Excellence Luxury Villas · Kea
Luxury Villa Rentals in Kea
Villas with pools and sea views on the Cycladic island closest to Athens, from Koundouros to Ioulida
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The Cyclades on Athens' doorstep, and quietly kept that way
Kea, which most Greeks call Tzia, is the Cycladic island closest to Athens, and oddly one of the least visited by foreigners. Its capital, Ioulida, spills over a hilltop in red-tiled roofs rather than postcard blue and white. Oak trees shade its valleys, and the ferry from Lavrio takes about an hour. Athenians have long preferred to keep the island to themselves.
Our Kea collection runs to 43 villas, most with pools and sea views. There are modern houses above the coves of Koundouros, homes by the water at Vourkari, and larger properties near Korissia and Ioulida, the biggest with 10 bedrooms.
What follows is a short guide to the island's corners, its paths, its table and the best time to come.
Kea at a glance
- Villas
- 43 on Kea, with up to 10 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £4,300 to £8,400 a week, from around £3,000
- Best areas
- Koundouros on the southwest coast; Vourkari, Korissia and Ioulida in the north
- Best time
- June and September for warm seas without the crowds; spring for walking
- Getting there
- Fly to Athens, drive around an hour to Lavrio, then take the ferry of about an hour to Korissia
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Meltemi Ioulis: Luxury 10-Bedroom Apartment with Stunning Seaviews – Kea10 bedrooms
Villa Myrtia Kea: Luxury 5-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool – Kea5 bedrooms
Villa Meltemi Vourkari: 4-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Kea4 bedrooms
Villa Prasino Korissia Kea: Luxury 6-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Kea6 bedrooms
A hilltop capital and a yachting harbour
Ioulida, also known as Chora, climbs over the hills above the port. It is a maze of alleys, arched passages and stone squares, and cars cannot get in. A short walk out of the village brings you to the Lion of Kea, a great archaic beast carved from the bedrock more than two and a half thousand years ago. He wears an expression of mild disappointment.
Down at the coast, Korissia is the working port. Vourkari, a little way round the bay, is where yachts tie up beside the fish tavernas each evening. The Bronze Age settlement of Agia Irini sits on the small headland there, and Otzias, a sheltered sandy bay further along the north coast, is the family beach.
Search villas near Ioulida
Windmills, coves and the road to Karthaia
Koundouros, on the southwest coast, is home to many of our villas. Modern houses are scattered above a run of small coves, with a row of restored windmills and a sandy beach shaded by tamarisks. The water is that clear emerald the Cyclades do so well, and the sunset is the main event of the evening.
A little to the north, Pisses is a long sandy beach backed by a fertile valley. Inland, Kato Meria is quiet farming country of oak trees, stone terraces and the odd village taverna. Beyond it lies ancient Karthaia, where the remains of a temple of Apollo look out over the sea.
Ask about villas in Koundouros
On foot above the sea, and far below it
Kea is one of the best walking islands in the Aegean. A network of old stone paths, waymarked as the Kea Trails, links villages, chapels and ancient sites. The classic route runs down through the countryside to Karthaia and ends with a swim in the bay below. Spring, when the hillsides are green and full of flowers, is the time to do it.
Offshore lies the wreck of HMHS Britannic, sister ship of the Titanic, which struck a mine in November 1916 while serving as a hospital ship. At around 120 metres down, she is for specialist divers only. Other wrecks and reefs around the coast are within reach of more ordinary divers.
Another island for walkers: Sifnos
Loza, thyme honey and the meltemi
Kea's food comes from its hills as much as from the sea. Look for loza, pork cured with herbs and spices, and paspalas, pork cooked with tomatoes, eggs and cheese. There is sharp kopanisti cheese and thyme honey, and Mavroudi wine to drink with it all. For lobster spaghetti and the morning's catch, go to the harbour tavernas of Vourkari.
The season runs from May to October, and June and September are the best months. July and August bring the meltemi, a strong north wind, and a great many Athenians, especially at weekends, so book early. Our concierge can arrange ferry tickets, car hire, a private chef, boat days along the coast and tables in Vourkari.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Kea
Villa Alba Koundouros Kea: Spacious 6-Bedroom Apartment with Stunning Sea Views – Kea6 bedrooms · sleeps 13From £8,302 a week
Villa Aparctias Koundouros Kea: Luxury 5-Bedroom Villa with Seaviews & Pool – Kea Greece5 bedrooms · sleeps 11From £7,350 a week
Villa Vardaris Koundouros Kea: Elegant 5-Bedroom Apartment with Pool & Sea Views – Kea5 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £7,336 a week
Villa Auge Kourounis Kea: Spacious 5-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Seaview – Kea5 bedrooms · sleeps 15From £7,196 a week
Villa Auge Koressos Kea: Spacious 5-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea View – Kea5 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £7,000 a week
Villa Auge Koundouros Kea: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Kea4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £6,867 a week
Villa Skiron Kastriani Kea: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Kea4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £6,860 a week
Villa Panagia Kea: Spacious 5-Bedroom Apartment with Sea Views & Pool – Kea5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £6,720 a weekWhy book your Kea villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Kea's villas are spread between the southwest coves, the harbour at Vourkari and the hills around Ioulida, and we know which ones are sheltered when the meltemi blows and which are a short walk from a beach. With 43 properties in Kea, 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 tickets from Lavrio, transfers from Athens airport, car hire, a private chef, boat days along the coast, dive trips, guided walks on the Kea Trails and tables in Vourkari. 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 place to stay on Kea?
Koundouros on the southwest coast has the largest cluster of modern villas, with sheltered coves and sunset views. Vourkari and Korissia suit those who want harbour tavernas and the ferry close by. Ioulida, the hilltop capital, is best for village life and walking.
When is the best time to visit Kea?
June and September are ideal, with a warm sea and quieter beaches. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with the meltemi wind and plenty of weekend visitors from Athens. Spring is the best season for walking.
Is Kea the same island as Tzia?
Yes. Kea is the official name and Tzia is what most Greeks call it, so you will see both names on ferry timetables and signs.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Kea?
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 Kea cost?
Across our 43 villas in Kea, weekly rates typically range from £4,300 to £8,400, with the most affordable from around £3,000 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.
How do I get to Kea?
Kea has no airport. Fly to Athens, drive around an hour to the port of Lavrio, and the ferry takes about an hour to reach Korissia. Our concierge can arrange transfers and ferry tickets.
Are there villas in Kea for large groups?
Yes. Our Kea 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 villa in Kea
43 villas on Kea, a short crossing from Athens, with our concierge arranging the rest