The Best Villa Destinations in Italy

Italy has more ways to do a villa holiday than almost anywhere. The question is rarely whether a region is beautiful. It's whether it suits your group, your season and the way you like to spend a day.

Here's how we think about the main villa regions, and who each one tends to suit.

Tuscany: the classic

If you picture a stone farmhouse with a pool among cypress trees, you're picturing Tuscany. It has the widest choice of villas in Italy, from restored farmhouses for six to estates with several houses for twenty or more.

It suits almost everyone, but especially families, large groups and anyone who travels for food and wine. Chianti is ideal for day trips to Florence and Siena; the Val d'Orcia is quieter and more open.

The Amalfi Coast: for the view

The Amalfi Coast is dramatic, glamorous and vertical. Villas look straight out to sea, often from terraces reached by a lot of steps. It's wonderful for couples and small groups; larger groups will find more space in Ravello or on the Sorrento peninsula.

Lake Como: elegance and water

Lake Como has a particular grace: old villas, terraced gardens and mountains rising from the water. Many villas have their own dock, and a boat becomes the easiest way to get around. It's excellent for couples, families and small weddings.

Puglia: space, light and the sea

Puglia offers masserie, trulli and some of Italy's best beaches. It's relaxed, often less crowded than the best-known regions and particularly good for families and groups who want both countryside and sea.

Sicily: for the curious

Sicily is a big island with Greek temples, baroque towns, Mount Etna and a food culture of its own. Villas in the southeast or around Taormina make excellent bases. It rewards travelers who like to explore.

Sardinia: the water

Sardinia has some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. The Costa Smeralda is polished and beautiful; the south has long sandy beaches. It's ideal for beach-focused families and anyone who loves boats.

How to choose

• Traveling in July or August? Consider somewhere with sea breezes, or make sure the villa has a pool and air-conditioning.
• A large group? Tuscany, Puglia and Provence-style estates offer the most choice. See our notes on villas for large groups.
• Young children? Short transfers and gentle beaches matter. Our guide to family villas covers the details.
• Not wanting to drive? Lake Como and parts of the Amalfi Coast work better without a car than rural Tuscany.

Still deciding? That's exactly what we're here for. Tell us about your trip and we'll suggest regions as well as villas.