Villa Ilya | 2-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Igoumenitsa

Walk ten minutes downhill from Villa Ilya and your feet touch the sand of Zavia Beach. The Ionian Sea spreads before you—the kind of view that arrives without warning when you round the corner of the terrace. This is a luxury villa rental in Sivota, Greece, built on a mountainside that slopes toward water, toward light, toward the kind of silence only coastal Greece delivers.

Inside Villa Ilya

Villa Ilya sleeps 6 guests across 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The ground floor holds the beating heart of the home: an open-plan living area where a double sofa bed doubles capacity for guests, anchored by a full kitchen equipped for serious cooking and a dining zone that faces the water. A shower room completes this level. Climb the interior stairs. Both first-floor bedrooms feature double beds, private en-suite bathrooms with rainfall showers, and French doors opening onto individual balconies positioned for morning light. Sunbeds occupy each balcony—these are not decorative afterthoughts but genuinely lived-in perches where the rhythm of your day synchronises with the sea below.

The kitchen warrants its own moment. This is the kind of space that transforms reluctant meal-preparers into willing cooks. Fully equipped with modern appliances, proper counter space, and storage that doesn’t require excavation, it opens directly into the dining area where eight can comfortably gather. Air conditioning cools the interior, while Wi-Fi connects you to the world—or allows you to ignore it entirely. A television occupies the living room for those rare rainy afternoons. Safe box, iron and board, hairdryer, and a baby cot and highchair (available on request) attend to practical necessities. This attention to detail—the small things that prevent inconvenience—defines the villa experience.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The private infinity pool dominates the exterior landscape: 8 metres long, 4 metres wide, 1.4 metres at maximum depth. It sits positioned to capture the Ionian Archipelagos in its sightline, a rectangle of chlorinated blue against the deeper blue beyond. Sun loungers flank the water. The terrace spreads across the upper portion of the grounds, furnished for both idleness and gathering. This is where breakfast arrives on the first morning, where evening drinks extend into sunset conversations, where the actual business of holiday living happens. The mountainside location means the afternoon heat finds relief in breeze; the evening temperature drops enough to make a cardigan necessary by nine o’clock.

Location: Sivota and the Surrounding Area

Sivota itself—a working fishing village with approximately 400 year-round residents—sits 5 kilometres by car from Villa Ilya. The harbour still functions as a genuine port; you will see fishing boats returning with their catch. The waterfront tavernas along the promenade serve that catch the following evening, grilled simply with lemon and olive oil. A morning coffee at one of the harbourside cafés costs less than three euros and tastes better than it has any right to. The local supermarket stocks everything from fresh produce to imported goods. This is Greece without artifice.

Beaches within easy reach include Mikri Ammos and Mega Ammos, both accessible via a 5-kilometre drive, offering sandier shores than Zavia’s pebbly edge. The drive itself—winding through olive groves and past whitewashed farmhouses—becomes part of the experience rather than an inconvenience.

From Sivota’s harbour, the concierge can arrange private boat charters. Paxos lies a short boat journey away—a small island with a single village, narrow streets, and restaurants that still feel undiscovered. Anti-Paxos, Paxos’s even smaller sibling, attracts boat traffic for its blue water and small family vineyards producing limited-release white wine. A sea taxi departs daily in summer months for those preferring organised transport.

Thirty kilometres south by road, Parga presents an entirely different atmosphere: a Venetian castle overlooks the town, a lively waterfront promenade bustles with restaurants and bars, and the narrow streets behind the harbour hide tavernas, galleries, and a small museum documenting the region’s profound relationship with olive oil cultivation. Parga’s beaches—Krioneri, Valtos, and Lichnos—sprawl across sandy stretches backed by pine forest.

The dramatic Acheron Gorge lies 40 kilometres inland, approximately 50 minutes by car. This limestone canyon channels the mythical River Styx (yes, the actual Styx of classical mythology, though modern hydrologists call it by another name). The gorge supports trekking, horseback riding, and rafting operations during summer months. The water temperature shocks—icy even in August—a deliberate contrast to the warm Ionian waters. Glyki Village, the gateway to the gorge, retains a mountain village character untouched by tourism.

Explore our collection of luxury villas in Greece, browse our selection of villas in Epirus, and discover the full range of properties available in this region. For deeper destination insight, consult our comprehensive Greece travel guide covering the Epirus region in detail.

Seasonal timing matters. July and August bring peak heat and peak crowds—both manageable but pronounced. May, June, and September offer the same Mediterranean climate with fewer visitors and lower accommodation prices. October remains warm enough for swimming until mid-month. Winter rarely freezes Sivota, though November through February sees occasional rain and closed boat services. Spring (April onwards) triggers wildflower blooms across the hillsides and reopens all seasonal attractions.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Couples seeking solitude find everything here: privacy, the infinity pool for morning swims, restaurants for evening outings. Extended families—grandparents, adult children, young grandchildren—fit comfortably with the double sofa bed accommodation. The baby cot and highchair prove Villa Ilya understands travelling with infants. Groups of four to six friends working out a summer week find the communal living spaces encourage gathering while the two separate bedrooms preserve privacy. Those interested in active pursuits (boat charters, gorge trekking, windsurfing at nearby Ai Ioannis) appreciate the central location providing access to both water and mountain activities within 30 minutes’ drive.

Families with children benefit from Zavia Beach’s calm waters and 10-minute walk proximity, the private pool’s safety, and the concentration of family-friendly tavernas in Sivota village. Visitors prioritising quiet over nightlife choose correctly—Sivota’s social scene revolves around afternoon drinks and seafood dinners, not clubs.

Practical Information

Capacity: 6 guests maximum across 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (plus guest shower room on ground floor).

Nearest Airport: Corfu International Airport (CFU) lies approximately 85 kilometres northwest, roughly 90 minutes by car. A car rental desk operates at the airport terminal. Alternatively, arrange a private transfer through the concierge (approximately €90-120 one-way for up to 6 passengers).

Nearest Supermarket: The central supermarket in Sivota village, 5 kilometres away, stocks fresh produce, imported goods, wine, and basic supplies. A larger supermarket operates in Parga, 30 kilometres south. Both stock everything from Greek staples to international brands.

What’s Included: The rental rate includes Wi-Fi, air conditioning, utilities, pool access, and parking. Daily breakfast (continental style with Greek cheese, yoghurt, fresh fruit, and pastries) arrives on the first morning and throughout your stay. Mid-week professional cleaning maintains the villa. A welcome basket with local products awaits arrival. Standard linen and towels are provided; pool towels refresh daily during cleaning visits.

Check-in Flexibility: Standard check-in occurs at 4 PM; check-out at 11 AM. Early check-in and late check-out may be arranged subject to availability (additional fees apply). The maid service team can coordinate arrival transfers and grocery shopping in advance if requested during booking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Villa Ilya

How many guests does Villa Ilya sleep?

Villa Ilya accommodates 6 guests: 2 permanent double beds (one per bedroom) plus a double sofa bed in the living area. A baby cot and highchair are available on request at no additional cost, suitable for infants and toddlers up to approximately 3 years old.

What is the nearest airport to Villa Ilya in Sivota?

Corfu International Airport (CFU) stands 85 kilometres northwest of Sivota, approximately 90 minutes by private car or arranged transfer. The airport operates year-round with connections to Athens, Thessaloniki, and most major European cities. A car rental desk provides vehicle hire for self-drive guests preferring flexibility during their stay.

What is the best time of year to rent Villa Ilya?

May through October provides reliable swimming and outdoor conditions. May and June offer ideal temperatures (24-28°C), wildflower displays, and fewer crowds. July and August bring peak heat (30-35°C) and peak tourism but guarantee warm seas and animated village atmosphere. September maintains summer warmth with reducing crowds. October remains pleasant until mid-month. Winter (November-February) experiences occasional rain and closed boat services; however, if you seek true solitude and lower prices, January and February deliver both, with daytime temperatures around 12-15°C.

Is Villa Ilya suitable for families with children?

Yes, specifically so. The private pool eliminates ocean safety concerns for non-swimmers and young children. Zavia Beach, a 10-minute walk downhill, provides calm waters ideal for paddling. The baby cot and highchair support families with infants. Sivota’s tavernas welcome children; many serve portions generously enough for two young diners to share one adult plate. The mountainside location offers natural exploration—stone walls, wildflowers, village animals—keeping children engaged without organised entertainment. The absence of nightlife means earlier bedtimes feel natural rather than restrictive.

What is included in the rental price at Villa Ilya?

The rental rate includes: Wi-Fi throughout the villa, air conditioning in all interior spaces, pool access and basic maintenance, parking, all utility costs, and standard linen and towels (refreshed during mid-week cleaning visits). Daily continental breakfast (Greek cheese, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread, and pastries) arrives each morning. Mid-week professional cleaning (typically Wednesday) maintains the villa. A welcome basket featuring local products greets arrival. Pool towels refresh daily during cleaning service.

What restaurants and shops are near Villa Ilya?

Sivota village (5 kilometres, 10 minutes by car) concentrates most dining options. Taverna Odysseus operates directly on the harbour, serving grilled fish caught the previous day; cost per person averages €12-18 including wine. Kafeneio To Psariko offers informal dining with lower prices. For supermarket shopping, the central market in Sivota stocks fresh produce, cheese, wine, and household items. Parga (30 kilometres south, 35 minutes by car) offers significantly more restaurant variety, including fine-dining establishments and international cuisine alongside traditional Greek tavernas. The harbour-front shops sell local crafts, clothing, and imported goods.