The best luxury villas to rent in the Mediterranean
It’s hard to beat the privacy, serenity and opulence of a Mediterranean holiday home. Gather your nearest and dearest for a memorable getaway next winter.
Bowing out of winter, if only for a few sun-filled, rosé-fuelled weeks, has long been an Antipodean tradition. The siren song of the Mediterranean remains the most enticing call, especially for those seeking sublime seclusion or a polished setting for a multigenerational getaway. Whether it’s an aristocratic estate in Puglia, a slick hideaway in Mykonos or a vibrant bolthole in Ibiza, the region is overflowing with exquisite rental properties. Some are expressly aimed at one-percenters, outfitted with all the bells and whistles including concierges and chefs, while others are reasonably priced enough for a discerning group of friends to snare. Here are our favourites.
1. Marbella, Spain
Is bling your middle name? Then you’ll feel right at home at Villa Serenidad on the Costa del Sol. Not far from Marbella’s Old Town, this exceptional property spans four lavish storeys with eight luxe bedrooms and a jaw-dropping rooftop terrace embellished with a Jacuzzi, open-air cinema and vistas of the North African coast. The interiors are elegantly decorated, the kitchen is impressively loaded and the basement has a fully equipped gym, spa pool and second cinema. There’s even an elevator. Adjacent to the main pool is a covered dining area and chillaxing zone where guests can quaff sangria, nibble on sardine skewers and revel in views of the surrounding gardens. From £50,890 per week (sleeps 16). oliverstravels.com
2. Paphos, Cyprus
Paphos in Cyprus is a famously pretty spot – it’s the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, after all – with glorious beaches, frescoed tombs and forested mountains as you venture inland. Among its sleekest stays is Villa Euphoria, a recently built home that graces this gilded south-west corner of Cyprus with the poise of a goddess sculpted from white foam. Designed with eight bedrooms, twin living rooms and a sprawling terrace, the residence would suit family reunions, summer weddings or a gaggle of friends. Sun-loungers embedded in the pool are a sexy touch. From €9,030 per week (sleeps 16). lithosvillas.com
3. Zakynthos, Greece
Of all the pedigreed trimmings at Artelia, a hilltop hideaway on the island of Zakynthos, perhaps the most surprising is that the villa is equipped with a manège – a riding school with Andalucian and rare Akhal-Teke horses. Guests are welcomed to visit the enclosure during their stay for riding lessons and dressage performances. But even wild horses might not drag you away from the breathtaking pool at the residence. It’s tricked up with massaging water jets, divided by a lounging area with a firepit, and bordered by stone walls and flowering gardens. The two-level, five-room abode is airy and luminous and laced with multiple convivial areas. It comes with dedicated staff, including a cook, house manager, and housekeeper. From €7,370 per week (sleeps 10). thethinkingtraveller.com
4. Mallorca, Spain
The largest of the Balearic islands, Mallorca has stunning beaches, charming villages and a bohemian beat. Twenty-five minutes drive from Palma is this exactingly restored Mallorquín farmhouse with four airy bedrooms, serene interiors and a saltwater pool. Casa Mana is surrounded by olive, carob and orange trees, and looks onto the Tramuntana mountain range. Creatives Ana Lui (a Travel + Luxury contributing photographer) and Matias Alexandro employed sustainable materials to remake the century-old finca, including local stone and mortar, and powered it with solar panels. The home’s earthy palette, original stonework and agroturismo setting conspire to create a calming effect on guests. From £5,000 per week (sleeps eight). manamallorca.com
5. Ibiza, Spain
On the north coast of Ibiza, far from the madding crowd and the maddening club scene, is this tranquil bolthole for cashed-up technocrats and retired hedonists. The South Mansion blends traditional Ibizan design, modern flourishes and flowering gardens with an expansive alfresco dining area for late-night carousing. The 10-room villa has a graceful open-plan living area, a well-stocked kitchen and a screening room. Nearby are beach clubs, yoga retreats and hiking trails. You might be inspired to pick up a paintbrush, so honeyed is the light. And if you decide you want to dance till dawn, you can host your own private soirée in the home’s ballroom. An assigned concierge is available to handle transfers, car rentals and restaurant reservations. From £62,398 per week (sleeps 20). onefinestay.com
6. Sicily, Italy
Corte della Rocca – even its name mellifluously rolls off the tongue – is one for extended famiglie. Equipped with 12 bedrooms, a sizeable terrace and an enormous pool, this retreat in southern Sicily is roomy, ravishing and ideally situated near the coast. The interiors are decked out with artisanal furnishings and artworks, while many of the guest rooms offer topaz-hued sea views. What’s nearby? The fishing hamlet of Sampieri, the World Heritage-listed Baroque towns of Val di Noto as well as historic monuments aplenty. This is Inspector Montalbano country and where that Italian series is filmed. It’s no great mystery, though, that the area has a slew of top-tier villas. From €7,500 per week (sleeps 25). villatravellers.com
7. Puglia, Italy
The pull of Puglia is undeniable, but few visitors would experience a lodging as magnificent as Casino Doxi Stracca. Owner and architect Paolo Genta Ternavasio has revivified this grand, aristocratic and photogenic estate with roots in the 18th century. The seven-room stay extends over three buildings: a palazzo, a casino, or small villa, and a Baroque chapel where guests gather for heavenly breakfasts. Ternavasio has arrayed the majestic interiors with smart lighting, plush furniture and gilded tapestries. Some of the suites have four-poster beds, lofty vaulted ceilings and antique painted doors. Still, the most sublime bit might be the main pool set amid olive groves and formal gardens. It’s a real showstopper. From €8,700 per week (sleeps 14). thethinkingtraveller.com
8. Antiparos, Greece
Its name refers to a starlit sky and it would be easy to feel like a pampered luminary while lazing around Xasteria. Located on the small Cycladic island of Antiparos, alongside larger Paros, this sybaritic residence has rustic stone walls, wondrous views, and free-flowing spaces that place one at ease. As entrancing as the terraces are, with shaded seating and dining areas set around an infinity pool, the internal spaces are equally lovely with sparingly but tastefully decorated rooms. One of the walled courtyards doubles as an open-air cinema. If you’re seeking more stimulation, Paros is only a 10-minute ferry ride away. From €11,940 per week (sleeps 13). thethinkingtraveller.com
9. Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos meets Miami at Villa Aleomandra. This six-room property combines white sugar-cube buildings, poppy furnishings and characterful touches that evoke South Beach in Florida. During a stay, guests get access to a main whitewashed building plus two guest houses, a resident chef and their own private beach. Lap up the saltwater pool, wander around the olive grove, or invite 20 friends for lunch. As remote as it feels, it’s walking distance to several villages and beaches, and a 13-minute drive to Mykonos Town. From €24,500 per week (sleeps 12). welcomebeyond.com
10. Corsica, France
For a French take on the Mediterranean, Corsica offers dense forests, beaches with crystal-hued waters and inviting hilltop villages – not to mention deliciously hearty fare like wild boar stew. A Liccia, a five-room villa on the island’s south-west coast, is a tony toehold from which to explore its myriad riches. It pairs coolly modern interiors with inviting exteriors, including a heated pool. A short stroll deposits guests at two nearby beaches, while the medieval town of Bonifacio, La Tonnara beach (popular for its electric sunsets) and the impossibly turquoise waters of Roccapina are all within easy reach. From £2,230 per week (sleeps 10). simpsontravel.com