Overlooking peaceful Nimborio Bay on the tiny Greek island of Symi, this elegant stone house feels as if it's been here for centuries. In fact, it was built in the 1990s by a well-travelled British family in search of a secluded Mediterranean hideaway a stone's throw from the sea. They furnished it with foreign artworks and antiques gathered from trade routes around the world: wood-carvings from Sri Lanka, Persian rugs and Chinese vases. It's fitting that the tiny village, set in its deep bay, was once Symi's merchant port, with trading connections all around the Med.
Nimborio now counts about 20 houses, 3 tavernas, a few villas, and a beach bar. It's a gloriously off-grid spot to decompress and slow down to Greek island rhythm. This house occupies a prime spot facing the famously crystal clear waters. We loved its beautifully landscaped terraces - planted with fig and olive trees, pines, oleander and fragrant rosemary, with leafy spots for sunbeds and hammocks. There's a stunning double-height living room, a separate cosy salon, a dining terrace, a kitchen with all the gizmos and 5 bedrooms, plus a self-contained garden cottage for 2. A short water-taxi ride away - or a picturesque walk along a donkey track - are the shops and restaurants of Symi Town, whose pastel-coloured neoclassical houses hug a deep azure bay. What a sublime spot for a sunny, spoiling reunion with family or friends.
Highs
- We love the secluded setting in a Mediterranean hillside garden overlooking the sea
- Beautifully styled rooms come with sea-view terraces; one is in a tower with its very own rooftop sundeck
- English owner Andrew and his manageress Claire are excellent hosts; they know the island inside out
- Self-cater in your sleek contemporary kitchen or walk to restaurants in the village and nearby Symi Town
Lows
- For shopping and (gentle) nightlife, you'll have to head to Symi Town (3km)
- There's no pool but you can swim in the beautifully clear sea at nearby Nimborio Beach (pebbly)
- This is not a house for televisions or gaming gadgets; come here to escape them
- Narrow lanes mean taxis can't drive to the door, but scooters can - and romantic water taxis too (until 11pm)
Best time to go
Try to come in the shoulder season (May-June and September-October) to avoid the tourist crowds and the mid-summer heat. These months are ideal for hiking and the sea is still warm enough for swimming. If you visit in July-August, you'll catch the Symi Festival, with free open-air concerts, theatre and after-dark films, but it will be very busy.
Our top tips
On the hillside behind the house, there's a small monastery. While you're having breakfast, listen out for the monks' mystical chanting as they celebrate the Greek Orthodox mass – it doesn't take place every day, but when it does, it's usually around 10am.
- Luxury Seafront Villa
- 5-6 bedrooms
- Self-catered; restaurant nearby
- All ages welcome
- Closed: 24 Nov 2024 - 30 Apr 2025
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
This house is perfectly laid out for a getaway with extended family or a large group of friends, providing ample space for entertainment and privacy. There are five bedrooms (two of which can sleep up to four guests), plus a separate garden cottage, all with ensuites and a couple with their own cooking facilities. Each bedroom is beautifully styled to compliment the stunning views, and equipped with natural Coco-Mat mattresses and Korres toiletries; most have a sea-view balcony or terrace.
Our favourite room had a raised kingsize bed, mahogany floors and marble bathroom. Next door, above a secondary salon, is a twin-bedded mezzanine sleeping platform which could work well for older children (it's accessed via steep steps).
There's a two-room suite with cool flagstone floors and a kitchenette; and a room with three single beds (or by prior arrangement a double and two singles) in one open space. These can both sleep 3-4. In contrast, there's a small but impossibly romantic room up in the tower with stunning 270-degree views and complete privacy from the rooftop sundeck.
Finally, tucked away in the garden, close to the water's edge, there's a fully self-contained cottage with an open-plan living area, kitchen, kingsize bedroom and rooftop terrace with sunbeds.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Bluetooth sound system
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
This villa is brilliantly equipped for self-catering. You can prepare a family-style feast in the large, shiny kitchen (complete with dishwasher, microwave etc) to enjoy on the shaded dining terrace that looks out to sea.
Or graze on a lazy lunch at one of the village's tavernas, Metapontis(simple Greek fare), the neighbouring (and very chic) café, or the beach bar at Niriides Hotel. A few minutes' walk the other way is lovely Giala beach, which also has a summer bar under the tamarisk trees.
You can also take a taxi or water-taxi into Symi Town (3km) for dinner. Reserve a table at The Old Markets for a set-menu supper on a lovely candlelit terrace above the bay; or try Tholos, the best spot for a plate of renowned Symi shrimps, at a table overlooking the harbour.
Features include:
- Coffee maker
- Full kitchen
- Restaurants nearby
- Self-catering
Activities
- Find a hidden spot in the terraced garden; bring a book and snooze on a sunbed, or arrange for a massage under the trees
- Swim and sunbathe at nearby pebble beaches: Nimborio and Nos (town beach) are the closest; beach towels are provided, masks and snorkels too if you ask
- Take a taxi-boat around the island to more distant beaches - we especially liked Agios Nikolaos, with a whitewashed chapel, an informal taverna and sunbeds shaded by 2 rows of tamarisk trees
- Explore Symi Town, with pastel-coloured neoclassical mansions built around 3 sides of a deep bay
- If you're into stand-up paddle boarding - or want to try it out - the house usually has a board to borrow
- Visit Panormitis Monastery, close to the island's southern tip, decorated with Byzantine frescoes and silver-plated icons, much loved by Greek Orthodox pilgrims
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Historical sites
- SUP
- Swimming
- Well being
Kids
All ages are welcome at this beachfront hideaway. Kids will love its lush walled garden and the sea right outside. There are sleeping arrangements to suit everyone, including twin and triple rooms. There's almost no road traffic, and lots of opportunities to swim, snorkel or take boat trips. However, bear in mind that the garden is terraced (unprotected drops), the landscape is generally quite rocky, and the location is remote. A cot can be provided, but there are no stair gates or other baby equipment. We think it's best for outdoorsy kids aged 4-14.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Distances:
- Airport: 32km (Rhodes)
- Shops: 2.5km
- Pharmacy: 2.5km
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The house overlooks Nimborio Bay, a secluded inlet in the north of Symi island.
Getting to Symi
There's no airport on Symi so you'll need to fly into Rhodes (or possibly Kos), both of which have charter flights from various European countries, as well as domestic flights from Athens. Rhodes also has flights from Thessaloniki and Crete.
From Rhodes airport, take a taxi (20 mins) to Rhodes harbour, from where there are regular ferries and high-speed hydrofoils to Symi Town. Try Dodekanisos Seaways for hydrofoils (1-hour journey time) or ANES for ferries (1.5-2 hours).
There is also a very slow ferry from Piraeus (Athens) to Symi, taking around 19 hours.
On the island
From Symi Town, the house is most easily reached by water taxi (15 mins; note these stop at 11pm), or by taxi (15 mins; you'll need to walk the last 200m), or by hired scooter; alternatively you could follow the old footpath over the hill (30 mins). We don't recommend hiring a car on the island, as it's small and the roads are narrow; all the island's beaches are accessible by water taxi. Or you could rent your own motorboat in Symi Town (just past the clock-tower, near where the ferries dock), with or without driver.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Rhodes Airport 32.0 km RHO
- Kos Airport 62.0 km KGS
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 2.5 km
- Restaurant 2.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape