Savona Real Estate: Apartments on the Ligurian Coast

Savona has an old harbour, the Priamar fortress, a historic centre with arcades and cruise terminal. The towns along the coast, including Albissola, Varazze, Noli and Finale Ligure, are within easy reach and are popular holiday spots, while Genoa is about 45 minutes by train.

Savona is more of a real city than a resort, so it has year-round residents and lower prices than the glossy Riviera towns. Buyers include Milanese and Turin second-home owners, retirees and some international buyers. Compare Rome, Sassari and Cosenza for markets with different profiles.

A notary registers the deed after a preliminary contract and deposit. Registration tax is about 2% on a primary residence and 9% on second homes, based on cadastral value, plus agent fees and notary charges. Non-EU nationals may need to satisfy a reciprocity requirement.

Check condominium minutes, the energy certificate and whether the building has a lift, as coastal hill streets can be steep. Our Italy buying guide, Italy mortgage guide and Italy overview have more.