Where to rent for a private slice of the Greek Island this summer
As the views may suggest, Santorini is the most visited Greek Island. During the summer months, some of the most postcard perfect spots overflow with tourists, some visiting for the day from cruise ships, others who have splurged on a suite at a Santorini hotel. Luckily, these aren’t the only two options – for a private slice of Santorini that doesn’t break the bank, we like the look of these Airbnbs to take over as your own.
George Fakaros
Santorini Sky, Pyrgos Kallistis
This ultra-chic villa sits at the top of the island’s highest point, offering dreamy expansive views and a luxurious retreat to rival the area’s swankiest hotels. It’s one of the newest Airbnbs in Santorini to book, and despite a secluded spot distanced from the madding crowd, the apartment is just a five-minute drive from Pyrgos’s pretty winding streets, shops and tavernas and 30 minutes from lovely Oia, with its azure blue sea and picturesque architecture. Outdoors, an infinity pool replete with roomy loungers makes the perfect spot to spend an evening while gazing out over the lights below, and you’ll benefit from a concierge service, breakfast offering and snacks on hand throughout your stay.
Sleeps: Two
Price: From around £192 per night
Traditional farmers cave, Emporio
Hidden in a peaceful canyon in Emporio village, you’ll find this traditional former winery carved out of a cave. It makes the ideal bolthole for those seeking complete rest and relaxation, immersed in nature, while remaining a quick 10-minute hop from the beach. The interiors are a clever mix of simple textures made luxe, owing to a recent renovation by architect Babis Chiotis that pays homage to the unique architecture of the region. Marble sinks in the bathroom, shiny floors in the living room and pops of red throughout make for an environment as cheerful as it is relaxing. There’s a yard space for morning coffees and a terrace ripe for relaxing on sunny afternoons. In the vicinity, a smorgasbord of activities, including a wealth of watersports, museums, restaurants and cafes await, all just minutes from your doorstep.
Sleeps: Four
Price: From around £124 per night
Themistocles Kaltsidis
Black Vista Villa, Karterados
With its gentle curves and whitewashed walls, this villa evokes everything you’d expect from a Santorini stay, but elevated with its chic outfit of modern furnishings and sophisticated colour palette of blacks, beiges and the odd splash of ochre. With space for 12 guests, it’s a fantastic option for destination wedding guests and big getaways with friends, offering an airy 350m2 of space, a large private pool with plenty of sunbeds, and a smart stone barbecue ready for relaxed dinner parties al fresco. It has all-important air conditioning throughout, floor-to-ceiling windows to soak up the views, and a prime spot just a five minute drive from the centre of Fira.
Sleeps: 12
Price: From around £767 per night
Cave house, Oia
Perched on the cliffs of the caldera in Oia, this traditional cave house is the top trending Airbnb in all of Santorini. Arched doorways, organic steps and a cocoon cave bedroom all add to the unique charm of the house. Ultimately though, a holiday here is all about that view, one you get all to yourself, along with a semi-cave whirlpool and multiple vantage points via the multi-level private terrace.
Sleeps: four
Price: from £272 per night, two-night minimum
Eiola superior villa, Exo Gonia
Located on the quieter southeastern side of Santorini, this Greek Island villa is a place to take over with the whole gang. Inside, there are not one but two kitchens, as well as plenty of communal living space with quirky archways and stone walls. Outside, the turquoise pool and sprawling dining area overlook the valleys and the sea.
Sleeps: eight
Price: from £688 per night, three-night minimum
Villa Adrali, Kamari
This modern three-bedroom villa offers a private slice of Santorini, nestled under a hillside along the island’s eastern coast. Each bedroom, and even the kitchen, are positioned to take in the Aegean Sea views, but the crowd-pleasing hub of the house is the outside terrace, where an al fresco table sits underneath a whitewashed chandelier within an arcaded veranda. When it’s time for a dip, the villa has an infinity pool and Kamari Beach is a two-minute drive away.
Sleeps: eight
Price: from £534 per night, seven-night minimum
Villa Rosaviglia, Oia
Furry lampshades, macrame wall hangings, natural wood – Villa Rosaviglia has all the stylings of a contemporary boutique hotel. Though it’s only one bedroom, there’s plenty of space – the kitchen is fully kitted and there’s a decent-sized hot tub on one of the two terraces. The serene bolthole is also a standout for its location – within walking distance of some of Santorini’s best restaurants, while still feeling tucked away in a private nook of the town.
Sleeps: three
Price: from £129 per night, two-night minimum
Blue dome suite, Oia
In terms of location, it’s hard to beat this charming studio stay, located smack bang between the famed blue domes of Oia. The suite forms part of a complex of eight traditional cave houses and features classic whitewashed walls within the combined open-plan lounge and bedroom space. Breakfast is provided in the morning, best enjoyed on the private balcony where sun loungers offer a front-row seat to Santorini’s world-famous caldera view. After a day of exploring, take a dip in the complex’s shared cave pool or watch the sunset from one of the shared terraces.
Sleeps: two
Price: from £126 per night, two-night minimum
Santorini Sky, Pyrgos
The line between the blue infinity pool and the blue sky is a blurry one at the appropriately named Santorini Sky. The slick one-bedroom bolthole is perched high up in the centre of the island, a short drive from Pyrgos. The zen interior is notably neutral with sleek textures – wood panelling, marble and polished concrete – and clean lines acting as an ideal minimalist backdrop to those sweeping blue views. Put the kitchen’s wine fridge to good use and enjoy sundowners on the large private terrace, where you’ll have a large turquoise pool and a separate heated plunge pool jacuzzi all to yourself.
Sleeps: two
Price: from £396 per night, two-night minimum
Source: cntraveller.com
