20 family villa holidays

Not many smaller rentals come with a pool, so this two-bedroom, bougainvillea-clad villa in the village of Casabermeja near Malaga is a good find, especially as the pool is gated. The homely, whitewashed former artist’s studio is well placed for exploring the area’s historic towns (Antequera is closest, Granada is a 40-minute drive) or the beaches of the Costa del Sol half an hour south. It’s equipped with everything you might need, including blackout blinds, changing mat and bath toys. Costs from £846 a week (rising to £3,908 for the six-week summer holiday period) The Scandinavian sauna with piped music might not be a good reason to book this enormous traditional country pile in the hills of south-east Mallorca. But add in a volleyball court, hot tub, gym and pool, and you get a surprisingly swanky pad for the price, especially if you have enough flexibility to travel outside the main school holiday period (celebrating the end of exams, for example). There are bikes on site for exploring the trails of the n earby S’horta valley. Older kids will love the Hobbit-style architecture of this off-grid two-bedroom house in a cave. Fruit trees line the dirt track to reach it, but despite the rustic location the house is light and modern inside. Outside, there’s just enough space to have a meal from the built-in barbecue, while enjoying the views across the maquis to the Els Ports mountains. There are bars and restaurants in the nearby riverside village of Tivenys, and the limestone gorges of Puerto de Beceite are good for young (and old) explorers.