The best Greek island Airbnbs and villas to rent in Greece
Endless sunshine, sleepy towns of white-washed houses draped in bright-pink bougainvillea, hillsides of sun-speckled olive groves and off-the-beaten-track beaches where tavernas grilling the catch of the day give way to the dappled Mediterranean; the Greek islands are an endlessly desirable destination.
From heavy hitters like Santorini, Crete and Mykonos, to the lesser-known islands that can feel almost undiscovered in the off-season, we've rounded up all the prettiest villas to stay in and best Airbnbs on the Greek islands (and even an entire private island for you and 19 others to enjoy). Looking for a hotel instead? Peruse our guide to the best hotels in Greece.
1/22Corfu Beach House
The north-east coast of Corfu is full of super smart villas, many up in the hills but some within a stone's throw to the beach or shoreline. This house from Five Star Greece is one of the latter, with a small pebbly beach right outside the house (and the beautiful Avlaki beach nearby). Within a moment of hopping out of bed you can be taking a morning swim in the sea, and the wonderfully private situation of the house means you can feel completely alone.
The villa is made up of three cottages, the main house with two bedrooms and the main kitchen and living space, a second with one bedroom and a kitchenette, and a third just with a bedroom and bathroom. It's perfect for groups of friends or multi-generational families who might want a bit of privacy. A large swimming pool is set beneath a spacious veranda where you can dine with a view of the sea. The whitewashed interiors are full of relaxed, beachy furniture and textiles, giving a sense of Corfu seaside living in the traditional sense.
Corfu Beach House sleeps up to 8 and can be rented at €16,880 in the high season. To book, email the Five Star Greece team at enquiries@fivestargreece.com.
© Miguel Flores-Vianna2/22John Stefanidis House, Patmos
When John Stefanidis found this 17th-century house in the Chora of Patmos, it had no running water or electricity, and certainly none of the whimsical blue and red details that now characterise the interiors. A labour of love with his late partner, the artist Teddy Millington-Drake, the house is far from a cookie-cutter Greek-island rental. It has what is possibly the most glorious garden on the Dodecanese island, sloping along the hill and levelled with hidden seating areas shaded by jasmine, citrus and olive trees, which fill the air with their scent. Whitewashed walls, both inside and out, provide a blank canvas for the Egyptian-born interior designer’s rich mixture of Anglo-Indian, Venetian and English furnishings. Greek and Ottoman embroidered cushions on sofas and beds are teamed with Indian textiles and Turkish rugs; Teddy’s watercolours hang on the walls alongside collected artefacts and copious books. A 19th-century four-poster bed, hung with linen curtains, is the centrepiece of one of the four bedrooms. In a sitting room, blue ceramics pick up on the colour of the occasional tables – painted with a streak of red to complement the details on the rug. While there is a chapel, there is no pool, but Patmos is renowned for its unspoilt beaches.
Sleeps up to seven, from €3,320 a night, available through Villa Collective.
Peter Marston3/22Xinara House, Tinos, Cyclades, Greece
Tinos is one of those islands where Greeks themselves go on holiday, as it remains out of easy reach for most visitors – with no direct flights from the UK and no domestic airport, it is accessible only by ferry. Its breezy hills are dotted with 600 or so dovecotes, thought to have been introduced by the Venetians, who brought the breeding of doves to Tinos when they conquered the island in the 1200s. A scattering of white sugar-cube villages emerge from the golden-brown landscape, and beaches remain largely free of umbrellas and restaurants catering to tourists. The food is some of the best found on the Greek islands, served in traditional tavernas. Having chanced upon Tinos on the back of a holiday in Mykonos, London-based creatives Susan and Peter Marston knew they had found somewhere special. They have restored and converted an historic bishop’s house into two adjoining villas, which can be booked together or separately. Blue-and-white schemes typical of the Cyclades are enlivened by splashes of colour, with a mustard yellow and mint green kitchen, bright striped fabrics on furniture indoors and out, and artworks, textiles and rugs adding layers of pattern.
Xinara House sleeps up to 13 and costs from €3,015 for the entire property for three nights.
4/22Caldera, Nisyros
The traditional hilltop village of Emporeios, built around the ruins of a Venetian fortress, is home to this lovely little one-bed house with a higgledy-piggledy layout and a courtyard full of aloe, lavender and thyme. Built in 1850, the residence was completely restored using eco-friendly materials including the local volcanic rock, to create typically Greek minimalist, white interior spaces.
Sleeps 2, from €966 per week.
5/22Turquoise Private Island, Athens Riviera
In the heart of the Athens Riviera sits a private island, a true gem in the middle of glimmering blue waters. On it sits a gorgeous, sprawling estate only reachable by either boat or helicopter (there's a private helipad on the island). Be waited on hand and foot by a personal butler and chef – you needn't lift a finger during your stay. Whether you wish to hike across the grassy gardens and swim in the gorgeous pool, take the boat on a cruise or dock in a neighbouring town for lunch or sun yourself tan on your own private beach, there is plenty to do. (And, guaranteed, it'll be difficult to return to wherever's home).
Sleeps 20, from €42,200 to €53,400 per week.
6/22Paxos TRD, Ionian Islands, Greece
Corfu’s smaller sibling, Paxos is an emerald-hued jewel in the Ionian, with three seaside villages – Gaios, Lakka and Loggos – lined with tavernas and shops epitomising slow summers in Greece. Imbued with much of the same mellow energy, this house is built of stone and lime-washed wood, with doors and windows framing views of olive trees and cypresses in the gardens. There is a main building plus a guest wing – ideal for two families staying together – each of which has its own heated pool. These come together under a pergola with various seating areas.
Paxos TRD sleeps up to 16 and costs from £19,250 a week through Five Star Greece. To book, email the Five Star Greece team at enquiries@fivestargreece.com.
7/22Villa Marina, Paxos
On a hill overlooking a small marina on Paxos, this special house has been added to, lived in and loved by its Italian owner for the past 25 years or so. Fittingly, there is an Italian flair about the space, set off by the elaborate wrought-iron dining chairs and tables found both inside and out, and with the paintings hung on the stone walls under the pergola in a similar vein to houses in Tuscany or Umbria. Most spectacular of all are the sprawling outdoor areas across multiple levels, which follow the curve of the hillside and are connected via stone steps. Two main buildings hold four and three bedrooms respectively, with their own kitchens and living areas, while a standalone studio is tucked further away. They are gathered around an infinity pool, an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue and pizza oven, a dining space, a large seating area facing the sea and various private nooks to retreat to. Between the house and the sea is a narrow lane, which can be used to take the 10-minute drive to the port town of Gaios, or explore on foot to access several small coves for swimming. Nothing is too far out of reach on the small island of Paxos. The seaside villages of Lakka and Longos are 25 minutes’ drive away, with beaches, mountain villages and ancient olive groves en route.
Sleeping up to 15, from £21,750 per week
8/22Ice Cold Martini, Corfu
Featured in the Bond film For Your Eyes Only, this villa does look straight out of a film. With nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, Ice Cold Martini is the ultimate large group destination. Swim in the pool, dive off the dock or mix a cocktail on the terrace.
Sleeps 18, £4,394 per night, with a 7 night minimum stay.
9/22Villa Kyanos, Zakynthos
Tucked away in a glittering corner of northern Zakynthos, up one of those dust-exploding driveways into the hills and bang - you’re horizontal on a supersized sunbed, drinking the crispest, coldest glass of whisper-pale rosé and zoning out. Sleeping up to 10 people in five rooms, Villa Kyanos has swoon-worthy good looks, with bright-white-meets-earthy neutral interiors. It’s all about the outside space here, so you’re kissed by sea breezes as you grill prawns in the enormous outdoor kitchen and practise your backstroke in the infinity pool overlooking the bay. Just a five-minute drive to The Peligoni Club, families can’t get enough of this idyllic spot.
Sleeps 10 from £4,250 per week.
11/22The Little Hamlet, Zakynthos
A charming collection of traditional stone buildings is connected by cobbled alleyways to create this hamlet available to rent on the north of the island. Zakynthos is known as Greece's greenest island (much of the south is a nature reserve) but there are also enough idyllic coves and beaches to be able to find one all to yourself.
Sleeps 14, from £4,250 per week.
To book, contact a member of the Scott Williams team (01749 812 721).
12/22Villa Syros II, Syros
Managed by the team at Welcome Beyond, Villa Syros II is a spacious family home with seven bedrooms that can host ten guests at a time. Three of the bedrooms are in the main house, while the rest are in two family apartments. The outdoor space is marvellous, with an outdoor kitchen, 20 metre heated, chlorine-free pool and jacuzzi. The closest village, Kokkina, is a two minute drive away.
Sleeps 10, from €1,000 to €2,464 per night.
13/22Nicholson, Mykonos
Sleeping twenty guests in comfort with lots of space is no mean feat, but cleverly, this Mykonos villa is split into three main residences, allowing lots of privacy for all. It's on the north of the island, close to Mersini beach and set in a secluded spot on a hill, with sweeping views across the sea beyond. Inside, the house is bright, white and sleek while outside retains a charm from stone walls, secret seating nooks and an irresistible pool.
Sleeps 20 from £2,183 per week.
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14/22Villa Lucania, Zakynthos
High up in the hills on the north of the island, this unusual Tuscan-style villa has beautiful views over the Ionian sea. Nearby is the famous Xigia beach with its sulphurous springs melting into the Ionian Sea, long a destination for those seeking wellness, and the even more famous Navagio beach with its shipwreck is only 5 miles or so distant. The smart members-only Peligoni Club offers plenty of facilities 3 miles away, but you're unlikely to need much with the heavenly pool, jacuzzi and boules court on offer.
Sleeps up to 14, from £3,465 to £10,850 per week
15/22Villa Avlaki, Sifnos
High up on the wind-blasted cliffs of Sifnos, Greece's foodiest island, sits the grand Villa Avlaki. Beautifully appointed and with an infinity pool overlooking the azure blue Aegean below, guests will want for nothing during their stay. With air conditioning in the bedrooms and plenty of space for children, the villa is the ideal escape for a larger family.
Sleeps 10, from €12,505 to €16,005 per week.
16/22Architect’s House, Paxos
A pretty rustic-style farmhouse with modern touches, decorated with the yellows, greens and blues of its surroundings on the unspoilt hillsides of Paxos, the smallest of the Ionian islands.
Sleeps 8, from €5,500 per week.
To book, contact a member of the Scott Williams team (01749 812 721).
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17/22Berdemiaros Villa II, Tinos
Located on the edge of Berdemiaros, a listed settlement in the south of Tinos, this simple, lovingly-restored house is all you'd want and need from a Greek island hideaway. A three-hour ferry-ride from Athens, low-key Tinos is quieter and less expensive than neighbouring Mykonos.
Sleeps 4, from €2,800 per week.
21/22Villa Lefko, Syros
22/22Xinara House, Tinos
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