All aboard
Those looking to drift effortlessly through their holiday will find the perfect setting on the Greek island of Lefkada. Like a luxury liner washed ashore, the elegant holiday home mavie sits nestled among olive trees, cypresses and pines, directly above the myth-laden Ionian Sea.
Half agora with a classical colonnade, half navigating bridge with a glass cube, the architecture is a hybrid of ancient roots and modern dream ship. The spectacular view seamlessly merges indoors and out, while the interiors reflect the vibrant hues of the Mediterranean surroundings. Whether one drops anchor at the private pool or sets course for the nearby beach – a paradise for wind and kite surfers – is entirely up to the crew.
Accommodates up to 12 guests (4 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Nearest beach: 1 kilometre
Reaching new heights
With its spectacular location on Sicily’s rugged northern coast, Seaside Villa Capo Zafferano offers a stylish and safe haven for Mediterranean voyages of discovery. Perched above the Tyrrhenian Sea and facing the villa’s namesake, Capo Zafferano, the bow-shaped building seems ready to set sail.
A thought that likely inspired Italian architect Armando Barraja when he designed the house in the late 1980s as a summer retreat for his family. From porthole windows and rail-like balustrades to side bridges, the striking building with its endless sea views is reminiscent of a ship throughout. Inside, glass brick walls evoke a journey through time, and the furnishings are an impressive mix of iconic design classics. A laid-back destination with retro flair – and its own private bathing cove.
Accommodates up to 9 guests
Nearest beach: 30 metres
Holiday without a catch
To preserve the peace of the small fishing village of A Pobra do Caramiñal in northwestern Spain, Dezanove House blends right in. Its façade is clad in recycled wood from floating mussel-farming platforms, weathered by wind and sea to give the building a raw, elemental feel.
Inside, the reused planks show their gentle side – from ceiling panelling to custom-made furniture, every detail is lovingly crafted. Sleeping quarters are cool in both senses, with exposed concrete walls behind large timber shutters, while the living area opens up to the Atlantic with its expansive glass front. The architecture is as exciting as the small beach, which is just a few steps away, is tranquil. A nearby sailing and diving school offers variety, and fresh mussels are, of course, a must.
Accommodates up to 8 guests
Nearest beach: just a castaway
On the sun deck
Brilliant white sand, turquoise waters and dune crestlines like soft ocean waves – it’s no surprise Praia do Pego is considered one of the most beautiful beaches along Portugal’s Alentejo coast.
When not diving, sailing, surfing or fishing, guests can retreat to the nearby Casa do Pego, tucked away behind a dune. This spacious, light-filled bungalow opens up to sunny and shaded terraces alike, celebrating life by the sea with clean lines and bright colours. To make sure there really are no limits to a carefree holiday feeling, all indoor and outdoor areas flow seamlessly into one another – whether it’s the sheltered courtyard or the veranda affording spectacular views. And on top? Another sun deck awaits on the roof, paired with a pool that is refreshing in summer and warming in winter.
Accommodates up to 6 guests
Nearest beach: 400 metres
Savoir vivre
It has been a long time since the Côte d’Azur was a sleepy, hidden gem. And yet there still exist those places of tranquillity and seclusion, tucked away between towering pines and the sea.
Such is Villa Nyland at Cap Bénat, a peninsula marked by wild natural beauty that has been dedicated to protecting the coastline and its vegetation for over 50 years. The villa’s origins also date back to 1949, complemented by a modernist-inspired addition built with concrete, wood and regional Bormes-les-Mimosas stone. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow light to pour in, the minimalist interior creates space, and the materials evoke timelessness. Both the interiors and the expansive terraces open up towards the sea, which offers exclusive immersion with its own small private beach. Simply follow the enchanted path.
Accommodates up to 6 guests
Nearest beach: less than a 5-minute walk
Drama, Baby!
For those seeking to blend relaxation with a touch of drama while on holiday, there’s no need to provoke a quarrel with your loved ones – simply head to the Shingle House. The holiday home is situated right on the pebble beach of Dungeness, which not only ranks among the longest in the world but also boasts an almost surreal stony landscape.
Here, you’ll find everything from rare flora and fauna to isolated fishermen’s cottages, a miniature railway and even a nuclear power plant in the distance. The design of the three-part building, commissioned by Living Architecture, takes inspiration from the neighbouring fishermen’s huts. Clad externally in black-tarred shingles, its interior is white and warm – with a purple floor and cosy furnishings that transform any (emotional) storm into a sense of well-being. An extraordinary place that, in every respect, unites black and white.
Accommodates up to 8 guests
Nearest beach: right on the doorstep
In depth
While tourism elsewhere often comes up against ecological limits, the Cocondo pilot project on the outskirts of Hoek van Holland proves the opposite. Here, an old German telephone bunker from 1943 – a part of the Atlantic Wall and a silent witness of the past – was transformed not only into a habitable history lesson but also into a protector of the dune landscape.
To preserve the historical heritage and protect the coast, the bunker, weathered by wind, weather and vandalism, was modernised and converted into a sustainable holiday home using predominantly circular building materials. Its narrative is told through elements that range from the former reinforced-concrete telephone exchange and graffiti accents to the sunken terrace. Rental revenues also benefit the project. A holiday with an unusual perspective and a plea for peace.
Accommodates up to 2 adults and 2 children
Nearest beach: right on the doorstep
Fresh breeze
In the 19th century, the Baltic seaside resort of Lubmin, with its salutary climate, was a popular destination for spa guests and summer vacationists. Today, the small town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is better known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful sandy beaches and extensive pine forests.
The fact that the Meerhaus is not far from the sea and sand is already revealed by its name. Whether it’s for swimming, diving, kite- or windsurfing, as a playground for children or for long walks. To subtly blend in with the surrounding tall trees, the façade of the cubic holiday home is clad in vertical wooden slats. Corten steel elements add visual accents, staggered windows connect the interior with the dune landscape, and vibrant colours bring the sun and the sea directly into the holiday home. For a year-round summer feeling.
Accommodates up to 6 guests
Nearest beach: just a few steps away
Monochrome Look
Those who long for Hawaiian surf conditions need not necessarily board a plane. The coast around the Danish town of Klitmøller can almost rival the wind and wave conditions of the Pacific archipelago and has established itself as a European surf hotspot under the name Cold Hawaii.
In the holiday home Kokkolit, one exchanges not only the temperature but also the tropical scenery for white walls and a restrained colour scheme. Coccoliths – small calcite plates – give the concrete of the H-shaped house its light appearance, merging it with the sky, all surrounded by windswept dune grass. Inside, over 40 windows offer contemplative views of the rugged landscape, warm materials create a cosy atmosphere, and floating beds evoke a sense of lightness. All that is missing is the perfect wave.
Accommodates up to 8 people
Nearest beach: 300 metres
Shadow plays
No diving masks, air mattresses or inflatable sharks in sight – today, U Magazinu on Corsica is all about clean lines, airy spaces and utmost tranquillity. Nestled among beach pines, palm trees and flowering shrubs just south of Bastia, this holiday home was once a beach shop. Now, with modern architecture and expansive terraces, it looks at the sea with elegance and ease.
In place of colourful beach umbrellas, a reinterpreted patio offers shaded retreats on the far side of the pool. The kitchen, still centred around the former shop counter, remains the heart of the house, inviting the whole family to gather. Inside, a breezy summer interior reflects the natural beauty and relaxed spirit of the island in both shape and colour. And when the sea calls – glistening through the pines – don’t forget to bring your goggles, floaties or inflatable creatures after all.
Accommodates up to 6 guests (3 bedrooms)
Nearest beach: approx. 3-minute walk
Text / Compilation: Julia Hauch & Anne-Birga Niepelt
Photos: Tina Herzl (Cover picture: mavie), Giuseppe Cascio (Seaside Villa Capo Zafferano), Wifre Melendrez (Dezanove House), Andri Antunes (Casa do Pego), Nathalie Menschaert (Villa Nyland), Living Architecture UK (Shingle House), Peter de Krom (Cocondo), Alexander Rudolph (Meerhaus), Helle Schjønning Uhrskov (Kokkolit), Thibaut Dini (U Magazinu)
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