Entire home

Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach

Photo gallery for Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach

Pool
Terrace/patio
2 bedrooms, in-room safe, iron/ironing board, travel cot
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 585 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach

Villa Varkoula is a two-bedroom villa with ensuite bathrooms. It has an open-plan lounge and a fully fitted kitchen with a dishwasher, washing machine, and full-size fridge/freezer. Outside is a large patio area and private swimming pool of 4m x 7m, surrounded by a small picket fence. The views over the valley and the sea in the distance are ever-changing and fantastic to look over during a relaxing evening by the pool. The location is one of the best on the island and the Xi resort around 2km away is ideal for water sports and entertainment with its red sandy beach. The area at Xi Beach is a resort of its own with a great variety of restaurants, bars, and traditional taverns to choose from. A bus service runs from the beach to Lixouri town twice daily, once in the morning, and once in the midday, and passes by the villas. The beach at Xi is a 3km long stretch of fine red sand and is especially safe for children or non-swimmers with its shallow water. At the far right end of Xi Beach are the clay cliffs, from 20 to 30 meters high. The clay is used by the Greeks for face masks and is said to have healing properties. Kounopetra (Moving Stone) is located along the coast, it is a paradoxical natural phenomenon, a rock in the sea that moves rhythmically. The water park at Kounopetra, with four water slides and a bar/restaurant is
a great way to entertain the family on hot summer days. The water slides are just around the corner about 10 minutes drive away. The Kipouria Monastery, which houses remarkable relics and post-Byzantine icons is perched on a cliff and has stunning views of the sea and the most beautiful sunset on the island and is located around the coastline from Xi beach. For the more adventurous swimmers, Petani about 20 minutes away is great for snorkelling and on some days the waters are calm and flat, whilst on others they roll in onto the shore. The nearest town is Lixouri (about 4 km away) a modern town with a harbor, wide tree-lined streets, and beautiful squares edged with flowers. It is where you will find all the facilities of a traditional working town, such as shops, restaurants, and banks. Plus for those fish lovers, you can still purchase fresh fish in the traditional way from the local fishermen along the harbour midmorning. If you enjoy dining by the harbor, Lixouri is the perfect place. Lixouri is the second most important town of Kefalonia and boasts beautiful buildings, traditional small houses surrounded by flowers, beautiful squares with quaint cafes, and impressive churches. The small passenger/car ferry which takes about 20 minutes runs regularly every hour and will take you across the harbour to the capital Argostoli. Mantzavinata (just up the lane) from the villas has a mini market and coffee bar and also boasts a traditional olive press and a wine tasting at the local winery. Flat access parking is immediately adjacent to the front entrance.

Property manager

Frances Findlay, Kefalonian Homes

Languages

English, Greek

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Fenced private pool

Internet

  • Available in the villa: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Swimming nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 915 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:30 PM
Minimum check-in age - 24

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 5
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 1309997

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 500, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation

About the area

Map
Mantzavinata, Kefalonia

What's nearby

  • Xi Beach - 8 min drive
  • Makris Yalos Beach - 44 min drive
  • Cephalonia Botanica - 44 min drive
  • Port of Argostoli - 44 min drive
  • Kalamia Beach - 46 min drive

Getting around

  • Argostolion (EFL-Kefalonia Island Intl.) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Καφέ - Ουζερί "Η Γέφυρα - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Captain Nicolas - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Cafe Pero - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Mimóza - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Cozzy - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach?

Check-in begins at 2:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach located?

Situated near the beach, this villa is within 2 miles (3 km) of Ionian Sea, Megas Lakkos Beach and Xi Beach. Mania Beach and Koutala Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).

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Villa Varkoula - 2 bedroom family villa with private pool near Xi beach Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Anna S.

Fabulous stay- beautiful location and property!
Such a lovely spot- the villa was very well appointed and had everything one needed for a stay in Greece! We were close to beautiful beaches and Lixouri was close by for dinner and shopping. Frances was a helpful host- the welcome pack was particularly well received! Thank you for a lovely stay !
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve L.

Lovely Villa
We really enjoyed our stay at the villa. The accommodation is of a high standard; the pool and surroudings are peaceful. We will go again ...
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rudolf R.

Great place, great location to most of beaches
Excelent pool, great location to nicest beaches by 5-10m by car. Poor internet and water pressure.
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia H.

Lovely villa - quiet area
This was our 2nd stay in Villa Varkoula. It’s a simple but lovely villa, with pool and great views of hills. Very peaceful. A joy to watch the swallows/swifts dipping down to sip from the swimming pool, a few sightings of an eagle and cute bats in the evening. A car is essential, but the town of Lixouri and several lovely and not too busy beaches are all within a short drive. Perfect for a quiet getaway or as a base to explore the wonderful island of the Kephalonia.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew H., Newcastle

Lovely villa in a beautiful spot.
Excellent pool. Lovely apartment. Great views and we even got to see a couple of weddings at the church on the hill. The welcome pack was outstanding.Thank you. Some maintenance is needed on the mosquito screens, but as there are very few mosquitoes in the area, it didn’t really inconvenience us much. It was our second stay here and just as wonderful as the first time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Helen B.

Fantastic stay in a lovely villa
Villa Varkoula was perfect for us in every way. The pool was outstanding with beautiful views of the mountains. The villa was lovely and had everything we needed. Really handy having 2 bathrooms. Communication with Frances was perfect and local tips from Barry were really useful. Would definitely recommend Villa Varkoula. This was our first visit to Kefalonia and we all loved it. We hope to return to Villa Varkoula really soon.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Emmett G.

Villa Varkoula
Overall very impressed with this experience. The villa is co-listed with the one next to it hence some confusion with the photos but they are both basically the same. Location was good, exactly 5 minutes to Lixouri and probably 3 mins to Xi beach. The villa is part of Kefalonia Homes I think and they seem to have quite a few properties. They clearly value repeat business and are out to impress. Welcome pack and flowers was a nice touch. Would certainly recommend, though you do need a car. Frances provided excellent directions with photo waypoints (greece can defeat satnavs). Oh and the pool was crystal clear, some others mentioned wasps but we didnt have any until the last two days but they seemed quite happy drinking pool water to themselves along with the swifts.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

June

Brilliant holiday
Francis was great at communicating, the villa was spotlessly clean whilst being well maintained and everything provided including beach towels. A great location just 10 minutes from beautiful Lixouri in the quiet part, great views. This is our third trip to Kefalonia always with Kefalonia homes and this way by far best location for us. The only downside were the mass of wasps around the pool and the hidden BBQ we couldn't find so ended up buying one and then found it.
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

keith c.

Great for a relaxing holiday
Good instructions, including photos, meant finding the villa was easy, we opted for the ferry route to the villa which was trouble free, but had to drive around the bay to get to the airport when we were leaving, as high winds had stopped the ferries from sailing. The villa was as expected with a bonus of a nice welcome pack, flowers were a nice touch! We had a couple of minor issues which were resolved promptly. Unfortunately the village shop/snack bar and the meze bar were not open while we were there, so nearest were at Xi beach, which is a bit of a hike back. Overall a great place for a quiet relaxing holiday, a few nice beaches and plenty of tavernas with reasonable prices and very friendly service within a 20 minutes drive
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Warren T.

A wonderful Villa that ticked all the boxes
The villa is well maintained, the layout was ideally suited to our needs, the pool keeps the sun all day and there are lovely views. The location is on a part of the island that offers lovely sandy and safe beaches close by, plenty of good restaurants overlooking the beaches or local harbour front. You will need a car to explore as nothing is within walking distance, a day sea kayaking should be a must. Owners have really thought through what guests need to enjoy an idilic holiday at Villa Varkoula.

10/10 Excellent

Matthew D.

Relaxation in a well-appointed villa
We had a fantastic holiday staying at Villa Varkoula. We were there in early July and had the most amazing time. Each day we would spend the morning or afternoon at the villa playing in the pool and enjoying a siesta. The villa is spotless, and well appointed. The pool is lovely with both a shallow and deep end, steps in to the pool and plenty of lounging space. There are a few options for staying in the shade too, but in full sight of the pool. The Palaki peninsula is less touristy than the South Coast of Kefalonia and this suited us perfectly. Excellent beaches at Xi, Vatsa/Nicholas Petani and the hidden gem at Atheras are all close by on the peninsula. Within an easy drive are the charming, but busy fishing villages, of Fiskado and Assos and a little further are the amazing caves at Melissani. The South Coast near Loudata and Skala held little interest for us and has lost much of it's Kephalonian charm, but may appeal to families with teenagers for the watersport options. Finally, visiting Argostoli in the morning to watch the Turtles swimming along the harbour edge while eating your breakfast is magical. Frances was very helpful, and we would definitely return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Joanne W.

Villa Varkoula was everything we needed. Location was great but you do need a car.
We had a very relaxing and chilled holiday. The villa was in a good location making it easy to explore the many beaches and charming places all around Kefalonia. It was lovely to come back at the end of the day and have a lovely swim. We also liked watching the swifts diving over the pool in the evening getting ready to roost. There were many wasps at the pools edge collecting water but we found if we used the pool in the morning and early evening we all got along fine. Lixouri had many restaurants and bars to choose from and the locals were very welcoming and friendly. Our best beaches were Vatsa and Mega Lagos but Vatsa had a wonderful taverna called Spyros where the food was delicious. I found Argostoli very busy and touristy and much preferred the calmness and charm of Lixouri. On the couple of occasions we needed to contact Frances, she was very accommodating and helpful, as was her maintenance team. Thank you for a most memorable and wonderful stay. Jo and Chris Watts.
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia h.

Wonderful villa in beautiful location
We had a wonderful fortnight at Villa Varkoula. The villa is lovely, spacious and clean. Relatively large, very clean swimming pool, which gets the sun all day (but with shade around for sitting under), although we spent most of our days out and about. The location is also wonderful (although a car is essential). For those who like busy beaches with activity, there is a Xi beach (which we avoided!), but there also a selection of much quieter beaches, both sandy and rocky (better for snorkelling) nearby. Lixouri is very close and has a lovely selection of tavernas and a few shops, but not as hectic as most popular resorts. For us it was heaven. A relaxing break, with great snorkelling, delicious food, a few trips further afield to see some sights and the warmth of the Greeks. Thank you!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

Really lovely
Property is well appointed, in a beautiful location and is private and quiet. Frances was available on the phone for the minor queries we had, and she sounded more than happy to be contacted which makes you feel less of a pain in the bum if you do need to ask anything. You do need to have a car to get to even the nearest beach at Xi though - although it is only a 5-10 minute drive away. Xi is lovely, don't be put off by the dark sand it is still a great beach with a choice of bars and restaurants to hand. Loads of other stunning beaches nearby as well. We had 2 x 14 year olds with us, they would have been a little bored if it hadn't been for wifi as its not close enough to anything for them to wander off and explore by themselves. Wifi is reliable though. Lixouri is lovely, the driving is easy most of the time although evenings can be chaotic and Greek drivers are more 'relaxed' than we are - adds to the excitement though. Kefalonia is wonderful, pretty unspoilt by tourism and very few Brits around which pleased us - mostly Italian and Greek tourists as far as we could tell. You can drive most of the island within a week if you want to, it is small enough to get a really good sense of the layout. Highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anthony A., Exeter, UK

A great stay at Villa Varkoula
The villa was comfortable and well equipped but above all, was spotlessly clean. Amazing view of the mountains to the East from the patio beside the crystal clear pool. Owners were lovely and very helpful. Lovely cool bedroom with a/c and the bathrooms were well equipped with large shower, plenty of space and lots of hot water.The villa was easy to find and a good base for getting out and about to explore the island. We stayed in early June when the island was just waking up which was ideal for us. Everywhere we visited was quiet and easy to park. Xi beach was not our cup of tea but Petani beach is an absolute must. Despite the main road tom the north of the island being closed, Fiscard and Assos are both well worth the drive.
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

finn d.

Great Kefalonian Bolt Hole
Lovely little villa situated near Xi Beach. Fabulous views of Mount Ainos. The villa is clean, light and has everything you need for a a relaxing stay on this wonderful island.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joe D.

Very Good
We appreciated the welcome package, and the quality of the fixtures and fittings, the swimming pool was well used and lit at night, which was a nice touch, and I have been reminded to mention that you provided towels, which saved us bringing ours, so all in all, we were very pleased with the experience, we met Louisa, and Barry, who were both very helpful.
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

EMily S.

Nice Villa with lovely view
Very well equipped villa with a perfectly sized pool. The views of the hills are just lovely. It's located very close to Xi and Vatsa beaches which are spot-on for families. Highly recommend.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey E., United States

Clean, accessible by car to XI beach, gas, market and cafes.. Beautiful view...
Had a great time...nice and clean villa.. Perfect for my family.. Party of 4.. Nice pool.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Thomas H.

Well located, clean, functional, great facilities
Villa Varkoula was really well located on the peninsula. Lots of beaches nearby, and facilities and shops in Lixouri, however the villa itself was private. The villa being a bungalow is so much better suited to holidays than the other larger ones I saw. We could just hang out inside and out, we loved it. All the utilities were clean and really functional. The pool is very well maintained. Bring a phono plug to jack into the hifi for evening discos with the kids. We had 7 days there where each day was different and unique.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sally F., U.K.

Wonderful holiday
From beginning to end our stay was wonderful. The service was excellent from the exacting easy to follow directions to the villa, the little unexpected extras - welcome pack, regular sheet and towel change. The villa itself exceeded our expectations, the photos do not give it justice. The view is breathtaking in peaceful, tranquil surroundings. Hoping to return next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andrew H., Newcastle

Self Catering with a boutique hotel touch
This was our 3rd trip to Kefalonia, but the first time we had been to the Lixouri area. We shall return! It's stunning. Quieter and cheaper than the more commercial parts of the island (althoug that's a relative term on Kefalonia!). Beaches are lovely and it's great for snorkelling. Villa Varkoula is in a lovely location with great views acros a valley, towards the mountains. The accommodation is spacious for 4 and has all the basics that you need. Having two en-suite bathrooms is a real bonus and they are nicely done with English style double showers, rather than the typical Greek cubicle. Outside there is plenty of space around the pool, which is bigger than it looks in the photos and is kept really clean and is well lit at night. We arrived at 11pm and were happily swimming at midnight! The biggest problem I had was dragging my wife and sun away from the pool to go and see some sights! You get a lovely welcome pack and Frances is easy to contact if more help is needed. Just one word of warning, watch your shins on the corners of the beds! The Internet connection is slow, so it's ok for email and you can stream music (with occasional buffering), but don't expect too watch much video! A car is really essential, as Varkoula is in a quiet out of town spot. However, it's only 5 minutes drive to Xi beach and 10 minutes into Lixouri. This is a lovely villa in a great location. We make a point of never staying in the same place twice, just so that we get to see lots of places, but we are already thinking that we will make a exception in the case of Varkoula... Thank you France's and hope to visit you again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Hans S.

Perfection
I was in Villa Varkoula first week of May and had a perfect time. Everything was according my expectations and even better. Nice to find on arrival that the refrigerator is filled, no need to visit a supermarket immediately. I would certainly recommend this villa, be sure to rent a car with it. Closest supermarket is by car about 15 minutes. The property was very clean, well maintained, a good place! I have travelled to Kefalonia for a few years, some times via Kefalonian homes (Frances) and also sometimes via ross holidays. ross holidays is somewhat more 'organized'. Bus brings you to your location, visit from the travel agency the first day, such things. The villas that Frances provides are better (just my humble opinion). Ross likes the 'old fashioned' Greece style. Frances provides the good life for holiday in Greece. To summarize it all up: 'a matter of taste'.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Chris Kelly

very nice clean well maiintained with lovely view
we both had a lovely week quiet location just what we wanted only issue was the local beach was not in walking distance but this would not stop us from booking the villa again