Holidu, a leading holiday rental portal, has unveiled its Villa Value Index 2026, revealing that Provence, France, offers the best value for villa stays in Europe. The index, which analysed guest reviews and nightly prices for over 45,000 private villas across 30 popular destinations, highlights a stark contrast between guest satisfaction and cost.

Provence emerged as the top value destination with an impressive guest rating of 8.9 out of 10 and a median nightly rate of £129. This is significantly more affordable than Italy's renowned locations, such as the Amalfi Coast, where prices soar to £560 per night. "An Amalfi villa costs more than four times a similarly-rated stay in Provence," the report noted.

Greece dominated the ratings for guest satisfaction, with Naxos leading at 9.5 out of 10. Other Greek islands, including Crete and Zakynthos, also featured prominently. Despite their high ratings, these destinations are not the cheapest, with Naxos and Paros costing £406 and £466 per night, respectively.

The index also highlighted the "postcard premium" associated with Italy's famous spots, including Lake Como (£498) and Garda (£448), which are among the most expensive. Meanwhile, Spain's Ibiza topped the list as the priciest at £671 per night.

For those seeking warmth, Sicily and Provence remain hot into the late summer, with temperatures reaching 31°C in August and September. Holidu's findings suggest that whilst Greece offers the highest-rated experiences, France provides the best value for money

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