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Escaping to a villa in the sun can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. They’re a home away from home, offering the privacy and flexibility that hotels can’t – whether you’d like to enjoy the serenity of a private pool or cook up alfresco meals with friends and family.
Villas also tend to be found in the hearts of charming neighbourhoods or scenic rural areas, granting travellers a more authentic travel experience than touristy resorts. Plus, sharing the cost of a large villa with friends and family can help you get more for your money.
To help you find the place in the sun you’ve been dreaming of, we’ve partnered with Vintage Travel*, who offer handpicked villas in unspoilt locations across Europe with private pools. Each of the properties below is within walking distance of a beach – ideal for a restful and rewarding escape.
1. Casa do Salgueiro – Costa Verde and Minho, Portugal
From £898
Sleeps 10
3 double bedrooms
2 twin bedrooms
The Costa Verde and Minho region in Northern Portugal offers an entirely different experience from the classic tourist destinations in the south – such as the Algarve. Here, the landscape of verdant valleys and enchanting pine forests is dotted with historic hamlets. At the coast, the rolling countryside gives way to rocky headlands sheltering glorious white-sand beaches with world-class surfing.
This reimagined farmhouse with a heated pool and games room sleeps up to 10 people. Located in the delightful village of Moledo, restaurants and the vast sandy beach are just a stroll away. The interior design is a charming mix of neutral colours and eclectic elements – such as intricate tilework and traditional stone arches. There’s plenty of room to socialise inside and out, making it perfect for a multi-family getaway.
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Vintage Travel Casa do Salgueiro Villa, Costa Verde & Minho*
Portugal | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 10 guests.
2. Parlak – Lycian Coast, Turkey
From £2,370 per week
Sleeps 10
4 double bedrooms
1 twin bedroom
This contemporary-style five-bedroom villa is a great choice for group travellers seeking sun, sea, and sand on the Turkish Riviera. Located in the charming harbour town of Kalkan, it boasts a sizeable pool, a sheltered games area, and a private sun terrace with a spa bath. All bedrooms have direct access to outdoor space, with some offering views of the turquoise bay and looming Taurus Mountains.
When you aren’t relaxing poolside or enjoying a crisp glass of local wine in the alfresco dining area, the town and beach are just a stroll away. Discover traditional Turkish eateries amongst the sugar-cube buildings of Kalkan’s historic Old Quarter; hop in a colourful wooden fishing boat to access ritzy beach clubs; or set off on a day trip along the scenic shoreline in a traditional gulet vessel.
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Vintage Travel Parlak Villa, Lycian Coast*
Turkey | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 10 guests. Flexible changeover days available.
3. Casa do Seixo – Galicia, Spain
From £1,198
Sleeps 7
2 double bedrooms
1 triple bedroom
The sun-bleached hills of the Costa Blanca and the Costa Brava’s sparkling coves are certainly impressive. But if you want to experience a very different side of Spain, Galicia in the country’s northwest is a must-visit. Here, seafood-centric cuisine, beautiful historic towns and cities, and one-of-a-kind wine routes weave a fascinating cultural tapestry – with a backdrop of forested peaks, looming coastal cliffs, and immaculate beaches.
This exquisite, three-bedroom coastal villa offers a quintessential Galician experience. A spacious lawn, a pool with Roman steps, and panoramic views of the lush hills and glistening sea may be what you notice first. However, a crisp decor of light hues and three airy bedrooms await inside. With a beach, a gorgeous seaside village, and twisting coastal hiking and cycle paths all a short walk away, there are activities to suit everyone.
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Vintage Travel Casa do Seixo Villa, Galicia*
Spain | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 7 guests.
4. Paleokastro – Peloponnese, Greece
From £998 per week
Sleeps 2
1 double bedroom
Set high above the valley amongst fragrant lavender and native shrubbery, this lovely two-person stone villa in Greece’s Peloponnese combines staggering views with a pleasant sense of seclusion. Whether tucking into a meal on the elevated dining terrace or relaxing beside the private pool, guests can gaze for miles over the orchards and olive groves, towards the twinkling Ionian sea and Gialova Lagoon. It’s perfect for a sun-soaked romantic getaway.
But don’t be fooled by the isolated vibe at Paleokastro, as there’s plenty to do within walking distance. Stroll down the gentle hillside into delightful Gialova, where lively tavernas litter the cobbled seafront promenade. Or carry on to the beach – a scenic, sandy bay with sheltered shallows. Nature lovers can hike to the emerald pools of Kalamaris Waterfall or spot rare birds – including flamingos and ospreys – amongst the marshy reeds of the lagoon.
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Vintage Travel Paleokastro Villa, Peloponnese*
Greece | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 2 guests. Flexible arrival/departure days possible (minimum 7 days) - please enquire.
5. Cal Mariner – Llafranc, Costa Brava
From £3,498 per week
Sleeps 8
3 double bedrooms
1 twin bedroom
Spain’s Costa Brava is famous for its stunning coastal scenery, and with this four-bedroom villa, you can wake up every morning to some of the region’s best views. Situated in the serene seaside town of Llafranc, which feels leagues away from the country’s looming tower block resorts, you’ll have easy access to authentic Catalan experiences. There’s also a snow-white sandy beach and coastal footpaths on your doorstep.
Because Cal Mariner is so close to the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean, visitors may feel like they’re moored in a boat on the shimmering bay. The smells and sounds of the sea accompany every activity here, from stretching out in bed to drinking sangria on the terrace. Traditional design elements, like intricate Spanish floor tiles paired with modern art and contemporary conveniences, give the space a cool yet eclectic feel.
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Vintage Travel Cal Mariner Villa, Catalunya*
Spain | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 8 guests. A unique waterfront location on the beach of Llafranc.
6. Casa da Areia – The Algarve, Portugal
From £3,147 per week
Sleeps 6
2 double bedrooms
1 twin bedroom
This roomy three-bedroom villa on Portugal’s Algarve is a true slice of paradise. The design is bright, airy, and splashed with accents of bold cerulean, giving it a modern yet authentically Mediterranean feel. With high walls and lush perimeter foliage, separate pools for adults and young children, plus a games room and vast lawn area, Casa da Areia is designed to keep every generation of your family happy.
Less than a mile away, the gleaming golden sands of Praia dos Olhos de Água await. Here, charming azure fishermen’s huts sit under towering sandstone cliffs, which overlook the picturesque Blue Flag cove. After your day at the beach, why not retire to one of the restaurants along the promenade or head back to the villa’s terracotta patio for drinks under the setting Portuguese sun?
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Vintage Travel Casa da Areia Villa, Algarve*
Portugal | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 6 guests.
7. Casa Ukiyo – Menorca, Balearic Islands
From £2,298 per week
Sleeps 6
3 double bedrooms
If you’re looking for a sliver of island serenity, Casa Ukiyo in Menorca is an ideal choice. Located in the idyllic coastal community of Cala Morell, this six-person villa is surrounded by a verdant swathe of forest. Seven hundred metres from the front door, there’s a sheltered red-rock cove filled with calm, turquoise waters and bobbing boats. The historic harbour town of Ciutadella is just a 10-minute drive away, as are the sandy crescents of Algaiarens Bay.
The villa itself sports a homely design with a maritime colour scheme. Two of the three bedrooms have outside access – one boasting a spacious private patio overlooking the garden. The poolside barbeque area is perfect for whipping up group meals to enjoy on the terrace as the sun sets through the surrounding woodland. But there are restaurants just 650m away if you fancy eating out and immersing yourself in the local atmosphere.
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Vintage Travel Casa Ukiyo Villa, Menorca*
Menorca | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 6 guests.
8. Casita Eivissa – Costa Blanca, Spain
From £1,625
Sleeps 4
2 double bedrooms
This ultra-chic four-person casita on Spain’s Costa Blanca is a perfect double-date holiday or single-family getaway location. Blending calming neutral tones with accents of wood and raffia, the design will make you feel like you have free run of your own hip beach bar. The jewel in Casita Eivissa’s crown is certainly the spacious, shaded roof terrace, offering gorgeous views over the dramatic coast towards the towering Calpe Rock.
However, nestled in the affluent El Portet neighbourhood of Moraira, Casita Eivissa’s location is also worth shouting about. Several idyllic beaches, coastal walking trails, and the ritzy village centre are all within a short wander. Foodies can check out Moraira’s Michelin-starred restaurants or the scenic seafood restaurants off the beach in El Portet. The local area’s crystalline waters are also perfect for snorkellers and scuba divers.
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Vintage Travel Casita Eivissa Villa, Costa Blanca*
Spain | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 4 guests. Walking distance to beach & restaurants.
9. Ruggero – Kefalonia, Greece
From £876 per week
Sleeps 4
1 double bedroom
1 twin bedroom
Perched high on a hill in northern Kefalonia, this contemporary, four-person cottage curates an idyllic and isolated vibe. It’s surrounded by flourishing foliage, such as manicured hedges and spiralling cypress trees. And from its impressive vantage, visitors can soak in views of the glimmering Ionian Sea, where the mountainous landscapes of Ithaka and Lefkada seem to rise straight out of the water.
Though Ruggero feels secluded, it’s located in one of Kefalonia’s most sought-after holiday destinations. The unspoiled cove of Emblisi Beach is just a few minutes walk away – as is the colourful harbour town of Fiskardo. Often called the St Tropez of Greece, Fiskardo is known for its yacht-filled marina and flamboyant Venetian villas draped in scarlet shawls of bougainvillea.
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Vintage Travel Ruggero Villa, Kefalonia*
Kefalonia | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 4 guests.
10. Finca Mondragó S'Amarador, Mallorca, The Balearic Islands
From £5,848
Sleeps 10
4 double bedrooms
1 twin bedrooms
If you and your loved ones are looking for a truly exquisite villa, the 10-person Finca Mondragó S’Amarador could be your dream destination. We aren’t sure what’s more beautiful, the palatial estate or its natural surroundings, where emerald swathes of juniper and wild olive trees are punctuated by slivers of sapphire sea.
With more outdoor space than you’ll know what to do with – including an uber-cool covered terrace with remarkable sea views – this villa is designed with relaxing and socialising in mind. Although the terrace has a hot tub, Finca Mondragó S’Amarador lacks a larger pool like some other villas on this list. But with two of Mallorca’s most serene sandy coves (Cala S’Amarador and Cala Mondragó) literally on your doorstep, you surely won’t miss it.
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Vintage Travel Finca Mondragó S'Amarador Villa, Mallorca*
Mallorca | 7 days
Handpicked villa with private pool. Sleeps up to 10 guests.
Final thoughts…
Whether you’d like to set off on a large group holiday or a romantic escape for two, a beachside villa in the sun is the perfect way to relax and unwind. We hope the properties above have given you an idea of what’s out there – from grand estates in Mallorca’s coastal wilderness to dinky hillside cottages in the Peloponnese.
If none of these take your fancy, there are plenty more fantastic villas to explore over on the Vintage Travel website*. These include other seaside properties in the countries listed above and villas in other idyllic locations – such as Croatia, Italy, and France.
Have any of the villas above inspired your next getaway? If so, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below.