Antiparos

Antiparos is a fragment of land that splinters off its sister island, Paros, in the midst of the central Aegean. On this relaxed island, the pace of life slows to a donkey trot, and the days are all about morning snorkelling in crystal-clear waters followed by long lunches of Greek mezze under the bougainvillaea blooms.

Sound tempting? Choose from our array of luxury villa rentals on Antiparos, which represent the height of style and class on this largely unknown member of the Cyclades Islands.

Most people will first set foot in Chora, the maze of a port town on the north coast. It's also known simply as Antiparos and is the only real settlement on the whole rock. Here, salt-washed fishing skiffs jostle around the jetties as the scents of sizzling fish twist and turn through the air as they emit from the local tavernas.

Linger some time to enjoy, but then branch out. Antiparos is a rugged place with coves, crevices and caves that are perfect for adventurers.

You'll want to be sure to hit Agios Georgios Beach. Located on the far southern tip of the island, it's a tranquil retreat for those wishing to be alone. It sports golden sands, shimmering blue seas, and stunning views of the neighbouring island of Despotiko. Then there's Livadia Beach on the remote west coast, where you can jump from tufts of washed-up seaweed into a cove filled with fish and sometimes wild sea turtles.

Don't miss the breathtaking Cave of Antiparos, quite possibly the oldest cave in Greece. Its arched entrance is watched over by the picturesque 18th-century church of Agios Ioannis Spiliotis and houses an enormous stalagmite estimated to be 45 million years old! The heart of the cave is more than 100 metres deep and offers breathtaking spectacles at every turn.

History awaits here, too. Take a boat trip to the uninhabited island of Despotiko. It is home to significant archaeological ruins, including a temple dedicated to the god Apollo, dating as far back as the 6th century BC! And there's the impressive Castle of Antiparos, a Venetian fortress built in the 15th century. It keeps watch over the main port town, intermingling with unique Cycladic cottages and Orthodox churches.

With all this and more on your doorstep, plus fewer crowds than some of the more well-known Greek Islands, a luxury villa on Antiparos offers a dream getaway.