For a more traditional Mediterranean home, how about a character house in an old town or village? One of these might take your fancy. . .

Monda, Spain
Head 20 minutes inland from the famous Costa del Sol resort of Marbella and you reach the pretty whitewashed town of Monda. Nestling in the hills and complete with a Moorish castle, now a hotel, Monda’s winding streets have some charming character townhouses, many with views over the rooftops to the surrounding countryside. This three-bedroom house in the centre of the village oozes original Andalusian features and has fabulous terraces. For more info, click on the image.

 

Chania, Crete
Beautifully restored, this three-bedroom village house in local stone is in the pretty village of Filaki, just seven
kilometres from the beach. The property includes a large balcony with  panoramic mountain and sea views, courtyard area at the front and small garden at the rear. The charming old harbour town of Rethymnon is just 20 minutes’ drive away.

 

Spello, Italy
The ancient Umbrian town of Spello is regarded as one of the region’s prettiest, especially in June during its Celebration of Flowers when the streets are carpeted in intricate designs made from petals. Perched on slopes of Mount Subasio, Spello is also famous for its abundant Roman architecture, its two churches and mesmerizing network of alleyways in the oldest part of town. This one-bedroom maisonette-style house is in an elevated part of town, which makes the views from the terrace all the more impressive.

 

Tavira, Portugal
Tavira is a charming old fishing town on the estuary of the River Gilao, near Portugal’s eastern border. It’s famous for its whitewashed architecture, including churches, pretty squares, cobbled streets and historic bridges. A stretch of riverfront is now home to a selection of cafes and restaurants. The town’s beach, Ilha de Tavira, is a stunning 14-kilometre off-shore sand spit. This
traditional townhouse has been beautifully restored and is centrally located over three floors, the top floor being a terrace with views of the town, salt plain and sea.

Sainte-Agnes, France
On a hilltop behind the coastal resort of Menton on the French Riviera, Saint-Agnes is classified as ‘one of the most beautiful villages in France’. The village’s views across the countryside and Mediterranean are complemented by its historic centre, complete with winding streets, ancient church and ruins of a castle. Most of the houses have been restored, including this one-bedroom home, which is centrally located and full of original features.