The enchanting European rural towns and villages to watch in 2025

The French Alps 

Views are top of the list for buyers in the French Alps who look for the perfect balance between a mountain location away from the busiest resorts along with good connectivity to the lift network. Montriond in the vast ski region of the Portes du Soleil on the French and Swiss border, and Argentière at the end of the Chamonix Valley are two Alpine resorts that deliver.

“Tree-filled Montriond is the little brother to well-known Morzine, just a few kilometres away and connected by shuttle bus and within 90 minutes of Geneva airport,” says Hodson. “There’s a beautiful lake for summer activities, walks, picnics, swimming or paddleboarding and prices are a little more affordable than in Morzine. Argentière is a pretty Alpine village with good access to the slopes and a little higher than Chamonix itself. A new lift to replace the Grand Montets lift, connecting Argentière to the summit, is planned to start operating in 2026 and this looks likely to influence property values. Argentière is already popular with those who know the Chamonix Valley. I have several clients who will only consider buying there.”

Tuscany, Italy

The trends shaping demand for rural property today in central Italy include a focus on health and wellness, a clear connection with nature and the desire for family-orientated living, says Isabella Foster from Knight Frank’s International team.

“Today’s buyers in rural Tuscany and Umbria want a classical farmhouse, preferably one that has been renovated or requires only superficial work, and one that comes with multi-generational appeal,” she says. “Ideally it would be within 45 to 60 minutes of an airport, 90 at most. The firm focus on wellness means access to nature is very important, a continuing trend from lockdown times helped by the ability to work remotely. A swimming pool is always in demand, possibly a spa and sauna too, and a manageable amount of land. Sustainability is increasingly high on clients’ list too, an increasing interest in an eco-friendly home.”

Finding homes that offer this away from the prime areas is perfectly possible. Foster tips the rolling hills and tree-lined backdrop of the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a good place to start. “Towns including Pienza and Montalcino offer classical architecture, good views and plenty of space,” she says. “You do need a car to get around and you are slightly further from Pisa airport compared with areas around Siena, but this is a place of great beauty.”

Cortona, close to the Tuscan-Umbrian border east of Siena, and Orvieto, in Umbria to the south, have beautiful estates in carefully preserved countryside, and consider Lucca, easily within 45 minutes from Pisa airport and under one hour on the train from Florence. Countryside homes offer good value there compared with prime Chianti, says Foster.

“Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is a vibrant university city with an international airport,” says Foster. “Buyers focused on wellness like being close to Lake Trasimeno, ideal for water sports, with Castiglione del Lago on the southwest bank a favourite location. Throughout this region villages hold regular fiestas, big events when long trestle tables are laid out and the community comes together.”

Spain

Fifteen minutes by car from the bright lights and buzz of Marbella, caught between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains and with superb wide rural views, Benahavis is a beautiful, traditional Andalusian village and also a large municipality, one of the wealthiest per capita in Spain. The village itself is affluent with year-round life and surrounded by protected natural parkland, ideal for hiking.

“The unspoilt natural beauty of Benahavis combines with its wonderful location, so close to Marbella and Puerto Banus with all the glamour and beach life that they offer to make an appealing Spanish location for a holiday home,” says Christinger. “Golfers will know it because it is home to many golf estates as well as exclusive, gated Country Clubs such as La Zagaleta, Los Arqueros and El Madroñal but otherwise it is not as well-known as it deserves to be and that’s part of the appeal. It offers clean mountain air, low pollution and a serene pace of life, filled with Andalusian charm.”

Overall, expect to pay around €1,000,000 for good two and three-bedroom quality apartments in smart residences and around €2 - €4 million for detached villas. Unlike in Marbella where there is very little land left for development, Benahavis offers larger plots, and while most buyers today want a turn-key property, some renovation projects are available.

“Benahavis offers the best of both worlds that buyers look for today, with tranquil countryside living and easy access to beaches, shops, restaurants, and international schools,” says Christinger. “For those who want a peaceful, nature-connected lifestyle without sacrificing comfort, it’s perfect."