12 Budget-Friendly Cities in Italy Where You Can Live La Dolce Vita for Less

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Loved globally for its art, history, cuisine, and picturesque scenery, Italy is an alluring tourist destination with something to offer every traveler. Although Italy’s cities often steal the hearts of explorers, with the promise of many things to see, out-of-this-world food, and iconic landmarks.

However, famous destinations like Venice, Milan, and Rome are generally the most expensive cities, which isn’t ideal for travelers on a tight budget. Luckily, there are many Italian cities that aren’t expensive. To help you find the perfect place to visit, here are 12 budget-friendly cities in Italy. We’ve selected these entries based on the low cost of living, free attractions, and overall beauty.

Bologna

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Let’s kickstart our list with Bologna, a beautiful city in Northern Italy best known for its architecture. A firm favorite with history lovers, you’ll likely spend most of your time in Bologna walking along the medieval walls, exploring lively plazas, and tucking into authentic Italian cuisine.

Because you’ll spend most of your time exploring the city’s streets, you won’t have to spend much money on tourist attractions. Furthermore, the average monthly cost of living for a single person in Bologna is only $1,581, including rent. Notable points of interest in Bologna include Piazza Maggiore, the Fountain of Neptune, the Two Towers, and the Sanctuary of San Luca.

Perugia

The cost of living in Perugia, the capital of Italy’s Umbria region, is $1,220 monthly. That’s over $1,000 less than the reported cost of living in Rome. That’s not all Perugia has going for it, either. The city is famed for its breathtaking defensive walls, historic center, and stunning pastel-colored Italian houses.

In Perugia, tourists can wander the streets of the historic center and its surroundings for free, allowing them to put more money towards other things. Most of the action in the historic centers can be found in Piazza IV Novembre. In this lively square, iconic attractions include the medieval Fontana Maggiore, the Gothic San Lorenzo Cathedral, and the Palazzo dei Priori.

Palermo

Despite being the capital of Sicily, an island famed for its pristine coastline, natural landmarks, and delicious wine, Palermo is one of Italy’s most budget-friendly cities. If you’re good at saving and can live like a local, you can live comfortably in the city for less than $1,000 monthly.

This vibrant city is noted for its gorgeous architecture, vibrant culture, rich history, and gastronomy, which is everything we look for from a city break. History buffs can visit the 12th-century Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo dei Normanni. Foodies can experience local cuisine at Vucciria Market, and partygoers can drink the night away in the Centro Storico (Historical City Center). What’s not to like?

Cagliari

If you’d prefer to visit a city that combines Italy’s history and big city amenities with its coastal charm, you must visit Cagliari. Cagliari is a stunning waterfront city on the island of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. This postcard-perfect destination is best recognized for its vibrant pastel-colored architecture, hilltop castle, and walled medieval quarter.

Therefore, when you’re not sipping a cocktail in a waterfront bar or swimming in the turquoise waters at Spiaggia del Poetto, you’ll find yourself exploring the city’s historic streets and landmarks. Notable points of interest include Porta dei Leoni, the Citadel of Museums, and the Tower of San Pancrazio. As for daily expenses, tourists usually spend $129 daily.

Bari

The next budget-friendly Italian city on our list is Bari, where the average cost of living for a single person is approximately $1,324 monthly, including rent. The capital of Italy’s Puglia region, this vibrant city is loved for its unique charm, culture, and artsy scene.

From its beautiful architecture and rich history to stunning beaches and the promise of a hot and sunny summer, a fun-filled lifestyle is guaranteed in Bari. Beachgoers can soak up the sun at Pane e Pomodoro Beach, Torre Quetta Beach, and Bari Waterfront. History buffs can discover Saint Nicholas Basilica in the Old Town, and art lovers can watch shows at the Teatro Petruzzelli. Better still, you can do most of this for free.

Turin

If you’ve always wanted to live in one of Italy’s major cities but are weary of the prices, don’t panic because Turin could be perfect. Turin, the capital of Piedmont in Northern Italy, is a fascinating city defined by its architecture, culture, and history. The median rent prices in Turin are 38.5% lower than those in Rome.

In Turin, you’ll also find countless free-to-visit art galleries, museums, gardens, parks, and piazzas, so you don’t have to spend money on attractions if you don’t want to. Beautiful baroque and Renaissance buildings line Turin’s boulevards and squares. Popular things to see include Piazza Castello, Mole Antonelliana, Parco del Valentino, and Palazzo Madama.

Reggio Calabria

If you just can’t stay away from Italy’s picturesque coast, Reggio Calabria is one of the most affordable places you can visit. The average cost of living for one person in the city, including rent, is only $936 monthly. Reggio is only separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina, so you can expect great things regarding beaches.

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Some of the best beaches you can visit along the city’s coastline are Spiaggia La Sorgente, Lido New Beach, and Spiaggia Di Catona. Meanwhile, if you enjoy walking, the Parco Urbano Lineare Sud – Waterfront and Lungomare Falcomatà hiking areas are perfect for a coastal walk. The city center’s must-visit attractions include Castello Aragonese, Pinacoteca Civica, and Duomo di Reggio Calabria.

Crotone

Another beautiful coastal city in Italy’s Calabria region is Crotone, a small port city in Southern Italy, dominated by a 9th-century fortress and castle, Castello di Carlo V. However, despite the imposing fortress taking up much of the waterfront, many travelers love Crotone most for its stunning crystal-clear turquoise waters and long sandy beaches.

Therefore, once you’ve explored the fortress and made the most of the city’s free attractions, including Capo Colonna, Lungomare, and the National Archaeological Museum of Crotone, soak up the sun at the beach. You can enjoy the sun, sea, and sand on Spiaggia Libera Di Crotone. Regarding finances, Expiter reports that the average cost of living in Crotone is $1,367 monthly.

Naples

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The penultimate Italian city on our list is Naples, the third largest city in the country behind Rome and Milan. Despite being one of Italy’s largest cities, Naples is relatively affordable. The average cost of living for a single person is approximately $1,576 monthly, including rent, utilities, and food.

Naples is a vibrant city filled with many things to see and do, lots of which are free, beautiful pastel-colored traditional architecture, and a gorgeous stretch of coastline. Some of the most popular attractions in the city include the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, the Sansevero Chapel, Spiaggia della Gaiola, and Ovo Castle. However, the iconic Mount Vesuvius, located a few miles outside the city, is arguably the biggest draw to the bay.

Lucca

To enjoy the perks of Italy’s historic cities but without the large crowds, head to Lucca in the Tuscany region. This beautiful city sits on the Serchio River, surrounded by lush countryside. It’s a great place to explore historic landmarks, enjoy the outdoors, and spend less money. The average daily cost for a tourist visiting Lucca is $114, which is $69 less than the average daily cost for tourists in Rome.

One of the best free attractions in the city is the 16th-century Renaissance walls that encircle the historic city center. You can walk through the tree-lined walls before getting lost down the Old Town’s narrow streets. Don’t miss Palazzo Ducale di Lucca, Torre delle Ore, and Plaza del Anfiteatro.

Verona

Verona is an excellent alternative if you’ve already been to Venice and want to explore somewhere new. The two cities share similarities; for example, both have a lot of water and are considered romantic destinations. However, Verona is a more affordable place.

If you want to avoid spending money on tourist attractions, spend your time in Verona strolling along the Adige River and discovering one of the many plazas. Popular free attractions in Verona include Piazza delle Erbe, Scaliger Tombs, Piazza dei Signori, Verona Cathedral, and Borsari Gate. Meanwhile, excellent paid attractions include Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta), rumored to be the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Pisa

The final city we have for you is Pisa, a city in Italy’s Tuscany region. Made famous by the Leaning Tower of Pisa, this city is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy Italy’s historic architecture and pristine beaches. You should start your trip to Pisa with a selfie in front of the Leaning Tower.

After, visit the city’s other famous landmarks, indulge in Italian food, and make a short journey to the coast. Notable places you don’t want to miss during your visit include Piazza del Duomo, Marina di Pisa, Place des Chevaliers, and the magnificent Iglesia de Santa Maria della Spina. Regarding budgets, you could stay in Pisa for approximately $129 a day.