The Real Cost of a Villa Holiday in Greece (And What You Can Skip)
August 27, 2025
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The villa rental is the big number everyone focuses on. But it's not the whole story.
Here's what a week in a Greece villa holiday actually costs, based on real numbers from our guests, and where you can cut costs without cutting quality.
Villa rental: €1,725–€4,600/week
This obviously varies wildly depending on:
- How many bedrooms (2-bed vs 5-bed)
- Location (inland Zakynthos vs beachfront Santorini)
- Season (October vs August)
- Amenities (basic pool vs infinity pool with jacuzzi)
Where to save: Book shoulder season (May, June, September, October). You'll pay 30–40% less than peak summer, the weather is still excellent, and the islands are less crowded.
Don't skip: A villa you actually like. If you're spending a week somewhere, paying an extra €345 for a villa with a better pool or a sea view is worth it. You'll use that pool every single day.
Flights: €230–€575 per person return
Where to save: Book flights 3–4 months in advance, avoid school holidays if possible, and be flexible on dates (flying midweek is often cheaper).
Don't skip: Decent flight times. A 6am departure to save €46 means you lose half a day of holiday and arrive exhausted.
Car hire: €230–€460/week
In Greece and Cyprus, you need a car. Public transport to villas is essentially non-existent.
Where to save: Book car hire directly (not through the airline), choose a smaller car, and check if your credit card includes car hire excess insurance (it often does, which saves you €12/day on excess cover).
Don't skip: Air conditioning. Greece and Cyprus in summer are hot. A car with no A/C will be miserable.
Groceries: €92–€173/week
For a family of four, expect to spend about €23–€35/day on groceries if you're cooking most meals at home.
Where to save: Shop at local supermarkets (Lidl, local chains), not tourist shops. Buy local wine, olive oil, and produce — it's cheaper and better.
Don't skip: At least a few meals out. You're on holiday. You don't want to cook every night.
Eating out: €46–€115 per meal
A decent taverna meal for two adults + two kids in Greece: €58–€81. A nicer restaurant or beachfront spot: €92–€115.
Where to save: Ask locals (or us) where they eat. The best food is rarely on the main tourist strip.
Don't skip: At least one or two memorable meals. You'll remember that incredible seafood dinner in Paphos long after you've forgotten what you spent.
Activities/excursions: €58–€230
Boat trips, water sports, wine tours, archaeological sites — this varies wildly depending on what you want to do.
Where to save: Many of the best experiences in Greece and Cyprus are free or cheap: beaches, hiking, wandering through villages, watching the sunset.
Don't skip: One or two proper experiences. A sunset boat trip around Zakynthos or a wine tasting in Cyprus will cost €58–€92 but will be a highlight of the trip.
The "hidden" costs
Pool heating (if needed): €173–€288/week extra. Only necessary in spring/autumn.
Airport transfers: €46–€92 return. Worth it if you're arriving late or don't want to deal with car hire immediately.
Climate Resilience Tax: €2–€15 per villa per night depending on season (legally required in Greece). We always tell you this upfront.
Total realistic cost for a family of 4
Budget week: €3,450–€4,025 (cheaper villa, cook most meals, fewer activities)
Mid-range week: €4,600–€5,750 (nice villa, mix of cooking and eating out, a few excursions)
Premium week: €6,900–€9,200+ (beachfront villa, eating out most nights, boat trips, spa days)
Where Bnbstay helps
We won't upsell you into a villa that's bigger or fancier than you need. If you ask for a 5-bed villa but you're only 6 people, we'll suggest a 3-bed and save you €575.
We'll also tell you honestly which extras are worth it (pool heating in April: yes; daily housekeeping: probably not unless you're a large group).
Because the goal isn't to maximise what you spend. It's to maximise what you remember.
