Excellence Luxury Villas · Sporades
Luxury Villa Rentals in The Sporades
Villas among the pines above clear Aegean water, on Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonnisos
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Green islands in a blue sea, a short hop from the mainland
Most people picture Greek islands as bare and whitewashed. The Sporades are a surprise. Pine woods run right down to the sand, olive and plum orchards cover the hillsides, and the water off the beaches is clear enough to count the pebbles. The islands lie in the northern Aegean off the coast of Thessaly, and they feel greener and gentler than the Cyclades to the south.
Our Sporades collection runs to 60+ properties. They include villas with private pools on the slopes above Skiathos and Skopelos, and apartments with infinity pools looking out to sea. Many sit within a short drive of a beach.
Here is how the islands differ, and how to choose between them.
The Sporades at a glance
- Villas
- 60+ villas and apartments, with up to 8 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £1,400 to £5,000 a week, from around £1,000
- Best areas
- Skiathos for beaches and an airport, Skopelos for villages and quiet, Alonnisos for the marine park
- Best time
- June to September for swimming; May and October for walking and quieter beaches
- Getting there
- Skiathos airport has summer flights from the UK; ferries run from Volos and between the islands
Browse all 60+ villas in the Sporades
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Matzelo Skiathos: Luxury 8-Bedroom Villa with Infinity Pool & Beachfront – Skiathos8 bedrooms
Villa Mourtia Skiathos: Luxury 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Skiathos5 bedrooms
Villa Lysias Kastro Skiathos: Spacious 5-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Skiathos5 bedrooms
Villa Crystalline Greece6 bedroomsWhere to stay in the Sporades
Skiathos for sandy beaches and lively evenings, Skopelos for green hills, monasteries and the villages of Glossa and Panormos, and Alonnisos for the marine park and real quiet.
Beaches first, and a busy little harbour town
Skiathos is the easiest island to reach and the sociable one. Its south coast is lined with sandy beaches. The best known is Koukounaries, a long curve of sand backed by a pine forest and a small lagoon. Lalaria, on the north coast, is a beach of white pebbles below a rock arch, and you reach it by boat.
Skiathos Town has tavernas around the old harbour and steep lanes behind. The house of the writer Alexandros Papadiamantis is now a small museum. On the northern headland stand the ruins of the Kastro, the medieval town where islanders sheltered from pirates, and it makes a fine morning's walk.
The greenest island, and the slowest
Skopelos is larger, quieter and more wooded than its neighbour, and it rewards anyone who prefers a village square to a beach bar. Skopelos Town climbs up from its harbour in tiers of white houses with slate roofs. Monasteries dot the hills above, and many can be reached on foot.
Panormos, on the west coast, is a sheltered bay with a pebble beach, and Glossa is a hill village looking across to Skiathos. Film fans will know the chapel of Agios Ioannis sto Kastri, high on its rock, from Mamma Mia!, which was partly shot on the island in 2007.
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Seals, coves and a rebuilt hilltop village
Alonnisos lies at the centre of the National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades, founded in 1992 and one of the largest protected marine areas in the Mediterranean. It is a refuge for the rare Mediterranean monk seal, and the park attracts dolphins too. Boat trips run out to the uninhabited islets.
The old hilltop Chora was largely abandoned after an earthquake in 1965 and has since been lovingly restored. Its stone lanes and evening views are the island's great pleasure. Alonnisos suits walkers, swimmers and anyone happy with very little to do.
Cheese pie, plums and a long, warm summer
Skopelos is famous for its cheese pie, a coiled spiral of thin pastry fried until crisp, and for its plums, once dried and exported across Greece and still cooked with meat in local dishes. On all three islands, lunch means grilled fish, a Greek salad and something cold by the water.
June to September is the swimming season, and the sea stays warm well into October. August is the busiest month, with village feasts around the fifteenth. May and early autumn are quieter, greener and better for walking. Our concierge can arrange boat charters, ferry tickets, restaurant tables and transfers.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in the Sporades
Villa Meltemi Skopelos: Luxury 5-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Beach Access – Skopelos5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £5,313 a week
Villa Lysias Kanapitsa Skiathos: Luxury 6-Bedroom Apartment with Private Pool & Sea Views – Skiathos6 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £3,458 a week
Villa Ikos Alonnisos: Luxury 3-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Alonnisos3 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,397 a week
Villa Lefki Glossa Skopelos: Elegant 3-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Skopelos3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £5,341 a week
Villa Koukounari Skopelos: 4-Bedroom Luxury Villa with Seaview & Pool – Skopelos4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,173 a week
Villa Kyanos Glossa Skopelos: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Skopelos4 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £4,655 a week
Villa Zephyros Troulos Skiathos: Spacious 3-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Air-Con in Skiathos3 bedrooms · sleeps 7From £4,907 a week
Villa Alonissos Skiathos: Elegant 5-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview Pool – Skiathos5 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £4,830 a weekWhy book your Sporades villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
The Sporades villas are spread over three islands with very different characters, and we know which properties sit within walking distance of a beach and which are reached by steep, unpaved tracks. With 60+ properties in the Sporades, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Ferry and hydrofoil tickets between the islands, boat charters to Lalaria and the marine park, taverna reservations, car hire and transfers from Skiathos airport. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Sporades island is best for a villa holiday?
Skiathos is the best choice for sandy beaches, restaurants and a quick transfer from the airport. Skopelos suits families and couples who want green hills, villages and a slower pace. Alonnisos is the quietest of the three, and the best for walking and boat trips into the marine park.
How do I get to the Sporades from the UK?
Skiathos airport has direct flights from the UK in summer. Ferries then link Skiathos with Skopelos and Alonnisos. In other months, you can fly to Athens or Thessaloniki and take a ferry from Volos.
Can you see monk seals around Alonnisos?
Sometimes. The National Marine Park of Alonissos and the Northern Sporades protects the Mediterranean monk seal, and boat trips from Alonnisos explore its waters. Sightings are never guaranteed, but dolphins are seen fairly often.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in the Sporades?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in the Sporades cost?
Across our 60+ villas in the Sporades, weekly rates typically range from £1,400 to £5,000, with the most affordable from around £1,000 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
When is the best time to visit the Sporades?
June to September is best for swimming, and the sea stays warm into October. May and early autumn are quieter and better for walking, and August is the busiest month.
Are there villas in the Sporades for large groups?
Yes. Our Sporades collection includes properties with up to 8 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in the Sporades
60+ villas and apartments across the Sporades, booked direct with our concierge on hand