Excellence Luxury Villas · Athens
Luxury Villa Rentals in Athens
Apartments beneath the Acropolis and villas along the Attic coast, a short drive from Sounion
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A capital that keeps the Parthenon in view
Few cities let you take breakfast within sight of a temple finished in the fifth century BC. In Athens the Acropolis rises over rooftops, tavernas and traffic, and the city around it is far livelier than its old reputation as a one-night stop before the ferry. Its neighbourhoods are good to walk, the museums are excellent and the food scene is one of the best in the Mediterranean.
Our Athens collection runs to 180+ homes. In the centre you will find apartments, penthouses and maisonettes in Plaka and the streets below Filopappou Hill. Further out, there are villas with pools in the countryside of East Attica and along the coast towards Sounion, plus a few larger houses for families who want the city and the sea in one trip.
This guide covers which part of Attica suits you, when to come and how to spend the days.
Athens at a glance
- Homes
- 180+ apartments, maisonettes and villas, with up to 10 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,600 to £6,700 a week, from around £1,800
- Best areas
- Plaka, Koukaki and Kolonaki in the city; the Athens Riviera, Markopoulo and Sounion beyond
- Best time
- April to June and September to October; July and August are very hot
- Airport
- Athens International, usually around 40 minutes to an hour from the centre by road
Browse all 180+ properties in Athens
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
St John’s Residence Greece6 bedrooms
Treasure Island | 10-Bedroom Villa in Decentralized Administration of10 bedrooms
Villa Saronida Greece8 bedrooms
Villa Liba | 7-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Kosta7 bedroomsWhere to stay in Athens
Plaka and Koukaki for the Acropolis on your doorstep, Kolonaki for shops and smart cafés, the Athens Riviera for beaches near the city, and East Attica around Markopoulo and Sounion for villas with pools.
Three neighbourhoods around one hill
Plaka is the oldest part of Athens, with neoclassical houses and bougainvillea climbing the lower slopes of the Acropolis. Above it sits Anafiotika, a cluster of whitewashed cottages built by islanders from Anafi, which feels more Cycladic than urban.
Koukaki, just south of the Acropolis Museum, is quieter and lived in: neighbourhood bakeries, small wine bars and an easy walk up Filopappou Hill at sunset. Kolonaki, on the slopes of Lycabettus, is the smart quarter for galleries, boutiques and long coffees.
From any of the three, the Ancient Agora, the Panathenaic Stadium and the changing of the Evzones guard at Syntagma are all within walking distance.
Browse homes in Attica
Beaches, vineyards and Poseidon's temple
South of the city, the coast road runs through Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni, known as the Athens Riviera, with beach clubs, marinas and the brackish waters of Lake Vouliagmeni, which Athenians swim in all year.
Inland, the Mesogeia plain around Markopoulo is a landscape of olive groves and vineyards growing the local savatiano grape, and it is close to the airport. At the southern tip of Attica, the Temple of Poseidon stands on a cliff around 60 metres above the Aegean at Cape Sounion. Lord Byron carved his name on one of its columns, and the sunset there is worth planning a day around.
Browse villas in East Attica
Islands, oracles and an ancient theatre
Athens makes an excellent base for day trips. Ferries leave Piraeus for the Saronic islands: Aegina, known for its pistachios, is a short crossing, and car-free Hydra is around two hours by fast boat.
Delphi, home of the ancient oracle, is roughly two and a half hours north by road. The theatre at Epidaurus, in the Peloponnese, is around two hours away, and between June and August it hosts performances of ancient drama for the Athens Epidaurus Festival, one of the oldest festivals in Europe. Seeing Sophocles under the stars in a theatre built for him is something you will remember.
Explore the Peloponnese
Mezedes, Easter lamb and a long autumn
Athenians eat late and in company. Start with a sesame koulouri from a street cart, wander the Central Market on Athinas Street, then settle in for a long lunch of mezedes, grilled octopus and a carafe of Attic white. Greek Orthodox Easter is the great feast of the year, with candlelit processions at midnight and lamb roasting on spits the next day.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for sightseeing. July and August are often fiercely hot, which is when a villa with a pool near the coast comes into its own. Our concierge can arrange private guides, restaurant tables, festival tickets and island day trips.
Ask our conciergeFeatured properties in Athens
Villa Retsina Greece4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £13,177 a week
Villa Argolida | 9-Bedroom Villa in Porto Heli Aghios Emilianos9 bedrooms · sleeps 18From £12,483 a week
Villa Kyanos Vari Athens: Spacious 5-Bedroom Penthouse with Seaview and Hot Tub, Athens5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £4,830 a week
Villa Lefkos Vouliagmeni Athens: Spacious 6-Bedroom Apartment with Sea Views and Pool, Athens6 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £12,397 a week
Villa Meltemi Sounio: Stylish 4-Bedroom Beachfront Apartment with Pool, East Attica4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £11,564 a week
Villa Aero Greece5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £11,382 a week
Villa Filopappou Athens: Luxury 6-Bedroom Villa with Hot Tub and Acropolis Views, Athens6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £10,717 a week
Villa Verity | 9-Bedroom Villa in Porto Germeno Plaka9 bedrooms · sleeps 21From £10,661 a weekWhy book your home in Athens with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Athens homes range from Plaka apartments facing the Parthenon to villas an hour away on the coast, and we know which ones put you within walking distance of the sights and which are best for a quiet week by the pool. With 180+ properties in Athens, 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
Private guides for the Acropolis and Delphi, restaurant reservations, Athens Epidaurus Festival tickets, ferry and boat trips to the Saronic islands, sunset drives to Sounion and airport transfers. 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
Where is the best area to stay in Athens?
Plaka and Koukaki put you within walking distance of the Acropolis and its museum, and Kolonaki suits people who like shops and cafés. If you want beaches and a pool, East Attica and the Athens Riviera are better, and the centre is still within reach for day trips.
When is the best time to visit Athens?
April to June and September to October bring warm days and comfortable sightseeing. July and August are often very hot, so plan early starts at the ancient sites. Greek Orthodox Easter is a lovely time to be in the city if you book ahead.
Can I combine Athens with the Greek islands?
Yes, easily. Ferries from Piraeus serve the Saronic islands and the Cyclades, and many guests spend a few days in the city before moving on to Mykonos, Paros or Naxos. We can help plan both stays.
Can you arrange a private chef at a home in Athens?
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 propertie in Athens cost?
Across our 180+ properties in Athens, weekly rates typically range from £2,600 to £6,700, with the most affordable from around £1,800 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.
How do I get to Athens from the UK?
Direct flights from London and several other UK airports take around three and a half hours to Athens International Airport. The centre is usually 40 minutes to an hour away by road, and villas near Markopoulo are much closer. Our concierge can arrange transfers.
Are there homes in Athens for large groups?
Yes. Our Athens collection includes properties with up to 10 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 home in Athens
From rooftops in Plaka to the coast at Sounion: 180+ homes in Athens and Attica, with our concierge on hand