The Best European Destinations for a Villa With a Pool

For most villa trips, the pool is where the day happens. Morning swims, children occupied for hours, a drink at the edge before dinner. Almost every Mediterranean villa region has pools, but the setting, the style and the season vary a great deal. Here's where we'd look first.

Tuscany

The classic. Pools set into hillsides among olive trees and vineyards, often with long views over the valley. Most rural villas in Tuscany have one, and the choice of large villas for groups is the widest in Italy. In Chianti you're close to Florence and Siena; in the Val d'Orcia the views are wider and the landscape quieter.

Provence

Stone mas with pools among lavender, vines and plane trees. The Luberon is the heart of it, with a village market rarely more than a short drive away. Provence summers are hot and dry, so the pool earns its place.

Mallorca

Mallorca has some of Europe's most generous villa pools, especially on country fincas. Short flights from much of Europe and a long season make it a strong choice for families.

Puglia

Masserie and trulli with pools set in ancient olive groves. Puglia combines countryside pools with some of Italy's best sandy beaches nearby.

The Algarve

Contemporary villas with large pools, close to beaches and golf. The Atlantic stays cooler than the Mediterranean, so a heated pool is worth asking about in spring and autumn in the Algarve.

Mykonos and the Cyclades

Infinity pools looking out over the Aegean. On Mykonos, Paros and the other Cycladic islands, the pool is often the view as much as the swim. Check wind exposure: in July and August the meltemi can make some terraces breezy.

What to check before you book

• Size: a pool that suits a couple can feel crowded for a group of twelve.
• Heating: essential for comfortable swimming in May, early June and October. Often available for an extra charge.
• Safety: fences and alarms aren't standard in Europe. Families with young children should ask.
• Sun: a pool in shade by mid-afternoon is a disappointment. So is one with no shade at all.
• Privacy: make sure the pool isn't overlooked or shared with other guests.

Our guide to villas with pools goes into each of these in more detail.