Trend Alert! Airbnb Searches for This European Getaway Are Way Up
If there’s a common theme that binds most travel trends these days, it’s a dose of adventure. Maybe for you that means setting off on a solo trek through the Azores or signing up for surf lessons in Costa Rica. Or perhaps it means ditching that tried-and-true hotel stay and opting for something a little out of the ordinary.
According to Airbnb, that’s a trend loads of travelers seem to be following, with more people adding stays from thatched roof bamboo huts to tropical tree houses to their vacation wish lists. When it comes to actually booking, however, one iconic stay has all those beat: Cycladic cave houses. According to a 2019 Airbnb trend report, bookings for the famously rugged Greek homes are up a whopping 95 percent since last year.
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While the leap in bookings is indeed steep, the popularity of these iconic homes shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Carved into the cliffsides of many Greek islands, Cycladic houses often boast some of the best views around. And up against the cobalt blue of the Mediterranean, their sleek, bright white exteriors and swoon-worthy decks set the perfect stage for Insta-worthy photos—no filter required.
But next-level terraces aside, the interiors of Cycladic homes are also attractions. While often compact and windowless, the homes’ typically curved white walls and ceilings, built-in nooks, and minimal furnishings create a warm, cozy feeling. Couple that with accents of natural stone that recall their cliffside locale, and you have a stay that feels completely unique to the Greek islands.
But looks, views, and novelty aside, perhaps the best explanation yet for the surge in popularity of Cycladic homes is their affordability. While some will set you back a few hundred, you can easily slide into one of these island escapes for less than $100—and that includes direct beachfront access.
Need we say more? If you’re already planning your Greek getaway, here are five Cycladic stays we’re eyeing on Airbnb:
Hector Cave House, Santorini; From $449 per night
Megalochori Cave House, Santorini, From $139 per night
Triantaros Village Home, Tinos Island; From $63 per night
Pura Vida, Santorini, From $159 per night
