Luxury villas in Sicily made for living outdoors

For those of us who inhabit cooler climes, the mere thought of a summer holiday spent under dazzling blue skies by day and inky twinkling skies by night is quite irresistible. So while luxury bedrooms and bathrooms are very welcome, sometimes it’s worth giving a quick glance at what’s on offer outside. A pool is at the top of most people’s wish lists, but if you plan to self-cater most of your meals and really want to spend most of your time outside, an outdoor kitchen and living room can be the clincher for any holiday decision.

Villas in northeast Sicily

You’d be hard pushed to match the elegance of the outdoor kitchen and dining space at Nefele, a 4-bedroom villa close to the beaches of Sicily’s northeast coast. With plenty of space for food prep on simple stone worktops, a sink, hob and barbecue, the kitchen is pleasantly shaded from the fierce heat of the sun during the hottest months. Buy local delicacies of ham and salami in the Nebrodi mountains and fresh fish in the nearby seaside resort of Capo d’Orlando, then chill over a Sicilian feast with a sea view.

A little way along the coast, Casa del Gelso is a restored farmhouse with a stunning garden and traditional outdoor kitchen, guaranteed to inspire even the most reluctant of chefs! With terracotta flooring, a sink, hob, barbecue and cupboard space, you’ll have everything on hand to enjoy all your meals in the magnificent garden.

Further west still, at Villa Arte Mare Blue close to Cefalù, the outdoor kitchen is one of the more traditional aspects of a villa that’s packed with quirky vintage artworks.  Whip up a pizza in the brick pizza oven, part of an excellently equipped outdoor kitchen with enough space for several eager chefs.

Villa in southeast Sicily

In southeast Sicily, 4-bedroom Gemma takes al fresco cooking and living to a whole new level. While the open plan kitchen and dining room inside the villa is equipped with everything you’d need for self-catering, the icing on the cake is the al fresco living space and food prep areas. Slip through large sliding doors into a completely self-contained garden annex, with everything you’d expect to see in an indoor kitchen, plus a fantastic pizza oven. Close by, the equally impressive barbecue area comes with bar stools, a sink and food prep area. And with separate outdoor lounge and dining spaces shaded by gazebos around the pool, the chances are you’ll spend more time outdoors than in.

Meanwhile, set between the astonishing city of Ragusa and coastal Marina di Ragusa, Rocca di Pietra is more about al fresco dining with a view than al fresco cooking. Pitch up at the dining table on the terrace outside the kitchen, toss some fresh fish or meat on the barbecue and settle down to marvel at the extraordinary views over the patchworked landscape of southeast Sicily. After dinner, retreat to the magical outdoor living space, a gazebo-style decked ‘room’, with armchairs, loungers and a table-tennis area.

Villa in western Sicily

Part of the fun of holidaying with friends or other families is rustling up meals together and sitting and chatting round the table. Pop down to the market for the catch of the day, stock up on local wine and when the kids get restless, let them slip off to have their own fun in the garden. At Case Fil, enjoy al fresco lunches as the sun casts shadows through the latticed roof, and lingering dinners peeping up at the stars overhead. The minimalist outdoor kitchen and dining area is brilliantly equipped for big group informal dining, with a long table and bench seating, a barbecue, sink and food prep area.

Prefer to let someone else take over the cooking on holiday? Ask us about our in-villa cook service and enjoy al fresco meals minus the planning, prep, cooking and clearing!