Villas in the Greek Islands

• Space and privacy: Greek island villas sleep up to seven or eight, with private pools, terraces and those iconic blue-and-white touches, ideal for families and couples.
• Where to stay: Santorini for sunsets, Mykonos for glamour, Crete and Corfu for families, or Naxos for quiet beaches.
• What guests love: Infinity pools blending into the sea, whitewashed villages, and a private terrace for long Mediterranean evenings.
• Where to eat: Fresh Greek cuisine of seafood, feta and olive oil, from cliffside tavernas to island fine dining.
• Things to do: Watch the Oia sunset, hike a volcano, beach-hop by boat and sail to Balos Bay.

Villas in the Greek Islands are made for sun-soaked, sociable holidays by the sea, from whitewashed homes carved into the cliffs to modern retreats with infinity pools that melt into the horizon. Spread across some of the Mediterranean's most beautiful islands in the wider Greek Islands region, they range from romantic boltholes for two to spacious houses sleeping seven or eight. Whether you dream of sunset dips or long, lazy days by the pool, there is a villa to match, and most come well equipped for a relaxed, self-catering stay. Expect features such as:

• A private swimming pool, often with sea views
• A terrace or balcony for outdoor dining
• Air conditioning and Wi-Fi for comfortable summers
• A jacuzzi in many of the more luxurious villas
• Pet-friendly options at a number of properties

Wherever you base yourself, a beach, a village or a boat trip is never far away. Prefer a break closer to home instead? You can also compare stays in St Ives, on the Isle of Wight, across Norfolk and up in Northumberland.

What are the best areas to stay in the Greek Islands?

It depends on the holiday you have in mind: Santorini is best for romance, while Crete and Corfu suit families. The table below details islands for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests booking villas in the Greek Islands through Holidu often highlight the magic of a private pool overlooking the Aegean, the space to gather family or friends, and the ease of hopping between beaches, tavernas and villages. Many mention the warm island hospitality and the unforgettable sunsets, and return for the mix of glamour, history and simple seaside relaxation the islands offer.

Scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas, the Greek Islands number in their thousands, from famous names like Santorini, Mykonos and Crete to quieter gems barely touched by tourism. They are celebrated for whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches, crystal-clear water and warm hospitality. Varied yet unmistakably Greek, they make an idyllic and endlessly explorable base for a villa holiday.

🥗Where to eat in the Greek Islands?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Metaxi Mas on Santorini is one of the best rated restaurants in the Greek Islands. Below is a table showing top highly-rated spots hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Marta and James recommend the beachside taverna Nikolas at Agia Anna on Mykonos: a long-standing family spot for just-caught fish and Greek classics right by the sand.

1. Watch the Santorini sunset
2. Hike the Nea Kameni volcano
3. Beach-hop across the islands
4. Feast on Greek cuisine
5. Go scuba diving
6. Wander the blue domes of Oia
7. Sail to Balos Bay

1. Watch the Santorini sunset

   Few sights are as famous as the Santorini sunset, when the sky glows orange and pink over the caldera. Most crowds gather in Oia, but the village of Imerovigli offers an equally stunning, less crowded viewpoint. For something special, watch the sun dip below the horizon from a boat after a day sailing the islands. However you see it, it is a moment you will never forget.

2. Hike the Nea Kameni volcano

   In the middle of Santorini's caldera, the volcanic island of Nea Kameni makes for an unusual half-day out. A short, easy climb leads to steaming craters where you can feel the earth's heat and catch the whiff of sulphur in the air. Many boat trips combine the hike with a stop at nearby hot springs for a warm, mineral-rich dip. The views from the top are well worth the effort.

3. Beach-hop across the islands

   The Greek Islands are a beach-lover's dream, from the wild sands of Naxos to the turquoise water around Paleokastritsa in Corfu. Surfers head to Chrissi Akti in Paros, party-goers to Mykonos's Paradise beach, and families to the calm shallows of Kalamos. With a villa as your base, you can spend your days chasing the perfect stretch of sand and swimming in impossibly clear water.

4. Feast on Greek cuisine

   Greek island food is fresh, sunny and generous. Tuck into a classic Greek salad with feta and olives, a slow-baked moussaka, or grilled fish straight from the boat. Try dolmadakia, fava dip and tomatokeftedes, and finish with baklava or bougatsa. Wash it all down with a chilled frappé or a shot of Greek coffee, and enjoy long, leisurely meals the Mediterranean way.

5. Go scuba diving

   The clear, warm waters around the islands are perfect for getting beneath the surface. Local dive centres run trips and beginner lessons, so even first-timers can explore in safety with an experienced instructor. Keep an eye out for eels, seahorses and colourful marine plants, and on some sites even shipwrecks and ancient artefacts. It is a memorable way to see a different side of the Aegean.

6. Wander the blue domes of Oia

   Perhaps the most photographed village in the world, Oia on Santorini is a maze of whitewashed walls, blue-domed churches and bougainvillea-draped lanes. Wind your way down the stairways to hidden corners with breathtaking sea views at every turn. Browse the little galleries and boutiques, then settle at a cliff-edge café to take it all in. It is the Greek Islands at their picture-perfect best.

7. Sail to Balos Bay

   On the northwest coast of Crete, a day trip to Balos Bay and the islet of Gramvousa is unforgettable. Reached by boat or a rugged drive and walk, Balos is a shallow lagoon of dazzling azure water and pale sand, while Gramvousa is crowned by a ruined Venetian fort. Sail across, swim in the warm shallows and soak up one of the most spectacular views in all of Greece.