An evergreen holiday haunt that’s been a hit with British tourists since the 1970s, Corfu has managed to retain its charm and cater to a range of different travellers; whether you’ve come to party, switch off at a high-end all-inclusive, or get off the beaten track and discover the ancient charm held within the shores of this Ionian island. Aim for the north if you prefer a quieter, more authentic Corfu and stay in the south for lively beach resorts, waterparks and nightlife. Corfu Town – the island’s capital – displays the island’s past, with a 15th-century fortress, winding cobblestone streets and pastel-coloured Venetian-style architecture. Here are our favourite luxury villas for rent on the island.
The Thinking Traveller – Paschalia
An infinity pool perched on a cantilevered sea-view terrace appears to float on the horizon, merging with the sea and mountains spread out below. Three of the five double bedrooms in the property, also look onto the sea and open up onto a terrace. Set within an area known as the balcony of Corfu, Paschalia certainly has no shortage of panoramic views. White walls, sandy-tiled floors and sliding glass doors create a calming ambience within, accented by artistic touches like photos from the Gods in Color exhibition at the Liebighaus Museum in Frankfurt and Spanish tiles designed by Antoni Gaudí.
The Thinking Traveller – Iola
The indoors flows outdoors and vice versa, in this uber-modern, low-rise, glass and whitewashed property. Just a 5-minute walk from a great beach, 20 minutes drive from Corfu town, 25 minutes from the airport and within walking distance of restaurants, Iola is well-placed to explore further afield. The building is formed of geometric lines, as is the sea-facing infinity pool and plunge jacuzzi embedded into the terrace (beside which is an outdoor stainless steel kitchen and BBQ area). Surrounded by pine and olive trees, landscaped lawns and paths, the villa also boasts a cinema room, sauna and pilates/yoga studio.
Red Savannah – Villa Pilos
The natural stone terrace of Villa Pilos juts out from the land, with glass balustrades and a curving infinity pool overhanging the cypress trees and olive orchards and looking out to the Ionian Sea. Bedrooms and shared spaces have an airy, coastal and boho feel, with whitewashed beamed ceilings and exposed stone feature walls. Three bedrooms are accompanied by a homey living room and a kitchen/breakfast room that opens onto the covered alfresco terrace with a dining table seating eight (a second, more casual eating area, is located on the sunny terrace).
Red Savannah – Villa Kerasia
For easy access to the beach, choose Kerasia, a six-bedroom villa looking down to the sea below. The property’s shared spaces comprise a lounge and kitchen opening onto a dining terrace (a further terrace opens from the master bedroom upstairs), an office within a tower and a media room. Outdoor amenities include a pizza oven, a small gym, a hot tub, a sauna, a 14-metre swimming pool and further terraces. Those travelling with an entourage, or larger group, have the option to take an additional three-bedroom cottage within the grounds.
The Plum Guide – A Slice of Paradise
You may recognise this villa from the James Bond classic, For Your Eyes Only, in which its seawater swimming pool and gardens appeared. There are a total of nine acres of grounds to be explored — do seek out the scented pine forest and church built in the 1920s and take the winding path down to the beach. The accommodation is also rambling, comprising a main house, a guest house and a small apartment, totalling 12 bedrooms (three of these do not have their own bathrooms and have been designed with staff in mind).
Olivers Travels – Villa Basil
Built into a hillside with a striking aesthetic, this contemporary (2022) home-from-home is one of three in the vicinity, watching over the fishing village of Pentati. Two of the three bedrooms are downstairs, beside a spacious open-plan kitchen diner and a living room. The final bedroom enjoys a sense of privacy, encompassing the top floor and with a private terrace enjoying far-reaching views. 5000 metres of land has been furnished with loungers, dining sets, a jacuzzi, an overflow-edge infinity pool and 200 metres of terraces, as well as grassy space for little ones to play.
Olivers Travels – Villa Ipsos
A natural stone exterior surrounded by fragrant indigenous trees and plants, gives this villa a rural and authentic feel. Designed for multi-generational families, the property has a split-level garden with a heated infinity pool, a BBQ and a billiards set, as well as table tennis, an iPod dock and a Wii console. One of the five bedrooms is fully accessible, located on the ground floor and with its own bathroom. Set on the island’s north coast, overlooking the sea, Ipsos is close to Spartilas village and a short drive from one of the best beaches on Corfu.