The 5 best places to buy a second home in Europe in 2026

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Five European destinations consistently stand out for second home ownership: Tuscany, the Cotswolds, the French Alps, the Côte d'Azur, and Mallorca – five different experiences that serve different lifestyles. 

Tuscany for heritage and peace, the Cotswolds for the picturesque English countryside, the Alps for the perfect ski season, the Côte d'Azur for long Mediterranean summers, and Mallorca for its vibrant island life. Rather than choosing one, August’s Private Collection membership gives members calendar access to all five curated destinations at once, so a holiday never feels like a compromise. 

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In this article: 

• What makes a European destination right for second home ownership, rather than simply visiting once.
• The five most sought-after European destinations that meet those conditions, and what a holiday in each looks like: 
• 1. Tuscany 
• 2. The Cotswolds
• 3. The French Alps
• 4. The Côte d'Azur
• 5. Mallorca
• Which August Collection each destination belongs to.
• How August’s Private Collection membership removes the need to choose between them.

What makes a destination one of the best places to buy a second home in Europe? 

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Across Europe, a holiday takes on a different character depending on where you land. Your lifestyle and preferences will always point to the right choice for a location, but there is a practical side to it as well. A destination is a good option when it offers three things: it's convenient enough to reach without a long-haul flight eating into every short stay, it has a rhythm of local life that continues well beyond peak tourist season, and it has a charm that outlives a single trend. A place that's stunning for two weeks in August but empty and inaccessible the rest of the year rarely justifies owning outright, however beautiful the photographs are. Tuscany, the Cotswolds, the Alps, the Côte d'Azur and Mallorca meet all three, which is why they are among August’s curated destinations. 

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Why is Tuscany one of the best places for a holiday home? 

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A holiday home in Tuscany is often a dream people carry around for years before they finally own one – rolling hills lined with cypress trees, vineyards producing some of Italy's most celebrated wine, hill towns built for wandering rather than sightseeing. A home in Tuscany is part of August’s Signature, Premium and Prime Collections, and for good reason: it is one of those magnetic places few people manage to visit only once. 

Long lunches beneath an olive grove, a morning at the local market, an evening on the terrace as the light turns gold – this is what a Tuscan holiday looks like for August members – the epitome of slow living. Their Private Collection membership includes access to enjoy the region's culinary heritage, its art and architecture. Under collective stewardship, the home belongs to its members together – with equal shares and rights – with the homeowner experience team keeping it cared for and ready whenever it’s time for Tuscany again. 

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Why choose the Cotswolds for a second home in England? 

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A second home in the Cotswolds is a very different proposition – honey-coloured stone villages, winding lanes, cosy pubs with fires lit early, market towns that feel timeless, plucked from a storybook. A Cotswolds home is part of the Premium and Prime Collections, chosen for exactly this kind of quintessentially English charm and for how easily it can be reached for a weekend without turning into an ordeal. 

August brings its signature approach to the Cotswolds as well, carefully selecting homes that embody the region's heritage. The homeowner experience team makes sure the home is welcoming from the moment you step through the door. It’s hassle-free English living at its finest, allowing you to focus on country walks and local pub lunches rather than look after repairs or garden maintenance. 

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Is ski chalet ownership in the French Alps worth it? 

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Ski chalet ownership in the Alps is the dream for anyone who finds their peace in the mountains. The French Alps offer panoramic peaks and exciting days on the slopes, but they are equally enchanting during the summer months when the meadows are in bloom. However, the maintenance of an alpine property can be a significant year-round commitment.

The Alps are part of the Signature, Premium and Prime Collections, and through the August model, alpine living is transformed. Your chalet is a sanctuary of wood and stone, designed by Studio RL to feel as cosy in a snowstorm as it is airy in the July sun. The homeowner experience team takes care of everything from snow clearing to off-season security – so a member arrives for the first snowfall or the late-season sun with nothing to arrange. 

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Why own a villa on the Côte d'Azur? 

A villa on the Côte d'Azur means one thing above all: the glamour of the French Riviera in high summer – long lunches by the pool, evenings that begin late, a coastline that has drawn artists and writers for a century. Part of the Signature, Premium and Prime Collections, the South of France is where members go for that particular kind of Mediterranean indulgence, with Provence's lavender fields and vineyards close enough for an afternoon drive. 

August’s homes in this region are thoughtfully renovated to capture the unique light and scent of the Mediterranean. Whether it’s a farmhouse surrounded by fragrant herb fields or a chic villa overlooking the sea, the focus is on creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. The homeowner experience and management team makes sure that each arrival is to a home that feels both lived-in and impeccably cared for. 

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What is Mallorca like as a second home destination? 

Owning property in Mallorca means an island that gives you something new each time you come home. The Mediterranean light here inspired Miró, and Gertrude Stein simply called it paradise – pine-scented air, spectacular sunsets, and hillside villages that offer a proper slice of island life. Mallorca offers something for every kind of traveller – exploring quiet coves reached by boat, hiking through the Tramuntana, or immersing yourself in the island’s cultural life. 

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Mallorca is part of the Signature, Premium and Prime Collections. Members hold a share in a home here, with access shaped around how they want to use it, and a homeowner experience team looking after everything in between – so arriving feels effortless, whether it's a fortnight in summer or a long weekend in spring. 

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H2: How does Private Collection membership change this decision?

Traditionally, buying a second home in Europe has meant picking a single destination and living with that choice. Sole ownership of a single Tuscan farmhouse or Cotswolds cottage carries year-round management, ongoing maintenance costs, and the illiquidity of a single home – regardless of which destination you choose.

August's Private Collection membership removes the need to choose at all. Members hold equal shares with year-round access to four or five homes across several destinations – a Collection that, together, prepares you for every occasion and season, from ski season in the Alps to summer on the Riviera.

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The question stops being which single destination is right for you, and becomes how many of these you'd like to own.

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FAQ: 

Where is the best place to buy a second home in Europe?

It depends on your lifestyle and vision for a holiday. Tuscany suits those drawn to a slower pace and a strong sense of place; the Cotswolds offer a cosy countryside experience; the Alps deliver the perfect ski season; the Côte d'Azur and Mallorca mean long Mediterranean summers and a vibrant culture scene. Each is among August's curated destinations, and the Private Collection membership gives members access to all rather than one.

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What makes a European destination a good place for owning a second home?

A destination is a good option for second home ownership when it can be reached easily for a short stay, has a rhythm of local life beyond peak season, and holds its charm over time. Tuscany, the Cotswolds, the Alps, the Côte d'Azur and Mallorca meet all three – places that reward returning, rather than visiting once. Private Collection membership means members return to a home that's theirs, shared with a community of like-minded families and kept ready by the homeowner experience and management team.

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How does a Private Collection membership change the idea of second home ownership? 

August’s Private Collection membership is structured around ownership of a curated collection of homes rather than committing to a single destination. Many August members split their holiday time between a Tuscan farmhouse and a Cotswolds cottage, or the Alps in winter and the Riviera in summer. The decision stops being which destination to commit to, and becomes how many a member would like access to. 

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