serifos’ lack of an airport deters the crowds found on mykonos and santorini, although the island is just two hours from athens. home to some of the most beautiful houses in greece, it is no surprise that a plethora of artists, writers and architects have chosen the island as their permanent summer retreat. chora, the main town, tumbles down the hillside like a lava flow of white and blue, hiding unique boutiques and upmarket cafes in its maze of narrow streets. perched high up in order to deter pirates, the town is the perfect place to spend an afternoon drinking ouzo with the locals.
alter natively, explore the coastline, which winds around 72 turquoise bays, pebbled coves and sandy beaches, perfect for soaking up some vitamin d. even in june and july visitors are likely to have the beaches to themselves, particularly as most have been left wild and are uncluttered of loungers, sun-beds and umbrellas. for example, the tiny coves of kalo ambeli and vagia on the southern coast require a bumpy drive followed by a 20 minute walk, rewarding dedicated beach-goers with a unique feeling of discovery and solitude.
the waters around serifos are perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling – of particular interest is kalogeros beach, where the shipwreck of a spanish cargo steamship lies on the seabed. serifos is also one of the best cycladic islands for walking, with a network of well-signposted trails offering stunning panoramic views across the island. adventurers may enjoy the 4 hour track from chora to the monastery of taxiarkhon, built into the cliff 300ft above the northernmost tip of the island.
set on a rugged hillside above the aegean, odele is a collection of three independent stone residences positioned to face the eastern horizon of serifos. the property looks across the island’s dry, sculptural landscape toward neighbouring cycladic islands, with wide sunrise views and a strong sense of openness shaped by the surrounding terrain and sea.
built in keeping with the architectural language of the island, the residences combine whitewashed masonry, exposed timber ceilings and locally sourced stone with restrained contemporary comforts. the composition follows the natural slope of the land, allowing each house its own privacy while maintaining uninterrupted views across the hillsides and coastline below.
together, the residences span 274 sqm (2,949 sq.ft.) on a 6,000 sqm (64,583 sq.ft.) plot. interiors are simple and grounded, with stone floors, built-in seating and pale wooden details reflecting the quiet material palette of serifos itself. living spaces open directly onto shaded terraces through painted timber doors and large windows that frame the sea from nearly every room. morning light moves gradually across the interiors, catching the textured plaster walls and exposed beams before the heat of the day settles across the hillside.
each residence includes its own outdoor dining terrace and shaded seating area, creating a natural rhythm between indoor and outdoor living. pergola-covered verandas overlook the valley and sea, while stone-paved pathways connect the individual homes through terraced gardens planted with herbs, olive trees and flowering bougainvillea. the scent of thyme and warm stone carries lightly through the pathways in the early evening.
at the centre of the property, a large shared pool terrace extends toward the view, positioned to capture the changing colours of the sky from first light through dusk. the elevated setting allows constant airflow across the terraces during the summer months, while the orientation of the houses provides shelter from stronger northern winds.
the seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms are distributed across the three residences, allowing the property to function equally well as a private family compound or a hospitality-driven retreat. bedrooms remain calm and understated, many opening directly onto terraces or balconies facing the sea and surrounding hills.
kentarchos beach lies less than one kilometre away, while chora, serifos’ main town, remains a short drive from the property. despite this proximity, the setting retains a distinctly secluded atmosphere, surrounded by raw cycladic landscape and uninterrupted sky.
odele captures a quieter side of the cyclades, where traditional materials, open views and the simplicity of island architecture remain closely tied to the land itself. as night falls, the illuminated terraces and pool sit against the dark hillside, with scattered island lights appearing slowly across the distant aegean.
