4 Best Hotels in Galaxidi, Attica and Delphi

A 19th-century sea captain's mansion and two other houses surround a lush garden, combining welcoming outdoor spaces and homey interiors where unpretentious antiques are interspersed with weavings, small sculptures, and paintings, giving each room personality. In winter a blazing fire beckons from the sitting room. Breakfast, served in the lush courtyard in summer, is legendary, often including homemade marmalades (apricot, fig, tangerine, etc.), chutneys, breads, cakes, cheeses, and spinach-filled pies, though the exact menu changes daily. It's no surprise they're good; the family also runs Papalexis Bakery in the village, meaning the cooking classes (€50) here have genuine expertise behind them. In recent years, four new apartments have been added to the property, all with kitchenettes, modern interiors, and balconies overlooking the village. The owners also operate a separate three-bedroom apartment down by the waterside that's better for large families.

This pair of one-bedroom houses, about 10 minutes' walk from town, is a good option for families. The giant garden even contains a jungle gym and safety mat. You're away from the pretty center of the village, but the tiny Kalafitis beach is only 500 meters (1/3 mile) down the road, so there are compensations. Kitchens are immaculate, the beds have Cocomat mattresses (Greece's beloved luxury mattress of choice), and a fold-out sofa in the lounge becomes the second bedroom. Breakfasts arrive in a little hamper filled with local jams and homemade marmalade.

Everything about this seaside house is bright, from the flower-filled garden to the huge, tile-floored rooms (all with kitchenettes). These are filled with light and open onto breezy terraces where you can gaze out over the sea. All rooms sleep at least three and can accommodate more, making this an especially good choice for families. The exceptionally warm hospitality extends to a lavish breakfast of homemade cakes and jams. They also run cookery classes.

Even from the outside, Nostos looks every inch the old captain's house. Built in 1880, its pale-yellow facade and dark wooden shutters are immaculate, gazing imperiously over the village square. Inside is no less fascinating. In the breakfast room an old well has been covered with plexiglass, so you can peer down to its depths, and saucy ship's figureheads dot the walls. Rooms are pretty, Laura Ashley–esque affairs, with the two family suites complete with balcony views of the sea. An aristocratic bent runs through the furniture and its antique-style dressers and mirrors, and mosquito nets are on hand to keep out pests in summer. The best, however, is reserved for breakfast, with the opportunity to take its homemade repasts in the garden—a huge, peaceful setting every bit worthy of a captain.