Top 10 Family-Friendly Villas in Europe

Choosing between the perfect family-friendly villas can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. We know what it takes to make a great trip for kids and adults alike so we’ve handpicked properties specifically because they are great for families of all ages – whether you’re taking teens or tots along with you. Some are family villas by the beach, others have fantastic pools – and all of them have that Oliver’s Travels trademark of being out of the ordinary.

The holidays we had as kids opened our eyes to new places, new foods, new experiences and different languages, and we’re still chasing all those things now! We’ve picked our favourite family-friendly villas to make it easy to narrow down the perfect holiday destination that will suit everyone.

1. Villa de la Camaraderie, Brittany, France

Family Friendly Feature: This gorgeous Breton home is designed for multi-generational families with a little something for everyone. The bigger ones can enjoy dining on the terrace while keeping an eye on little ones in the awesome playroom, or everyone will enjoy jumping in the pool (with a child-safe fence!) or a soak in the jacuzzi. Then, you can impress the whole family with dinner made in the outdoor pizza oven!

Sleeps: 15

Price from: £45pppn

2. Dartmoor Tea House, Devon, England

Family Friendly Feature: With a wonderful location in a picturesque village on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, this gorgeous house is like something from a storybook. Inside, you’ll delight in the home’s unique design with semi-oriental influences that come from its owner’s Shanghai tea trade connections. There are also charming gardens to explore and a wonderful indoor pool – none of your party will be able to resist a plunge!

Sleeps: 12

Price from: £63pppn

3. Casa Jarilo, Istria, Croatia

Family Friendly Feature: A poolside summer kitchen, bubbling jacuzzi, lush gardens to explore and a cool contemporary house at the centre of it all – what more could you need? Well, if you’re a family of sports nuts, then you’ll love the gym, billiards room, mini-golf course and multi-purpose sports court for tennis, volleyball, basketball or football!

Sleeps: 14

Price from: £118pppn

4. Villa Travicello, Lucca, Italy

Family Friendly Feature: Set among a private, gated estate, this villa will allow you to truly unwind. The elegant 18th-century villa is traditionally Tuscan with added modern glamour and has a fabulous pool that all will enjoy. The grand dining veranda with its dappled shading is perfect for long and leisurely family dinners, which is especially impressive with the backdrop of the pool area lighting up when the sun goes down.

Sleeps: 8

Price from: £68pppn

5. Les Ecuries, Dordogne, France

Family Friendly Feature: The Dordogne is an awesome place for everyone in the family to enjoy an active holiday, and Les Ecuries is the perfect base for enjoying the area. Up to 22 guests can stay here, so why not get the entire family over for something of a reunion? You’ll love the massive 25-acre grounds that include a river and a fishing pond and access to walking trails so you can really get a feel of the natural landscape. Everyone will be catered for too, with fresh bread and pastries delivered to your door each morning of your stay! Why not enjoy those poolside on a sunny morning? Sounds dreamy, hey?

Sleeps: up to 22

Price from: £67pppn

6. Masia Rudalzina, Sardinia, Italy

Family Friendly Feature: This traditional farmhouse-style home outside Olbia is the perfect family base for exploring the picturesque island of Sardinia. Made up of two dwellings, this place is ideal for family holidays of up to 8 people. This hideaway in the mountains is a stone’s throw from the aptly named Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) with its crystal clear turquoise waters and achingly beautiful beaches. You’ll also love the landscaped gardens with an inviting pool, covered verandas and outdoor dining spots for everybody to gather around and enjoy family time.

Sleeps: 8

Price from: £126pppn

7. Villa Kaktus, Kalkan, Turkey

Family Friendly Feature: The question is, what doesn’t Villa Kaktus have?! Offering a climbing wall, treehouse, swing and slide, and indoor and outdoor pools with a cave and slides, the kids will never get bored. Only a short drive to the beach, families can take part in the local watersports, such as jet skiing and scuba diving, or head to the river Xanthos for a spot of canoeing. And if that’s not enough, you can give horseriding a go on Patara Beach before heading back to the villa for a family movie night in the games and cinema room.

Sleeps: 10

Price from: £36pppn

8. Alexis House, Lesbos, Greece

Family Friendly Feature: This wonderful house is like living within your own private hotel. You’ll have a lovely pool, a spa with a hammam, access to a private chef and a daily turn-down service. The house is in a pretty traditional village and only a short drive away you’ll find the beach at Skala Eresou – one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Lesbos which boasts some wonderful waterfront restaurants.

Sleeps: 10

Price from: £55pppn

9. Villa Bosea, Paphos, Cyprus

Family Friendly Feature: One of the largest residences in the Aphrodite Hills resort, Villa Bosea is also one of the most luxurious, making for an extra special family getaway. The family will delight in this villa’s irresistibly large pool and everybody will be entertained with a round on the award-winning golf course, bike hire, horse-riding and unlimited access to the kids club (for a little peace…!)

Sleeps: 10

Price from: £46pppn

10. Villa Alecrim, Algarve, Portugal

Family Friendly Feature: Arranged over two properties with room for up to 12 guests with homely furnishings and spacious rooms, this is ideal for large and multigenerational families to escape to. The whole brood will love the pool and the extensive gardens to explore. The villa is totally secluded, meaning family time is unavoidable (sorry teens!) but also well placed for exploring the area and the fabulous beaches that this stretch of the Algarve is famous for.

Sleeps: 12

Price from: £38pppn

*Prices correct at the time of publishing