Greece Holiday Home Hotspots
Blessed by the gods and the birthplace of democracy, sun-drenched Greece is an irresistible destination for holidaymakers, travellers and expats.
Located on the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula and more than 2,000 islands, you are spoilt for choosing where to buy a property in Greece. Here is our guide to Greece’s current and upcoming holiday home hotspots.
Mykonos
Part of the Cyclades, Mykonos is Greece’s answer to St Tropez. If you want to party long into the night in ultra-chic surroundings, head to Mykonos. The island is precisely how you would imagine it to be, white-washed “sugar cube” houses, fantastic beaches, and incredible nightlife. In the summer, Mykonos attracts the rich and famous, with luxury yachts moored in the harbour and the beaches frequented by Hollywood stars. During the off-season, the atmosphere of the island changes to a more relaxed and traditional way of life.
As an investment, many consider buying an older and relatively cheaper property to renovate. There is a huge demand for rental properties, so you are sure to recoup your costs.
Crete
The most southerly and largest Greek island is served by two international airports at each end of the island. Crete has something for everyone: lively nightlife, ancient ruins, beautiful beaches, or restful hideaways. Thanks to its southerly location and size, it is a year-round location with its own economy and excellent infrastructure. Property buyers will be spoilt for choice in Crete.
Towards the west of Crete, you will find Chania and the surrounding areas of Akrotiri peninsula and Rethymno. The area is considered home to some of the best beaches in Crete and popular with expats. Towards the east, you will find the port city and the island’s capital Heraklion, with huge archaeological sites dating back thousands of years along with today’s modern trappings. Other popular resorts in the region are the sophisticated Elounda, sleepy Agios Nikolaos and the buzzing resort of Malia.
A three-bed villa will cost around €150,000. You can find apartments for approximately €65,000.
Zakynthos (Zante)
Also known by its Italian name Zante and located on the Italian side of Greece. Zante is blessed with white sandy beaches, lapped by clear turquoise water and home to one of the most spectacular beaches in Europe, Navagio “shipwreck beach”. Further inland, you’ll find hilltop villages, castles, monasteries and caves. The east coast resorts such as Laganas and Tsilivi are popular with holidaymakers. During the summer months, the airport is well served by direct international flights and scheduled carriers flying via Athens during the winter months.
Property prices start at around €250,000 for a two-bed villa.
Kefalonia
The largest of the seven Ionian Islands, Kefalonia, sits off the west coast of mainland Greece. Kefalonia was the setting for Louis de Bernières’ novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and the successful film based on the book. Somehow Kefalonia has managed to retain its charm and avoid mass tourism. The island is regularly voted in the top ten destinations in the world for scenic beauty. Slightly quieter than Corfu, Kefalonia is a great place for retirees searching for a more relaxed way of life.
Each year more countries are offering direct flights to Kefalonia during the summer season, and scheduled flights via Athens are available all year round. Kefalonia is proving to be a good investment for property buyers discovering that their purchase can be self-funding thanks to lucrative rental returns during the summer season.
Alonissos
A beautiful and peaceful island is the very essence of Greece, with traditional villages, picturesque harbour, and life at a much more relaxed pace. No large hotels, just boutique accommodation and small traditional apartments. The island’s marine park is the largest in the Mediterranean, home to dolphins, sperm whales, turtles and over 300 species of fish. Getting to the island is part of the romance, a flight to Skiathos followed by a one-hour ferry ride taking you to picturesque harbour Patitiri.
Properties are not plentiful in the hidden gem, ranging from €130,000 for a detached house in Patitiri to a new build 3-bed villa for €465,000
Corfu
Most people discover Corfu as tourists and fall in love with the island. A hugely popular destination for expats. Corfu’s mild winters encourage lush greenery, and gentle breezes make hot summers comfortable. The island has a reputation for welcoming foreigners with typical Greek hospitality. You’ll find expats in almost every part of the island, unlike other parts of Europe, where expat communities are often in clusters. Corfu is easily accessible by direct flights from many European airports.
Property prices are competitive, and the styles are very individual. Large villa/apartment complexes are rare. You can find a great two-bed house with the use of a pool for around €200,000. With some research, you can discover a small village house renovation project for as little as €50,000.
Peloponnese
Located at the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula, the area has almost 40 Blue Flag beaches and is home to five UNESCO World Heritage sites. The region has a rich, green, and varied landscape – mountains, narrow fertile plains, vast gorges, beautiful beaches, and crystal-clear water. The region’s archaeological sites attract tourists, but no mass tourism exists. The terrain delivers stunning sea views and amazing sunsets into the sea. The region enjoys year-round international access via Athens international airport.
Properties are often purchased here as a holiday home and profitable investment. Also, the region is popular for new build properties thanks to the good availability of plots in great locations and much lower building cost compared to other parts of Greece.
Rhodes
Located further east towards Turkey, you will find the well-developed resort of Rhodes. The island has a great mix of ancient history alongside lively seaside villages. Rhodes town is open all year. The island is easily accessed thanks to good connections with the UK and the rest of Europe, making it an ideal place to buy a holiday home. This trendy holiday hotspot will generate great rental income.
Villas start at around €430,000, and townhouse prices start from €220,000
Help finding your dream property in Greece
The above is just our top destinations to buy in Greece. There are many more areas to consider. Finding the perfect property can be daunting in such a vast country with many options. We can help you find your dream property in Greece. Tell us about your ideal property in Greece?
