooze on Lecce. The city of just under 100,000, located deep in the heel of Italy’s boot, is the second-largest city in Puglia—just big enough to have the services residents need, including a major hospital, yet small enough to be entirely livable. This is a true Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers and mild winters. You’re just a few miles from some of Italy’s best beaches, and the olive oil, produce, and wine are some of the finest in the country. While the region is quite some distance from Rome, regional train lines and the nearest airport, in Brindisi, can get you there. 

Torino, Piemonte

A tram going through downtown Torino.

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Despite being one of Italy’s largest cities, Torino (Turin to English speakers) seems smaller than it is—in a good way. A major university, a top-rated healthcare system, high-speed train connections, and proximity to France, Monaco, and Switzerland give the city an international air. Torino’s wide, cafe-lined piazzas serve as the “living rooms” of the city, especially in fine weather. Yes, winters are cold and foggy, but retirees who don’t want to forgo metropolitan amenities, such as theatres, museums, and festivals, should look to this northern city. Torino is also close to the Langhe, a wine region famous for Barolo and Barbaresco red wines, as well as precious white truffles from Alba. Soccer fans take note: Italy’s most popular team, Juventus, is based here. 

Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige

San Vigilio Cathedral, a Roman Catholic cathedral in Trento.

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If a cold-weather climate is conducive to your retirement needs, Trento, capital of the province of Trentino, may just be your ideal wintry mix. Nestled in a valley among the Dolomites, Trento is one of the most highly rated cities in Italy for quality of life and is often cited for its municipal services, especially for senior citizens. Excellent healthcare, a charming medieval center, and easy connections to the rest of Italy and Europe are all pluses of living here. It’s an affluent city in an affluent region, so it’s probably not the cheapest place to retire in Italy. But all that hearty Austrian-influenced cuisine, excellent white wines, and clean mountain air might be worth it.