Casa Colibrì – Santa Flavia

• 3 Rooms

• 1 Bathroom

• 51 m²

• 3rd

Holiday Apartment with Roof Terrace in Santa Flavia; in Pristine Condition and with Proven Rental Income

 

 

A third-floor apartment with roof terrace in a charming 1970s building, Casa Colibrì is a great opportunity for investors. The completely renovated holiday home comes with a track record of approximately €15,000 in gross annual revenue.

All the paperwork needed for tourist renting is in order, including CIR and CIN licenses and habitability certificates. The flat has a very good rating on popular rental portals, and was even featured in Airbnb's selective Plus program. This means that your new purchase can deliver returns from day one – if you don't want to make use of it yourself, of course. The roof terrace offers a particular draw, with direct sunshine all day and distant sea views. It's the kind of space that elevates the properties well above competing holiday accommodation.

Indoors and out, i's been completely remodelled by the current owners, with new electrical and plumbing systems. Perhaps best of all it's sold fully furnished, just as photographed, for the simplest possible purchase process.

Located on Corso Filangeri, the main thoroughfare of Santa Flavia, it offers the perfect balance for international buyers: authentic Sicilian coastal living away from mass tourism, yet with excellent connectivity to Palermo (20 minutes by train) and all modern amenities within walking distance. The building houses only three residential units, creating an intimate atmosphere while the fishing village of Porticello, ancient Solunto ruins, and several beaches are all within easy reach.

Whether you're looking to generate immediate rental income, secure a Sicilian base and offset your costs by letting it when you're not there, or simply acquire a beautifully finished property in one of Sicily's fastest-growing coastal markets, this colourful offering delivers on every front.

 

 

The Property

The terraced building where you'll find Casa Colibrì comprises a little bar on the ground floor, then one residential unit on each floor. This small condominium arrangement keeps the logistics of maintaining the common spaces – a simple hallway and polished stone staircase with metal bannisters - very simple. The main facade facing Corso Filangeri has been renovated and insulated, with all exteriors redone and waterproofed.

Inside, the flat has a simple, highly functional layout. You enter into an open-plan living area that seamlessly combines the fully equipped kitchen immediately to your left with a sitting room further ahead. The two are separated by a marble-topped breakfast island, a design which maximizes the sense of space while facilitating the social atmosphere of a holiday home. The lounge area is given a relaxing tone by a green feature wall, a colour scheme which is subtly echoed by the leaf prints on the kitchen tiles. An air conditioning unit opposite the sofa can keep you perfectly cool in summer.

French windows open onto the impressive balcony, which has enough space for a little breakfast table and makes a fabulous place in which to enjoy a morning coffee or an early evening aperitivo..

The bedroom is generously proportioned and cosy, with finishings in light wood. It has a built-in desk next to the bed and a versatile storage unit, while a comfortable night's sleep is guaranteed by a second air conditioning unit. Off the kitchen, the modern bathroom reflects the quality of the overall renovation. It has a walk-in shower, a heated towel rail, a washing machine and twin mirrors. The flat is completed by a storeroom which is big enough to hold all of your cleaning and maintenance supplies.

All of the renovation work has been executed to a high standard throughout. The apartment was completely stripped back to the structural walls and rebuilt from scratch. All electrical wiring and plumbing are new, and the work includes modern insulation with modern double-glazed windows. Autonomous gas heating with radiators and a boiler for hot water ensures year-round comfort, while the southern exposure brings in natural warmth and plenty of sunlight, creating a bright, welcoming interior, especially in the main living space. The light parquet floor provides warmth underfoot and a unified aesthetic.

All of the thoughtfully selected pieces visible in the photographs are included in the sale, from the comfortable beds and quality linens to the kitchen equipment and decorative touches. This won't just make the transition quicker but help maintain the continuity of the rental operation - you won't have to update photos and return visitors will find the place just as they remember.

Last of all, but perhaps the best part, is the exclusive 65m² rooftop terrace. This substantial outdoor space belongs solely to this apartment, save for the fact that the lower pair have the a right of access to their small water cisterns. This private retreat above the town is perfect for outdoor dining, sunbathing, yoga sessions, or simply relaxing with a book.

 

 

Surroundings

The home is right at the heart of Santa Flavia, an elegant coastal town on Sicily’s northern shore. It's known for its refined atmosphere, historic villas and close connection to the sea. Located on the headland of Capo Zafferano, on the way from Palermo to Cefalù and Messina, Santa Flavia offers a quieter, more residential feel while remaining well served by transport and everyday amenities. On-street parking is no issue.

The rugged coast of this beautiful peninsula is filled with great swimming spots, with sandy beaches and rocky coves waiting to be explored on foot or by boat. The nearest beach is in our beloved Sant’Elia, a fishing village known for its clear waters and relaxed coastal character. The nearest beach is only 1.5 kilometres away.

There's a very convenient greengrocer directly opposite the apartment building, and an assortment of cafés, a bakery and other day-to-day amenities all within easy reach in the walkable Santa Flavia. Bigger supermarkets can be found just a kilometre or two to the west in Bagheria.

Santa Flavia is well connected for public transport, with the train station just five minutes away offering regular services to the bustling island capital of Palermo and the unforgettable beach of Cefalù, and convenient road access along the northern coast. The apartment's appeal to the tourist market is strengthened by the fact that Palermo’s international airport is reachable in about forty minutes. With good links for road as well as rail, these properties make a very attractive base for longer off-season stays as well as short summer visits.

 

 

Potential

The beauty of this opportunity is that everything is already in place. You won't need to redecorate, much less renovate, and Casa Colibrì is already generating a strong annual revenue, with demonstrated occupancy and guest reviews..

Nor should it be underestimated that all of the legal authorisations for short-term renting are already in place. This compliance framework, which can take months to establish and involves navigating Italian bureaucracy, transfers with the property. The apartment's placement in the Airbnb Plus program demonstrates that it's met stringent quality standards, and the designation drives higher rates and better occupancy. This is truly turnkey: sign the papers, receive the keys and booking calendars, and properties continue operating immediately. Our sister company Solemar Sicilia can even offer property management support to take care of all the logistics when you're not in the area yourself.

An apartment with roof terrace is a huge draw in this market, with listings offering that kind of private outdoor space shown to support rates well above comparable apartments. Santa Flavia attracts savvy visitors looking for authentic Sicilian life, and a place near the coast without the crowds and prices of tourist hotspots like Cefalù or Taormina's. Excellent train connections appeal to car-free travellers accessing both Palermo's urban culture and beach life.

The rear facade will eventually require some minor repair work, with our estimate of the cost at around €5,000, but there are no urgent structural issues or major expenses looming on the horizon.

At the time of writing, another apartment in the same building is also listed for sale buy the same vendor, creating the intriguing possibility of an expanded investment and resultant economies of scale. For example, this owner has in the past marketed the roof terrace jointly for shared use by both apartments.