21/07/2025 – Crystal-clear sea, exclusive venues and dream properties: the Mediterranean, with its iconic coastlines and elite destinations, remains one of the most sought‑after areas. It’s not just about occasional tourism: the number of those who choose (and can afford) to buy an apartment or a villa in these exclusive locations is growing. How much does it cost to buy a property in the most luxurious areas of the Mediterranean? And who are the main buyers?
Abitare Co., a real estate services company specializing in new residential constructions, conducted a survey identifying 20 luxury seaside locations across Italy and abroad, analyzing the average price to purchase an apartment or a luxury sea‑view villa: topping the ranking are the French destinations Cap Ferrat (€18,500/sqm) and Saint Tropez (€16,800/sqm), followed by the Italian Portofino(€15,800/sqm). Prices can reach €43,500/sqm in Cap Ferrat and €38,500/sqm in Saint Tropez for the most exclusive sea‑view villas.
What about the buyers? In the most exclusive Italian destinations, the majority of property purchases are made by Italian clients: in Portofino, 65% of purchases are by Italians; in Porto Cervo the Italian share stands at 60%, while in Positano it rises to 80%. The opposite occurs abroad, where demand is driven by international buyers: in Cap Ferrat, only 8% of transactions involve local residents, compared to a clear 92% by foreign clients. Similar data emerges in Mykonos (90% foreign buyers) and Formentera (85%).
Portofino on the podium together with Cap Ferrat and Saint Tropez
The French Riviera and Provence maintain their iconic status, with destinations such as Cap Ferrat, first in the ranking of the most luxurious Mediterranean destinations, with average prices of €18,500/sqm, followed by Saint Tropez (€16,800/sqm). Cap Ferrat and Saint Tropez also recorded the greatest growth over the last 5 years, respectively +40% and +30.2%. Portofino, the Italian jewel, climbs onto the podium of the most prestigious international destinations, with an average price of around €15,800/sqm (+15% over the last 5 years), reaching peaks of €27,500/sqm for luxury sea‑view villas. The small municipality on the Ligurian Riviera, with fewer than 400 inhabitants, has recorded an annual average of 12 homes sold over the last decade—very limited supply for an increasingly strong demand. All other destinations have values below €10,000/sqm for apartments.
Porto Cervo, in fourth place (€8,600/sqm), remains the most exclusive seaside destination in Sardinia, while Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, secures top luxury positions (€8,200/sqm), increasingly attracting American buyers.
For those seeking both luxury and entertainment, the Balearic Islands—especially Formentera—rank sixth in Abitare Co.’s ranking. Loved by celebrities and athletes, the two queens of the Balearics are among the most popular locations for second homes, with record‑breaking numbers: from €8,100/sqm in Formentera to €7,700/sqm in Ibiza (average apartment prices), reaching over €26,000/sqm for the most luxurious villas. Then there’s Mykonos, the evergreen hotspot of international nightlife, where apartments average €6,100/sqm, and top villas nearly €24,000/sqm. In Italy, the ranking also includes Capri (seventh, tied with Amalfi, €7,900/sqm), Porto Rotondo (ninth, €7,800/sqm), and Santa Margherita Ligure (fourteenth, €6,800/sqm).
How much does it cost to buy a luxury sea‑view villa?
The French Riviera and Provence are the undisputed queens of luxury, with villa prices exceeding €40,000/sqm.
Those seeking sea‑view villas with exclusive amenities—panoramic terraces, private pools, spas, direct beach access, private parks and gardens, and other high‑end comforts—must contend with a rapidly rising market. Prices reach up to €43,500/sqm in Cap Ferrat, followed by Saint Tropez (€38,500/sqm) and Cannes (€28,500/sqm). In rare cases (not included in this analysis), values can reach €70,000/sqm.
Looking at Italy, prices are slightly lower: Portofino reaches €27,000/sqm, followed by Capri (€25,400/sqm), Forte dei Marmi(€24,250/sqm), and Positano (€23,700/sqm). Given international millionaires’ growing interest in Italy—also due to tax incentives—these luxury gems scattered across the country’s finest islands and coastlines are expected to become even more expensive in the coming years.
For the public:
Abitare Co. | Tel. +39‑02 48.95.84.16
Via Savona, 52 — 20144 Milano (MI)
info@abitareco.it | www.abitareco.it
