Palmyra - Eight Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 16

A house of harmony above a blue bay.

Supremely elegant and timelessly stylish, Palmyra has been thoughtfully designed, beautifully furnished, and immaculately finished throughout. Its extensive, well-shaded terraces provide the ideal environment for carefree al fresco living, and the bounteous space on offer brings with it a sense of freedom that is only enhanced by the serene views out across Kolimpithres Bay to the utterly charming white town of Naousa.

Inside: accommodation at Palmyra is laid out over a main house on three levels and four guest bedrooms accessed from the surrounding terraces.

From a secluded courtyard with high walls of local stone, the entrance to the main house opens into the heart of the home, a splendidly bright, wonderfully proportioned open-plan communal area, whose well-defined spaces communicate with each other via a series of curvaceous arches. One is immediately struck by the airiness, the fine architectural features, the general sense of quality, and the attention to detail.

Lofty, white wood-beamed ceilings, smooth sandy stone floors, white walls, and olive grey door and window frames provide the perfect background for harmonious bursts of colour - a glowing red coffee table, paintings and contemporary artworks, pale blue soft furnishings, a polychrome tiled side table, a lemony yellow rug, and more. At every opportunity, wide sliding glass doors bring in the serene sea views and allow for a frictionless flow between the interiors and the terraces.

To the right of the main entrance is the dining area, whose square wooden table, comfy chairs and triptych of windows make for a convivial atmosphere. An arch to one side leads into the well-equipped contemporary kitchen with an island-bar and a door opening out to the al fresco kitchen and dining terrace.

Down a couple of steps from the dining area is the first sitting area, furnished with a pair of sofas and a couple of easy chairs. Two of those wide sliding glass doors open out onto the terraces and offer beguiling views out to sea.

To the left of the main entrance, meanwhile, is the second sitting area (and TV room), this one furnished with a shapely contemporary blue sofa and a pair of designer lounge chairs. Next to this is the guest bathroom, complete with shower.

Beside the main entrance, stairs lead up and down to the first and lower ground floors.

The first floor is home to two bedrooms:

• the generously proportioned main bedroom, a double with plenty of built-in cane-faceted storage, a large en-suite shower room with double sinks, and a panoramic private terrace looking out to sea
• a bright double bedroom, also with en-suite shower room and a private sea-view terrace

On the lower ground floor, meanwhile, is:

• an elegant hallway with a centrally positioned round table leading to a luminous living space with skylights, a TV, and a long, well-cushioned built-in sofa
• two spacious sea-view double-twin bedrooms, each with its own en-suite shower room and access to a large communal shaded terrace

The remaining accommodation at Palmyra are the four independent guest rooms:

• the first two, both doubles with en-suite shower rooms and sea views, are accessed from the terraces wrapping around the lower ground floor
• the third and fourth, also doubles with sea views and en-suite shower rooms, are accessed from the pool terrace

Outside: Palmyra’s al fresco areas have been designed with the same attention to detail as the interiors.

Running along the sea-facing side of the property, and seamlessly accessed from all the ground floor rooms, is a long, broad terrace, where al fresco life may be enjoyed to the full. An extensive slice of this space is shaded by a slatted wooden structure and equipped with quality outdoor sofas and chairs, a pair of large dining tables, a long “L” of built-in cushioned seating, a shower room, a bar, and a fabulous kitchen with barbecue, fridge, sink and prep area.

The terrace wraps around the gorgeous infinity pool, from where swimmers and wallowers alike may take in the views across Kolimpithres Bay to Naousa, and incorporates a variety of well-furnished sitting areas, some shaded, others sun-kissed.

Steps lead down from one side of the pool to the garden level, where an expanse of stone-flagged terrace connects the two lower floor bedrooms of the main house with the two independent guest bedrooms on this level. At each end, outside these bedrooms, is a wood-slatted pergola with comfy seating and sea views.

The two bedrooms on the first floor of the main house have their own private terraces, from where the views are arguably at their best. Outside the main entrance, meanwhile, is a wonderfully secluded sitting area flanked by high stone walls.

Where the terraces end, Palmyra’s vibrant gardens begin. A gentle path weaves down for some 130m, passing a host of ornamental grasses, shrubs, cypress trees and colourful Mediterranean flora. Near the bottom is an olive grove, from which the owner makes her own oil.

Last but not least, a gate at the bottom of the gardens opens out onto a road which leads to the tempting waters of Kolimpithres Bay, some 650m away.

Palmyra features a fantastic infinity pool, offering swimmers stunning views while in the pool. There is a drop off the infinity side so we recommend children are supervised at all times. Please refer to our general safety page if you would like more information about infinity pools.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the pool area, children must be supervised at all times.
Palmyra is located near the northernmost tip of Paros, just across the bay from the picturesque little town of Naousa.

A 3-minute drive will take you to gorgeous Kolimpithres beach, renowned for its crystalline waters and fantastical rock formations. There are also three tavernas and a couple of beach bars there. Beautiful, unspoilt Monastiri beach is also just a few kilometres away.

For many people, Paros is the most authentic of the Cyclades. One of the larger islands, it has something for everyone, young or old, party-goers or culture-seekers, bourgeois or bohemian. Amongst its many attractions are buzzing little towns, myriad beaches, world-famous windsurfing conditions, gourmet restaurants, sleepy traditional villages with waterfront fish tavernas, religious, cultural and historical sites, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

Thanks to the relatively limited distances involved - the island measures less than 25km from north to south - it is easy to explore in full in a week or two, no matter where you're staying. Its mountainous hinterland, with peaks rising up to around 700m, is dotted with the occasional monastery and crisscrossed by old mule tracks. Down on the coast, meanwhile, there is an array of beautiful sandy beaches and idyllic coves, and a day or two spent on a boat exploring these is heartily recommended.

In terms of towns and villages, picturesque Naousa, buzzing Parikia (the capital and main port) and sleepy Marpissa are just a 10-, 15- and 20-minute drive away respectively. The former boasts a little harbour, a web of narrow streets flanked by shops and tavernas, and the remains of a Venetian castle. The second, meanwhile, is a vibrant little town gathered around a semi-enclosed bay that woos visitors with its sandy beaches, its many bars and tavernas, its archaeological museum, and its impressive Byzantine Church. The third is a white-washed beauty that appears unchanged for centuries. It’s a pleasure to amble round its narrow streets, while a walk up to the monastery of St Anthony on the hill above offers spectacular views of the island.

For those with an interest in history, a visit to the Mycenaean Acropolis is called for. Sitting atop a rocky scarp high above Palmyra, it was built way back in the 13th century BCE and offers not only insights into Paros's long history but also stunning views. It’s quite a walk to get up there, so you may wish to tackle it in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s not so hot.

Paros's most northerly tip, the Monastiri peninsula, is also close by. A protected park covering some 80 hectares of rocky, element-sculpted hills, hidden sandy beaches, walking trails, and undisturbed flora and fauna, it’s a great day out for nature lovers and hikers with the added bonus of an end-of-excursion swim in the sea.

Cultural tours are readily available on Paros, so not matter whether you wish to learn about Parikia's old town centre, the ancient marble quarries, or the unique island of Despotiko, you'll be able to delve into the island's history with ease. Children are well catered for too, and a trip to the butterfly nature reserve just north of the airport is good fun.

If all that wasn't enough, Paros's little sister, Antiparos, is just a 10-minute ferry ride across the water from Pounta, making a little island hopping eminently possible.

Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.

The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.