Mascalucia, Sicily: Buy an Apartment or Villa near Catania

Mascalucia is a commuter town with a Catania-linked road network and a good range of shops, schools and clinics, but it is not a tourist resort. Residents choose it for greenery, slightly cooler summers than the coast and quick access to the city. Buyers are mainly Sicilian families and a few foreign retirees. Check traffic on the main roads at peak hours; parking and garages are valuable features.

The standard process is a reservation proposal, a preliminary contract with a deposit, then a deed before a notary. Obtain a codice fiscale first. A lawyer or geometra should check planning permits (condono for past building work is a classic pitfall in Sicily). Approx. registration tax is 9% on second homes versus 2% for a main residence; confirm with your notary. See the Italy buying guide and Italian mortgages for foreigners.

Close places include San Giovanni la Punta, Misterbianco, Aci Catena, Acireale and Catania; Belpasso is a little further up the slope. Back to the Italy overview.