Autumn is well and truly upon and as the weather turns colder and the days get shorter, we’re already dreaming of sunnier climes.
Even though the depths of December, Southern Italy still boasts a mild climate and 110 hours of sunshine. And its brightest jewel is the Amalfi Coast and Naples, with its ancient architecture shaped by the area’s dramatic topography – think vertical towns, hairpin-bend roads and funicular railways.
This part of Italy, hunkered in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, has been inhabited since Roman times and has an alluring mix of postcard vistas, antiquities and old legends. The historic homes in this list blend Mediterranean whitewashed charm, a dash of ornate Italian style and some unexpected modern touches, plus a whole lot of history.
Villa in Naples’s Posillipo with an oasis-like garden
€10m via Christie’s Real Estate
This 12-bedroom, 1800s red stone villa, in the picturesque hillside Neapolitan neighbourhood of Posillipo, is fronted by grand sea-facing gardens. It needs some TLC but there’s a lot to love: it has Venetian mosaics, oak parquet, and a rooftop observation tower. Its park-like grounds have a large terrace, palms, olive trees, and end in wide views of the Bay of Naples.
Photography: Christie’s International Real Estate
Villa in Naples’s Posillipo with an oasis-like garden
€10m via Christie’s Real Estate
This 12-bedroom, 1800s red stone villa, in the picturesque hillside Neapolitan neighbourhood of Posillipo, is fronted by grand sea-facing gardens. It needs some TLC but there’s a lot to love: it has Venetian mosaics, oak parquet, and a rooftop observation tower. Its park-like grounds have a large terrace, palms, olive trees, and end in wide views of the Bay of Naples.
Photography: Christie’s International Real Estate
Villa in Naples’s Posillipo with an oasis-like garden
€10m via Christie’s Real Estate
This 12-bedroom, 1800s red stone villa, in the picturesque hillside Neapolitan neighbourhood of Posillipo, is fronted by grand sea-facing gardens. It needs some TLC but there’s a lot to love: it has Venetian mosaics, oak parquet, and a rooftop observation tower. Its park-like grounds have a large terrace, palms, olive trees, and end in wide views of the Bay of Naples.
Photography: Christie’s International Real Estate
Villa in Naples’s Posillipo with an oasis-like garden
€10m via Christie’s Real Estate
This 12-bedroom, 1800s red stone villa, in the picturesque hillside Neapolitan neighbourhood of Posillipo, is fronted by grand sea-facing gardens. It needs some TLC but there’s a lot to love: it has Venetian mosaics, oak parquet, and a rooftop observation tower. Its park-like grounds have a large terrace, palms, olive trees, and end in wide views of the Bay of Naples.
Photography: Christie’s International Real Estate
Oscar Wilde’s former pad in Posillipo
$4.278m via Sotheby’s International Realty
With eight large windows facing the sea, this three-bedroom Villa Del Giudice apartment feels like it is floating above the water, and it is where Oscar Wilde stayed during his trip to Naples. Adding to its airy feel, the San Pietro ai due Frati coastline home has indoor arches, handmade glass accents, hand-painted tiles and lofty ceilings throughout. Glass doors step onto a wraparound terracotta terrace which is sunlit until the late hours of the day.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Oscar Wilde’s former pad in Posillipo
$4.278m via Sotheby’s International Realty
With eight large windows facing the sea, this three-bedroom Villa Del Giudice apartment feels like it is floating above the water, and it is where Oscar Wilde stayed during his trip to Naples. Adding to its airy feel, the San Pietro ai due Frati coastline home has indoor arches, handmade glass accents, hand-painted tiles and lofty ceilings throughout. Glass doors step onto a wraparound terracotta terrace which is sunlit until the late hours of the day.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Oscar Wilde’s former pad in Posillipo
$4.278m via Sotheby’s International Realty
With eight large windows facing the sea, this three-bedroom Villa Del Giudice apartment feels like it is floating above the water, and it is where Oscar Wilde stayed during his trip to Naples. Adding to its airy feel, the San Pietro ai due Frati coastline home has indoor arches, handmade glass accents, hand-painted tiles and lofty ceilings throughout. Glass doors step onto a wraparound terracotta terrace which is sunlit until the late hours of the day.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Oscar Wilde’s former pad in Posillipo
$4.278m via Sotheby’s International Realty
With eight large windows facing the sea, this three-bedroom Villa Del Giudice apartment feels like it is floating above the water, and it is where Oscar Wilde stayed during his trip to Naples. Adding to its airy feel, the San Pietro ai due Frati coastline home has indoor arches, handmade glass accents, hand-painted tiles and lofty ceilings throughout. Glass doors step onto a wraparound terracotta terrace which is sunlit until the late hours of the day.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Anacapri villa named after author Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
€2.5m via Sotheby’s International Realty
Oozing with Med charm and decorative detailing, Colette House is a 1700s three-bedroom whitewashed villa in Anacapri on Capri island, once part of the monastery of San Michele. It is named after the famous French author Sidonie Gabrielle, who owned and inhabited it for a long time. Its garden has rooms with built-in seating, a pergola-topped colonnade and balustrades with ogival arches and busts, allowing for quirky views of the panorama. Inside the six-bedroom house, there is colourful woodwork, painted tiles and ironwork reflecting local design and craftsmanship, while its book-filled sitting room sits under a curved whitewashed ceiling.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Anacapri villa named after author Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
€2.5m via Sotheby’s International Realty
Oozing with Med charm and decorative detailing, Colette House is a 1700s three-bedroom whitewashed villa in Anacapri on Capri island, once part of the monastery of San Michele. It is named after the famous French author Sidonie Gabrielle, who owned and inhabited it for a long time. Its garden has rooms with built-in seating, a pergola-topped colonnade and balustrades with ogival arches and busts, allowing for quirky views of the panorama. Inside the six-bedroom house, there is colourful woodwork, painted tiles and ironwork reflecting local design and craftsmanship, while its book-filled sitting room sits under a curved whitewashed ceiling.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Anacapri villa named after author Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
€2.5m via Sotheby’s International Realty
Oozing with Med charm and decorative detailing, Colette House is a 1700s three-bedroom whitewashed villa in Anacapri on Capri island, once part of the monastery of San Michele. It is named after the famous French author Sidonie Gabrielle, who owned and inhabited it for a long time. Its garden has rooms with built-in seating, a pergola-topped colonnade and balustrades with ogival arches and busts, allowing for quirky views of the panorama. Inside the six-bedroom house, there is colourful woodwork, painted tiles and ironwork reflecting local design and craftsmanship, while its book-filled sitting room sits under a curved whitewashed ceiling.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Anacapri villa named after author Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
€2.5m via Sotheby’s International Realty
Oozing with Med charm and decorative detailing, Colette House is a 1700s three-bedroom whitewashed villa in Anacapri on Capri island, once part of the monastery of San Michele. It is named after the famous French author Sidonie Gabrielle, who owned and inhabited it for a long time. Its garden has rooms with built-in seating, a pergola-topped colonnade and balustrades with ogival arches and busts, allowing for quirky views of the panorama. Inside the six-bedroom house, there is colourful woodwork, painted tiles and ironwork reflecting local design and craftsmanship, while its book-filled sitting room sits under a curved whitewashed ceiling.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Anacapri villa named after author Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
€2.5m via Sotheby’s International Realty
Oozing with Med charm and decorative detailing, Colette House is a 1700s three-bedroom whitewashed villa in Anacapri on Capri island, once part of the monastery of San Michele. It is named after the famous French author Sidonie Gabrielle, who owned and inhabited it for a long time. Its garden has rooms with built-in seating, a pergola-topped colonnade and balustrades with ogival arches and busts, allowing for quirky views of the panorama. Inside the six-bedroom house, there is colourful woodwork, painted tiles and ironwork reflecting local design and craftsmanship, while its book-filled sitting room sits under a curved whitewashed ceiling.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Architect-renovated Naples apartment with statement staircase
Price on request via Sotheby’s International Realty
Architecture studio Gambardella Architetti has put its eclectic, contemporary stamp on this Monte di Dio apartment, set in a historic mansion. In its hallway, a staircase balustrade made from metal rings sweeps up to a library and the four bedrooms. Gambardella has added their signature ceiling detailing to the reception rooms – in this case, a geometric design in earthy shades. The angled feature makes a contrasting counterpoint to the traditional furnishings. Iridescent mosaics, meanwhile, cover bathroom walls.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Architect-renovated Naples apartment with statement staircase
Price on request via Sotheby’s International Realty
Architecture studio Gambardella Architetti has put its eclectic, contemporary stamp on this Monte di Dio apartment, set in a historic mansion. In its hallway, a staircase balustrade made from metal rings sweeps up to a library and the four bedrooms. Gambardella has added their signature ceiling detailing to the reception rooms – in this case, a geometric design in earthy shades. The angled feature makes a contrasting counterpoint to the traditional furnishings. Iridescent mosaics, meanwhile, cover bathroom walls.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Architect-renovated Naples apartment with statement staircase
Price on request via Sotheby’s International Realty
Architecture studio Gambardella Architetti has put its eclectic, contemporary stamp on this Monte di Dio apartment, set in a historic mansion. In its hallway, a staircase balustrade made from metal rings sweeps up to a library and the four bedrooms. Gambardella has added their signature ceiling detailing to the reception rooms – in this case, a geometric design in earthy shades. The angled feature makes a contrasting counterpoint to the traditional furnishings. Iridescent mosaics, meanwhile, cover bathroom walls.
Photography: Sotheby’s International Realty
Coastal Capri villa with sweeping arched ceilings
€2.2m via Engel & Voelkers
This five-bedroom hillside Capri house has streamlined cabinetry and a smooth-textured floor that builds on the minimalism of traditional Mediterranean style. In the living room, a curved ceiling sweeps down to the floor on one side while a brick fireplace is tucked into one corner. There are arched doors throughout and a bedroom with windows in a mosaic-like pattern. Outside, there is a raised outdoor terrace with sea and pine grove views.
Photography: Engel Völkers
Coastal Capri villa with sweeping arched ceilings
€2.2m via Engel & Voelkers
This five-bedroom hillside Capri house has streamlined cabinetry and a smooth-textured floor that builds on the minimalism of traditional Mediterranean style. In the living room, a curved ceiling sweeps down to the floor on one side while a brick fireplace is tucked into one corner. There are arched doors throughout and a bedroom with windows in a mosaic-like pattern. Outside, there is a raised outdoor terrace with sea and pine grove views.
Photography: Engel Völkers
Coastal Capri villa with sweeping arched ceilings
€2.2m via Engel & Voelkers
This five-bedroom hillside Capri house has streamlined cabinetry and a smooth-textured floor that builds on the minimalism of traditional Mediterranean style. In the living room, a curved ceiling sweeps down to the floor on one side while a brick fireplace is tucked into one corner. There are arched doors throughout and a bedroom with windows in a mosaic-like pattern. Outside, there is a raised outdoor terrace with sea and pine grove views.
Photography: Engel Völkers
Coastal Capri villa with sweeping arched ceilings
€2.2m via Engel & Voelkers
This five-bedroom hillside Capri house has streamlined cabinetry and a smooth-textured floor that builds on the minimalism of traditional Mediterranean style. In the living room, a curved ceiling sweeps down to the floor on one side while a brick fireplace is tucked into one corner. There are arched doors throughout and a bedroom with windows in a mosaic-like pattern. Outside, there is a raised outdoor terrace with sea and pine grove views.
Photography: Engel Völkers
Coastal Capri villa with sweeping arched ceilings
€2.2m via Engel & Voelkers
This five-bedroom hillside Capri house has streamlined cabinetry and a smooth-textured floor that builds on the minimalism of traditional Mediterranean style. In the living room, a curved ceiling sweeps down to the floor on one side while a brick fireplace is tucked into one corner. There are arched doors throughout and a bedroom with windows in a mosaic-like pattern. Outside, there is a raised outdoor terrace with sea and pine grove views.
Photography: Engel Völkers
