12 best destinations for green living in Italy

Cagliari 

The capital of the island of Sardinia, Cagliari is vying to become the European Green Capital in 2024. The city states that it is on a path of green transition, creating a healthier environment for its citizens by implementing green laws and policies. 

A new project which commenced this year aims to build a nature-filled promenade along Cagliari’s waterfront, creating a green lung between the city and the port with shaded walkways for pedestrians. Cagliari is also described as a ‘green city’ due to its urban forestation program which has already planted around 200 new trees, as well as the fact that it’s surrounded by many verdant parks, beaches and lagoons. 

Those thinking of moving to Cagliari will not only be confined to the city, however, they will have an whole island to explore.

Florence 

The elegant Tuscan city of Florence is another Italian city hoping to become the European Green Capital in 2024 and in recent years has really upped its commitment to environmental sustainability. The centre of the city is mostly pedestrianised meaning that there are no car fumes choking the centre and walking is the best and most environmentally-friendly way of moving around. Florence is due to receive €80 million to improve its green spaces and its sustainability. There are plans to build a new Florentia park, which will become the second biggest park in Florence, covering 90 hectares, as well as plans to create 7km of tramlines and 94km of bicycle paths. 

Prato

Another Tuscan city on our list is Prato, situated just slightly northwest of Florence. Like its big sister, Prato also wants the European Green Capital status in 2024. It is the second biggest city in Tuscany after Florence but is far less touristy. Prato was in fact the first in Italy to invest in recycling, and today almost half of all its rubbish is recycled. It’s also one of Tuscany’s greenest city’s thanks to its many parks and gardens. These include the Galceti Park and the Bisenzio River Park, as well as the city’s new Parco Centrale, which was built within the city walls themselves. 

Treviso 

Smaller cities up to 20,000 inhabitants can compete for the European Green Leaf Award, given out to places because of their sustainability practices. Italy’s Treviso is one of those competing, and aiming to win in 2024. In 2022, it came in third place. If you’re wondering where to move to in Italy this could be a great option. Treviso is located in north-eastern Italy, just north of Venice and it too is known for its abundance of canals and waterside homes. The city has been recognised for its improvement in air quality, electric waste collecting vehicles, its 126 city potable water fountains, as well as its plans to introduce 18 new green spaces. 

Turin 

Turin is the green capital of northwest Italy. It’s surrounded on two sides by the Italian Alps and the hills of Monferrato to the other. Along with Cagliari, Florence and Prato, it too wants to become a European Green Capital. But, being green is nothing new to Turin, in 2011, the city adopted a 10-year Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, increasing cycle-friendly areas, as well as its public transport and introducing car-free Sundays. The city also has a strong environmental commitment to improving and maintaining its good air quality and also plans to bring in an emissions tax. Italy’s Slow Food movement was born in Turin and today it holds one of the world’s largest food and wine fairs, meaning that it’s great for eco-friendly living in Italy.

Rome 

Rome may be busy and chaotic, its streets choaked with cars and mopeds, but it is in fact also one of the greenest cities in Europe. According to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), it is the eighth greenest capital in Europe, with 24 percent of the city covered with trees. Many of these can be found in its many city parks, the largest of which is Villa Doria Pamphilj at 184 hectares. The grounds of a 17th century country villa, it’s an elegant space of ponds, meadows, fountains, grand statutes and manicured flower gardens. Nicknamed Bel Respiro (Nice Breath), it was originally the summer residence of the noble Pamphilj family. Villa Borghese is another of the city’s stunning green spaces. 

Maremma, Tuscany 

Tuscany has long been known for its sustainable tourism model of slow and local travel and is a great place for green living in Italy. Maremma is situated in the southern coastal area of Tuscany. The Maremma Natural Park is a 9,000 hectare green space dotted with mountain ridges boarding the Tyrrhenian Sea and punctuated by dramatic sandy and rocky beaches. The area has been recognised by the European Excellence Awards for its sustainable tourism. There are no big cities in Maremma, but the closest is Grosseto, lying just 14km away. 

Sardinia

Sardinia is one of the biggest islands in the Mediterranean, it sits in the middle of the sea, just south of France’s Corsica. The island is known for its natural spaces and is home to two national parks – Asinara National Park and La Maddalena National Park, which cover a total of 25,000 hectares. It’s one of the best places for sustainable living in Italy and ecotourism is popular on the island. There is a lot on offer for those who live there to do sustainable activities too such as hiking and cycling. Sardinia may be an island, but it provides opportunities for many different lifestyles, whether that’s in its green cities like Cagliari, in the rural interior or by its stunning coastline. 

Emilia-Romagna 

Located in the northern half of Italy, Emilia Romagna is the country’s true foodie capital, home to the cities of Bologna, Modena and Parma. Running from the Apennine Mountains to the Po River, it also boasts a fantastic coastline right along the Adriatic Sea. Emilia Romagna makes Italy’s green list because of its wide array of stunning hiking routes, an abundance of wildlife and the Italian sustainable lifestyle. It’s home to several nature reserves, protected areas and forests. These include the Po Delta, where over 300 different bird species live and the Mesola Forest Nature Reserve, where you can go deer spotting. In fact there are 20 official Camnmini or trekking routes that traverse the region, taking you to see some of the best of it. Living in Emilia Romagna gives you a wide choice of city, beach, mountain or rural village locations. Bologna, Parma and Modena each have an international school, so families looking to move there can have a wide choice of destinations too.

Trentino-Alto Adige 

Trentino-Alto Adige sits in the very north of Italy, bordering both Switzerland and Austria. True green living in Italy, it’s characterised by the Dolomites, jagged limestone peaks and part of the Italian Alps and its many medieval castles. In 2015, Trentino-Alto Adige was awarded the title of ‘Green Region of Italy’, but eight years later, it still maintains many of those credentials. Home to both mountains and great lakes such as Lake Coldonazzo and Lake Garda, there are lots of opportunities for many healthy activities such as cycling, trekking and Nordic walking. In fact, the area has around 300km of cycle routes, so it’s ideal for bike enthusiasts. The two main cities are Trento, one of the greenest cities in Italy and Bolzano, but even if you choose the city life, they are both surrounded by nature.

Abruzzo 

Abruzzo is the region located to the east of Rome, along the Adriatic coastline. It has been nicknamed ‘the green lung of Italy’ and is also one of the most eco regions in Europe, due to the fact that almost half of its land area is given over to national parks and nature reserves. There a total of three national parks and 38 nature reserves in just this one small area, including the Apennine Mountains. Base yourself in this region and you’ll be able to stay active all year long, from skiing in the winter to mountain biking, hiking and even horse riding during the rest of the year. The region is also known for its excellent wines and medieval hilltop towns. Places you could choose to settle are the hilltop city of Chieti or the coastal city of Pescara. 

Umbria 

Bordering Tuscany to the north, Umbria lies in between Florence and Rome. If Abruzzo is Italy’s green lung, then Umbria is often referred to as the country’s green heart. It’s characterised by thick forests and medieval hilltop towns. Mountains, vineyards, olive grows and forests full of truffles come together in this stunning, lush region. Some of the main cities you could choose to live in Umbria are Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto. Perugia sits on a hilltop surrounded by a patchwork quilt of green fields, vineyards and olive trees and is known for its fascinating historic sites, much of which is explained in the National Archaeological Museum. Assis on the other hand is a UNESCO World Heritage city with its grand Basilica of San Francesco, while Orvieto is known for its wine production. 

Conclusion

Whichever destination you choose for your green living in Italy, it’s guaranteed that these will provide what you’re looking for. Whether it’s the elegant city of Florence hoping to become European Green Capital in 2024, the eco-friendly island of Sardinia or the region of Abruzzo with its countless natural parks and reserves.