Large and lovely European villas for incredible multi-gen family holidays

According to the recent multi-generational travel survey by ARRP*, 98% of people who’d been on a multi-gen family holiday said they’d definitely do it again. Which is great news, and might sweeten the finding that almost all the holiday planning always falls to one person. Don’t worry; top priority for respondents to the survey was spending time together, European destinations were very popular, and over 75% liked a bit of personal space and downtime too.

Which basically means, if head-holiday-planners pick the right place, then find somewhere nice and roomy to stay, everything else should fall into place. So here are six enormous family villas in some of Europe’s greatest locations, each one carefully designed to take the pressure out of multi-gen holiday planning.   

The Algarve

With hundreds of beautiful beaches, sunshine from March until late October, fantastic golf courses, and an easy balance of coast and countryside, the Algarve is Europe’s great all-rounder for multi-gen family holidays.

1/6  Villa Quinta Riad Alamos, Guia, Algarve

Sleeps up to 11, from £1769 per week

Surrounded by open countryside and just a short drive from the coast, this five bedroom villa is thoughtfully planned for larger family groups. It sits in an enclosed garden with a lawn for playing, its own private pool, an outside dining terrace, brick BBQ and a games table for older kids.

About the area

There are several good restaurants five minutes drive away in the historic town of Guia, known locally as the birthplace of Chicken Piri-Piri. Lively Albufeira is just 20 minutes from the villa by car, and Galé and São Rafael Blue Flag beaches are closer still.

Find out more about Villa Quinta Riad Alamos with Villa Plus

2/6  Villa Tess, Carvoeiro, Algarve

Sleeps up to 10, from £1739 per week

Five bedroom Villa Tess is an easy walk from Carvoeiro Beach. Set in an enclosed garden with large lawn and private pool, it has plenty of space for up to 10 guests, and the shady outdoor dining terrace is perfect for long, leisurely lunches and family dinners.

About the area

Originally a small fishing village, Carvoeiro is now one of the Algarve’s most popular family resorts. Carvoeiro Beach is lovely, and if you want a change of sand, Centianes, Benagil and Marinha beaches are only a short distance away.

A good area for golfing, there are three local courses nearby: Vale do Milho, Pinta and Gramacho. Bustling Portimão is 20 minutes drive from the villa, and the historic walled city of Lagos lies just a little further west.  

Find out more about Villa Tess with Villa Plus

Cyprus

Not many places in Europe are as sunny as Cyprus, or for as long, so this is the Mediterranean country you can look to for a multi-gen holiday almost any time of year.  It’s also a good choice for history buffs, keen walkers, cyclists or wine lovers; and scores high on sensational beaches, water sports, waterparks and plenty of outdoor adventure to keep kids endlessly entertained. 

3/6  Villa Mermaid, Coral Bay, Cyprus

Sleeps up to 11, from £699 per week

Villa Mermaid is a dream for larger families with five bedrooms, five en-suite shower rooms, a tennis court and two private swimming pools. The shady outdoor dining terrace has a BBQ and pizza oven, and both pools are gated, for a little extra peace of mind.

About the area

Coral Bay is one of the best loved family resorts on the west coast of Cyprus. Blue Flag Coral Bay Beach is beautiful, and the town itself has a good range of restaurants, shops, cafés and bars.

Less than an hour’s drive south, UNESCO World Heritage Paphos has several remarkable archaeological sites, a fun waterfront, and is worth a visit for the traditional Old Town street market alone.

Find out more about Villa Mermaid with Villa Plus

Corfu

There isn’t a Greek Island greener than Corfu, it’s even known as the Garden of Greece, although that may have something to do with producing the world’s finest olives. Gold is another ever-present colour here; generously supplied by countless gorgeous sandy beaches. And keeping the theme going, elegant Corfu Old Town is famous for its prettily painted buildings.

4/6  Villa Mara, Kalami, Corfu

Sleeps up to 11, from £1749 per week

Overlooking peaceful Kalami Bay on the north east coast of Corfu, Villa Mara has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private garden and swimming pool, kids splash pool and a large lawn for playing.

The villa’s south facing so it has sun all day, but the comfortable outdoor seating area is wonderfully cool and shady on too-hot summer days.

About the area

Kalami is a relaxed family resort with good shops and seaside tavernas, a few of which even have tables right on the town’s pretty, pebble beach. The White House Restaurant on the waterfront was once the home of author Lawrence Durrell.

Villa Mara is ideal if nobody wants to drive much. But if you do feel like exploring, pretty resorts like Kassiopi are just 20 minutes to the north by car, and Corfu Town is less than an hour south.

Find out more about Villa Mara with Villa Plus

5/6  Villa Victor, Paleokastritsa, Corfu

Sleeps up to 15, from £769 per week

Enormous Villa Victor has six bedrooms, six bathrooms and a lovely big garden for kids to run around in. There’s masses of room for sunbathing round the pool, but the outdoor dining terrace and seating area are both covered, so you have plenty of shade too.

About the area

Paleokastritsa, on the beachy and scenic west coast of Corfu, is a relaxed holiday town known for its excellent local taverna; so close to the sea, kids can play on the sand while you have lunch.

A short drive north or south of Villa Victor brings you to more pretty beaches, dramatic stretches of coast, and delightfully secret swimming coves; and Corfu Town is only 30 minutes away by car.

Find out more about Villa Victor with Villa Plus

Lanzarote

The most easterly Canary Island is a UNESCO World Bio-Sphere, volcanic legend, heartland of César Manrique’s artistic heritage and home to spectacular beaches.

You can take sunny weather for granted here from March to October, at least. The local roads were designed by cycling fanatics, camel rides across Timinfaya National Park are a must, and if kids want to surf, Lanzarote’s north west coast waves are world class.

6/6  Villa Ana Maria, Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Sleeps up to 11, from £1529 per week

With four bedrooms and five shower rooms, plus an adjoining one bedroom annexe, Villa Ana Maria is a great choice for a multi-gen family holiday.

The large outdoor area has a private pool, and there’s also a covered dining terrace with built in BBQ for family meals on long, warm Lanzarote evenings.

About the area

Just 10 minutes walk from the villa, Puerto del Carmen is one of Lanzarote’s most popular family holiday resorts. The Atlantic beaches here are fabulous and sandy Playa Grande is known for excellent water sports and kid’s activities.

Puerto del Carmen Strip is great for shops, bars and restaurants. You can also hire bikes here and cycle the traffic-free, coastal route from Puerto del Carmen to the island capital, Arrecife.

Find out more about Villa Ana Maria with Villa Plus

*ARRP Travel Research: Multi-Generational Travel

See more of our handpicked selection of family friendly villas in Europe with Family Traveller’s Bookings