As far as social distancing goes, it doesn’t get much better than upping sticks to your own private town. From picture-postcard Swedish villages to medieval Italian ghost towns frozen in time, these unique settlements are the ultimate real estate opportunities. Fancy taking on the title of mayor? Let’s look around the towns and villages on the market across Europe right now.

The tiny village of O Penso in northern Spain sits in just over 100 acres of land and is currently on the market with Galician Country Homes. The charming abandoned ghost town comes with a cattle barn, two additional barns, a bakery complete with two bread ovens and a water well. 

The sleepy settlement was last inhabited a decade ago and has since been left to languish. While its characterful stone buildings may have seen better days, this snug rural village could have plenty of development potential in the right hands.

The sale includes five residential houses, four of which need to be completely renovated. The property that's currently habitable features five bedrooms, a modern bathroom, kitchen and living room, plus running water and electricity.

At the bottom of the valley is a small trout river, along with an orchard filled with peaches, figs, walnuts, apples and pears. Just six miles away you'll find stretches of dazzling white sand beaches – a renowned haven for surfers, making the village the perfect base for a holiday retreat.

If a remote country retreat is top of your property wishlist, it doesn't get much more private than this sleepy hamlet for sale in Aveyron, France. Spread across six verdant acres inside the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park, there's not a neighbour in sight, and what's more, this piece of provincial paradise can be yours for a mere £312,000 ($395k).

Situated a few miles from the scenic Tarn river, the traditional hamlet is home to four houses and two barns in various states of repair. Despite its isolated location, flanked by rolling fields and endless stretches of countryside, connections are surprisingly good, with Toulouse and the Mediterranean coastline reachable within 90 minutes.

Much of the snug settlement is in need of renovation, however, Rivecave has the bones to be a romantic rural destination once more. Three of the hamlet's gites would make beautiful residences or holiday lets with a thorough internal revamp, while the largest barn, which features a spectacular vaulted ceiling, could be converted into an extraordinary home.

While work is required across many of the structures, Rivecave's current owners reside in the comfortable main farmhouse, which includes two large reception rooms, a country-style kitchen, numerous pantries, eight double bedrooms, a wine cellar and a large attic space that's just waiting to be converted. We reckon this remote beauty spot could make a charming retreat for holidaymakers and homeowners looking to escape to the country, though we'd be tempted to keep it all to ourselves...

Located in a quiet rural spot, the hamlet of Xerdiz sits in over 12 acres of land, surrounded by meadows and trees. A picturesque stream runs through the grounds of the quaint village, which is served by a larger spring found within the estate.

On the market for £377,000 ($468k), the hamlet offers six buildings in various states of repair. A stone and wood building, the main property is fully habitable and encompasses 1,700 square feet spread over three floors. Outside, there's a pretty garden with a hammock overlooking spectacular views of the surrounding hills and mountains.

The idyllic village in northwestern Spain also includes an old schoolhouse, which is in the process of being restored and converted into a residence. Elsewhere, there are three more houses and a barn that’s currently used for storage.

Xerdiz is the ideal property for those yearning to escape the rat race in favour of a more self-sufficient lifestyle away from the noise of the big cities. A business-savvy buyer could even transform some of the structures into holiday lets, providing a rural spot for visitors to reconnect with nature.

The tranquil village of El Mortorio is nestled in the middle of the verdant Spanish countryside, surrounded by rolling fields and mountains, including the picturesque Picos de Europa. 

Included in the lot, the village offers 20 building plots amounting to seven acres of land – the perfect blank canvas for an ambitious buyer with a vision. With no end of development prospects, this remote town could easily be transformed into something special.

The settlement currently offers 12 rustic buildings, eight of which are let out as holiday homes, having been recently restored. Each guest house has between two and four bedrooms along with a lounge, kitchen and dining area.

On the market with Iberia North, the extensive property also comes with 32 acres of rolling fields that surround the hamlet, as well as an agricultural barn for those wanting to cultivate their own produce. If you're looking for a remote spot to forge a tight-knit community, this is it.

Hidden in Chianti's hills near the Tuscan province of Arezzo, this resort-style hamlet offers luxury living amongst breathtaking rural surroundings. On the market for between £4.4 million ($5.6m) and £8.9 million ($11.3m) with Lionard Luxury Real Estate, there's more than just buildings on offer here, with 50 acres of olive groves and a vast herb garden encircling the small township too. 

The stunning settlement is spread over an area of 247 acres, featuring an array of residences, plus a gym, chapel, conference facilities, restaurant and bar. Fancy kicking back and embracing a slower pace of life? The high-end community has everything you could want when it comes to wellness and relaxation, with two swimming pools, massage rooms and a yoga area.

Accommodation in the hamlet includes 73 bedrooms spread across the numerous properties and outbuildings, including a master villa with nine plush suites. Aside from the premium amenities, it's hard not to be charmed by the rustic architecture, which evokes the region's rich history. Situated near the popular cities of Florence and Arezzo, the settlement is currently operated as a luxury resort town but given its prime location, the development possibilities here are endless.

There's plenty of money to be made from running an agritourism venture, renting some of the homes out to holidaymakers looking to swap the hustle and bustle of the city for endless rolling fields. The hamlet's properties are all in a good state of repair, filled with Tuscan-style features including exposed brickwork, characterful beams and terracotta tiling. What's not to love?

Established in the 1700s, the quaint community of Sätra Brunn was originally founded as a wellness village when a natural mineral spring was discovered on the site. It went on to become a popular destination for those in search of relaxation and respite. Fast forward some 300 years and health and wellbeing are still very much at the heart of this unique development, which is now on the market with Christie’s International Real Estate for £5.9 million ($7.4m).

The vast settlement encompasses around 59 sprawling acres and is home to 70 buildings, from picturesque residences to a hotel, preschool, conference centre, restaurant, church, spring, gym and bathhouse. According to the listing, the annual turnover of the village was between £2.5 million ($3.1m) and £2.9 ($3.6m) million last year, plus Sätra Brunn has also been bottling its natural spring water since 2015, so the lucky buyer could end up with a healthy side business too.

Home to possibly the world’s cutest houses, it’s hard not to be charmed by the village's array of colourful painted buildings. A tight-knit community, Sätra Brunn plays host to an array of celebrations throughout the year, from Midsummer, Christmas and New Years’ festivities to concerts and weddings. The current owners acquired the village in 2002 and are keen to pass the mantel to a buyer who wants to preserve the community’s rich history and help its business ventures thrive.

Inside, the historic properties aren’t in bad shape either, with a plethora of stunning period features still in place, from exposed original floorboards to antique fixtures and detailing. In addition to the village, the sale also includes 34 acres of undeveloped woodlands, so there’s plenty of space to strike out on new developments too.

Located within the unparalleled rural idylls of Tuscany's Val d'Orcia region, this small historic hamlet offers a picturesque slice of Italy's rich past. On the market for £6.9 million ($8.7m) with Casa Tuscany, the settlement includes just over 741 acres and has no shortage of development potential, with an olive grove and vineyard just waiting to be brought back to life.

Situated 20 minutes away from San Giovanni d’Asso and Pienza, two important Tuscan towns, the hamlet features an old farm perched on a hill. Once a bustling agricultural hub, it's since been left to languish and its buildings, including a cheese factory, dining hall, residential apartments, office, barns and pigsties, are now in need of restoration. Elsewhere in the village, there's also the ruins of an old furnace, which includes permission to rebuild the structure for residential use.

Amongst the numerous buildings still standing, there's a chapel, a former parish church with a rectory, six apartments, a hospitality space complete with a restaurant and commercial kitchen and a cellar for making wine, plus stables and storage silos. However, the village's crowning glory has to be the main villa, which according to the listing, was once the seat of a local noble family.

With accommodation spread across three vast floors, the grand stately home has been in the same family since the 1500s. Aside from some restoration work required across the attic and roof, the property is resplendent, with stunning coffered ceilings, antique flooring and fixtures and elegant double-height living spaces, while a swimming pool is also situated in the grounds. This unique business opportunity could be a real passion project for an investor with a penchant for history. 

Perched high on a hilltop, the charming village of Poggio Santa Cecilia in Italy's scenic Tuscany region was abandoned in the 1960s and has sadly fallen into a state of disrepair over the last 60 years.

Located in 1,730 acres of land, the village includes the remains of a medieval castle that could make the ultimate fixer-upper, as well as a vast 18th-century villa and a church complete with a bell tower. The grounds also include partially restored stables, an olive mill and a labyrinth of underground cellars. 

The winding streets are sheltered by a tall city wall, featuring stone arches and exquisite medieval architecture. Lining the village's flagstone roads, an array of traditional Tuscan homes offer wooden front doors, terracotta-tiled roofs and beamed ceilings.

On the market with Essentis Group, the sale includes 50 separate buildings plus 200 acres of woodland, two lakes, 23 acres of fruit trees and 55 acres of vineyards. Ready to breathe new life into this historic settlement?

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