The right accommodation for every travel idea

Whether it is a relaxed few days by the sea, a retreat in the mountains, or a practical base for a city break: the right accommodation shapes the pace of your holiday. Holiday apartments offer space for self-catering and flexible day planning, while holiday homes are especially suitable for families and groups. Villas focus on privacy and generous outdoor areas, while houseboats or countryside stays promise a stay with a distinctive character.

Choose accommodation by travel mood

For a holiday with your own kitchen and plenty of flexibility, holiday apartments in resorts, old towns, or coastal regions are a good choice. A holiday home works well when several people are travelling together, separate bedrooms matter, or you want a garden as part of your stay. Those seeking peace, nature, and local atmosphere will often find the right setting in a country house, a cabin, or a farm stay. In major cities, centrally located apartments are practical city bases for museums, restaurants, and outings with short distances.

Holiday home in a wide mountain landscape
A holiday home in the mountains combines a nature experience with a private retreat. Photo: Hardo Müller from Bonn, Germany, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Regions for sea, mountains, and new impressions

If you prefer to plan on a larger scale first, you can compare accommodation in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, and Oceania. The selection ranges from urban apartments and classic holiday homes to remote lodges, beach houses, and stays in extraordinary landscapes.

Europe

Europe is especially varied: in Western Europe you will find a wide choice of city apartments, historic houses, and coastal stays; Southern Europe is shaped by Mediterranean warmth, with villas, beach houses, and apartments close to old towns; Northern Europe suits travellers who like clear design, nature, and holiday homes near lakes, forests, or the sea; Eastern Europe often combines generous space, cultural cities, and countryside accommodation; and Southeastern Europe is a good fit for coastal holidays, mountain scenery, and simple self-catering bases. For specific ideas, Germany offers everything from lake districts to alpine settings, France brings country houses, city apartments, and seaside homes, Spain combines lively resorts with quiet inland stays, Italy is strong on apartments in historic centres and villas in scenic surroundings, and Denmark is a classic choice for relaxed holiday-home stays in coastal and island landscapes.

North America

In USA and Canada, the accommodation mix is broad: city apartments work well for urban breaks, while holiday homes and lodges suit road trips, national park routes, and longer stays. In the USA, travellers can choose between central bases in large cities and spacious homes in beach, mountain, or desert settings. For a more relaxed climate and shorter distances, Central America offers beach lodges, small apartments, and nature-oriented stays, while the Caribbean is ideal for villas, resort apartments, and houses close to the water.

South America

South America is attractive for travellers who want broad landscapes and distinctive places to stay. Coastal apartments, guesthouses, and holiday homes suit both major cities and quieter regions, while inland stays often focus on nature, scenery, and local rhythm. It is a good continent for combining a practical base with memorable surroundings.

Bright beach house on the Mediterranean in Oliva in the Spanish region of Valencia
A beach house on the Mediterranean coast combines closeness to the sea with the freedom of a private holiday home. Photo: David Adam Kess, CC BY-SA 4.0

Asia

Asia offers especially diverse travel styles. In Western Asia and the Middle East, travellers often look for villas, apartment hotels, and stays with strong indoor-outdoor living; South Asia includes city bases, beach stays, and quieter retreats for longer journeys; Southeast Asia is well suited to resort apartments, beach houses, and small guest stays with easy access to water and nature; East Asia combines efficient city apartments with calm, well-connected bases for sightseeing; and Central Asia appeals to travellers looking for open landscapes, practical stopovers, and accommodation with a straightforward, regional feel. The broader Asia selection spans urban, coastal, and inland options.

Africa

Accommodation in North Africa often centres on riads, apartment stays, and houses that work well for city visits and warm-weather holidays. West Africa offers a mix of urban bases and more locally shaped guest stays, while East Africa is a strong match for coastal holidays, safari routes, and lodges. In Central Africa, travellers will usually look for practical bases close to nature, and Southern Africa is well suited to holiday homes, lodges, and city apartments for varied routes. Across the continent, the range in Africa stretches from beach stays to wilderness retreats.

Oceania

Oceania works well for road trips, island holidays, and long stays in open landscapes. Holiday homes and apartments are both practical depending on whether you want a city base, a coastal setting, or a more remote retreat. The region suits travellers who value outdoor space, easy access to nature, and accommodation with room to slow down.

Indian Ocean islands

The Indian Ocean islands are a natural choice for villas, beach houses, and relaxed resort apartments where the sea is part of everyday life. They suit travellers who want a holiday home feel with a clearly tropical setting.

Special accommodation ideas

Sometimes it is not only the destination that should be memorable, but also the accommodation itself. A houseboat brings together life on the water and slow-paced days, a mountain hut makes nature your direct neighbour, and a villa creates plenty of private space for a shared holiday. In rural regions, peace, scenery, and local experiences take centre stage; a city apartment, by contrast, scores with culture, dining, and spontaneous outings right on the doorstep.

Houseboats lined up along a canal in Amsterdam
Houseboats in Amsterdam show how unusual a place to stay can be in the middle of a city. Photo: Joost J. Bakker from IJmuiden, CC BY 2.0

Practical guidance before choosing

Pay attention not only to the location, but also to the surroundings and your preferred daily routine: Is a car necessary, are shops nearby, are there outdoor areas, or is there direct access to the beach, hiking trails, or public transport? For families and groups, the layout, sleeping arrangements, and shared spaces are especially important. On a city break, location, noise protection, and transport connections often matter more than a large living area.

FAQ about finding accommodation

What is better for families: a holiday apartment or a holiday home?

A holiday apartment is practical in central locations and usually easy to fit into a daily routine. A holiday home offers more privacy, often a garden, and more space for longer stays or larger families.

Which accommodation suits a city break?

A centrally located holiday apartment or apartment is usually a good city base. Look for short distances to sights, restaurants, and public transport, as well as a quiet sleeping area.

When is a countryside stay worthwhile?

A country house, farm stay, or cabin is especially suitable when relaxation, nature, and a slower travel rhythm are the focus. Check the distance to shops and excursion destinations in advance.

For more inspiration for travel planning, see holiday ideas and the travel guide.