A 'floating' home over a picturesque beach and a retreat fit for a Bond villain: The most stunning cliff houses available for rent

• These cliff houses offer lasting memories for holidaymakers thanks to their stunning views of the sea or valleys
• Australia's Pole House, built on steel stilts 132ft above a picturesque beach, gives the impression that it is floating
• Eagle Bay Cottages, in Scotland, looks like a Bond villain's lair, but is a retreat for couples looking for privacy

By Chris Kitching for MailOnline

Published: 03:18 EST, 21 November 2015 | Updated: 18:19 EST, 21 November 2015

In an age where holidaymakers are constantly trying to one-up each other with stunning snaps on Instagram or Facebook, a room with an incredible view is a must for every traveller.

For the ultimate bragging rights, nothing beats a holiday home with unrivalled views of a sweeping valley or crystal clear sea from what may seem like the edge of the world.

From Australia’s picturesque beaches to Scotland’s rugged coastline, these are some of the most amazing cliff houses that are available for the holiday of a lifetime.

The Pole House, Fairview, Victoria, Australia

Visitors may think they're seeing an illusion when they approach this remarkable holiday home, which appears to be floating

Billed as one of Australia’s most photographed properties, it recently reopened to holidaymakers after a five-year makeover 

The property sits 132ft above a stunning beach on the Great Ocean Road and is said to be one of the region’s most photographed homes

Visitors can’t believe their eyes when they approach this remarkable holiday home – not just because it plays tricks on them.

The ‘floating’ Pole House comes as advertised – it’s a house on steel stilts – but words or pictures fail to capture its beauty and the amazing vistas.

Billed as one of Australia’s most photographed properties, it recently reopened to holidaymakers after a five-year makeover.

The property sits 132ft above a stunning beach on the Great Ocean Road and is said to be one of the region’s most photographed homes, according to Great Ocean Road Real Estate Holidays.

Rate: From AUD$3,220 (£1,500 or USD$2,285) a week

Coco & Belle, Imerovigli, Santorini, Greece

Guests at this stunning Santorini villa enjoy splendid views of the sea from verandas built towards the edge of a caldera cliff

The villa has two units – a unique cave house which can accommodate four people and a studio with enough room for two guests

Guests at a stunning Santorini villa named Coco & Belle enjoy splendid views of the sea and volcano from two verandas which are built towards the edge of a caldera cliff.

Accessible via a footpath, the villa has two units – a unique cave house which can accommodate four people and a studio with enough room for two overnight guests.

With an almost perfect rating from Airbnb guests, the villa has two private verandas where guests can relax while admiring the views and soaking up the sun. It may seem like the villa is in a remote location, but several restaurants and markets are within a five-minute walk.

Rate: From £131 ($200) a night

Black Moon, St Ives, Cornwall, England

Black Moon, a one-bedroom apartment has a glass floor in the living room that looks down into a private cave/snug area

Guests who are looking for romance can watch the sunrise from the comfort of their bed thanks to a sliding mirrored wall

Couples looking for a romantic break should forget about holing themselves up in a fancy hotel and head to this beach house which boasts its own private cave.

Looking out over St Ives Bay on the Atlantic coast, the one-bedroom apartment offers stunning views through floor-to-ceiling glass doors in the living room.

But guests may find themselves looking down instead. The apartment, available through TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals, has a glass floor that looks down into a private cave/snug area.

The ocean is so close that waves can crash against the side of the house at high tide, and guests can watch the sunrise from bed thanks to a sliding mirrored wall.

Rate: From £200 ($300) a night

Alinghi Beach House, Noosa, Queensland, Australia

The glass and cedar beach pad has four bedrooms and sliding glass doors and windows that let in the fresh ocean breeze

Its on-site amenities include a swimming pool, grass tennis court and cabana, in addition to direct beach access at Honeymoon Bay

With stunning views of the ocean at Australia’s Sunshine Coast, this luxury beach house is an ideal private setting for a relaxing family or group holiday.

Set on 14 acres of Australian bushland, the glass and cedar beach pad has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and sliding glass doors and windows that let in the fresh ocean breeze.

The eco-friendly property – offered by TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals – is an oasis for any holidaymaker with a love for the outdoors, as it is located at the tip of the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by Deepwater National Park.

Its on-site amenities include a swimming pool, grass tennis court and cabana, in addition to direct beach access at Honeymoon Bay.

Rate: From £327 ($500) a night

Villa Amanzi, Kamala, Phuket, Thailand

Situated on Kamala’s exclusive Millionaires’ Miles, Villa Amanzi's contemporary design features ultra-modern architecture

The villa has an infinity pool that extends over the rocks below and is surrounded by sheltered coves, dramatic cliffs and tropical forest

Guests live it up in the lap of luxury when they retreat to this incredible six-bedroom residence, which boasts an infinity pool that juts over the rocks below and a breathtaking location on the Andaman Sea.

Situated on Kamala’s exclusive Millionaires’ Miles, the villa’s contemporary design features ultra-modern architecture, and it is set up so that guests barely have to lift a finger.

Each guest room has its own en-suite bathroom and private balcony, and the perks include a full-time chef.

Managed by luxury resort operator Paresa, the villa is surrounded by sheltered coves, dramatic cliffs, tropical forest, and crystal clear waters, where guests can snorkel in a secluded bay.

Rate: From $2,500 (£1,650) a night

Eagle Bay Cottages, Keose, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Eagle Bay Cottages looks like a Bond villain's lair, but it's a favourite destination for couples looking for privacy and luxury

Made from glass, stone and timber, two one-bedroom cottages are perched on a rugged stone headland high above the sea

They look like they’re built into a cliff and, from the outside, each has the look of a lair that belongs to a Bond villain.

But there is nothing nefarious about Eagle Bay Cottages, a favourite destination for couples looking for privacy and luxury.

Made from glass, stone and timber, two one-bedroom cottages are perched on a rugged stone headland high above the sea, rising from the ruins of 19th-century Blackhouses.

Designed by Stuart Bagshaw, the contemporary turf-roof cottages, from TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals, offer spectacular 180-degree views that are perfect for watching the sea or wildlife.

Rate: £205 ($310) a night

Villa Aretusa, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Italy

One of Villa Aretusa's best features is its inviting seawater pool, which is built into natural rocks and paved with beach stones

Located on the stunning Amalfi Coast, Villa Aretusa offers rustic old world charm set against the natural beauty of the Tyrrhenian Sea

One of the best features of this six-bedroom villa – on Italy’s magnificent Amalfi Coast – is its inviting seawater pool, which is built into natural rocks and paved with beach stones.

Not far from Naples, Villa Aretusa offers rustic old world charm set against the natural beauty of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Guests who book through Airbnb can take it all in from the rooftop terrace, which has amazing views of Capri, Ischia and Procida.

Rate: From $1,600 (£1,000) a night 

Villa Barcelona, Cabrils, Catalonia, Spain

Known as Casa X due to its shape, the concrete house sits slightly below street level, providing more privacy for guests

The X-shaped house sits atop a steep hills with incredible views of a valley just 30 minutes from Barcelona

Also known as Casa X due to its shape, this villa sits atop a steep hill with magical views of a valley.

Located half an hour from Barcelona, the concrete house has a bold design and sits slightly below street level, providing more privacy for guests without inhibiting the views.

The top floor is a private suite with its own living room, and there is a beautiful roof terrace that stretches across the entire structure.

According to Airbnb, the garden boasts a private pool, hot tub and sauna.

Rate: £364 ($550) a night 

Idleour, Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, England

Panoramic views are the big draw for guests who book week-long stays at this refurnished chalet set within the face of Tregonhawke Cliff

The holiday home is nestled on a dramatic four-mile stretch of coastline, where visitors can explore coves or fishing villages

Panoramic views are the big draw for guests who book week-long stays at this refurnished chalet set within the face of Tregonhawke Cliff.

The holiday home is nestled on a dramatic four-mile stretch of coastline, where visitors can explore coves or fishing villages when they’re not admiring the views or digging their toes into the sand at Whitsand Beach.

Available from Holidaycottages.co.uk, the chalet sleeps up to four people over two bedrooms, and is bordered by unspoiled land.

Rate: From £555 ($850) for seven nights

Comments (8)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now