Kissed by the sun
Occupying a fabulously private position above the sea and the wooded hills of southwest Zakynthos, Artelia inhabits a magical world all of its own where guests will be pampered by the staff and can luxuriate in its splendour. Included in the extensive estate is a manège where guests can delight in the rare Akhal Teke horses an experience not to be missed for all horse-lovers! All this whilst also being in easy reach of sandy beaches, crystal clear coves, welcoming tavernas and character-filled villages, all of which offer plenty to see and experience for guests who manage to tear themselves away from their secluded hill-top hideaway.
A reduction of 20% has been applied to all remaining weeks at Artelia in 2025.
Artelia occupies a wonderfully panoramic position in the southwest of Zakynthos and offers spellbinding views down over the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, the idyllic islet of Marathonissi, and a 6km-long stretch of sandy beach where sea turtles come to lay their eggs.
In terms of amenities, there are several inland villages nearby with tavernas, such as Agalas, Lithakia and Koiliomenos (all between a 10- and 15-minute drive), while down on the coast, at Agios Sostis (20 minutes) and Limni Keriou (25 minutes), there is a greater selection of amenities, including minimarkets, cafés and bars (not to mention beaches and boat hire).
A 20-minute drive will also take you to the charming little village of Keri (not to be confused with Limni Keriou mentioned above) on the southwestern tip of Zakynthos. It's a particularly attractive spot in the late afternoon when the sun begins to set into the sea, and there are a couple of good tavernas in which to while away an evening.
As far as beaches are concerned, nearby are Agios Sostis and Limni Keriou, both of which offer a gentle summery buzz and a good selection of seafront tavernas, cafés and bars. The long stretch of sand that's part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (mentioned in the opening paragraph) is the obvious choice for many. Some sections have beach clubs and facilities, while others are quieter, out of respect for the visiting turtles. For more dramatic coastal scenery and wonderful snorkelling, head to the cliffs and rocky coves of the west coast, such as those at Porto Roxa and Porto Limnionas (around 30 minutes away).
Zakynthos's most popular, most spectacular and most photographed beach is Navagio, located in the northwest of the island. Taking its name from the shipwreck that has lain on its sand since the early 1980s, the bay is surrounded on three sides by spectacular tree-topped white cliffs and is only accessible by boat. This sublime setting and the bay's transparent, electric blue waters attract the crowds in high summer, but it's most certainly a sight to behold, both from the viewing point above and from the water below.
At just over 30km long and 20km wide, Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is easily discoverable in a week and you're never more than an hour's drive from most places of interest. The island's hinterland is peppered with other villages, a few of which, such as Lithakia and Exo Chora (this latter with 16th-century houses, a 17th-century church and a 2,000-year-old olive tree) survived the earthquake of 1953 relatively unscathed.
Finally, just half an hour's drive away from Artelia is the capital of Zakynthos, Chora (or Zakynthos Town), which is well worth a visit. A few of its historic Venetian buildings remain, there are some interesting museums and galleries, and its streets and squares are flanked by a summery buzz of bars, cafés and tavernas.
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From the Guest Book
All went really well at Artelia. From the staff, to the service, the villa as well and the beauty of the island if you avoid the tourist crowd. The yacht rental is a must as well as the beauty from the water is really special. We are very happy with our trip with The Thinking Traveller and will book again without any problems and with pleasure. We will also highly recommend the villa and the island of Zakynthos for a trip with a family. We had a very good time and we will keep beautiful memories too. Thank you to everyone.
GM July 2025
We had a unique experience at Artelia and we love it.
Jeremy da Costa September 2024
Our stay at Artelia was a dream vacation, definitely a 5-star experience. The villa has extraordinary views with unparalleled privacy and spacious grounds. The view from the deck with the firepit in the middle of the pool is really like something out of a magazine. We didn't want to leave the house! The firepit was an extraordinary way to wind down after a meal. The staff were exceptionally kind, proactive, flexible and professional, and it was such a treat to have a home cooked delicious Greek meal every evening (it's really a vacation for everyone when you don't need to go to supermarket or cook or clean up at all and do so in the comfort of the house and on your own schedule vs. driving to restaurants). Inside the house there is a lot of attention to detail; you have the conveniences of a hotel (labels on bedding and towels, bath robes, toiletries) but the charm of a house.
AL September 2024
We had an amazing time at Artelia. The view and the entertainment area was spectacular. Also the staff were extremely helpful and kept the villa in tip-top condition. Nothing was too much to ask for. If this is the standard we will definitely use The Thinking Traveller again. The whole visit and the use of the online service beforehand for boat booking, food and transport worked very well.
TS June 2024
What stood out for us about Artelia? The aesthetics were great, the place was clean and the cook was outstanding. Zakynthos is an amazing destination - the sea is so blue and we saw one of the best sunsets ever.
Verified guest, August 2024
Artelia's privacy, views and staff were all beyond expectations. What stood out were the views and the privacy (not one other house in sight apart from at the bottom of the valley!). It felt like an exclusive experience in a magical spot. We had an incredible family holiday and the daily breakfast and dinner service with amazing food was the cherry on the cake! We left feeling truly relaxed but we would've loved to stay longer.
Verified guest, August 2024
Excellent
4.8/5
982 Reviews