4 great places to buy a holiday home in Europe

Spain

With its enduring appeal as a European holiday destination, buying property in Spain is one of the safest real estate investments you can make. There's a great variety of locations, from the cosmopolitan capital of Madrid to the romance and beauty of the Costa del Sol. 

To give you a point of comparison, a three-bedroom house in the Costa del Sol averages at £350,000, with an equivalent in London costing £900,000. What's more, even in Spain's most established tourist hotspots, like Majorca, it's still possible to pick up heritage properties at an extremely reasonable price.

Italy

Much like Spain, buying property in Italy offers you a wide choice of property styles and types of location in which to invest. You can choose from lakeside retreats, mountain chalets, rural villas or historic city apartments – all offering excellent value. 

The secret to Italy's enduring reputation as a holiday-home buyer's paradise is the simple but aspirational quality of life to be enjoyed there. This is thanks to its famous culture, beautiful landscapes and warm climate – all of which are firmly rooted, making property in the country a reliable investment.  

Ireland

Ireland might be a surprising prospect, considering it enjoys cooler weather than the traditional holiday home location. But its attractions are not to be underestimated, from dramatic landscapes to characterful villages and cities full of Celtic culture. 

And with an average property price of just £125,000 you can pick up something palatial for your money in a place that continues to draw visitors from all over the world – sunshine or no sunshine.

Malta

Surrounded by the blue waters of the Mediterranean and enjoying 250 days of sunshine a year, Malta has long been a favourite investment location for holiday homes abroad, especially for investors from cooler northern climes.

The country is actually made up of two main islands, Malta and Gozo, each with their own distinctive atmosphere, but both with modern and character properties to choose from. Of the two, Gozo is slightly quieter, with a slower pace of life and plenty of unspoilt countryside and pretty villages to explore. On Malta, on the other hand, you’ll find all the trappings of a modern tourist destination, with bars, clubs, restaurants and shopping. The coastal resorts of Sliema and St Julian’s in particular, both just north of the bustling capital Valletta, are enduringly popular locations for second homes.

So where's the best place to buy a holiday home in Europe?

When choosing where to buy a holiday home abroad, while you should reflect on your personal preferences, you should also pay attention to the market and expert property insights. It's, of course, essential to thoroughly research your chosen destination before you buy, and not simply base your real estate investment decision on a single holiday – however fantastic it was.