Greece › Santorini › Private Villas
By Santorini Dave
The 5-star villas at Canaves Epitome.
Santorini Villas – My Advice
- Best Villa in Santorini: Villa with Private Pool at Grace Santorini in Imerovigli is the best luxury villa in Santorini.
- Best Villa in Oia: Oia Mansion – incredible sunset views, sleeps 4 to 8 people. This is one of my favorite places to stay on Santorini. Feels more like a home than a hotel villa, though it’s closer to 4-star than pure luxury like some of the other places.
- Best Villa in Fira: Aria Villas – I love these villas. Great views and wonderful luxurious suites.
- Best Villa in Pyrgos: Patina Vivera Estate – 2 gorgeous and secluded gated-entry villas located just next door to the beautiful Church of the Holy Apostles outside of Pyrgos.
Santorini Villas – Where To Stay
I recommend renting a villa if you’re in Santorini for longer than four or five days or are traveling with a large group. The best hotels in Santorini are stunning and not many villas can match them for luxury, convenience, caldera views, or private pools. But a villa offers more personal space, more privacy, and amenities that are less common in hotels, like full kitchens, laundry facilities, and free parking. Most private villas on Santorini are located in Oia; villas in Fira and Imerovigli tend to be part of a hotel.
Be sure to check and double-check the location of any villa. Many look like they’re close to the main towns or the beach, but in reality, they are in the middle of nowhere. This can be fine, but it’s obviously good to know what you’re getting. If you can’t get a good feel on where it’s located, ask me and I’ll take a look.
Book early. People plan trips to Santorini months (sometimes years) in advance. Hotels fill early in the year, and villas get booked even earlier.
If you’re paying the owner upon arrival you’ll sometimes need to pay cash, even if you booked online and used a credit card to reserve the villa. Be sure you’re clear in advance on what’s expected.
Weddings and wedding receptions are common at villas and rental homes. If you need more info ask the owner.
Booking.com is the best site to use for renting villas. Like with booking hotels, the site has verified guest reviews so you’re not reading fake reviews written by the owners.
Is AirBnb good for Santorini? Yes and no. Few of them are right on the caldera with good views. Airbnb (and VRBO) are fine if you’re looking for inexpensive places to stay without a caldera view. If you do see a good place with a caldera view, it’s often a hotel listing some of their rooms on Airbnb (and usually charging more for the privilege).
One of two impeccably appointed villas at Patina Vivera Estate in Pyrgos.
The 29 Best Villas in Santorini
Most of these rentals have full kitchens. Most have internet (free wifi), washer/dryer, and either a private pool or a jacuzzi. Book very early in the year as the best places fill up more than six months in advance.
1. Villa with Private Pool at Grace – Imerovigli
Sleeps 4 – Part of the Grace Santorini hotel but with its own private pool and huge living area and deck. It’s the best of both worlds: the convenience and service of a hotel with the privacy of a private villa. Guests have easy access to the hotel’s infinity pool with caldera views. This is the best villa in Santorini.2. Nafsika Estate – Megalochori
Sleeps 10 to 12 – Ultra-luxe, super private villa with jawdropping caldera views over the volcanoes. Nafsika Estate has 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and a full kitchen; outside is a huge terrace with a jacuzzi, pool, sun deck, barbeque area, and a helipad. Butler, private chef, and arrival and departure transfer services are included in the rate. Located on the caldera near the traditional village of Megalochori in the heart of Santorini’s wine country.3. Aria Villas – Fira
Sleeps 4 to 6 – There are four brand new one and two-bedroom villas here. Each has a private outdoor plunge pool, some have an indoor pool as well. Views are amazing. The hotel (and suites) are a one minute walk away and there’s a large pool that villa guests are welcome to use.4. Oia Mansion – Oia
Sleeps 8 – This is a marvelous Santorini villa for families or larger groups. Great location in central Oia. Good restaurants within steps. Incredible views (one of the few villas in Oia with both caldera and sunset views). Huge kitchen and rooftop hot tub. Sonos speakers throughout house.5. Patina Vivera Estate – Pyrgos
Two beautiful and impeccably appointed luxury villas on the outskirts of Pyrgos, one with 3 bedrooms and one with 6. Both have infinity pools, hot tubs, outdoor kitchen and dining spaces, gourmet appliances, sea views, and handcrafted furnishings that include many family heirlooms. Gated entry and EV charging stations, too. Sunsets here are amazing, and the scenic walk to the village takes just 10 minutes.6. Canaves Epitome – Oia
Incredible 1, 2, 3, and 5-bedroom villas with private pool. Marvelous sunset views (but no caldera views). A short (but also a little awkward) walk into Oia. Good privacy for couples and honeymooners.7. Villas at Andronis Arcadia – Oia
Sleeps 4 to 12 – Andronis Arcadia in Oia has a handful of luxury villas with private infinity pools and sunset sea views (not of the caldera). Two, Three, and Four Bedroom Villas spread over two floors, with an equal number of bathrooms per bedroom. Three and Four Bedroom Villas adds an outdoor jacuzzi. The 6-bedroom Eden Villa has three floors with two infinity pools, a full kitchen, spa room, and a private gym. Villa guests enjoy access to the hotel’s main pool, spa, complimentary breakfast, and excellent restaurants.8. Celestia Grand – Mesaria / South Fira
Sleeps 2 to 6 – Glamorous villa collection on the caldera’s edge south of Fira boasting direct sunset views over the volcanoes. Each villa includes a kitchenette, a private heated pool, and a spacious sun terrace. A few add outdoor jacuzzis. Services include complimentary arrival and departure transfers, an all-day shuttle to Fira, and daily breakfast delivered to each villa.9. Aenaon Villas – North of Imerovigli
Sleeps 2 to 4 – A peaceful hideaway with an enviable perch on one of the caldera’s highest viewpoints. Aenaon Villas is made up of 6 exclusive villas built in traditional Cycladic style and decorated in a minimalist style, all with direct sunset caldera views, 1 with an outdoor jacuzzi, and 1 with a private pool. Highlights include a caldera-view pool and complimentary daily breakfast served to each villa.10. Vora Villas – Imerovigli
Sleeps 2 to 3 – Contemporary villas with dramatic caldera sunset views. Spacious villas boast heated, infinity jacuzzis outside and black marble bathtubs inside. Villas Alpha and Ro feature full kitchens and a split-level. Villa Omikron is an original cave house dug deep into the caldera with a vaulted ceiling and the largest outdoor terrace. Breakfast is included, and room service is available until midnight. Excellent, walkable location in Imerovigli.11. Canaves Elefas Villas – Imerovigli
Sleeps 4 to 8 – Three exquisite villas overlooking the caldera, all with full kitchens, living and dining rooms, sun terraces, and private, heated plunge or swimming pools. A complimentary Greek breakfast is served to each villa daily. Great location at the south end of romantic Imerovigli village, easily walkable to charming Firostefani and the dining and nightlife of Fira.12. Villa Murat – Fira
Historic villa from the 1800s perched on the caldera in Fira, offering sweeping views from its private, heated, jetted plunge pool. Great for large groups or families, the villa features four bedrooms (with king or queen beds), two living rooms with sofabeds, four bathrooms, two kitchens, and a spacious furnished terrace with an al fresco dining space and sunbeds. An American breakfast is served daily at your time of choice at the indoor or outdoor dining tables. Excellent location in Fira, near Firostefani, steps from dining, nightlife, shopping, and the bus station to all of Santorini’s villages and beaches.13. White Pearl Villas – Oia
Sleeps 2 to 5 – Collection of 11 elegant villas in the heart of Oia, all with kitchenettes, private outdoor jacuzzis or pools, and sweeping caldera views. Villas feature traditional, cave-style design and contemporary, minimalistic decor. Excellent location in Oia, walking distance to fantastic dining, boutique shopping, and attractions.14. Santorini Sky Luxury Resort – Pyrgos
Gorgeous villa collection in Pyrgos, the highest village in Santorini, with panoramic views over the island toward the caldera and sea. All villas are designed with couples in mind and have private jacuzzis or private pools (some heated, some cool), one king bed, indoor and outdoor showers, and either a kitchenette or full kitchen. Daily breakfast is included and served in the Sky Lounge or to your villa as late as 2:00 pm with no extra charge. The Sky Lounge also offers unlimited, free food, snacks, and drinks (there is a charge for alcoholic beverages) all day with a focus on local, Greek producers. Perks include EVs for guests’ use (reserve in advance), yoga mats, binoculars, and a free shuttle into Pyrgos village. For ultimate seclusion, Santorini Sky, The Retreat and Santorini Sky, The Lodge offer three more villas set on a remote promontory accessible only on foot.15. Santorini Heights – Pyrgos
Sleeps 2 to 4 – Adults-only private villa and suites with full kitchens, wine fridges and outdoor terraces with al fresco dining tables. Suites feature outdoor jacuzzis or heated private pools; the villa has both a jacuzzi and heated pool. The property boasts its own garden, growing vegetables used in the daily breakfast, and a vineyard for their own wine production. Located high up in traditional Pyrgos village, Santorini Heights offers a tranquil getaway with panoramic views over the sea and countryside.16. 3-Bedroom Villa at Canaves Oia Suites – Oia
Sleeps 7 – Huge wonderful private villa with pool and caldera views (but no sunset view).17. Ethos Vegan Retreat – Imerovigli
Family-owned collection of four villas, all with private terraces or rooftop patios, heated private pools, and sunrise sea views (not the caldera). This eco-conscious hotel features biodegradable amenities (like shampoo packets that dissolve in water), a plastic-free environment, herb and vegetable garden, and locally crafted furniture and decor. A complimentary vegan breakfast featuring sweet and savory dishes is served directly to each villa every morning any time you choose. A small room service menu is available all day from 11 am to 8 pm. Located on the east side of Imerovigli, removed from the village center, with not much within walking distance. A car is handy for staying here, and free parking is included for each villa.18. Windmill Villas – Imerovigli
Sleeps 6 – Authentic Santorinian windmill two-bedroom villas have full kitchens and private jetted pools. Located on the eastern slope of the island, near Imerovigli.19. Virginia’s Traditional Cave Houses – Oia
Sleeps 2-5 – Attached villas in a great Oia location, tucked in a quiet corner but close to the sunset viewpoint; most with private hot tubs.20. Pegasus Villas – Imerovigli
Sleeps 7 – Villa privacy with hotel convenience; private pools, breakfast delivered daily, on-site restaurant and wine bar.21. Onar Villas – Oia
Sleeps 2 or 4 – One- or two-bedroom villas with hot tubs, caldera views, and breakfast served daily on your terrace.22. Kastro Oia Houses – Oia
Sleeps 2 or 4 – Traditional cave villas near Oia Castle; hot tubs, daily breakfast, and on-site restaurant.23. Fira White Residences – Fira
Sleeps 6 – Two bedroom villa with jacuzzi terrace, centrally-located in Fira with excellent caldera views.24. Olia Villa – Imerovigli
Sleeps 6 – Three bedrooms, each with a private bathroom; pool, full kitchen, great caldera views from the rooftop terrace.25. Blue Canaves Luxury Villa – Oia
Sleeps 2 – Quiet Oia location, just down from shops and restaurants; daily breakfast, indoor hot tub, and view terrace.26. Blue Angel Villa – Fira
Sleeps 9 – Spacious three-bedroom cave villa tucked away in central Fira; indoor hot tub, kitchen, rooftop jacuzzi.27. Villa Ariadni – Oia
Sleeps 4 – Charming Oia sunset view villas with one or two bedrooms, kitchenettes, and furnished balconies.28. Anemi House & Villas – Oia
Sleeps 2-8 – Oia cave villas with private hot tub, plunge pool, or sunset view from your balcony.29. Anema Residences – Imerovigli
Sleeps 4 – One- and two-bedroom self-catering villas with sea and countryside views, many with private pools. Quiet location on the east slope of the island, a short drive from Vourvoulos beach.Read More
About Santorini Dave