Eight best locations for a holiday home

Holiday homes can be an excellent investment both for now and for later in life. There are a range of wonderful places around the world that make for excellent places to visit – but where are the ones that can be smart assets too? Here are eight of the best places you can buy a holiday home.

Marbella, Spain

Perhaps the ultimate holiday home location can be found on Spain's Costa del Sol. Enjoying over 320 days of sunshine every single year, the sunny coastline has been a favourite for British holidaymakers for more than 50 years. The famous focal point is Marbella where you'll find celebrities, supercars and designer boutiques on every street.

A villa here can make a brilliant investment as you can make use of it as a great place to spend your summers as well as taking it forward as a retirement investment. Property prices here fell sharply during the recession and haven't yet got up to the levels that they were at, so there is still great potential to make money here. 

Paris, France

The world's most romantic city is loved by Brits and holidaymakers from all over the world. If you've fallen in love with Paris on a previous trip or you're thinking of investing in a holiday home in one of the world's favourite locations, now could be the perfect time. France's recovery from the economic downturn has been relatively slow and there are still highly sought-after homes available at great prices.

The international prestige of owning a property in Paris is another great reason to make a purchase here. And the popularity of the French capital as a city break destinations means you'll be able to let it out easily when you aren't using it too which can be vital to making back the money on your investment. 

Orlando, Florida, USA

Orlando is undoubtedly one of America's top tourist draws, home to the world-famous Walt Disney World and a range of other incredible attractions. Florida is a great year-round destination so there is always demand to come here whenever you aren't using your holiday home yourself.

It's a great choice because renting a villa here is one of the most popular ways to visit, with holidaymakers looking for that home-from-home experience. You can take advantage of this in conjunction with property prices that have remained relatively low. Outlying suburbs like Kissimmee offer the best value for money. 

Newquay, Cornwall, UK

You don't always have to look abroad to find the perfect destination for a holiday home; the sunny shoreline of Cornwall makes a wonderful choice. Newquay is the surfing capital of the UK and a very popular option for Brits holidaying at home, so you'll have no trouble if you're looking to let it out. Ideal for younger second-home buyers with an active lifestyle, Newquay is a great place to spend a weekend every so often.

Barcelona, Spain

If you're looking for a city centre villa that in a hugely popular holiday destination, there might be nowhere better in the world than Barcelona. This is arguably Spain's finest city with charming architecture, lovely beaches and cultural intrigue.

South of France

The south of France has always been one of the favourite holiday destinations for UK holidaymakers, and it's not hard to see why. This beautiful part of the world benefits from incredible weather, amazing restaurants and fascinating cities to explore. Prices slipped a little during the economic downturn and there are still plenty of areas where they haven't quite caught up to their peak. That means that you can buy a holiday home and still see its value continue to rise. Choose a property in the sought after villages near to the major cities from the best return on investment.

North Norfolk, UK

Another great choice in the UK is the northern coast of Norfolk. Offering a slice of the traditional British seaside, this is a more relaxed location than some traditional UK holiday spots ideal if you're looking for a holiday home that you'll visit relatively regularly. Rents here command a premium over the summer and this can be a very smart investment from that perspective. It can also be a great idea if you are making a plan for retirement as this is a lovely area to spend your later years.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is one of Europe's finest cities; the Netherlands' beautiful, canal-side capital is a really wonderful place to be. It also boasts prices that are lower than many similarly prestigious cities. Picking somewhere closer to the town centre not only keeps you within easy reach of the great attractions including the Rijksmuseum, but also makes it easier to let your holiday home when you're not there. Take advantage of the Netherlands' low prices now and pick up an incredible city centre apartment at a very reasonable rate.