Like many an Irish student, I worked in bars on several Greek islands in my formative years.
My memories of times spent on the island of Santorini are among my fondest. Gleaming white churches with domed, azure roofs…turquoise ocean…diving, fishing, yachting…
Santorini’s volcanic heritage is everywhere. A short boat ride takes you to jet-black hills that steam. You can swim in hot springs…take a cable car to the crater rim…sip cocktails while lounging in infinity pools. This is a destination for the wealthy. The rich and famous visit and shop in the many galleries.
Greece has around 6,000 islands and islets. Only 227 of these are inhabited. But even at that, there’s an island to suit every taste…
For instance, just north of Santorini is the lesser-known and less-visited island of Ios. Cat Stevens (or so the rumor goes) took up residence here in search of isolation some years back.
The trendy set, meanwhile, head for Mykonos, famous for its all-night parties and exclusive dance clubs.
The Greek islands have long been a favorite vacation destination for Europeans, the most popular of the islands have been entertaining and wowing foreigners for decades.
But if you look beyond the tourist hotspots on these islands, you can find tranquil getaway homes for a lot less than you might think…as my researchers found below. (Note, we haven’t visited these properties or done any due diligence on them.)
Own on the “Island of the Gods” for €115,000 ($124,500)
This house is on the largest of the Greek islands, Crete. The island is renowned for its scenic valleys, tranquil hill towns, and rugged canyons.
Crete is the largest of all Greece’s islands (about the size of Delaware). It’s famous for its historic cities, crystal-clear seas––and of course––its great wine. Crete has a 4,000-year-old wine tradition. Archeologists unearthed the oldest vineyard in Europe on the island’s east coast. The locals have wine festivals throughout the year.
According to Greek mythology, Crete was created by the Minoan gods, and is the birthplace of Apollo, the god of healing, music and dance, and his twin Artemis, the goddess of hunting and nature. As a result, Crete is sometimes called the “Island of the Gods.”
Great wine and rich culture aside, Crete also boasts stunning beaches. Whether its Palm Beach in the south or Istro Beach in the north of the island, much of Crete’s allure is its golden-sand beaches lining the turquoise Aegean Sea.
You’ll find homes on Crete for very affordable prices. This traditional two-bed house is tucked away in a quaint village just a 17-minute drive from Agios Nikolaos, a bustling town that sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pro Kamara.
The first floor has a modern fitted kitchen, a single bedroom, a double bedroom, and a bathroom. The second floor has a living room with a dining area, with access to a roof terrace which overlooks the nearby valleys and villages. A staircase from the terrace brings you to a roof terrace with a panoramic view. See the listing here.
A House on the “Island of Knights” for €145,000 ($157,000)
This house is in the charming hilltop village of Malona, on the east coast of Rhodes. Malona is famous for its citrus fruit production and remains untouched by tourists.
Rhodes is known as the “Island of Knights” as it was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitellar, a Catholic military order, from 1310 until 1522.
A popular tourist destination, Rhodes welcomed over 2.5 million passengers through its international airport last year. Many of these visitors come to explore the island’s abundant sandy beaches such as Tsambika, known for its golden sands and turquoise waters, and Parsonisi, situated at the point where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean.
The house above is in the traditional farming village of Malona, in a picturesque valley on the east coast of the island. Famous for its citrus fruit production, Malona is just a 40-minute drive from the city of Rhodes and remains undiscovered by tourists for the most part.
On the first floor you’ll find a kitchen, living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom. Two further bedrooms are in the attic. The property also includes a spacious yard, with a lemon tree. See the listing here.
Own on Greece’s “Emerald Isle” for €550,000 ($586,000)
This villa is on the Greek island of Corfu, known for its rich cultural history, lush green hills, and centuries-old olive groves.
In the Ionian Sea, near the coast of Italy lies Corfu––Greece’s “Emerald Isle.” The nickname comes from its estimated 4 million, centuries-old olive trees.
Corfu town is built around a picturesque harbor, overlooked by an ancient, 15th-century Venetian fortress atop a rocky outcropping. Corfu’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site which dates to the 8th century.
Like Crete and Rhodes, Corfu can be overrun by tourists in the summer months, but away from the tourist resorts, there’s plenty of small villages that offer quieter lifestyles.
This three-bed villa is in Kato Korakiana, a historic village that dates to the 15th century, and is less than a mile from the Ionian Sea. The village has a population of about 3,000 residents and is just a 30-minute drive from Corfu City. Take a stroll through the village and you’ll be immersed in its rich cultural heritage. There are 16th and 17th century churches scattered around, and you’ll also see the remnants of old Byzantine monasteries..
The 1,560-square-foot, two-story villa has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Outside, you’ll find a swimming pool, a paddling pool and a veranda with views of the Greek countryside.
A House in the “Caribbean of Greece” for €450,000 ($480,000)
This sea-view villa is on the Greek island of Lefkada, known as the “Caribbean of Greece” for its lush forests and stunning beaches.
Lekfada is an island on the west coast of Greece, connected to the mainland by a large causeway and the floating bridge of Agia Mavra. It’s often referred to as the “Caribbean of Greece” for its pristine beaches, dense forests, crystal-clear water and quiet, laidback ambience.
For the most part, the island remains under-the-radar among tourists compared to hot spots like Corfu. Though it attracts some hikers and sailors, as well as those who want to relax on one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches––Porto Katsiki.
This villa is in the small village of Agio Nitkitas, on the northwest coast of the island. Agrio Nikitas is just a 20-minute drive from Lefkada City. The village has its own beach which offers a stretch of coarse sand and turquoise waters. And there are another three beaches in walking distance from the town center.
You’ll enter the villa on the second floor, where you’ll find an open-plan kitchen and a living area. Downstairs, on the first floor, are two bedrooms. On the third floor you’ll find a loft which is currently used as another bedroom. Outside, the villa has a swimming pool, and a lounge area that offers panoramic views of the Ionian Sea. You can see the listing here.
Own on “Mastic Island” for €140,000 ($152,300)
This two-bedroom home is in the village of Volissos, northwest Chios. Volissos is rumored to be the birthplace of ancient Greek scholar, Homer.
This home is in a village in northwest Chios, Greece’s fifth-largest island. Chios is in the North Aegean Sea and is known for its mastic trees. The mastic trade has been at the heart of the island’s economy for centuries. So much so that during the Ottoman Empire, the penalty for stealing mastic was execution.
When it comes to beaches on Chios, you’re spoiled for choice. The island’s rugged coastline boasts over 70, and they come in all shapes and sizes. One of the more well-known beaches, Mavros Gialos, boasts black pebbles and dark blue waters.
According to Greek mythology, Chios is the birthplace of the poet Homer, known for his poems Iliad and Odyssey. On the east side of the island, is a stone where Homer is said to have sat and narrated his poems to his students.
This two-story house is in the village of Volissos. The village is built on the slopes of a hill, at the top of which is a Byzantine castle built in the Middle Ages. The property offers two separate apartments, one on the first floor and one on the second floor. Each apartment has its own bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. You can see the listing here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. To get more listing of affordable properties around the world, check out the Your Cheap Dream Homes Instagram channel here. This account showcases homes in desirable destinations around the world…for a lot less than you imagined Check it out here.
