Kea
Luxury villas to rent on Kea
Explore our stunning selection of luxury villas to rent on Kea/Tzia, an exceptionally picturesque island hideaway in the Cyclades group of islands. It offers all the advantages of a quiet, peaceful holiday base, still largely undiscovered by foreign visitors, yet is just a one hour ferry trip away from Lavrio port, south of Athens. As such, Kea is a popular island destination for Athenians for luxury villa rentals.
Explore our Kea Collection
Discover Kea
The beaches are some of the best in the Cyclades offering beautiful sand and crystal clear waters. The landscape consists of hills and valleys, planted with vines and fruit trees, which run right down to pretty bays and the sea. The island’s capital, Hora, built in the shape of an amphitheatre, is particularly appealing with its two-storey houses with tiled roofs, steep, cobbled alleyways and beautiful churches. At the highest point of the village, on the site of the ancient acropolis, is Kastro, with the ancient fortifications and remains of the Venetian wall, offering a breathtaking view of the nearby islands.
Ferry boats call at Korissia, on the west coast of the island, in Agios Nikolaos bay, considered to be one of the safest natural harbours on the Mediterranean. For those looking for a luxury holiday rental villa on an island that is close to Athens, but retains the atmosphere and charm of an island much further away, then Kea may be the place for you. Our luxury villas to rent on Kea are all perched high above the sea, with magnificent views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Kea portfolio includes traditional stone houses with terraced gardens in the hilltop capital of Ioulis and discreet residences within reach of the island’s most secluded coves – each personally vetted and supported by our full concierge service. The exceptional Villa Meria luxury villa to rent in Kea is situated in the area of Pera Meria.
Kea is best explored with your own transport – its network of coastal roads and ancient cobbled paths connecting hilltop villages and hidden beaches reward those with the freedom to stop at will. A private driver is invaluable for evening dining and longer excursions. We work with a small number of trusted local operators and can arrange dedicated transport for the duration of your stay.
Kea is the closest of the Cyclades to Athens, served by a regular ferry from the port of Lavrio, approximately an hour from the city. The crossing takes under an hour, making Kea uniquely accessible without the longer island ferry journeys. A pre-arranged transfer covering both legs is the most seamless arrival – let us organise this ahead of your trip.
Ioulis, the island’s capital, sits dramatically in the hills above the port and rewards an unhurried morning on foot through its red-roofed, car-free lanes. Korissia, the small port town, has a relaxed harbour character with good tavernas and a gentle evening pace. The ancient paths connecting the island’s four medieval settlements – largely intact and waymarked – offer some of the finest walking in the Cyclades.
The Liontas – the ancient stone lion of Kea, carved into the hillside above Ioulis in the sixth century BC – is one of the most evocative and least visited ancient monuments in the Aegean. The ruins of the ancient city of Karthaia on the island’s remote southeast coast, reachable only on foot or by boat, sit above a turquoise bay in extraordinary solitude.
Kythnos, the neighbouring island to the south, is a short ferry ride and offers a quieter, more traditional Cycladic experience largely untouched by tourism. The mainland port town of Lavrio, with its significant archaeological museum covering the ancient silver mines that funded Athenian democracy, is worth the short crossing. We can arrange private boat charters to explore Kea’s more secluded southern coves and neighbouring islands.
Ioulis’s small cluster of tavernas around the main square are the most rewarding for honest island cooking – locally caught fish, Kean cheese, and the island’s excellent thyme honey feature on almost every menu. For a more relaxed waterfront setting, the harbour tavernas in Korissia are the natural choice for a long, unhurried lunch with a view across the bay.
