Be inspired to seek out beach villas

Renting a beachfront villa means renting a pad that’s right by the water. That could be a whitewashed estate on the edge of the Spanish shores, or a Cubist holiday home in Greece. Or, it could herald a luxury escape somewhere altogether more tropical and further afield – and there are plenty to pick from.

Luxury beach villas for added style by the sea

Looking to be pampered this year? There might be nothing better than a bout of luxury by the waterside. As the fresh salt breezes roll in, you could find yourself lazing by the side of a private pool or munching on a smorgasbord of local delicacies on your own sun-splashed patio…

Exclusive and private beach villas

Villas with views of the sea tend to be among the most exclusive options in any given destination. That means you might have to crank up the budget a little, but can also look forward to extra space, privacy, slick interior design, and – of course – stunning 360-degree views of the coast.

Beachfront villas with pools

We know the sea is just a stone’s throw away but sometimes you just can’t beat a private pool. That’s where the luxury beachfront villas with swimming spots come in. From Bali to Bulgaria, there are places with shimmering infinity pools and little splash pools just waiting by the water’s edge.

Extra features from luxury beach villas

You shouldn’t be short of amenities in the most luxurious of beach villas. Enticing pools aside, these pads are typically self-catering, which means you can hit the Spanish markets and Italian food fairs for local produce to cook. They also usually come with big gardens, sunning terraces and on-site parking to boot.

Choose gorgeous beach villas in Spain

Spain has long been a favourite with the villa-going crowd. Its south and east coasts reign supreme, with plenty of beachfront lodgings running all the way from the cliff-carved Costa Brava of Catalonia to the yacht-speckled bays of the Costa del Sol.

Beachfront villa options on the Costa Blanca

The Costa Blanca remains the family-friendly hotspot of Spain. It’s laden with villas by the beach, offering access to the bustling sands of towns such as Benidorm, Calp and Alicante. They all tout Blue Flag spots on their shoreline, but also pack in fun-loving aqua parks and theme parks to keep the kids entertained.

Costa del Sol villa pads by the beach

The Costa del Sol is the stomping ground of jet setters and A-listers. It’s anchored on the glitzy resorts of Marbella and Puerto Banus, where the beachfront villas tend to be chic and stylish, with designer-curated interiors and art-filled lounges.

Stunning Spain with villas on the Costa Brava

If you’ve been enticed to Spain by visions of soaring cliffs and azure Mediterranean waters, the lesser-known Costa Brava could be the place to look for beachfront villas. Stays near the water’s edge in these parts can be found straddling rocky promontories in cypress-scented towns like Roses, or hiding on outcrops by old fishing towns, such as Sa Riera.

Greece has oodles of beachfront villas

With over 8,400 miles of combined coastline between its islands and mainland – the most in Europe – it’s hardly a surprise that Greece comes up trumps when it comes to beachfront villas. What’s more, the shoreline here is nothing short of stunning, starting with the pine-scented reaches of the Ionian Isles, running through the mountain-backed Peloponnese and down to the taverna-fringed specks in the Aegean Sea.

Stylish beachfront villas in Mykonos

Luxury villas by the beach hit something of an Aegean zenith on the classy island of Mykonos. A well-known LGBT party hub throughout the summer months, this idyllic destination is laden with whitewashed pads that have private pools and walking access to celebrated spots like Psarou Beach and Platis Gialos.

Crete’s villas on the beach

Crete is a classic choice for travellers in search of beachfront stays. The various resorts all have different characters. You can find places to bed down by the waves in the more laidback southern part of the island, around Palaiochora. There are options along the east, close to noisy and colourful Malia. And there are homes studding Chania‘s long bays, where Venetian history meets lazy days of sunbathing.

Villas on the beach in the Peloponnese

If you’re keen to find your own private corner of Greece, where the towns are more undiscovered and the atmosphere feels more local, the Peloponnese might just be perfect. The Mani Peninsular has become a real favourite, while the chic town of Nafplio – a place to taste sizzling saganaki cheese and see muscular Venetian castles – is hemmed in by beachfront villas on both sides.