Once again, the UAE royal family shows its preference for Greece and the beauty of the Greek summer, with its most prominent member, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, spending his holidays in Navarino Bay—one of the largest natural harbors in the world.

Naturally, Mansour and his entourage did not miss the chance to try local specialties based on fresh fish, as well as high-end gastronomy, at the restaurants housed in Costa Navarino’s top hotels: Mandarin, W, Romanos, and Westin.

Photos from the Barbouni, Onuki, and Guacana restaurants:

Vice President of the Emirates and owner of Manchester City, Mansour combines political power with the image of a global jet-setter. A lover of football and horse racing, as well as an international investor with major projects in Greece, he has built around his name a legend connecting business success with wealth and luxury.

His lifestyle is clearly reflected in his yachts. For years, his pride was the 147-meter yacht A+, but it has now been replaced by the ultramodern Blue. At 160 meters long, with palace-like interiors, gyms, spas, and cinemas, the superyacht has become a “floating resort” for him and his distinguished guests. It is valued at $600 million, with annual operating costs reaching $60 million.

The Blue, built by Lürssen in Bremen, Germany, and delivered in June 2022, was designed inside by British designer Terence Disdale. It can comfortably host up to 48 guests in 24 suites and accommodate up to 80 crew members, ensuring a relaxing experience on board a luxurious vessel.

Photos: The Blue and its tenders in Navarino Bay.

The sheikh’s yachting collection also includes Azzam, the world’s largest private yacht at 180 meters, epitomizing the concept of “beyond luxury.”

Greece—and especially its islands—remains a favorite backdrop for the family’s summer escapes. In Mykonos, Emirati parties on their yacht decks bring together international DJs and fine dining experiences from top chefs, while in Santorini they opt for quieter moments, dining with views of the Caldera.

In Crete (where the Blue is currently anchored off Chania’s Venetian harbor), private excursions to secluded coves include exclusive pop-up canteens for the family and their guests. In the Ionian, yachts turn into mobile villas for low-key holidays with complete privacy.

The lifestyle is completed with shopping in international boutiques, visits to renowned beach clubs, and gastronomic experiences blending Greek and Arabic elements. Sheikh Mansour and his entourage often enjoy Greek wines and Mediterranean cuisine, always choosing venues that ensure discretion and refined aesthetics.

With his combination of political power, financial influence, and lavish lifestyle, Sheikh Mansour stands out as one of the most emblematic figures of our time. In Greece, his presence is not limited to ports where his superyachts dock but extends to investments and the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Who is Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan?

Born in Abu Dhabi on November 21, 1970, Mansour is the fifth son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late Emir of Abu Dhabi. His mother is Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi. He has five brothers—Mohammed, Hamdan, Hazza, Tahnoun, and Abdullah—known as the Bani Fatima (sons of Fatima).

He studied at Santa Barbara Community College in 1989 and graduated from the United Arab Emirates University in 1993 with a degree in International Affairs.

While his role as Manchester City’s owner may be the most high-profile, it is far from his most important. The 55-year-old UAE Vice President is also Minister of the Presidential Court and a member of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family. He is the brother of the current UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and participates in several state enterprises.

He serves on the Supreme Petroleum Council and the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, is on the boards of ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) and ADIA (Abu Dhabi Investment Authority), and is Vice Chairman of Mubadala Investment Company, the UAE’s sovereign wealth fund. He is also Chairman of the UAE Central Bank.

Alongside his official duties, he oversees a profitable business portfolio as head of Aabar Investments, which holds a 32% stake in Virgin Galactic and a 9.1% stake in Daimler. He also owns Abu Dhabi Media Investment Corporation (ADMIC), which co-founded Sky News Arabia in partnership with British Sky Broadcasting.