Imagine it: the distinctive white-washed walls, the glittering Aegean Sea, and you, perfectly framed against a sunset that sets the sky ablaze. In the age of visual storytelling, a hotel is more than simply a place to stay; it’s the gorgeous backdrop for our most treasured memories and, of course, our most-liked Instagram photos. This is especially true in Greece, which appears to be tailor-made for the camera lens.
This is your curated guide to the 20 most visually spectacular luxury hotels on the Greek islands. From stunning cliffside apartments to boho-chic beach clubs, every element of these hotels provides a photo opportunity worth remembering for a lifetime. Prepare your camera; your beautiful shot awaits.
The Cyclades: Iconic Views & Whitewashed Dreams
The Cyclades are most likely what comes to mind when you think of Greece. This is the home of sugar-cube settlements, blue-domed churches, and breathtaking sea views that define luxury vacation in the Aegean.
A. Santorini – The Caldera Kings
Santorini’s hotels are carved into volcanic cliffs and offer some of the world’s most stunning and sought-after views. They are masters of minimalist luxury, with structures designed to frame the spectacular caldera.
1. Canaves Oia Suites, Oia The flowing, all-white infinity pools at Canaves Oia appear to melt right into the caldera below. Combined with minimalist, cave-style suites, the entire resort is a study in quiet elegance. The ultimate “money shot” here is an effortlessly elegant breakfast served in your private plunge pool, with the iconic blue-domed churches of Oia providing the perfect backdrop.
2. Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, Imerovigli Grace Hotel’s exceptional location in Imerovigli provides incomparable sunset views away from the throng, as well as one of the most photographed infinity pools in the world. Its multi-story architecture is an architectural marvel. Take a wide-angle shot from a lower terrace, framing the spectacular main pool against the historic Skaros Rock as the sun sets.
3. Katikies Santorini, Oia Staying at Katikies is like entering a fantasy. It’s a gorgeous maze of whitewashed staircases, elegant bridges, and three separate infinity pools set 300 feet above the ocean. Pose on the famed white bridge that connects two of the pools, with the enormous, deep blue Aegean Sea in the background. It’s absolute Cycladic perfection.
4. Cavo Tagoo Santorini, Imerovigli. Cavo Tagoo is well-known for its spectacular cave pools with floating sun loungers, which combine modern design with raw natural elements. The aesthetic is ultra-sleek and contemporary, providing a spectacular contrast to the volcanic cliffside. The most prized photo is taken from inside your private cave pool, looking out across the sea to the vast horizon.
5. Andronis Luxury Suites, Oia Andronis’ organic, cliff-carved building feels like a natural extension of the island. Private cave plunge pools are a standout feature, sometimes with spectacular, curved entrances that beg to be photographed. Capture a wonderful candid moment of yourself sipping a bottle of Assyrtiko wine on your private patio, with the breathtaking caldera drop behind you.
B. Mykonos – Boho-Chic & Glamorous Pools
Mykonos is where vibrant energy meets high style. With their opulent pools, top-notch beach clubs, and effortlessly chic, bohemian ambiance, these hotels are design playgrounds.
6. Cavo Tagoo Mykonos For good reason, Cavo Tagoo Mykonos, the legend itself, is a popular destination for influencers and celebrities. With an aquarium bar, underwater sunbeds, and an unrivaled party vibe at sunset, its infinity pool is renowned worldwide. The picture that really captures the essence of Mykonos is of you sipping cocktails by the pool while the golden sunshine bounces off the waves.
7. Santa Marina, A Luxury Collection Resort, Ornos Bay Santa Marina provides a distinct feeling of luxury and solitude because it is the only resort on Mykonos with a fully private sandy beach. Highlights include the gorgeous, tropical-style Oasis Pool and the famous Buddha-Bar Beach restaurant. The greatest opportunity for a picture? Sipping cocktails while enjoying a view of the private bay from one of Buddha-Bar Beach’s swinging cabanas.
8. Myconian Ambassador Hotel Relais & Châteaux, Platis Gialos This hotel provides expansive, panoramic views of the bay from its location above the well-known Platis Gialos beach. Many suites have private pools in the “swim-up” style, which makes them ideal for taking pictures. The decor is elegant and sophisticated. If allowed, a drone can take a picture of the hotel’s breathtaking architecture tumbling down to the glittering water for a really striking effect.erched above the popular Platis Gialos beach, this hotel offers sweeping, panoramic views of the bay. The design is sophisticated and chic, with many suites featuring “swim-up” style private pools that are perfect for photos. For a truly impressive shot, a drone (where permitted) can capture the stunning architecture of the hotel cascading down towards the sparkling sea.
9. Bill & Coo Suites and Lounge Bill & Coo’s ambiance is romantic and sophisticated. The starlit infinity pool, which reflects the stars above and twinkles with fiber optic lights at night, is the major attraction. The most lovely photograph is taken in the evening, with the bright pool surrounded by the distant silhouettes of Mykonos’ iconic windmills.
10. The Wild Hotel by Interni, Kalafatis The Wild Hotel’s rustic, “untamed luxury” decor makes it feel authentic and grounded. Its stunning cliffside infinity pool and fine masonry, which overlook a small, private beach, blend in seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Pose on the unfinished wooden steps leading down to the isolated cove for a unique photo that depicts the hotel’s beautiful, natural decor.The Wild Hotel has a rough, “untamed luxury” style that makes it feel real and grounded. Its gorgeous cliffside infinity pool and exquisite stonework, which are set over a small, private beach, mix in perfectly with the surrounding environment. Pose on the unfinished wooden steps that down to the secluded cove for a distinctive picture that captures the hotel’s stylish, earthy décor.
3. Crete: Expansive Luxury & Private Havens
Crete, the largest island in Greece, offers a distinct brand of luxury, characterised by spaciousness, privacy, and opulence. Its resorts are frequently expansive, exclusive retreats surrounded by a variety of striking surroundings.
11. Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort, Elounda Blue Palace provides a view that will never be forgotten. Almost every hotel, restaurant, and infinity pool at the resort has a direct, framed view of the historic Spinalonga Island. You can get the best “money shot” from your private pool, where the water appears to flow directly toward the fabled, enchanted island on the horizon. The view from the Blue Palace is just amazing. From practically every suite, café, and infinity pool, guests can enjoy a direct, framed view of the historic Spinalonga Island. The most powerful “money shot” is taken from your private pool, where the water appears to flow right towards the gorgeous, fabled island in the distance.
12. Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas A masterwork of sleek, contemporary design, Daios Cove is carved into a stunning private cove. Its glass funiculars provide amazing moving views for unusual photographs and videos as they wind across the mountainous terrain.Daios Cove is a masterpiece of clean, contemporary design, carved into a lovely private cove. Its glass funiculars wind through the hilly terrain, providing incredible moving views for unique images and movies. The main infinity pool deck offers an iconic vista of the resort’s beautiful, turquoise-water coastline. The iconic view is of the resort’s immaculate, turquoise-water beach below, taken from the main infinity pool deck.
13. Amirandes Grecotel Boutique Resort Amirandes is a majestic resort inspired by the legendary Minoan castles. It features a spectacular Olympic-sized seawater pool, well-kept gardens, and huge lagoons that loop around the property. Take your photograph at dusk, when the lagoons and pools are bathed in a mystical glow from flickering fire pits and candles, for a truly emotive shot.
14. Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel Each property on the Elounda Peninsula provides complete privacy as well as its own heated seawater pool right on the water’s edge. It promotes an unparalleled sense of connection with the water. The best photo here, taken from the edge of your pool, where your private space merges with the open water, gives the sense that you have the entire Mirabello Bay to yourself.
4. The Ionian & Dodecanese Islands: Emerald Waters & Unspoiled Beauty
From the lush, green landscapes of the Ionian islands to the historic charm of the Dodecanese, this region offers a different, yet equally stunning, vision of Greece.
15. Porto Zante Villas & Spa, Zakynthos. Porto Zante, the pinnacle in private luxury, is routinely ranked among the world’s best hotels. This all-villa resort boasts a private heated pool and beach area, as well as excellent service. The ultimate photograph, captured from the luxury of your villa’s private beachfront, shows the magnificent, almost luminous turquoise ocean of the Ionian Sea.
16. Angsana Corfu Resort & Spa Perched on a green hill, Angsana offers amazing panoramic views of the Mediterranean and Corfu’s gorgeous shoreline. The show-stopper is the stunning, large main infinity pool, which resembles a massive viewing platform for the island’s grandeur. To catch the vibrant sky reflected on the enormous body of water, take a wide-angle photo from the pool deck at sunset.
17. Lesante Blu, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Zakynthos This adults-only sanctuary was intended to take advantage of its wonderful location, with every unit featuring a guaranteed sea view. The sleek, contemporary style and individual plunge pools exude a sense of tranquil exclusivity. The ideal photo is a simple yet gorgeous portrait on your private balcony, with the calm, blue Ionian sea as a minimalist backdrop.his adults-only paradise was designed to maximize its incredible location, with every single suite offering a guaranteed sea view. The sleek, contemporary design and private plunge pools create a feeling of serene exclusivity. The perfect shot is a simple but stunning portrait on your private balcony, using the calm, blue Ionian sea as your minimalist backdrop.
18. Patmos Aktis Suites & Spa, Patmos This hotel, located on the spiritually significant and less-crowded island of Patmos, is a minimalist’s dream. The architecture’s clean lines and absolute beachfront location in the calm Grikos Bay make it an ideal location for photography. The most tranquil image is of the hotel’s large, rectangular pool, which points directly at the bay like an arrow.
19. MarBella Nido Suite Hotel & Villas, Corfu Nestled amidst a fragrant olive grove, this adults-only hotel exudes a warm, earthy elegance. The terracotta-hued suites, each with a private plunge pool or terrace, cascade down the hillside, offering breathtaking sea views. Frame a photo from your suite’s terrace, peeking through the silvery-green leaves of the olive trees to the sparkling water below.
20. OKU Kos With a laid-back, rustic-chic design inspired by traditional Greek village architecture, OKU Kos is the epitome of bohemian luxury. The cubic houses, calming pools that wind through the property like a river, and beautiful open-air yoga shala are all incredibly photogenic. For a relaxed and stylish shot, capture yourself lounging by one of the shared pools, reflecting the property’s charming village atmosphere.
Conclusion: Your Perfect Shot Awaits
From the dramatic caldera cliffs of Santorini to the secluded coves of Crete and the lush hills of Corfu, Greece offers a stunning variety of backdrops for an unforgettable luxury getaway. Each of these hotels provides more than just a beautiful room; they offer a world of photogenic moments waiting to be captured.
Which of these hotels is going straight to the top of your travel bucket list? Ready to plan your picture-perfect Greek escape? Share this guide with your favorite travel partner and start dreaming!