Since the easing of EU entry requirements for British passport holders, Greece is reclaiming its place at the top of the summer wish list. Search volumes for villa holidays across the Ionian islands, Crete, and the Southern Aegean, which takes in Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Kos, Naxos, and Paros, are already climbing. Oliver’s Travels has recorded a 30% month-on-month rise in villa holiday searches for Greece. From clifftop retreats on Corfu to modernist sea-view properties on Paros, the country’s finest private villas are quietly filling their calendars for 2026.

“Greece has always been a favourite with our customers, and with travel now feeling more straightforward again, we expect it to be one of the standout destinations this summer.” Jo Grimwood, Product Manager Greece, Oliver’s Travels

Oliver’s Travels current portfolio spans newly built eight-bedroom retreats on the Ionian coast to low-profile, architect-influenced villas on Paros and Crete, each offering a different register of the Greek experience.

Villa Sensya, Corfu

Completed in 2026 and offering uninterrupted views across the Ionian Sea towards the Albanian mountains, Villa Sensya is among the most ambitiously equipped private residences to arrive on the Greek market this year. Sleeping up to 16 guests across eight bedrooms, the layout has been designed with genuine thought for how large groups actually live: five en-suite rooms with direct garden access, a dedicated children’s twin room, and two expansive suites on the lower level, each with its own character and sense of seclusion.

Inside, the standard of amenity goes well beyond what most private villas offer. A dedicated cinema room, a fully fitted gym, a private massage room, and a secondary kitchen give the property a self-contained quality that removes any obligation to venture beyond the gates. The open-plan living spaces fold back onto a broad terrace where a jacuzzi and outdoor seating sit within earshot of the sea. Beyond the terrace, the grounds descend across several landscaped garden levels, each with its own character, before arriving at a private infinity-style pool at the highest point, accompanied by a poolside bar and BBQ station. Air conditioning runs throughout. Weekly rates for 2026 start from £10,280.

Villa Aspa, Crete

New to the Oliver’s Travels portfolio, Villa Aspa sits on a single level in Havgas, near Elounda on the eastern coast of Crete, where the water runs between deep blue and pale turquoise depending on the time of day. The outlook is towards Spinalonga Island, one of the most evocative landmarks in the Aegean, with the quiet village of Plaka just beyond. This is an area that has long drawn visitors who value calm over convenience, and Villa Aspa is well suited to that sensibility.

Four bedrooms, three doubles with en-suites and one twin, are arranged around a generous open-plan kitchen, dining, and lounge area. Floor-to-ceiling windows are positioned to fill every room with natural light and hold the sea view from almost every angle.

Step outside and the terrace opens onto an infinity pool that appears to dissolve into the sea beyond. Sun loungers, a shaded outdoor dining area, and a BBQ give the space a rhythm that works equally well for long, unhurried lunches or cooler evenings under an open sky. The landscaped gardens add depth and privacy to the outdoor footprint, and parking for up to three vehicles is available on site. For a four-bedroom property in one of Crete’s most sought-after corners, it offers a rare combination of restraint and quality. Weekly rates for 2026 start from £5,685.

Villa Nectar, Paros

Paros has spent the better part of a decade becoming one of the Cyclades’ most coveted addresses, and Villa Nectar sits at the sharper end of what the island has to offer. Located in the coastal village of Ampelas with Naoussa’s restaurants and harbour within easy reach, the property delivers a perfect sense of privacy without the feeling of isolation.

Six en-suite bedrooms are spread across three separate structures: a main house, a secondary building, and a self-contained guest house, an arrangement that gives larger groups the freedom to share a space without living on top of one another. At the top of the property, there is an upper-level suite where guests can enjoy a private balcony and jacuzzi with expansive views. Weekly rates start from £14,391.

The outdoor spaces feature a swimming pool, framed by sun loungers and generously shaded seating areas, while a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and dedicated BBQ area make for the perfect set up for al fresco dining. A private gym and an outdoor cinema add to the on-property facilities.

Villa Gouvia Blue, Corfu

Set among towering eucalyptus and silver-leafed olive trees on the northeast coast of Corfu, Villa Gouvia Blue has an impressive seafront position that instantly makes it stand out from many summer holiday properties. The water is visible from almost every corner of the estate, and the grounds, with their manicured lawns and filtered afternoon light, give the whole property a composed, unhurried atmosphere.

Sleeping up to 14 guests, the accommodation is arranged across a main house, a separate cottage, a room with a view, and a garden bedroom, a layout designed so that privacy and togetherness can coexist without compromise. Each of the seven bedrooms is beautifully appointed, with the additional rooms accessed directly from the terraces. Weekly rates start from £8,980.

Outside, a large swimming pool sits at the centre of the entertaining space, framed by comfortable sun loungers and a charming stone gazebo that provides shade during the heat of the day. Various seating areas are dotted across the grounds, each positioned to face the water so guests can sit back and enjoy the view where ever they are . Two beaches are a short walk away, along with local shops and bars.

All four properties are available to book through Oliver’s Travels.