Ideal for living la dolce vita, for life.
Whether you’re a pasta-phile, a lover of fine wine, an olive oil enthusiast, a renaissance art and architecture aficionado, or simply love to gaze over rolling hills ad infinitum, Tuscany has got you covered.
Whilst we luxuriate in the Italian region’s famously warm embrace, you might be considering moving here, awed by the fresh produce, laid back pace to life, clean air and a little bit of the ol’ dolce vita.
If so, then you’ve come to the right place for guidance on narrowing down your search into a shortlist of the 6 best cities and towns for British expats to live in Tuscany, IDEAL for living la dolce vita, for life.
PISA: IDEAL FOR ACCESIBILITY & TRANSPORT LINKS
There’s so much more to Pisa than that learning tower. Boasting its own international airport and easy accessibility to Tuscany’s other key cities and sites, as well as its position close to the coast, Pisa is the ideal city for expats in terms of location. With the centre of the city close, compact and pedestrianised, it’s also an incredibly accessible place once you’re there.
Because it’s a popular tourist destination, English is spoken here extensively, but if you’re keen to learn the local language, Pisa boasts several Italian language schools, too. Buying and renting property in Pisa is also, on average, cheaper than both Lucca and Florence. Should you be looking for real estate for sale in Tuscany, Italy, then Pisa represents a smart compromise between price and ROI.
LUCCA: IDEAL FOR EVENING STROLLS & SERENITY
Close to the Ligurian sea and just twenty minutes drive from the gorgeous beach of La Lecciona, Lucca is one of Italy’s most visually arresting cities. Surrounded by well preserved medieval city walls and cut in two by the Serchio River, Lucca is known as the City of 100 Churches, defined by its historic architecture.
Those historic city walls are now pedestrianised, and are a hugely popular spot for passeggiata, the beloved Italian pastime that mixes strolling, socialising and being seen. Because Lucca is less touristy than Florence and Pisa, the cost of living in terms of eating out, shopping and other amenities tends to be lower than those two tourist juggernauts. Accordingly, the centre is also significantly less crowded, and it’s these factors that mean Lucca has become increasingly popular with British expats in recent years. Will you join them?
FLORENCE: IDEAL FOR FOODIES
Sure, Florence can get crowded. And yes, the cost of living in the city is the highest in Tuscany. But Florence is popular and keenly priced for a reason.
Well, several reasons, actually; it’s an eminently walkable city, served by some fantastic restaurants, and is one of the most historically interesting, culturally invigorating places on earth. The Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti museums, in particular, are revered across the world for their collections.
The city is also supremely well connected to both the north and the south of Italy by train, with Florence’s Santa Maria Novella one of the busiest stations in Italy; ideal for those expats who are prone to getting itchy feet, don’t you think?
Rome is just an hour and a half away via direct, high speed train, while you can get to Naples in under three hours without having to change. To the north, Turin’s Porta Nuova station also takes around three hours, and is direct, too. Bologna, to the east, takes only 40 minutes.
For those expats who love to stay put, Florence is full of gorgeous piazzas where you can sit, sip coffee and admire both the renaissance architecture and the suave people of the city. Perhaps, you might even become one yourself?
Finally, Florence is also one of the foodie capitals of Italy. Do check out our tips on where to live in Tuscany here if you love good food.
The Tuscan capital is also one of the most popular destinations for Brits looking to get married abroad. With the stunning renaissance architecture as a backdrop, the Florentine cuisine making for the ultimate wedding breakfast, and even the reasonable going rates for wedding venues in the city and hiring a Tuscany wedding photographer, there really is no better place to tie the knot!
SAN GIMIGNANO: IDEAL FOR HILLTOP ESCAPISM
In the province of Siena, perched up high atop a hill in the gorgeous Val d’Elsa, you’ll find the medieval town of San Gimignano, which boasts World Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO city status. It’s easy to see why.
Famed for its medieval architecture and collection of 14 towers that seemingly rise straight out of the hill (San Gimignano is known as the City of Beautiful Towers), expats love the palpable sense of history and stunning views from the town.
It’s a small town, with a population of under 10’000, but this brings with it a wonderful, tight knit community. If you’re hoping to make friends and bond with neighbours, a keen grasp of Italian is essential here. Considering San Gimignano’s size and rural, hilltop location, it’s also recommended expats get a car should they be planning to live here.
VIAREGGIO: IDEAL FOR OLD SCHOOL ITALIAN GLAMOUR
Sitting on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Viareggio is known as one of the more glamorous (if not a little faded) spots in Tuscany, with its funky, iconic Art Nouveau architecture a world away from the regal, renaissance vibes of Florence.
The city is famed for its 150 year old carnival, which occurs annually. The event sees satirical, sardonic floats that critique societal issues all doing their own passeggiata along Viareggio’s central promenade. This year, after a COVID enforced break, the Viareggio Carnival is back in style, with climate change and social injustice in the USA both on the agenda. The event runs from September 18th to October 9th.
Once a favourite holiday destination of the rich and famous, Viareggio is now more likely to attract expats looking for that dolce vita they associate with the Italy of old movies. Whilst some of the buildings here could do with a lick of paint, there’s still glamour to be found; Viareggio boasts several Michelin starred restaurants, and owing to the city’s long held association with the fishing industry, the seafood here is fantastic.
CHIANTI: IDEAL FOR WINE LOVERS
Moving to Tuscany is a dream come true for wine lovers. Indeed, you could spend the rest of your days whiling away your time at different wine tastings and visiting vineyards with little chance of getting bored.
Tuscany is the birthplace of some of the world’s most iconic wines such as Chianti, Vino Nobile and Brunello, to name but a few. Chianti is one of Italy’s most iconic, noble vintages, with ancient origins dating back to the Middle Ages; if you are an oenophile, it’s here you should move.
If you’re seeking a more laid-back approach to life, you’ll find it on Chianti’s gently rolling hills, olive groves, in its rustic villages and countless vineyards. Also, it’s a hop, skip (or a stagger depending on how much wine you’ve had) away from Florence which means you can experience the hustle and bustle of city life when you fancy a change of pace and scenery.
VOLTERRA: IDEAL FOR HISTORY BUFFS
Located in a prime position just a short drive from Florence, Pisa and Siena, Volterra is a charming walled, mountaintop town with heaps of history to discover. For those keen to take a deep dive into the past, Volterra’s Guarnacci Etrurian Museum is fascinating, with archaeological artefacts dating back more than 2000 years. If you’re hungry for more history, you should visit the Vallebuona archaeological area, with its Roman Theatre and third century baths.
In terms of standard of living for ex-pasts, Volterra is a laid back place to live, with the surrounding countryside replete with olive groves and vineyards typical of the Tuscany so many dream of retiring in. Because it’s relatively untroubled by tourism, the cost of living is lower here than many of the other cities on our list.
Wherever you choose to settle, you’ll be blessed with some of the best food in the world. Check out our IDEAL travel guide on how to eat like a local in Tuscany for more on that!