Well-being is becoming a key consideration for affluent buyers – being able to spend your days in a carefree state of mind in a peaceful environment is a new type of luxury. That’s when the concept of slow cities comes to mind: places with a relaxed pace of life, where inhabitants focus on their well-being – or can just find peace of mind over a glass of biodynamic wine after an unhurried round of golf.
Championing that ethos, Cittaslow believes life should be easy and pleasant – more “human” and sustainable, less frantic and fast. The organization flies the flag for slow cities, assigning towns the status based on core factors like organic food and wine, activities such as golf and hiking, as well as proximity to nature, the sea, and the countryside.
Cittaslow looks for architecturally and culturally interesting towns with untouched surrounding landscapes. Inspired by the Slow Food movement and introduced in 1999 by Paolo Saturnini (then Mayor of the first slow city Greve in Chianti), the group’s mission includes improving quality of life and upholding responsibility towards the natural world. More recently, they aligned themselves with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Slow cities were first established to support smaller economies through “selling” the most attractive components of “la dolce vita”, starting with well-cooked food based on hearty local ingredients. In recent years, they’ve become increasingly popular among wealthy buyers, in parallel with rising trends regarding wellness and well-being.
High-end residences on offer in European slow cities
As of February 2021, there were 272 Cittaslow members around the world, many of them located in highly sought after second home destinations, from Tuscany and Mallorca to the Alps and England’s countryside. Concentrating on Europe, there’s an array of top-class homes on sale in slow cities across Spain, Portugal, and Italy. We’ve rounded up our top locations and property picks.
Spain
From the traditional town of Artà to Begur on the Costa Brava, Spain has much to offer in terms of slow cities.
Artà, Mallorca
Average housing price: $2,400,000
Nestled in a valley at the foot of a small mountain and overlooked by the fortified Santuari de Sant Salvador, Artà is proud of its heritage. In the largely pedestrianized center sits Transfiguracio del Senyor, the parish church. Well-known for pottery production and basket weaving, the town is just 25 minutes from the coast and glorious unspoiled beaches such as Cala Torta. Four top golf courses are also close by: Pula, Son Servera, Canyamel, and Capdepera.
In terms of properties, prices range from $10,182,000 for an estate with the potential to convert into a hotel to $628,000 for a two-bedroom townhouse in the center of the Old Town. Somewhere in the middle at $5,033,000 is this authentic seven-bedroom Mallorcan estate. Sitting in an elevated position above Artá with its own vineyard and fabulous views, the plot spans six acres of well-kept, Mediterranean gardens and comes complete with a pool. Inside it’s modern all the way across 6,028 square feet of space, with all bedrooms benefiting from access to the spacious rooftop terraces.
Begur, Costa Brava
Average housing price: $1,500,000
Situated just 1.5 kilometers from the coast, hilltop Begur is close to pretty coves and beaches such as Sa Tuna, Aiguablava, Pals, and Llafranc. This hidden treasure used to be nicknamed “Little Africa”, because of its “off the beaten track” location. Filled with narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, Moorish and Spanish architecture prevail, and ruins of an ancient castle still remain. Keep an eye out for neoclassical mansions, built by merchants returning from Cuba in the late 19th-century. Just an hour from Girona and 1.5 from Barcelona, Begur is also close to Pals and Club d’Aro golf courses.
If this area appeals, prices range from $10,181,000 for an 11-bedroom villa with sea views to $583,108 for a three-bedroom new build. And $2 million can buy a classic stone villa with sea views or a spacious, 4,200 sqm land plot in front of one of the most beautiful beaches of the Costa Brava.
Portugal
Tavira and Silves are two of Portugal’s top slow cities; both offer affluent home seekers and investors coastal living and beautiful scenery.
Tavira, Algarve
Average housing price: $700,000
Tavira is ideally situated along the Gilão River in Portugal’s Eastern Algarve, just 30 minutes from the Spanish border. An ancient Moorish town, it’s surrounded by unspoiled countryside, and there are plenty of fine sandy beaches nearby in Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, including Barril, Terra Estreita, Tavira Island, and Ilha de Cabanas. Golf enthusiasts are well-catered for too, with Benamor and Quinta de Cima close by. Monte Rei is also easily reachable – number one course in Portugal and 12th in Continental Europe. With a relaxed and tranquil vibe, the fishing town is known for its seafood and is also a top spot for Fado music.
Property prices range from $7,638,000 for a modern 11-bedroom house down to $497,000 for a detached home with a pool. This impressive country estate priced at $4,600,000 boasts magnificent views out to the Ria Formosa nature reserve and the Atlantic. Set on a large plot of land, the villa features a garden with ornamental stone areas, a large family pool, terraces exteriors, walkways and spaces on Portuguese paving, six stables and a riding area.
Silves, Algarve
Average housing price: $970,000
Charismatic Silves sits on the banks of the River Arade and is one of the oldest towns in the Algarve. About 10 minutes north of Lagoa and within half an hour of the ocean, Silves represents “real” Portugal. Armação de Pêra beach is close by, while Silves Golf is well-positioned on the outskirts at the foot of Monchique mountain – a challenging course for low handicaps. Back in SIives, wander the cobbled streets of the walled town center and relish in the peaceful and unhurried pace of life.
At the top end of the market is a $17,150,250 farm ranch set in 10 hectares, and in the lower price bracket is a three-bedroom villa for $514,507. Listed for $2,162,000 is this attractive five-bedroom house with unparalleled golf course views. Featuring modern décor, stroll through the open plan living room and out onto the terrace where you can admire those vistas and the pool.
Italy
With many slow cities across regions such as Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto, and Campania, Italy is a mecca for laid-back living. Let’s take a look at just a few examples.
Cortona, Tuscany
Average housing price: $1,100,000
You’ll find the quintessentially Tuscan town of Cortona in the Chiana Valley and the province of Arezzo – an hour from Siena, 1.25 from Orvieto, and 1.75 from Florence. Enclosed by stone walls dating back to Etruscan and Roman times, the steep streets are more or less untouched by modern buildings. Proudly perched about 600 meters above sea level, there are second to none countryside views to enjoy as far as Lake Trasimeno. Wine lovers will be in their element here – first-rate red vino such as Montepulciano and Montalcino is made in the area. Come summer, don’t miss the Tuscan Sun Festival, a yearly event dedicated to the arts.
Listings range from “price on application” for an 18th-century villa with a chapel to $513,364 for an elegant four-bedroom house. At $5,605,000, this 20-bedroom historic mansion is filled with character and original features. Brightly decorated, each room is individual and striking, with fine finishes and quality materials. Dating back to the 17th-century, spread over four levels and spanning 12,379 square feet, the unique property features a well-kept park and a private chapel.
Greve in Chianti, Tuscany
Average housing price: $1,500,000
The main town in northern Chianti, life revolves around triangular Piazza Matteotti. Just 30 kilometers from Florence, the people of Greve in Chianti hold a Saturday market that welcomes people from afar. A gastronome’s and wine lover’s paradise, local butchers are known for beef, wild boar, and cured pork, and you’re surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. What’s more, the quaint villages of Montefioralle, Panzano, and Lamole are close by if you fancy getting out and about.
Prices range from $7,774,778 for a 15-bedroom estate with established vines to $537,374 for a four-bedroom farmhouse. For $5,145,000, there’s this 40-bedroom organic-certified winery enclosed by 43 hectares of land and spanning 19,376 square feet inside. Perched on a hill, the views are spectacular and the main house is rather eye-catching too. Inside, there’s character and color galore, with wood beams, a fireplace, and stone walls.
Orvieto, Umbria
Average housing price: $2,000,000
Built on almost vertical cliffs, Orvieto boasts an enviable hilltop position and a cathedral known far and wide for its elaborate facade. The small town also has an unusual feature: An incredible underground city you can climb down into, dating back to Etruscan times. Known for its white wines – Grechetto and Trebbiano in particular – the soil is mineral-rich and the surrounding area is filled with vineyards.
On the real estate front, prices range from $4,516,000 for a six-bedroom estate with a winery to $651,700 for a restored Umbran farmhouse. For an undisclosed sum, there’s this ancient Abbey with a medieval tower and eight bedrooms. Sitting on a 15-acre plot and with 10,334 square feet of space inside, the estate is made up of three units: A stylish cottage, the tower, and the main villa. Outside, you’ll be greeted by a swimming pool and a fountain designed by William Pike, while inside the primary house it’s elegance all the way, with original features blending seamlessly with contemporary décor.
