Think “villa break” and there’s a good chance Spain will come to mind. It’s a destination offering a wealth of choice for holidaymakers, whether your preference is for a rustic converted farmhouse or something urban and slickly contemporary in style. Either way, there’s a good chance that a swimming pool is high up on your list of priorities. So often the pool is the holiday honeypot — the spot that draws family members, young and old, to splash about or sprawl at the edges with a book in one hand and glass of wine in the other — and it has to be right. We want clean, well-padded daybeds rather than flimsy sunloungers; a nicely arranged patio with outdoor cooking facilities would be nice; and if there are views of some sort, be that out to sea or across a patch of pretty foliage, then even better.
Spanish landscapes vary as much as the villas in them so there’s plenty to keep you coming back year after year. The Costa Brava in the northeast or the Balearic Islands might be familiar for their sand, sun and vibrant life, but don’t discount the beaches of Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic coast. The Costa Tropical is quieter — and arguably more traditionally “authentic” — than the better-known Costa del Sol to its west. If you want slightly milder temperatures, consider northern Spain too, which has rich culture and fantastic food. Here we’ve pulled together some of the best villas in Spain with a pool.
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1. Es Garroveral 3, Deia, Mallorca
£££ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6
If you hanker for some peace and quiet, this finca is just the ticket. Nine miles north of Palma in Bunyola, set inland with a backdrop of mountain landscapes, the property has elbow room aplenty. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and living areas with terracotta tiles and smart, cream-coloured furnishings — all beautifully maintained by an owner who clearly cares. Even better is the outdoor space, which features a lovely garden and a large, covered terrace that makes the perfect spot for an evening meal. As well as the (saltwater) swimming pool, surrounded by cypress and olive trees, there’s table tennis to keep you entertained. Palma and the airport are about a 20-minute drive away.
2. Villa Julia La Herradura Marina del Este, Costa Tropical
££ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 14
Oh, the views! With glass walls around the pool, you can take a dip while making the most of a sweeping coastal landscape: Marina del Este below and endless miles of ocean beyond. The modern interior of the villa also makes use of glass panels to increase the sense of space — and there’s a lot of space, making this a good choice for a group of friends or a multigenerational family break (although note there are quite a few stairs). The five bedrooms are neatly decorated, with beachy blues and greens, and four of them have en suite bathrooms. The outdoor areas really standout. The pool has not only a pool house with shower and toilet but its own little bar — ideal for that ice-cold G&T — while there’s a very special alfresco kitchen and dining terrace complete with fridge, dishwasher and cooking facilities, and a table that seats 12. If you want to dip your toes in the sea, La Herradura beach is less than a mile away, and can be reached along a path from the garden. Malaga is a 50-minute drive west along the coast, and its airport just a few minutes further.
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3. Villa Flamingo Estrella, Benahavis, Costa del Sol
£££ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 12
Pack your glitziest swimwear for a stay at Villa Flamingo. Between Marbella and Estepona, with six huge en suite bedrooms and chic contemporary design, this is a place for a totally glammed-up holiday with your friends — perfect for celebrating a special birthday. Lounge by the infinity pool, sip cocktails at the outdoor bar, stretch out in the yoga studio and destress in the sauna, then gather around the fire pit on the roof terrace to gaze at the stars. Los Flamingos golf course adjoins the property and Marbella is less than half an hour’s drive away.
4. Pazo de Ceilan, Negreira, Galicia
£ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 13
Pazos are the grand houses you see dotted across the countryside in Galicia in northern Spain. This 200-year-old residence is a beautiful example with tons of traditional character. Beamed ceilings, terracotta floors, open stone walls, an attractive covered terrace for family meals, lawned gardens and a mosaic pool are just a few of the villa’s charms — the only hitch is there are only two bathrooms for seven bedrooms (plus facilities by the pool). You can walk to village shops, bars and restaurants, Santiago de Compostela is half-an-hour’s drive away and spectacular Carnota beach is about 45 minutes by car.
5. Finca Tranquila, Ibiza
£££ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 12
Contemporary artworks lend a gallery feel to this spectacular villa with soothing white interiors. Five of the seven bedrooms are in the main house, but for greater privacy book the casita or the covetable treehouse. A 23m pool, tennis court, outdoor bar, fire pit, meditation room, sauna, gym and yoga area mean you don’t have to venture outside, but it is reassuring to know that although the villa is hidden away in a quiet location, Ibiza Town, Playa d’en Bossa and the airport are only a ten-minute drive away. Breakfast service is included.
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6. Sea-view villa, Begur, Costa Brava
££ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10
Near Sa Tuna beach on a hillside adorned with pine trees in one of the loveliest parts of the northern Costa Brava, the villa is five minutes’ drive from the pretty town of Begur and an hour from Girona. The sleek interior is geared to easy, comfortable living, with floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the location. Four of the five bedrooms have direct access to a terrace with sea views, where there is an outdoor seating area with a barbecue and an infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean. This is a great choice for two families with children of different ages.
7. La Barrosa beach villa, Chiclana de la Frontera, Costa de la Luz
££ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6
Some of Spain’s best beaches are on the Costa de la Luz on the Atlantic and La Barrosa rates among the most spectacular stretches of sand. This modern villa with three bedrooms is five minutes’ walk from the beach, with shops, restaurants and cafés just a stroll away. The pool is small but attractive, with a bar and seating area and plenty of room to kick a ball around. An outdoor kitchen and dining table means you might not spend much time inside, but the decor is super stylish in natural tones. There are lots of other splendid beaches, as well as seaside towns and pretty villages, to explore by car from here — as well as the Sancti Petri golf course.
8. La Casa en el Pinar, Sant Lluis, Menorca
£ | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10
Just outside the village of Torret and close to Sant Lluis in the southeastern corner of Menorca, the villa has an impressive pool surrounded by lawns, palm trees and bougainvillaea with plenty of space for loungers and seating. All on one floor, the house has vaulted ceilings and beams, with modern Menorcan rustic decor, which means lots of taupe, white and natural materials. While it feels very private, you can stroll to bars and restaurants and Punta Prima beach is a five-minute drive away.
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Additional reporting by Adrian Phillips
We regularly reassess and refresh this list, adding the latest advice and inspiration
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