Ionian Islands

The Ionian Islands are the westernmost isles of Greece. Strung like pearls through the turquoise waters between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea, they unfold in a medley of wild hills scented by oleander and pine, bijou harbour towns, and lowland olive groves. At the coastline, they hit their zenith, with sandy stretches like Shipwreck Beach and the five coves of Palaiokastritsa beckoning with their perfect white pebbles and shimmering lagoon waters. It's hard not to be enchanted by the Ionian Islands and the stunning luxury villas dotted throughout.

Corfu is the second-largest island in the Ionian Sea and one of Greece's most popular destinations for holiday villas. A mountainous rock that soars to the tops of Mount Pantokrator to offer views of the Balkan coastline over the strait, it's a place that melds Italian cultures and culinary traditions with that quintessentially Greek laissez-faire. Dive into Corfu Town to find grand Venetian palaces and taverns hiding under the bougainvillaea. Go to Sidari for rugged capes and stylish spas. Hit Porto Timoni for hikes to secret isthmus beaches. Then, head back to your luxury villa and relax as the sun sets over the sea.

Midway through the chain, Lefkada is the sailing hub. Watch the yachts gliding through the waters below from the sea-view terrace of your villa, or charter your own boat to explore the Lefkada coastline; head to the jaw-dropping beaches of the west coast – boulder-speckled Megali Petra, inaccessible Porto Katsiki. A sojourn on dry land is also worthwhile, offering outings to historic crafting villages like Syvros, which perch high up on highland ridges amid forests of chestnut and pine.

Zakynthos – also known as Zante – is an island with many faces. Yes, there are pumping party towns on the south coast. But Zakynthos also flaunts some of the most stunning luxury villas in the Ionian Islands, which cling like limpets to the rocky coves of the west, their infinity pools gazing across 180 degrees of pure blue. In those parts, don't miss out on Shipwreck Beach; accessible only via boat, it is a dramatic amphitheatre of white stone that drops 200 meters to what's arguably Europe's most striking cove. Also, don't miss Marathonisi, an island and marine reserve to the south that's a known nesting ground for rare Caretta Caretta sea turtles.

Whether you prefer the bustling beaches of Corfu or the secluded coves of Lefkada, our collection of luxury villas in the Ionian Islands has something to suit all tastes.