This article is part of our latest special report on International Golf Homes.
The Lombardy region in northern Italy is home to Milan, the country’s fashion center, and the world-famous Lake Como. Tourists have visited for decades to see historical and cultural attractions, including Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” and to enjoy sights around the lake, like waterfront villages and villas.
The area also has more than 40 golf courses, and although many have been around for several years, these courses are enjoying a newfound popularity among international travelers and home buyers who want to invest in a vacation property in the country, according to Diletta Giorgolo Spinola, the head of residential for Italy Sotheby’s International Realty.
The real estate market for golf homes in Lombardy has surged, she said. “Since Covid, when people became interested in spending as much time outdoors as possible, we’ve seen a jump in buyers who want to own a property to be near golf,” she said.
According to Ms. Giorgolo Spinola, Italy Sotheby’s International Realty saw a 131 percent increase in buyers from the United States in 2022, compared with 2021, partly because of the strong dollar. The number of homeowners from other countries also increased. Ms. Giorgolo Spinola said that the top request five years ago among international buyers who were interested in property in Lombardy was to live near Lake Como; today, proximity to a golf course is equally in demand.
Luca Finardi, the area vice president of operations for Mandarin Oriental hotels in Italy, is an avid golfer and often rents homes in Lombardy during his vacations. He said that the destination had many appealing qualities.
“Much of the region is set on the water, which means that the courses see lots of lush green grass and are very scenic with mountain and lake views,” said Mr. Finardi, who is also the general manager of the Mandarin Oriental in Milan. “They’re also top quality, with prolific designers behind them, and many of the golf clubs are appreciated by nongolfers because they have spas, swimming pools and restaurants.”
Beyond golf, Lombardy offers an array of activities, Mr. Finardi said, including swimming, boating, hiking and visiting wineries. Its accessibility is another plus: Malpensa Airport near Milan has many flight options from the United States, as well as from the rest of Europe, and trains from the city run regularly to areas with golf courses. In addition,…
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