porto heli is a little known area to outsiders even though it’s just a couple of hours drive from athens or a few hours by yacht. exclusiveness is its hallmark and, although on first sight it looks just like any other small greek coastal town, if you dig a little deeper you will discover that it is actually an area full of stately hillside mansions and very private beaches that usually come with their own superyacht jetties.
known endearingly as the riviera of the peloponnese, it’s not difficult to understand why. the former king of greece, constantine ii, has an impressive palm-shaded property there, with neighbours including sean connery, roman abramovic and several wealthy greek magnates, amongst others. it’s a stunning natural harbour and protected cove offers crystalline waters, lovely pine-clad hillsides and pretty fishing boat vistas. the small hamlets of aghios aimilianos, ververontas and costa are the privé playgrounds of the kind of mega-rich who don’t need to draw attention to themselves. luxury resorts sit in the wings, such as amanzoe in kranidi, a fabulous escape for jet setters seeking solace for all the senses, while the trendy nikki beach offers miami style vacations to affluent european sun-seekers with mediterranean trimmings.
you can jump on a water taxi to the cosmopolitan island of spetses which sits just opposite, and step back in time to the elegant past of the belle époque, with its horse-drawn carriages, captain’s mansions and french riviera feel. otherwise, speed over to the charismatic island of hydra, where artists like leonard cohen found their creative juices running and so decided to take up permanent residence there it’s all oh-so-positano and the beauty of it is that you can zip from one stunning location to another and still be back home for dinner, whether that be a selection of the finest seafood on a waterfront taverna or a discreet dinner on your moored pleasure yacht.
set on a waterfront plot near ermioni in the eastern peloponnese, this contemporary villa faces directly across the calm waters of the saronic gulf, with open views toward the surrounding coastline and small offshore islets. the architecture is deliberately restrained, using long horizontal lines, white volumes and broad expanses of glass to keep the focus on light, water and the surrounding landscape.
the house extends across 500 sqm (5,382 sq.ft.) over two levels and has been arranged around large open living spaces that connect continuously with the exterior terraces and pool. floor-to-ceiling sliding panels allow the main reception rooms to open almost entirely to the sea-facing deck, while polished floors, minimal detailing and carefully controlled proportions create a strong sense of openness throughout the interiors.
the principal living and dining spaces sit directly beside the pool terrace, with uninterrupted sightlines across the water from nearly every part of the ground floor. natural light moves through the house from morning onwards, softened by shaded exterior walkways and covered terraces that provide shelter during the warmer summer months. a quiet palette of white walls, pale stone and dark joinery gives the interiors clarity without distraction.
six bedrooms are distributed across the two levels, each positioned to maximise privacy and natural light. several open directly onto terraces or garden areas, while the upper-level rooms benefit from elevated sea views across the bay. the bathrooms follow the same minimalist architectural language, using clean geometric forms and dark stone surfaces in contrast with the otherwise light-filled interiors.
outside, the long swimming pool runs parallel to the sea, visually extending toward the horizon. timber decking, lawned gardens and shaded outdoor dining areas create a gradual transition between the house and the waterfront setting. a small white chapel within the grounds adds a distinctly greek element to the otherwise contemporary composition, framed by olive trees and low mediterranean planting.
located close to ermioni and within reach of porto heli, hydra and spetses, the property combines direct access to the sea with a quieter part of the peloponnese coastline, where the landscape remains largely undeveloped and the pace of life follows the water.
