The Best Holiday Apartments in Italy

Families will love this set of eight apartments in the Lake Como fishing town of Domaso, because it prioritises genuinely useful child-friendly amenities over everything else. You’re only a short walk from those famous lake waters, for starters, so mornings boating or windsurfing (some of the best in the region) are a no-brainer. Afternoons? Tweak the agenda to suit wee ones’ energy levels: splash in the on-site pool, potter in nearby boutiques or chill at a local café.

Domaso, a cute fishing town and windsurfing hot-spot, is a bit more “real” than other parts of Lake Como, but it’s the lack of selfie stick-wielding crowds that makes it so charming for a self-catering break. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have an indulgent stay; these bright and luxurious holiday apartments, in two- and three-bedroom formats, come with a raft of pampering options, including massage rooms, multiple pools and a free bike service for peddling around town.

Home to some of Sicily’s finest wines, the Planeta Estate is an essential stop for oenophiles heading to the island’s western reaches. But the wine-soaked hospitality of this celebrated family-run winery extends to Palermo, too: here, an early 19th-century palazzo, flanked with palms, contains seven gorgeously styled apartments with hotel-quality comforts. Parquet floors and modern-meets-heirloom furniture lend a homely vibe, perfect for sinking a rich glass of Nero d’Avola while reviewing the itinerary crafted for you by in-house tour advisor Arianna.

Between the rolling hills dotted with cypresses, sandy beaches and atmospheric hilltop towns, there’s so much to see in Tuscany that, most of the time, you’ll want to be out exploring. And this clutch of apartments, an easy hop from Tirrenia’s golden resort beaches beyond Pisa, has all the essentials to ensure a comfy stay. Expect floor-to-ceiling windows leading to terraces, spacious lounge areas and kitchens tailor-made for preparing (and eating) family meals in.

A holiday in Sardinia isn’t about pretence – it’s about cobbled time-warp towns studded with churches, wild and mountainous terrain and ancient stone ruins. And in the photogenic southern coast resort of Pula, it’s about beaches – long, pink-coloured and gently shelving ones, perfect for holidaying families. And these spacious, simple apartments, a short walk from Pula town centre, are perfect for those with kids in tow. You’ve got room to spread out, and you’re near the al fresco dining scene.

With their russet-tiled roofs, white-washed walls and gardens filled with blooming shrubs, these holiday apartments on the north coast of Sardinia couldn’t feel more Italian. You’re mere minutes from the sea, which means you can spend days building sandcastles, cycling by the coast or simply sprawling out on a fluffy beach towel. Return to laze on your rooftop terrace, barbecue local fish in the garden and, feeling totally relaxed, retire to cosy, homely rooms decorated attractively in timbers.

Perfectly placed in the beach resort of Pula, Lantana Resort is the best of both worlds – all the amenities of a hotel, with the freedom, space and privacy of an apartment. Two- and three-bedroom rentals with a countryside motif make you feel at home, steps from a kid-friendly swimming pool, ping pong table and putting green. You’ll love the on-site restaurant, which turns out lemon-scented lamb followed by traditional Sardinian seadas: deep-fried pastries stuffed with cheese and drizzled in honey.

There’s no better way embrace to local life in Rome than to hire an apartment. Tucked in the historic Campo Marzio district, these stylish little pads give you immediate access to frothy morning cappuccinos in the Piazza del Popolo, or romantic evening strolls past the Spanish Steps. Every apartment is different, with some split across multiple levels and others with floor-to-ceiling windows leading to Juliet-style terraces. The stand-out? The one with sun-loungers – perfect for working on your tan above the Villa Borghese gardens.