Home really matters, and holidays matter too. Blending the two – into your own holiday home – is surely the ultimate in both decadence and practicality. A place of luxury, perfectly tailored to your exact wants and needs, in one of your favourite locations, holiday homes bring bespoke comfort, and carry individual touches and return on investment. When it comes to desirable holiday homes, Europe is phenomenally enticing. Famously diverse and a cultural tour de force, it boasts a wide variety of stunning destinations. From stunning Alpine towns and sun-soaked coastlines to historic cities that are bustling with life and culture, here is our guide to the top five destinations for holiday homes in Europe.
Italian Lakes, Lombardy
Nowhere can you soak up La Dolce Vita quite like in Italy. To own a holiday home near Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, or Lake Iseo is the very epitome of its wider meaning: ‘the good life’. This area is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Italy for good reason. Lake Como is famously jaw-dropping – a vast, crystal-clear body of water surrounded by majestic mountains with pretty villages and decadent villas scattered across them. Culturally it’s incredibly rich too: towns such as Bellagio, Como itself, and Varenna are a regular haunt of celebrities, artists, and even royalty. Amenities are plentiful, as with most of the bigger towns in the Italian Lakes region. Lake Maggiore, traditionally less touristy, is just as impressive as Como: stretching across Lombardy and Piedmont and even extending into Switzerland. Maggiore is treasured for its serene waters, mediaeval castles, and horticulture too: lush, subtropical gardens are a theme, especially at the incredible Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens in Pallanza. The lakeside town of Stresa is arresting – locals and tourists enjoy the pretty promenade and grand hotels – and it serves as the ideal launchpad for exploring the nearby Borromean Islands.
St Emilion, France
A real mecca for wine lovers – as if this stunning mediaeval village isn’t appealing enough, St Emilion is also surrounded by some of the most cherished vineyard estates in the world (namely Château Ausone, Château Cheval Blanc, and Château Figeac), where highly prestigious Bordeaux wines are produced. Slow living takes precedence here. People tend to live at a relaxed pace, soaking up the more sedate rhythms of a somewhat idyllic rural life, gathering at weekly farmers’ markets to buy always-fresh produce and socialise among the incredible cheeses, meats, and flowers. To own a property in or near the town itself requires a significant commitment, but it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site: the cobbled streets, incredible views, and outstanding restaurants mean you are enjoying one of the finest villages in Europe. St Emilion isn’t without nearby adventure though: scenic hiking and cycling routes are right on the doorstep, while the beach is 90 minutes away and there are ski slopes two hours to the south. For access by airplane, Bordeaux airport is 45 minutes away.
Davos, Switzerland
Best known for hosting the annual World Economic Forum, every January this small and beautiful Alpine town becomes a centre of global decision-making and gravitas. Heads of state and business leaders, academics, and activists, all utilise its upscale hotels and fine-dining restaurants while trying to tackle economic and social issues, climate change, and technology challenges. But what of the rest of the year? Well, international headlines might disappear but the buzz remains. Not only does Davos offer world-class skiing and winter sports, but, what really sets it apart is its status as a high-altitude wellness resort. It is renowned for its ‘unique’ microclimate (as the highest town in the Alps), which, in tandem with the active lifestyle and a discernibly blossoming culture of mindfulness across the town, is thought to promote noticeably good health for its inhabitants. As such, Davos is popular all year round for those who want unspoilt landscapes, pure clean air, luxury spa resorts, and an overall focus on wellbeing. The adventurous hiking trails around Davos are breathtaking, but there is plenty to explore indoors – culturally and intellectually. Especially in January.
Valencia, Spain
There is no denying the timeless beauty of Barcelona, but four hours south along the eastern coastline sits Valencia, another dazzling Spanish city that is blessed with gorgeous architecture, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, superb cuisine, and a sun-soaked lifestyle. The difference with Valencia – which also boasts its own cutting-edge arts scene, family-friendly plazas, and standout cultural and sporting events – is that the city offers some of the most competitive resale housing prices in Europe. Experts have predicted that property values are likely to rise over the coming years, and it is worth investigating the ‘Golden Visa’ programme in Spain, which may prove beneficial for foreign investors purchasing residential property (large apartments are notably charming). Valencia has more affordability over Barcelona and Madrid and experiencing ‘the Spanish way’ means good food, Sangria, and time to relax with family become critical elements of everyday life.
Algarve, Portugal
Wonderfully predictable sunshine, relaxed quality of life, superb accessibility from major European cities, and a favourable tax environment all make the Algarve one of the best places to buy a holiday home in Europe. Stretching out along the southern coast of Portugal, it’s famously well-established as a perfectly-pitched beach and golf destination – but there is much more to the Algarve than that. Lagos, in the west, is developing in a distinctive fashion: more than 60% of it is classified as a nature conservation area, and second-home owners are being drawn here by the ‘Slow City’ movement, whereby wellbeing is prioritised by the authorities and the community: on a personal, social, and environmental level. There is also a lively cultural scene, with distinctive music festivals, art exhibitions, and local markets. Out to the west, the beaches are vast, wild, and unspoilt: utterly spellbinding.
From beachside villas and loft apartments to countryside cottages, and mountain chalets, chic properties with masses to offer are in plentiful supply. Being savvy about ownership rules in other countries is key – homework is required. But the potential for sound investment and, more importantly, enjoyment and relaxation, is huge.
