Six Spectacular Windmill Hotels in Greece Overlooking the Aegean

One of the most iconic images from Greece is one of round, whitewashed windmills against the clear, azure sky of islands and mountain slopes. Some of them have been turned into luxurious hotels.

The windmill has been an integral part of Greece’s heritage and economic history. Though its invention can be traced as far back as 1,500 years with ancient Greek inventor Heron and his wind-powered organ, windmills became a staple during medieval times, around the 12th and 13th centuries AD. Most windmills are found on the islands, particularly in the Cyclades.

How magical would it be if you could wake up one morning and see the blades of an old windmill lazily turning just outside your window? It is an extraordinary experience accessible to any visitor on the Greek islands.

Here are six windmill hotels in Greece which will offer you just that, as well as unforgettable views of the Aegean sea.

Windmill hotels in Greece

Porto Mykonos, Mykonos

This hotel’s traditional windmill is one of the few still operating in Mykonos Town. An open-plan traditional windmill built on three levels with private sea view terraces, it is an ideal base from which you can explore the cosmopolitan Greek island.

The Mykonos windmills are iconic features of the island visible from any spot in the main town and are one of the first things visitors see when arriving to the harbor of Alefkandra as they stand atop of a hill overlooking the sea.

Historically, they were primarily used to grind wheat and were once a significant income source for island inhabitants.

Windmill Villas, Santorini

This hotel consists of three beautiful, newly-built windmills located within walking distance of the village of Imerovigli. All three mills contain romantic terraces and are equipped with hammocks, sofas, outdoor pools, and lovely stone patios with panoramic sea views.

Each windmill is a different color, and anyone lucky enough to be staying at Santorini’s Windmill Hotel will enjoy breathtaking views of the setting sun on the Aegean Sea.

The Windmill Resort, Kythera

This charming, romantic, and relaxing hotel complex is constructed around one of the island’s oldest stone windmills.

It is a windmill in harmonious coexistence with the pool alongside colorful gardens highlighting the unique beauty of the Kytherian landscape. The apartments are scattered throughout the resort, which was constructed as its own quiet, peaceful village.

The Aria Windmill, Kimolos

Built in 1852, this property used to be called the “Doctor’s Windmill.” It is one of few authentic traditional windmills remaining in Greece today. The hotel chain Aria purchased the windmill several years ago and renovated it to create a unique vacation experience for visitors.

Its rooms are equipped with built-in beds, white furniture, and traditional island balconies with built-in sofas. The Aria Windmill is the perfect place for serenity in the Aegean accompanied by stunning views.

Windmill Villas, Sifnos

This hotel, part of which is an old family mill that was renovated in 1997, now features a beautifully-renovated apartment in the mill for visitors. Over the years, owners have also built several additional studio apartments around the mill itself.

The complex, located on a hill near the village of Artemona, provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy a unique view of the villages of Apollonia and Kastro, the ancient capital of the island. The impressive decor of the hotel’s interior spaces aesthetically  intermingles with the windmill’s original materials enhanced by subtle modern touches.

The Windmill-Villa, Ano Koufonissi

This traditional windmill is one of the island’s most extraordinary hotels and is a preserved historical landmark which has been renovated for an unforgettable experience to visitors.

The mill, located on the southwest side of the island, was built around 1830 and has been described as the newest monument of the pre-industrial period.

It was especially important for owners to preserve the mill’s authentic architecture during its reconstruction. The building consists of two floors, with a fully-equipped kitchen and adjoining bedrooms, and views of Naxos and other nearby islands are jaw-dropping.