Kea Hotels & Villas: Where to Stay in Korissia, Vourkari & Ioulida
Accommodation on Kea concentrates around the port of Korissia, the yachting harbour of Vourkari and the hill capital of Ioulida. The choice is still fairly small but mostly of good quality, and both tourism and the number of rooms are growing. Korissia puts you by the beach and the ferry, Vourkari suits a base near the marina, and Ioulida keeps you in the old town. This guide covers the island's hotels first and its self-catering villas below. Hire a car to explore Kea at your own pace, covered in our Kea car hire guide.
- By the ferry
- Korissia
- Yachting base
- Vourkari
- Old town
- Ioulida
- Self-catering
- Villas
Hotel Karthea, Korissia
Hotel Karthea stands on the waterfront of Korissia, a 2-minute walk from Agios Georgios Beach. Its rooms have a private balcony overlooking the village or the Aegean Sea, decorated with wooden furnishings and parquet floors, and each has a fridge, a TV and free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is served daily in the dining room or in the rooms, and guests can take drinks and coffee at the bar. Korissia's waterfront is lined with small cafes and bars, the capital Ioulida sits 5.5 km away on its hill, and the 24-hour front desk can arrange car rental. The crossing from Lavrio takes just over an hour.
United Europe, Korissia
United Europe sits at Korissia, 200 metres from the sea and 400 metres from the port. All rooms are serviced daily and have air conditioning, a TV, a kitchenette or refrigerator and a balcony overlooking the valley. Ioulida, the capital of the island, lies just 6 km away. It suits a self-catering base close to the ferry and the town beach.
Aigis Suites, Vourkari
Aigis Suites is a modern, stone-built hotel on a hill overlooking Vourkari port, 2.5 km from Korissia. It has a seasonal outdoor infinity pool with a terrace, sun beds and open views, and spacious suites with free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, a minibar and furnished terraces, some with a private pool, open shower or spa bath. An a la carte breakfast of homemade items can be served in the suite, the on-site restaurant serves Greek cuisine from local produce, and the facilities include a spa, hot tub and steam bath. Free private parking is on site, and car rental can be arranged for an extra charge.
Koralli Studios, Korissia
Koralli is a family-run studio complex 150 metres from Korissia Beach, with a garden of bougainvillea and other trees. The studios have marble floors, air conditioning, a fridge, a double hot plate, a TV and a garden-view balcony, and free Wi-Fi covers the whole property. The port lies 400 metres away, Ioulida 5.5 km, Gialiskari Beach 1.5 km and Vourkari 2 km, with restaurants, shops and bars a short walk away. Covered parking is free on site.
Villas & self-catering
Kea also has self-catering villas and houses, many built by Athenians as holiday homes, from Cycladic complexes with a shared pool to a private house in the harbour. The options below suit travellers who want their own kitchen and space rather than a hotel.
Kea Villas, Ioulida
Kea Villas stand at the top of Ioulida, with a view over the island's main town and the Aegean Sea. Built in the Cycladic style, the complex has self-contained private houses that share a swimming pool, naturally aired with ceiling fans, and living rooms and bedrooms that open onto large furnished verandas. Each villa has a modern fully equipped kitchen, an LCD TV and a hi-fi system, with free Wi-Fi, and local wine, treats and bottled water wait on arrival. It lies 5.5 km from the port of Korissia and a 15-minute drive from the beach, with free mountain bikes and free parking, and the village square with the Archaeological Museum is a short walk through the cobbled lanes.
Villa Manita
Villa Manita is a villa with an infinity pool and a balcony over the Aegean Sea, set in bright, minimalist tones with beamed ceilings. It has a seating area with a fireplace and a flat-screen TV, a well-equipped kitchen with a stove and oven, and free Wi-Fi in the public areas. Restaurants and cafes lie 2 km away, Ioulida is 7 km, and the port is within 15 km with a free shuttle offered.
Pretty House, Korissia
Pretty House is a split-level, 1-bedroom house in the harbour of Korissia, with unobstructed Aegean Sea views and a sun terrace. It has a living room with satellite TV and a fireplace, a full kitchen with a dishwasher and oven, a washing machine and free Wi-Fi. Agios Georgios Beach is 100 metres away and Gialiskari Beach 500 metres, with supermarkets, bars and tavernas within walking distance and hiking on the doorstep.
Choosing an area
Where to stay on Kea depends on the holiday you want. Korissia, the port, puts you by the town beach and the ferry, with hotels such as Karthea and self-catering rooms handy for arrival. Vourkari, just north, suits a base near the marina, the restaurants and the island's nightlife, with Aigis Suites on the hill above the harbour. Ioulida, the car-free capital, keeps you in the old town among the squares and museums, a short drive from the beaches. A car or scooter helps wherever you stay, since the best beaches and ancient sites lie far apart along the island's trails, as set out in the Kea beaches guide and the Kea sights guide.
