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Celebrations, Reunions and Unforgettable Holidays: The Best Villas for Large Groups in Italy
by Bianca Neal-Shaw
11 min read

Celebrations, Reunions and Unforgettable Holidays: The Best Villas for Large Groups in Italy

Celebrations, Reunions and Unforgettable Holidays: The Best Villas for Large Groups in Italy
Finding the right villas for large groups doesn’t need to be difficult. Check out this list of some of our best offerings in Italy to learn more.
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Big family gatherings, a reunion of old friends or a celebration to spend time with loved ones. Planning accommodation for these important events can feel challenging. That’s why we have carefully hand-picked a unique collection of large villas in Italy that are perfect for any occasion.

Nestled amongst Italy’s enchanting landscapes lies a treasure trove of luxury villas, ready to suit every need and make sure your time is memorable. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful countryside escape, a sea view to nourish the soul or a villa with character and history, we’re committed to helping you find the perfect place for your needs

Read on to learn more about the very best villas for big groups in Italy.

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Large villas in Italy for families or friends

From sprawling gardens filled with laughter to the chirping of cicadas in the hazy afternoon sun, wafting on the air from quaint towns nearby, our list of luxury villas in Italy is sure to have the right accommodation to make for an unforgettable getaway.

The Bridge To The Sky - Rocca Delle Tre Contrade

With sweeping 360-degree views from Mount Etna to the Ionian Sea and everything in between, a stay at Rocca Delle Tre Contrade makes for a breathtaking experience.

With full-service staff and space for 24 guests across 12 bedrooms, it’s the perfect villa for a large group. With everything from possibly the most spectacular infinity pool in the whole of Sicily, a gym with steam room, a tennis court and its very own acclaimed in-house chef and kitchen team, visitors of all preferences are catered for.

Positioned in between Catania and Taormina, this grand villa gives residents a great base to explore the east coast of Sicily.

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In a Magic Garden - Don Arcangelo All’Olmo

Another impressive large villa in Sicily, Don Arcangelo all’Olmo is a luxurious hideaway nestled within opulent gardens, with terracotta terraces set amongst the lush foliage, which ranges from a mini olive grove to flowers and trees from across the Mediterranean.

This villa comes with its own private chef to cook bespoke meals fit for a large family gathering or a small celebration with friends and loved ones.

Placed on the east coast of Sicily, this villa is in an excellent position to visit Catania, Taormina and the historic Mount Etna.

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The House of Three Courtyards - Masseria Palaci

Just a few minutes drive away from Puglia's stunning coastlines, the restored Masseria Palaci offers guests an intoxicating mix of history and modern luxury.

Its impressive layout and private walled gardens make it the perfect large villa for opulent gatherings of family and friends, with everything from its panoramic rooftop terraces to spacious courtyard dining areas and a fabulous 25m-long pool.

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The House of Flamingos - Sighilli

From its home in the heart of the Vendicari Nature Reserve, Sighilli is the perfect large villa in Sicily for groups who want to embrace the authenticity of the island’s seafront, with the smell of salt on the air and the calls of flamingos on the wind.

The villa is home to a 16m-long pool, which is perfect for large groups to relax, play and simply make memories in. With a prize position in the middle of a nature reserve, you and your guests can take long walks around the extensive grounds and spot the beautiful wildlife and fauna that inhabit the area.

The nearest town is the baroque town of Noto, where you will find the best shopping and fine dining. But with seven hectares of private land outside your door, you may not want to venture far if quiet is what you are looking for. 

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Countryside villas for large groups

Time seems to slow down in the Italian countryside. Vineyards and olive groves lay over and nestle among the rolling hills, greeting you with the gentle rustle of leaves and the warm colours of a lush and vibrant landscape.

From the traditional southern Italian style of the masserie, to more modern abodes, the region is also home to the perfect villas for large groups.

If this sounds appealing to you, you have come to the right place. With luxury villas in Puglia and elsewhere, we have a wide range of options - read on to learn about some of our favourites.

Architectural Traditions Framed In Green - Masseria Ciasca

Masseria Ciasca offers the warm welcome of local Puglian charm. A traditional home, painstakingly restored and outfitted with modern comforts including two hot tubs and a 15m-long pool, it offers everything a large group needs to enjoy all the tranquillity and allure of rural Italy.

If you are looking for a change of scenery, then the historic and beautiful town of Polignano a Mare is 8km away.

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The White Masseria in the Walled Gardens - Masseria Donnagnora

Another lovingly preserved Puglian masseria, Masseria Donnagnora sits in whitewashed serenity amidst olive groves and formal gardens. It offers large and airy communal spaces, perfect for large groups to fill with the sounds of laughter and conversation over an excellent meal.

Outside, meanwhile, separate guest bedrooms can be found nestled among the terraces and courtyards, offering the perfect retreat for those who like a little privacy on a group getaway.

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The House Above The Gorge - Corti dell’Eremia

Away from Puglia and back to the sun-kissed warmth and seaside air of Sicily, Corti dell’Eremia offers a modern twist on the classical Sicilian baglio, with sprawling gardens and surrounding 75 acres of private  space means that friends and family can spill forth into to wander, explore, and talk long into the night.

If you’re looking for historic and yet beautiful towns to visit. Scicli, Noto and Ragusa are within driving distance.

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Wonderful winter villas

While we’ve mostly been focused on getaways in summer or late summer, we also have a range of villas for large groups that are open throughout the winter.

A trip to the Italian countryside in winter will show you hills coated in a serene blanket of frost, with towns and villages appearing at night as clusters of inviting warm lights, and the woody aroma of log fires filling the air.

It’s the perfect time to experience a different side to Italy’s rural beauty, and we have a number of options that are perfect for a large gathering to celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving or anything else you may use to get together in the winter months.

Converted seventeenth-century farmstead Masseria Mangiamuso is an idyllic retreat with rustic charm, while Masseria Canali mixes timeless tranquillity with modern luxury in its spacious one-floor setting. Masseria Belvedere, meanwhile, offers easy access to both the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve and the historic old town of Ostuni, as well as its own commanding views over the Adriatic Coast.

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Large villas in Italy by the sea

Out at the Italian seaside, azure waters meet sun-kissed shores of sand and rock, and the scent of salt is never far away. Vibrant coastal towns teem with life, with ports and harbours bustling as fishers offer up the delicious local produce that has always made Italian cooking so famous.

From luxury villas in Sicily and other islands to coastal hideaways around the mainland, there’s sure to be something perfect for your needs.

The White House on the Sea - Celeste

On the very edge of the shores of Sicily, with views of the Ionian and Mount Etna and direct access to the sea from the garden, Villa Celeste enchants with Mediterranean charm. With a private pool and a wide stretch of sea-facing terrace, it’s the perfect villa for large groups to embrace the scenic beauty of island living.

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Dive In The Sea, Walk Into Town - L’Argentiera

L’Argentiera sits right on the Adriatic Coast, with wide-open terraces offering truly breathtaking expansive views of the surrounding sea and a private gate to the sea. From the rustic elegance of its design to the serenity of its infinity pool, an authentic pizza oven, multiple al fresco dining areas, a private deck overlooking the ocean and two separate wings - the villa is split into 2 sections, so two families with kids can be entirely contained in their own wing - it’s the right place for an enchanting coastal escape.

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Crossing Together and Villa Blanca

For those who want still more options to enjoy Italian seaside luxury, Crossing Together in Sicily and Villa Blanca in Puglia each offer remarkable views, modern comfort, and airy interiors.

Described as ‘The House Where Two Seas Meet’, Villa Blanca perches above the exclusive seaside resort of Santa Maria di Leuca.

Crossing Together, meanwhile, combines the two villas of Crossing the Rock and Casa alla Scala to provide the perfect accommodation for large groups in the heart of the charming fishing village of Santa Maria La Scala.

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Villas with history: Palaces and heritage sites

With authentic traditional luxury and timeless beauty, these historic villas for large groups are the perfect pick for discerning travellers. Grand estates offer spacious elegance, while opulent interiors suggest tales of centuries past.

Trulli, Madly, Deeply - Trulli Andrea

Built in distinctive trulli style, Trulli Andrea envelops you in historic comfort, with enough space in its expansive gardens and luxurious courtyards for large groups to truly explore and relax.

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The House Washed in Tobacco Pink - Il Tabacchifico

A 1930s tobacco factory lovingly refurbished, Il Tabacchifico is another perfect Puglian getaway, with wide-open spaces both within and without to get lost in. The building’s history is recalled in a mix of reclaimed and upcycled furnishings, while artistically inclined guests can also enjoy a range of contemporary artworks and antiques.

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The Palace In A Botanic Garden - Palazzo Ducale Guarini

The oldest parts of Palazzo Ducale Guarini date back to the fourteenth century. With palatial grandeur set within lush and flourishing walled gardens, and with a prime location in the very centre of the town of Scorrano, it’s the perfect villa for large groups who want to appreciate a setting that is authentically Puglian.

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The Historic Palazzo on the Plaza - Palazzo Bernardini De Pace

An aristocratic palazzo with opulent and airy interiors, Palazzo Bernardini De Pace also offers excellent access to a range of towns, from its home village of Bagnolo del Salento to nearby Minervino, Muro Leccese, and Poggiardo, among others.

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The Best Address In Town - Palazzo Napoli

Palazzo Napoli sits in the heart of the quiet town of Presicce. Its stone exteriors, spacious gardens and welcoming interiors make this sixteenth-century palace a true standout.

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The Castle In The Town - Castello di Caprarica

Another impeccable villa for large groups dating back to the sixteenth century, Castello di Caprarica features a grand dining room perfect for large meals and plenty of space to sit and relax. Its gardens are split into a beautiful spacious lawn and a courtyard overlooking a lawned quad.

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We hope this look at some of our most beautiful Italian villas for large groups has inspired and enticed you. If you’re ready to take the next step in your holiday planning, why not explore further, and get detailed recommendations from our experienced experts?