With freezing temperatures across Britain in recent weeks, many of us are dreaming of waking up in a luxury villa, with sunlight streaming through peeling wooden shutters followed by morning dips in the pool.
But how about owning our very own European pool villa? Purchasing a home with a pool in Europe can be much more affordable than many assume – if you know where to look.
‘These properties are eternally popular, especially for clients with families,’ says Linda Travella of Italian property specialists Casa Travella. ‘And if you’re renting the property out you can ask for a higher rental if you have a pool.’
We’ve spoken to property experts and estate agents to bring you the very best properties with pools on the market across Europe for less than £500,000 – starting at just £84,000.
Italy
Bibbiena, Tuscany – £219,615/€260,000
Oozing character and charm, this gorgeous, renovated water mill in Tuscany dates back to the 8th century and has a pool on one of its terraces
Oozing character and charm, this gorgeous, renovated water mill dating back to the 8th century is located in the centre of the Valle del Teggina in the upper Casentino Valley in Tuscany. Surrounded by greenery, Casa Travella has two bedrooms, two verandas, a large outdoor wood-burning oven and stone barbecue, and a swimming pool on one of the many terraces.
It is three miles from Ortignano Raggiolo, a village popular with tourists. It has a population of only 870 and is surrounded by chestnut forests. Access to the property is along an ancient mule trail leading to the picturesque hamlet of Raggiolo.
Florence International Airport is 27 miles away, which has up to six direct flights to London per day.
Find it here: https://www.casatravella.com/properties/ortignano-raggiolo-ref-5291/
Frozinone, Lazio – €338,000/£285,067
This recently renovated villa in Italy’s lesser-known Ciociaria region is set in spacious grounds that include 70 olive trees and its glorious swimming pool
Located in Italy’s lesser-known Ciociaria region – within easy reach of both Rome and Naples – this recently renovated villa just outside the beautiful riverside town of Sora is set in spacious grounds that include 70 olive trees and its glorious swimming pool. Sora has numerous churches, good restaurants and is popular with expats.
Sold furnished, there are four bedrooms and numerous upscale touches such as the automatic entrance gate, octagonal wrought-iron and zinc gazebo, a mosaic crafted from coloured marble and porcelain stoneware flooring.
Rome Airport, which has regular direct flights to the UK, is around 50 miles away via the Milan-to-Naples A1 motorway.
Find it here: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142013246#/?channel=OVERSEAS
Greece
Rachtades, north-west Corfu – £84,439/€99,950
It’s not Olympic-sized or perhaps up to Tom Daley’s standards, but the pool that comes with this relatively inexpensive pad is ideal for a dip to cool off in the hot Corfu sun
It’s not Olympic-sized or perhaps up to Tom Daley’s standards, but the pool that comes with this relatively inexpensive pad is ideal for a dip to cool off in the hot sun as you admire the impressive views of the surrounding hills.
Located in the traditional village of Rachtades, which is home to only 200 inhabitants, the two-bed semi-detached house has a spacious living room with a kitchen and high, wooden ceilings. Both bedrooms have balcony doors leading to the back veranda.
One of Corfu’s most beautiful beaches, Agios Georgios Pagon is just four miles away, graced with tavernas and mini markets. And Corfu city airport is only 20 miles away, which operates regular direct flights to London.
Find it here: https://rrcorfurealestate.com/properties/rr5545-rachtades-semi-detached-house-for-sale-west-north-west-corfu/
Mariou, Rethymno, Crete – £417,423/€495,000
Set on a gentle slope, this stunning three-bedroom home boasts a private infinity pool that overlooks the Crete vista
Set on a gentle slope, this stunning three-bedroom home boasts a private infinity pool. With an open-air kitchen, dining room and spacious terrace, it is ideal for those seeking a combination of personal use and rental potential.
With the longest holiday season among all Greek islands, Crete – especially its southern region, where this property is located – is highly sought-after for villa rentals from early April through to November.
The pristine beaches of Plakias, Damnoni, Ammoudaki and Souda are all nearby, as is the charming village of Plakias, with restaurants, tavernas, supermarkets, coffee shops and more.
The city of Chania is 60 miles away, while Heraklion International Airport, set on within Crete’s capital, is 80 miles away.
Find it here: https://elxis.com/properties/villa-evexia/
Argolis, Kranidi, Porto Cheli, Ermionida – £312,113/€370,000
Porto Cheli has a long history of attracting famous visitors and their yachts – and this villa is built for equally high-quality living
With its rich history, family-friendly activities, lively nightlife and gorgeous beaches, it’s no surprise that Porto Cheli has a long history of attracting famous visitors and their yachts. Popular with expats and tourists, it has around 2,300 permanent residents.
This house, set across two floors, offers privacy yet has unobstructed views of the port and sea. As well as three bedrooms and large terraces, the landscaped garden houses a sizeable pool.
Athens Airport, with direct flights to UK cities, is 160 miles away.
Find it here: https://www.argolikimesitiki.gr/property/1593/Monokatoikia-Kranidi
France
Cessenon-sur-Orb, Herault – £378,637/€448,200
This bright, single-storey Herault villa built in 2012 has a large living room with an open-plan kitchen – and, of course, a relaxing pool
This bright, single-storey villa built in 2012 has a large living room with an open-plan kitchen. Enjoying both a swimming pool and beautiful views, it is located in wooded grounds of Cessenon-sur-Orb – a sought-after village in the Orb Valley, southern France, with a population of around 2,400.
A river runs through the attractive village, which has cafes, restaurants, a supermarket, pharmacy, bakeries, butcher and schools.
It is located 25 minutes from Beziers Airport (with direct flights to London, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh) and 30 minutes from the Mediterranean coast’s beautiful beaches.
Find it here: https://www.francepropertyangels.com/superb-villa_E0309.htm
Albas, Lot – £461,723/€547,500
A former roof tile factory, this property in Albas has charming period features such as an exposed stone chimney, beams, terracotta flooring and large pool
This spacious, five-bed stone property in Albas village, south-west France, has direct access to the River Lot – ideal for fishing, swimming and canoeing – as well as a splendid swimming pool.
A former roof tile factory, it has charming period features such as an exposed stone chimney, beams, terracotta flooring and a stone sink. It possesses park-like gardens with fruit trees and extensive grounds.
Albas is a pretty village with a good choice of restaurants and shops and a population of about 530. Bergerac airport is 63 miles away and Toulouse airport 84 miles away. Both operate direct flights to UK cities.
Find it here: https://www.frenchestateagents.com/french-property-for-sale/view/A28136NK46/house-for-sale-albas-lot-midi-pyrenees-france
Narbonne, Aude – £461,397/€547,000
This attractive indoor pool in Narbonne is an unusual exception for European homes
Most properties with swimming pools in Europe have them situated outdoors, so this attractive indoor pool is an unusual exception. Bordering the Canal du Midi, a Unesco World Heritage site, the stone house has spacious and bright rooms including four bedrooms. The pool has a counter-current swimming system and there is an outbuilding that could be converted into additional living space with a separate entrance.
The property is situated in the picturesque village of Salleles-d’Aude in southern France which offers restaurants, a café, a small grocery store and a bakery.
Located just 15 minutes from the town of Narbonne, there are opportunities to swim in the nearby river or the sea while hiking. Beziers Airport is 35 miles away.
Find it here: https://www.francepropertyangels.com/stone-house-with-indoor-swimming-pool_E0365.htm
Spain
Ricote, Murcia – £117,363/€139,000
Recently reduced from €164,000, Casa de Espana is a large, five-bedroom country house in south-east Spain which has retained many original features
Recently reduced from €164,000, Casa de Espana is a large, five-bedroom country house in south-east Spain which has retained many original features. It comes with an additional smaller house with an extra four rooms, and a large garage/workshop which also has its own facilities including a kitchen, bathroom and storeroom.
Set in an isolated hamlet with a few neighbours nearby in the heart of the Ricote Valley (population 1,500), the private gated entrance leads to established gardens and a swimming pool with sunbathing terrace. There are also olive and almond groves in full production.
The property is 22 miles from Murcia and its airport, which has direct flights to Manchester, Preston and Birmingham.
Find it here: https://realhomesinrealspain.com/property/524/character-country-house-with-pool-in-ricote/
Cabo Roig, Alicante – £252,941/€299,900
With four bedrooms – including an independent one-bedroom apartment on the upper level – this property is perfect for hosting guests and impressing them with its pool
With four bedrooms – including an independent one-bedroom apartment on the upper level – this property is perfect for hosting guests or as a rental opportunity.
Combining contemporary design with functional living spaces, it has been fully renovated. Within the walled gardens there is a tiled terrace area along with a pool, too.
The tiny village of Cabo Roig (population 500) has plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars, and is popular with expats and tourists. Murcia airport is 45 miles away.
Find it here: https://5real-estate.com/properties/p6916/
Torrevieja, Alicante – £370,219/€439,000
This swish, fully renovated, single-storey villa in the coastal city of Torrevieja, south-east Spain, features large windows allowing for an abundance of natural light and an enticing terrace to its pool
This swish, fully renovated, single-storey villa in the coastal city of Torrevieja, south-east Spain, features large windows allowing for an abundance of natural light. It has three large bedrooms, a large pool and enticing terrace.
Torrevieja has a population of 83,000 and is popular with tourists and expats alike. It has a good choice of restaurants, bars, cafes and beaches. Alicante airport, which has regular direct flights to UK cities, is 22 miles away.
Portugal
Praia da Luz, Algarve – £464,158/€550,000
This newly renovated, semi-detached villa comes with a pristine pool to take a dip in
This newly renovated, semi-detached villa dating from 1980 is located in a residential area, only three minutes’ drive from the heart of the delightful Praia da Luz. With a population of around 3,600, the town is a hit with expats.
The ground floor has an open-plan living room with fully fitted kitchen and two bedrooms, and a further bedroom converted from an office, as well as a swimming pool, patio and pool terrace area outside.
Faro airport, which has direct flights to Manchester, Bristol, London, Birmingham and Nottingam, is 37 miles away.
Find it here: https://www.sunpoint.pt/en-gb/property/fully-renovated-2-1-semi-detached-villa-in-praia-da-luz/20835104
Croatia
Oprtalj, Istria – £337,394/€400,000
This property in Oprtalj offers the perfect combination of traditional charm and modern comfort for families to enjoy
This beautiful stone coastal house was renovated in 2021 and is the vicinity of historic and picturesque Oprtalj village, which has a population of around 750 and a good selection of restaurants and shops.
The property offers the perfect combination of traditional charm and modern comfort – a great mix for both families and tourists.
Built in the local rustic style and enjoying beautiful sea views, the house has two spacious bedrooms, as well as balconies, an atrium, wine cellar, garden, courtyard and terrace with swimming pool.
There’s a choice of airports relatively nearby both in Croatia and neighbouring countries. Pula Airport (direct flights to London, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham), for example, is 70 miles away.
Find it here: https://www.beverywhere.com/properties-2/52865-Villa-EUR400-000-33125/
Bulgaria
Alexandrovo – £210,928/€250,000
Set on a large plot with a landscaped garden, this property has a fully equipped kitchen and dining room and a sunlit living room with direct access to the veranda and swimming pool
This spacious, two-storey house with four bedrooms is situated near the heart of tranquil Alexandrovo village – just a ten-minute drive from Sunny Beach and the Black Sea. It is home to around 2,000 inhabitants.
Set on a large plot with a landscaped garden, the property has a fully equipped kitchen and dining room and a spacious, sunlit living room with direct access to the veranda and swimming pool.
Burgas Airport, with direct flights to London, Glasgow and Manchester, is two hours away.
Find it here: https://ibgrealestates.com/property/spacious-two-storied-house-with-4-bedrooms-and-a-pool-10-km-to-sunny-beach-and-the-sea/
Aheloy, Kableshkovo – £139,212/€165,000
This charming property in Aheloy is set within the gated Vineyards complex, which has a hotel, houses, apartments, bars, gym, spa, two communal swimming pools and a pool bar
This charming property is set within the gated Vineyards complex, which has a hotel, houses, apartments, bars, gym, spa, restaurants, two communal swimming pools and a pool bar.
It has it’s own pool, too, as well as two bedrooms, large living room, kitchen and dining area, a veranda and two terraces. The property references Bulgarian National Revival architecture – harking back to between 1770 and 1900 – with red roof tiles, wooden boarding and stone tiling.
The property is located in Kableshkovo village, which has a population of around 2,600 and a good selection of restaurants and cafes. It is one mile to the nearest beach and ten miles to Burgas Airport.
Find it here: https://ibgrealestates.com/property/vip-house-with-2-bedrooms-3-bathrooms-own-pool-2-km-to-the-beach/
Turkey
Akbuk, Didim – £158,725/7m Turkish lira
This newly built two-bedroom bungalow, which is securely walled and gated, comes fully furnished with a private garden
This newly built two-bedroom bungalow, which is securely walled and gated, comes fully furnished (including new white goods) and has a private garden with a pool.
Akbuk is a coastal village with a population of about 7,600 and boasts good restaurants and cafes. There’s some expats in the area, but many leave during the quiet winter period. Milas-Bodrum airport is 40 miles away and has regular direct flights to London.
Find it here: https://hardingturkey.com/properties/fully-furnished-2-bed-bungalow-with-private-pool-for-sale-in-greenhill-akbuk/
Hisaronu, Fethiye – £433,686/19,100,903 Turkish lira
This fully furnished three-storey, four-bedroom villa boasts a spacious, bright, open-plan lounge that leads out to its pool area
This fully furnished three-storey, four-bedroom villa boasts spacious, bright, open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining areas with double sliding doors leading out to the pool area.
The property is set in the village of Hisaronu, which has a population of 3,600 and a good selection of restaurants and cafes and popular with expats. Dalaman Airport sits 40 miles away.
Find it here: https://www.konsepthomes.com/tr/index.html
Romania
Mogosoaia, Martha Bibescu area – £362,069/€428,000
Located in a quiet area close to Lake Mogosoaia, this seven-bedroom, four-bathroom property constructed in 2011 features a pool with a deck area that is ideal for lounging
Located in a quiet area close to Lake Mogosoaia, this seven-bedroom, four-bathroom property constructed in 2011 features a pool with a deck area that is ideal for lounging. The spacious rooms feature quality wood floors, large windows and high-spec tiling in the bathrooms, terraces, an attic and lawned grounds, with various trees providing privacy.
Mogosoaia village is a popular day trip from the capital Bucharest for its historic monastery and palace. There’s a small expat presence, but it has a decent selection of restaurants and cafes. Bucharest Airport is just eight miles away, with regular direct flights to London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester.
Find it here: https://www.chestertons.com/residential/listing/house–villa-for-sale-241-sqm-in-mogosoaia-martha-bibescu-area-16452
