zakynthos (zante) is one of the ionian islands. it is reachable by air (the flight duration is 50 minutes from the athens international airport) and by sea (ferryboats from kyllini, peloponnese – period of travel less than 2 hours). kyllini is located 80 kilometres south of the port of patra, which links the peloponnese to italy.
due to its diverse underwater environment, zakynthos and, especially, the region “keri” are considered paradises for those who love scuba diving, as they offer the chance to explore caverns and tunnels. furthermore, lovers of marine life are attracted to the island to see the beach of laganas gulf, where sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. laganas beach is a protected area and belongs to the national marine park of zakynthos.
zakynthos is the birthplace of many intellectuals, among them dionysios solomos, the greek poet who wrote the “hymn to liberty” that became the national anthem. also, the island has a long musical tradition of serenade love songs sung by men, expressing their feelings under the moonlight.
in ancient times, zakynthos was part of odysseus’s kingdom, while during contemporary history the island incurred many years of venetian, french and british domination until 1864 when it was united with greece. the island’s history interweaves with earthquakes, so the building regulations are stringent.
the island’s patron saint, saint dionysios, is considered a remarkable example of forgiveness as, according to tradition, he saved the murder of his beloved brother. his body remains intact and rests in the church of saint dionysios in the capital of the island.
positioned on the hillsides of vasilikos near kaminia beach, indigo is designed as a low horizontal residence that follows the contours of the landscape, opening fully toward uninterrupted views across the ionian sea. the architecture remains restrained throughout, combining pale stone surfaces, expansive glazing and long linear forms that allow the house to sit quietly within its surroundings rather than above them. from almost every point within the property, the sea remains visually present beyond the olive groves and native vegetation that surround the site.
the villa extends across 332 sqm (3,573 sqft) on a 4,090 sqm (44,024 sqft) plot, with the principal living spaces arranged around a broad terrace and infinity pool facing the coastline. portions of the structure appear partially embedded within the hillside itself, reducing the visual impact of the building and reinforcing its connection to the terrain. the surrounding landscape remains an active part of the experience of the house, visible continuously through wide openings and carefully framed sightlines.
inside, the architecture is organised around an open-plan living and dining space where floor-to-ceiling glazing allows light and sea views to move uninterrupted through the interiors across the day. the material palette remains calm and consistent, combining natural stone, textured plaster, soft timber tones and muted finishes chosen to respond gently to the changing light. double-height sections introduce volume while maintaining the overall restraint of the design, and carefully positioned openings allow natural airflow to pass through the house during the warmer months.
the kitchen forms part of the central living space and connects directly to the covered outdoor dining terrace and pool area, allowing the interior and exterior spaces to function almost seamlessly together throughout the season. broad shaded sections provide shelter from the summer sun while preserving the openness of the architecture and the uninterrupted views across the water.
the villa includes four bedrooms and four bathrooms, each continuing the same quiet architectural language found throughout the residence. bedrooms are positioned to maximise privacy and orientation toward the sea, while large openings maintain a constant visual connection to the landscape beyond. the primary suite introduces softer textures and warmer timber detailing, creating a more intimate atmosphere within the otherwise minimal composition of the house.
in addition to the outdoor infinity pool, the property also incorporates an indoor pool and sauna positioned within a more sheltered section of the residence. this quieter part of the house opens onto a private internal courtyard that brings filtered natural light deeper into the interiors while creating a greater sense of enclosure and calm. continuous flooring materials and uninterrupted sightlines reinforce the seamless movement between interior and exterior spaces throughout the property.
scheduled for completion at the end of 2026, indigo presents a contemporary interpretation of coastal living in zakynthos, combining architectural clarity, privacy and immediate proximity to the island’s southwestern beaches. as the evening light settles across the stone terraces, the sea remains visible from almost every part of the house.
