Lockdown after lockdown and numerous travel restrictions has left many of us itching to get out of the country. If you’ve always dreamed of a holiday home (or forever home) in Greece, whether it be on one of the picturesque islands or the historical mainland, we have created a list of six of the best places to buy property in Greece in 2021…
Corfu
Paleokastritsa
Corfu is one of the more popular Ionian islands. This romantic island is perfect for couples looking to buy a holiday home or make the permanent move.
With its lush landscape bursting with olive trees and citrus orchards, hidden coves, stunning beaches and Adriatic-style villages, it is no wonder the island draws around 300,000 visitors a year.
Find out more about financing your dream home in Greece in our newly updated guide, How to Pay for It.
Corfu is home to the famous Canal d’Amour – or Channel of Love – located in Sidari. The name comes from a tradition that claims that all couples who swim in the waters will remain in love forever.
The island has a rich history, and its architecture represents years spent under Venetian, French and British rule. You can find Byzantine churches and the remains of Venetian fortresses and Greek temples.
Alternatively, the tourist resorts of Sidari or Kavos offer water sports, great bars and restaurants, and lively nightlife.
Where to buy:
Sidari is a relatively touristy part of Corfu, however, this has its advantages with many English speakers and plenty of shops and restaurants. There are beautiful beaches and even a small water park. You can find a three-bedroom detached house in Sidari, close to Canal d’Amour beach, for under €200,000.
On the west side of the island is the more peaceful resort of Paleokastritsa. You can get a two-bedroom semi-detached village house with ocean views for €150,000.
If you would prefer to live in the historical Corfu Town, a one-bedroom, fully furnished apartment would cost around €235,000.
Getting there:
It is very easy to get to Corfu with many airlines flying directly from the UK. Flight time is around three hours.
Kefalonia
Fishing village of Assos
If you’ve always dreamed of retiring to a Greek island, Kefalonia is a great place to consider.
Quieter than the likes of Corfu, Kefalonia is home to many treasures. The charming fishing village of Assos has an array of colourful houses on the harbour-front and ruins of a 16th century Venetian castle to explore. The secret underground lake of Melissani will take your breath away, and you can spot giant turtles swimming in the harbour of the capital Argostoli. Kefalonia’s turquoise water against the greenery of the hills is truly spectacular.
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If you enjoy hiking, Kefalonia is home to Mount Aenos, the tallest mountain on the Ionian islands. There are plenty of walking trails through the black pine and Greek fir, and panoramic views of the surrounding island at the summit. You might even see some semi-wild ponies on your way up.
Where to buy:
The capital Argostoli is affordable with a one-bedroom apartment costing €88,000 or a two-bedroom detached house for around €120,000.
A traditional house in Hionata – a village at the foot of Mount Ainos – can be found for just €40,000. Alternatively, you could get a four-bedroom luxury villa with private pool and ocean views for €550,000 in the fishing village of Katelios.
Getting there:
You can take a direct three-hour flight from London to Kefalonia International Airport Anna Pollatou. Alternatively, access Kefalonia by ferry from the ports of Kyllini and Patras on mainland Greece.
Zakynthos
Navagio beach with shipwreck
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is another of the Ionian islands. The island boasts hilltop villages, traditional monasteries, castles and caves. Zakynthos’ beaches are the residence of the endangered sea turtle species Caretta-Caretta, as well as the famous Navagio shipwreck. Zakynthos Town is the island’s cultural centre, with plenty of history to discover, including a Ventian castle and Solomos Square, as well as an abundance of bars and restaurants serving traditional Greek cuisine.
The resort of Laganas is a great party area, but the majority of the island is family-friendly and a perfect place to buy a holiday home. Whether you’re looking to rent your home out, or live in it yourself, there are plenty of towns and villages to choose from.
Where to buy:
Two-bedroom villas with private pools on the island start at around €250,000. You can get a four-bedroom modern detached villa in the family-friendly area of Tsilivi for around €300,000.
Getting there:
You can fly directly from the UK into Zakynthos International Airport “Dionysios Solomos” with easyJet and TUI. Flight time is approximately three and a half hours. Alternatively, you can fly into mainland Greece and take a one-hour ferry to Zakynthos from the port of Killini.
Need to raise a little more money to buy your dream home in Greece? Read how in our new guide, How to Pay for an Overseas Property.
Crete
Old port of Chania
If you’re after a warm welcome to Greece, Crete is definitely the place to go, with locals certainly living up to the phrase ‘philoxenia’ meaning love of the foreign. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, and with over 300 days of sunshine, picturesque mountain villages, coastal towns and bustling cities to explore, it is no surprise it is so popular with expats. The island is considered to be extremely safe with very low crime rates, leaving residents to indulge in the famous Raki, honey and other Cretan delights worry-free.
Where to buy:
Chania is a great place to consider buying a property in Crete. The area has a Venetian Harbour, quaint and narrow shopping streets and plenty of waterfront restaurants. Chania is home to the Samaria Gorge, a national park with lots of walking trails. The beaches are also considered some of the best in Crete. Three-bedroom detached villas with private pools in Chania start at just €150,000.
In the capital city of Heraklion, famous for its Venetian Fortress that surrounds the city harbour, two-bedroom town houses start at just €70,000. You can get modern, three-bedroom villas with mountain and sea views for €350,000.
When transferring lump sums to buy property in Greece, you are exposing your hard-saved money to the vagaries of the currency markets. Learn how to protect your budget by locking in an exchange rate in the Property Buyer’s Guide to Currency.
Getting there:
There are two main airports in Crete that you can fly into: Heraklion International Airport and Chania Airport. The flight time from the UK is about four hours.
Peloponnese
Romantic town of Nafplion
So we all know that the Greek islands are gorgeous, but mainland Greece also has its own charm. The Peloponnese is the location of much of Greece’s antiquity and has some incredible archaeology. Olympia, the venue for the first Olympic Games in 776BC, and the remnants of a fourth-century city, are just some of the archaeological wonders in the area. There are many medieval towns, including Mystras and Monemvasia, that will transport you back in time. The Peloponnese scenery is rugged, with walking routes through the mountains and dense forests that could lead you to even more concealed ruins. With beautiful beaches, caves, waterfalls, and even ski centres, this area is definitely worth considering when buying your holiday home.
Where to buy:
The peaceful village of Stoupa is an ideal place to buy an overseas home, whether for yourself or to rent out to holidaymakers. It is close to Olympia and has a gorgeous bay with beaches backed by the Taygetos Mountains. You can find a three-bedroom stone villa with a large garden for under €250,000, and a two-bedroom apartment in heart of the village for just €165,000.
For couples, the romantic town of Nafplion is perfect. It is frequently called the most romantic town in Greece due to its ancient architecture and secluded coves. The narrow streets and hidden squares with neoclassical buildings will never become boring, and, it’s just two hours’ drive from Athens. A four-bedroom detached house in Nafplion would cost around €380,000, and a three-bedroom villa with ocean views, €300,000.
Getting there:
As the Peloponnese is so close to Athens, the best airport to fly into is Athens International Airport. Flight time is around three and a half hours.
Rhodes
Historical old town Rhodes
Rhodes is a popular holiday destination, with magnificent medieval architecture, whitewashed villages, and spectacular beaches famed for being great spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The popularity of this island would make it an ideal place to buy a holiday home, either to rent out or to use yourself. Rhodes Town is thought to be one of the best preserved medieval sites in Europe and is home to the impressive Palace of Grand Master. Some highlights of the island include the village of Lindos, famed for its donkeys and the ancient Acropolis of Lindos, and the springs of Kallithea, renowned for their therapeutic powers and Italian architecture.
Where to buy:
Rhodes Town can be pricey so it is worth looking to the surrounding villages. Koskinou, a hilltop village with a mixture of colourful and whitewashed architecture, numerous cafes and cobbled streets, is just six kilometres from the city. This is an affordable area, with four-bedroom family villas starting at €280,000.
Alternatively, the lively seaside village of Kremasti is another great place to buy. This area is popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing and is close to Rhodes International Airport, so may be a little noisy. However, the village still has a traditional Greek feel and there is a huge street market and fiesta every year to celebrate “Panigiri” or Festival of the Virgin Mary. You could get a three-bedroom villa here for under €400,000.
Getting there:
There are plenty of direct flights from UK airports to Rhodes International Airport. Flight time is around four hours.
