Spending time on a Mediterranean island can feel like stepping back in time…
Islands on this sparkling blue sea are bursting with history and adventure. Ancient ruins dating to Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times dot the landscapes. Legends and ideas that have shaped the modern world can be traced back to idyllic outposts in these waters.
Mediterranean islands such as Crete have incredible history and culture as well as some of the world’s most arresting coastlines. Yet real estate prices on many Mediterranean islands can be far more affordable than you might imagine…
The Mediterranean touches 21 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, covers more than 1 million square miles, and has around 10,000 islands and islets.
Many are wonderful places to visit or spend time. And living in this region can literally add years to your life.
The Mediterranean diet of fresh, locally sourced olive oil, fish, fruit and veg, along with moderate consumption of red wine, is renowned for promoting long, healthy lives. Another factor in the long lifespans you’ll see across the Mediterranean is the strong social bonds on many of its islands.
This is a part of the world where community still plays a critical role in daily life. People gather at markets and on plazas. They take time to celebrate festivals and local traditions. Multiple generations of families often live together. And then there’s the laidback, stress-free vibe that is intrinsic to island living.
Mediterranean islands, then, offer incredible lifestyles. And living in this region is often quite inexpensive. While daily living costs can vary significantly between islands, many are highly affordable.
And the low cost of real estate on many islands is legendary.
I sent my scout Ciaran Madden to the Italian island of Sicily, the largest in the Mediterranean, to scout for real estate. And he found incredible historic homes in livable condition for mind-blowing prices like €28,000. (Members of my Real Estate Trend Alert group have access to the full Sicily scouting report. Not a RETA member? Sign up here.)
But Sicily is far from the only island in the Mediterranean with incredible bargains. This week, my team has been researching listings on other popular islands. Here’s what they found…
Spitogatos, Chios, Greece
Listing Price: €150,000 ($167,600)
Homes on the Greek island of Chios, in the eastern Aegean near Turkey, can be very affordable. My team found this renovated two-bed home on the market for €150,000. Listing here.
Chios is said to be the birthplace of Homer, legendary author of the Iliad and Odyssey. So, it’s a fitting place to begin our odyssey round the islands of the Mediterranean.
Located in the eastern Aegean Sea near Turkey, Chios is known for its diverse landscapes. In the north, mountainous terrain dominates, with traditional villages nestled among dense pine forests. In the south lies the Kampos region, home to citrus orchards and medieval houses. Chios is also home to rare orchids and the endangered Chios lizard, making it popular with botanists and wildlife enthusiasts.
Just over a mile from the sea is this cozy two-bedroom property, on a 3,200 square foot plot. Built in 1950 and renovated in 2011, the single-story home features two living rooms, one kitchen, and two bathrooms. The property includes storage space, ceramic floor tiles, aluminum window frames with double glazing, and a solar water heater.
Outside there’s a pergola, parking space, and awnings. It’s priced at €150,000 ($167,600) and you can view the listing here.
Aglientu-Badesi, Sardinia
Price: €85,000 ($94,000)
Sardinia is home to luxury resorts where the rich and famous come to party, but on quieter, more remote parts of the island you can find incredible real estate bargains. This stunning view can be yours for $95,000. Listing here.
Sardinia came to prominence as a vacation destination in the 1960s thanks to the Costa Smeralda, a stunning 12-mile stretch of coastline renowned for its turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and luxurious resorts. First developed by Prince Karim Aga Khan, it has become one of the world’s most exclusive and expensive vacation destinations.
During the summer months, luxury yachts fill the harbor and glamorous parties are commonplace. The likes of George Clooney, Elton John, Rihanna, and Princess Caroline of Monaco have either visited or own real estate here.
Away from the glitz and glamor of the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia can be a very affordable place to buy real estate, while the landscapes are no less appealing. The island’s pristine coastlines are home to some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches. Inland the scenery changes to untamed wilderness and ancient forests.
Sardinia is also known for being a “Blue Zone,” a region where people live exceptionally long lives. The island boasts an unusually high number of centenarians, particularly in the mountainous Barbagia region. Scientists believe that Sardinians’ longevity stems from their traditional Mediterranean diet, moderate wine consumption, and active lifestyles.
My team found this charming two-bedroom apartment, located just a 15-minute drive from Isola Rossa beach, near the northern coast of Sardinia. Situated in one of two hillside buildings offering panoramic views of the countryside, the property covers two floors plus a basement near the residence’s pool.
It has a living room, kitchen with a sea-view veranda, bathroom, and rear patio access from the main bedroom. The home is on the market for €85,000 ($95,000) and the listing can be found here.
Gardelades, Corfu, Greece
Price: €275,000 ($307,200)
This three-bed home on the Greek island of Corfu offers a luxury lifestyle at an affordable price. Listing here.
Corfu’s verdant hills, olive groves, and cypress trees, have earned it the nickname “Emerald Island” (not to be confused with Ireland, which is known as the “Emerald Isle” for its similarly green environment).
The landscape ranges from the looming mountains in the north to the rich meadows of the south, with picturesque beaches lining a 135-mile-long coastline.
Corfu has spent time under Venetian, French, and British rule, and this rich history is reflected in its architecture. You can see this best in Corfu’s charming Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you’ll find neoclassical mansions, Venetian fortresses, and narrow cobblestone streets.
About a 30-minute drive west of Corfu, in the quiet village of Gardelades, is this charming three-bedroom village house. It has an open-plan first floor with a kitchen, dining area, and sitting room. There are high-beamed ceilings, stone floors, and a wood-burning fireplace.
A hallway leads to two double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, one with balcony access, and a luxurious shower room. The master bedroom on the upper floor has French doors that open onto a balcony.
There’s also air conditioning in the main rooms, central heating throughout, double-glazed windows with fly screens, and under-stairs storage. Outside, there’s a walled courtyard with a built-in BBQ, raised flower beds, and a storage room.
The home is located a short walk from the village square, and just three miles from the closest beaches. This house is on the market for €275,000 ($307,200) and the listing is here.
Famagusta, Cyprus
Price: €149,000 ($166,500)
For €149,000 ($166,500) you could buy this home in Cyprus, just minutes from the beach. Listing here.
According to legend, the island nation of Cyprus is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love. Today, visitors to Cyprus can visit “Aphrodite’s Rock.” Local legend suggests that swimming around the rock three times will bestow eternal youth and beauty.
Well-preserved ancient Greek and Roman ruins can be found all around Cyprus. Byzantine churches and monasteries dot the landscape and you’ll also find Venetian walls, Ottoman mosques, and British colonial buildings.
The countryside is a patchwork of olive groves, citrus orchards, and vineyards, interspersed with pine and cedar forests in the mountainous regions. The stunning coastline has golden sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and sailing.
A five-minute drive from the beach and marina is this three-bedroom semi-detached townhouse. It offers approximately 1,200 square feet of living space across three stories and a 500-square-foot veranda.
The first floor has an open plan living/dining area, a fitted kitchen with ample storage, and a guest bathroom. The second floor houses two large double bedrooms, including a master with balcony access and a walk-through wardrobe, plus a family bathroom with a bath. The third floor contains another double bedroom with an ensuite shower room. There’s also direct access to a spacious roof terrace with sunset views, and this home comes fully furnished. It’s also within walking distance of local amenities.
The house is on the market for €149,000 ($166,500)…you’ll find a link to the listing here.
Lasithi, Crete
Price: €85,000 ($95,000)
This one-bed village home is on the Greek island of Crete, one of the world’s “Blue Zones” where people live especially long and healthy lives. Listing here.
Crete is the largest Greek island, with 650-miles of stunning coastline, crystal-clear waters, and sandy beaches. It’s famous for its picturesque olive groves and vineyards, and for the iconic White Mountains.
Crete’s architecture showcases a blend of influences from its long history. The Minoan palaces of Knossos and Phaistos stand as reminders of one of Europe’s earliest civilizations. Venetian fortresses, Ottoman mosques, and traditional mountain villages add to the island’s rich tapestry.
Like Sardinia, Crete is one of the world’s “Blue Zones.” The local diet plays a big part in the health of the population. The local cuisine includes plenty of olive oil, wild herbs, and unique cheeses like graviera, which is made from goat or sheep’s milk.
My team found this charming one-bedroom village house for sale in the traditional village of Piskokefalos. On the first floor, there’s a sitting area and a stove, a kitchen, and a bathroom with bathtub. The second floor has a double bedroom with air conditioning and access to a veranda overlooking the village. There’s also a wooden pergola with vines on the second-floor veranda, solar panel water heating, and an external staircase connecting the terrace to the courtyard.
The home is close to Sitia, an attractive seaside town with a Venetian castle, fishing harbor, and long sandy beach. The home is listed for €85,000 ($95,000), you can view it here.
Siniscola, Sardinia
Price: €490,000 ($543,600)
Sardinia is teeming with real estate opportunities from bargain homes up to luxury mansions. This villa with sea views is for sale for $543,600. Listing here.
As you’ve already seen, Sardinia is a great place to find bargain real estate.
But the real estate opportunities here are not limited to cheaper dream homes. In Sardinia you can also find luxurious mansions at incredible prices.
My team found this luxurious four-bedroom villa, just 1,150 feet from the sea, with panoramic views of the Gulf between La Caletta and Santa Lucia.
On the first floor, you’ll find a living room with access to a large veranda overlooking the water, a kitchen, two double bedrooms (each with an en-suite bathroom), and a storage room. The upper floor has two more double bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms, a loggia, and a terrace.
The property comes furnished and has a dedicated parking area.
This home is in Siniscola, a town on the eastern coast of the island known for its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. It sits in a beautiful spot with the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea on one side and the rugged peaks of Monte Albo on the other. The home is on the market for €490,000 ($543,600) and the listing can be found here.
Ronan McMahon, Founder, Overseas Dream Home & Real Estate Trend Alert
P.S. If you’re interested in any of these listings you should hire an attorney and do your own due diligence. I haven’t visited these properties in person or done any due diligence on them.
P.P.S. For more listings of affordable overseas dream homes, click here to follow our Your Cheap Dream Home Instagram account.
