Naro in Sicily is offering homes for just EUR 1 as the medieval town tries to bring abandoned properties back to life, attract new residents and support the local economy. But the tiny price tag comes with substantial costs and responsibilities for anyone prepared to take on a renovation project.
Located in the province of Agrigento in southwestern Sicily, Naro is the latest Italian destination to use a symbolic property price to encourage people to move into its historic centre. The scheme allows both Italian and foreign buyers to apply, subject to local rules governing the purchase and restoration of the properties.
The initiative has been approved by the Comune di Naro, the town’s local government authority. Applications can be made through the Case 1 Euro Naro online platform, which is available in several languages and explains the process for prospective buyers.
The aim is not simply to sell houses cheaply. Naro is trying to address a wider problem affecting many historic Italian communities: abandoned buildings, population decline and the gradual loss of activity in old town centres. By encouraging buyers to take on neglected properties, the town hopes to see buildings restored and more people living and spending time in the area.
The scheme’s promotional material points to Naro’s historic centre, Baroque architecture, Chiaramontano Castle and inland landscapes as some of the reasons buyers might consider the town. Its location also provides connections to Agrigento and the southern coast of Sicily.
But the EUR 1 price is only the beginning.
Anyone imagining a finished Sicilian house for the price of a coffee is likely to be disappointed. The properties being offered are renovation projects, and buyers need to be prepared for the financial and practical work that follows the purchase.
When Euronews Travel reviewed the available listings, the properties were marked as requiring renovation. One three-bedroom property overlooking the historic urban area was also listed as requiring an inspection.
I just bought my third 1€ property in Mussomeli, Sicily 🇮🇹📈 pic.twitter.com/FEAeBO0w83
— George Laing (@George_Laing_) June 4, 2026
The buyer is responsible for costs beyond the purchase price, including notary fees as well as registration and cadastral taxes. There are also expenses associated with planning and carrying out the renovation itself.
That can include paying for the design of the project, bringing the building up to safety standards, meeting landscape regulations and completing the necessary urban planning procedures. Buyers may also be required to complete the renovation within a specified period, meaning the EUR 1 purchase can quickly become a much larger financial commitment.
For anyone willing to take on that responsibility, however, Naro offers more than an unusual property opportunity. The town has a long history and a distinctive architectural character, making it an interesting stop for travellers who want to explore a less familiar side of Sicily.
One of its unusual attractions emerged after a landslide in 2005, when young artists began working on the facades of ruined buildings in the affected neighbourhood. Their work eventually became the MAN open-air museum, creating an outdoor collection of contemporary art among the remains of the old buildings.
Naro has also retained the Porta d’Oro, or Golden Gate, a medieval gateway dating back to the 13th century. With its pointed arch and stone battlements, the gate was once part of a system of seven entrances surrounding the town.
Food is another part of Naro’s local identity. Visitors can find familiar Sicilian favourites such as cassata, a dessert made with sponge cake, ricotta cream and chocolate chips, as well as pasta reale, a sweet almond paste traditionally flavoured with vanilla and decorated with candied fruit. The latter has links to the Arab influence on Sicily and takes its name from an Arabic term associated with a large bowl used to mix the ingredients.
Arancina and cannoli are also part of the local food scene, alongside variations and specialities associated with Naro itself.
For prospective buyers, the appeal of the EUR 1 scheme therefore goes well beyond the headline price. Naro is offering access to an old Sicilian property and the possibility of becoming part of a historic community, but the bargain comes with a renovation project attached.
The scheme is ultimately less about buying a house for EUR 1 than deciding whether restoring an abandoned property in a small Sicilian town is a commitment worth taking on.
