Best Italy Villas for Rent

Italy is home to famous artworks and architecture, beautifully preserved historic sites, and incredible food. Its diverse landscapes are breathtaking, and the destination boasts a wide array of attractions and activities.

But there’s much more to holidaying in Italy. It’s also about gazing out at the rolling countryside, being immersed in the local culture, and soaking up the gentle pace of life. Italy’s enduring allure makes it a destination that you can visit time and time again—and each time, the magic holds.

Villas in Italy for Your Holiday

Our wide-ranging selection of luxury villas in Italy offers something for every vacationer. From contemporary vacation rentals to rustic villas, from the countryside to the seaside, from accommodating a couple to large group getaways—we have the perfect holiday home to meet your needs.

Each of our properties are inspected with care to meet our standards of excellence. When you book a villa in Italy with us, you’re choosing from the best of holiday homes that the destination has to offer.

Family activities in Italy

Tuscany, located in central Italy is known for its beautiful landscapes and wide-ranging attractions. Families will enjoy visiting the region’s museums, landmarks and picturesque villages.

Our villas in Italy are spread out across the region—from the bustling city of Florence, to the seaside villages and hilltop towns—so you’ll have plenty of vacation rental options, no matter where you base yourself at.

Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, makes a great base for family travellers. There’s plenty to see and do within the city itself—but if you’re looking to explore further, you’re just about an hour’s train ride away from neighbouring destinations like Pisa, Lucca and Siena.

Discover the historic city centre and admire its breathtaking architecture, or visit renowned art galleries like the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery. Don’t miss out on viewing iconic landmarks such as the Florence Cathedral, Ponte Vecchio, Basilica of Santa Croce and Pitti Palace. Florence is also known for its landscaped gardens, the most popular of which include the Boboli Gardens, Rose Garden and Bardini Gardens.

You’ll discover a different side to Tuscany when you venture away from its bustling cities, to hilltop towns like San Gimignano. It’s the perfect destination for a nature retreat with the whole family. Here, you could spend your days taking long walks out in the countryside, exploring the medieval town centre, or visiting wineries and olive oil farms for tastings.

Tuscany may be famous for its verdant countryside, but the region also boasts a lengthy coastline that offers plenty of options for a relaxing seaside vacation. The seaside town of Viareggio, with its beautiful promenade and long, sandy beaches is a popular option with holidaymakers during summer.

Along the southwestern coast of Italy, in the Campania region lies the Amalfi Coast. The destination is known for its stunning coastal scenery, vibrantly coloured towns and villages, and variety of historic and cultural attractions. Book a stay at our villas in Italy—located in popular towns like Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Praiano—to enjoy easy access to the attractions and local amenities.

Popular beaches along the coast, such as the Marina Grande Beach tend to get crowded during the peak season, but it’s worth visiting for the uninterrupted views out to the village of Positano. Plus, the beach boasts calm, shallow waters and a variety of amenities—including restaurants, bars and water sports rental shops—making it a great option for families.

Immerse yourself in the local history and culture when you visit attractions like the Museo della Carta, Provincial Archaeological Museum of Salerno and Diocesan Museum of San Matteo. The Amalfi Coast is also a good base for visiting the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Both these historical sites feature well-preserved ruins dating back to 79 AD.

Natural beauty abounds in the Amalfi Coast, and embarking on a hike is a great way to take it all in. The region offers a variety of hiking trails, the most famous of which is the Path of the Gods. The trail will take you through hillside villages and along ancient mule routes, while providing panoramic vistas over Positano and the Sorrento peninsula.

Or go on a boat trip to enjoy the region’s spellbinding coastal landscapes. There are various types of boat tours available, including sunset tours, trips to offshore islands, or tours to sites like the Emerald Grotto. Speak to your Italy villa concierge if you need further information or assistance with booking a tour.

Puglia, also located in the south of Italy remains an eternally popular destination. With its untouched nature and gentle pace of life, the region is balm for the soul—just perfect for an idyllic retreat with friends and family. Book a stay at our villas in Italy for your trip; our properties are ideally situated in key destinations across the region, so you’ll have easy access to tourist attractions and local amenities.

You’ll be just steps away from picturesque white sand beaches when you reside in our seaside villas in Italy. Torre Lapillo Beach, located in the seaside resort of Porto Cesareo is one of our favourite beach destinations for families; the beach boasts clear, shallow waters that are ideal for young children to wade in.

The coastal town of Polignano a Mare is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the region, including Cala Monachile, Cala Porto and Cala Paura. But the beaches here tend to be smaller coves that are more rocky than sandy, so it’s best to bring along beach shoes if you’re planning a trip here.

Puglia is bursting with history, as evidenced by its staggering number of castles, fortresses and historical monuments.

Castel del Monte stands out with its unique octagonal design and sweeping sea visitas. Castello di Trani—built during the 13 century—is beautifully preserved, and boasts interesting architectural elements. Other popular castles in the region include Castello Aragonese (Taranto), Castello Svevo di Bari and the Aragonese Castle of Otranto.

A trip to the Gargano Peninsula is not to be missed. Located in the northeast of Puglia, the sub-region is a vast area that comprises beaches, lakes, medieval towns and a national park. With so much to see and do, it’s a place where you can easily spend a week or more exploring.

Keeping young travellers occupied during your stay in Puglia will be a breeze, given the wide array of kid-friendly attractions in the region. Plan a day trip to Zoosafari Fasanolandia, a wildlife attraction with a drive-through safari, walk-around areas, animal shows and amusement park rides.

During the summer, cool down from the heat at Aquapark Egnazia. It’s one of the largest water parks in south Italy, with plenty of water slides, a lazy river, wave pool and more. Or combine fun and education with a trip to the Jonian Dolphin Conservation. Here, you’ll get to learn all about dolphins, and observe the animals in their natural habitat.

The Italian Lakes region, known for its excellent climate year-round, soul-stirring scenery and postcard-pretty towns, is one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in Italy. The region effortlessly exudes romance—but holidaying here isn’t just for couples. Families will enjoy the plethora of outdoor activities, amusement parks and wide-ranging performing arts festivals.

Lake Garda, in particular, checks off all the right boxes as a family-friendly destination: it offers a whole host of water sports activities, along with historic attractions and theme parks. Our lakeside villas in Italy are ideally situated, enabling families to enjoy the serenity of staying in a tucked-away location while being within close proximity to town amenities.

As a popular water sports destination, Lake Garda offers endless options for outdoor enthusiasts: you can practice sailing, windsurfing, canyoning, wakeboarding, diving, and more.

And there’s plenty else to do aside from lakeside activities. Bring your little ones to Gardaland, an amusement park with numerous attractions—including roller coasters, water rides and a 4D cinema. You’ll get to view the wildlife up close at Parco Natura Viva, a wildlife park that’s home to over 250 species of animals.

Or explore the resort town of Sirmione, located along the southern bank of the lake. You can explore the narrow streets of the historic town centre, visit the Scaligero Castle and view the ruins of a Roman villa at Grotto di Catullo.

Activities and points of interest in Italy

You can’t say you’ve immersed yourself in the culture of Italy without joining in the local festivals and events. And there’s plenty of fun and celebration to partake in all year round—from the famous carnivals of Italy, to summertime music festivals, religious traditions and food festivals.

The carnival, taking place in February or March every year is a fun-filled festival featuring parades, masquerades and street shows. There are a variety of carnivals occurring across the country, with the most famous festivals being those held in Venice, Viareggio, Ivrea, Cento, Apulia and Acireale.

If you enjoy live music performances, chances are that you’ll find a music festival taking place in Italy at just about any time of the year. But it’s during the summer months where most of these festivals occur, attracting musicians, performers and visitors from all across the world.

These festivals feature a wide range of genres, so there’s something for every Italy villa vacationer—regardless of your music preferences. Popular festivals include the Lucca Summer Festival, Baroque Festival, Verona Opera Festival and Rock in Roma.

There are so many ways to immerse yourself in nature, and enjoy the great outdoors of Italy. You can explore the countryside on foot or via a bike tour, discover spectacular hiking trails or try myriad water sports activities.

Some of these activities provide a rush of adrenaline too—perfect for the thrill seekers amongst us. Experience the magic of flight by going on a hot air balloon tour, explore challenging mountain bike trails, go rock climbing, or ski down the Italian Alps.

Hitting the spa may be just what you need after all that outdoor activity. Thankfully, Italy is known for its thermal spas, many of which are located in scenic destinations like Tuscany and Puglia. These venues typically offer a wide range of spa treatments and facilities— including thermal pools, saunas and massages—so you’ll have everything you need to relax and rejuvenate.

Restaurants, cafes & bars in Italy

If you’re on the hunt for scrumptious food, you’re in the right place.

Italy is a haven for food lovers, and the country’s vibrant restaurant scene offers endless dining options. Try the most exquisite examples of fine dining at Michelin-starred restaurants, soak up the lively atmosphere at food markets, or savour traditional fare at a cosy trattoria.

Some of our favourite food markets include the Mercato Centrale and Mercato di San Lorenzo, both of which are located in Florence. These markets are a great way for vacationers to experience the local specialities, and stock up on ingredients for cooking at their villa in Italy.

For an elevated dining experience, head to Michelin-starred restaurants like Enoteca Pinchiorri, La Sponda, Il Pellicano or I Tigli in Theoria. Making a reservation is recommended, given that these are highly coveted dining venues. But you don’t necessarily need to step out from your villa in Italy to enjoy gourmet meals; the restaurant experience can be brought right to your dining table when you hire a private chef.

The local bar and nightlife scene is diverse, and varies from city to city. Cities like Rome, Milan and Florence offer a lively atmosphere, with plenty of bars, clubs and pubs to choose from. The nightlife scene is more subdued and laid back in the smaller towns and villages; here, vacationers and locals typically gather at bars to drink and socialise.

If you’re interested in learning about the local wine culture, visiting the wineries can be an enriching experience. You can visit individual wineries and participate in a guided tour of the venue, or opt for wine excursions that take you to multiple wineries. Some of these tours may also include visits to vineyards, historic sites and other attractions.