The Best Villas in Paros, Greece

In peaceful Aliki, a local developer has dreamt up this selection of serene high-end villas, sleeping anywhere from two to 15. Equipped with vast infinity pools shaded by gnarled olive trees – some with swinging basket chairs, al fresco dining nooks and Jacuzzi tubs – the overall effect is swish and soporific. Interiors are rustic-chic with exposed-stone walls, polished-concrete bathrooms, and books to borrow. Owner Arsenis and his family are on hand to help with bike or car rental advice and local tips.

Close to Santa Maria, with its sandy, greenery-backed dunes and heavenly snorkelling, this quartet of elegantly modern rentals all have sea views. White-edged rooms are contemporary and cool, with smooth pine kitchen surfaces, driftwood-framed mirrors and coral motifs in blue and white. A clued-up concierge service can organise manicures, transfers or excursions – but the real beauty is the expansive shared swimming pool, overlooked by cushioned loungers and four-poster daybeds.

Sunsets spill over the pools with sea views and whirlpool tubs of this trio of rustic-glam villas in western Parikia, the main town and ferry port on Paros. Inside they are whitewashed but homey, with dark-wood furniture, painted feature walls, candles and chess sets. The main draw is the outdoor space, where stone gazebos cover farmhouse-style dining tables, while bougainvillea adds colour to large pools and cushioned seating areas. Owner Dimitra goes above and beyond, too, picking up guests and sourcing them local treats.

Low-key and authentic, the spirit of under-the-radar Drios is echoed in this pair of luxurious rentals, sleeping six and eight. Framing a full-sized swimming pool, trimmed with plush cushioned loungers and bean-bag chairs, each property has traditional Cycladic looks, earthy-crafty decor (wicker wall-hangings, woven lanterns and painted shutters) and sizeable al fresco dining areas. Potter to nearby tavernas, or find a quiet stretch of beach along Drios’s rugged, undeveloped waterfront.

Another option in mellow Drios, the beachfront Martineli estate has a two-, three- and five-bedroom villa, all set on a scenic headland stretching into sparkling Mediterranean waters. Wood-beamed ceilings, tasselled throws and stone-built fireplaces keep things historic and homey, while generous whitewashed terraces are a heart-lifting place to gaze at the sea. The sea is on hand for refreshing dips in unspoiled, rocky shallows. There’s also a tennis and basketball court where you can break a sweat.

This historic townhouse near the main port dates back to 1600. Today, it lives on as a designer dream, sleeping four in two double bedrooms, with smooth-edged stucco walls, expensive ceramics and industrial-feel light fixtures. The warren of an old town around you is just begging for a photo shoot, when you’re not sprawled on the roof terrace with an aperitif. As a base it’s better for a day or two’s sightseeing and cultural immersion, rather than a week-long holiday.

Sleepy, shingly Logaras Beach is nearest to the fishing village of Piso Livadi, with just a handful of apartments and bars set in unruffled nature. Its three-bedroomed San Dimitrio villas has a tropical feel, thanks to a whitewashed dining area with barbecue immersed in lush, diverse gardens. Inside is basic white and beige, but spacious and cool, with wide-tiled floors and views out to dry, olive-tree-speckled scenery. At the end of the garden, a sandy track leads down to the beach.