The largest of Greece’s islands, Crete is well-known for its darling beaches, fascinating history, scrumptious food, and natural beauty. So, let’s find out more about it and why it would make the perfect home…
1. Lengthy summers
In Crete, you can expect a lengthy summer – from June to September to be exact. During this time, temperatures are regularly in the high twenties, and there are nine to twelve hours of sunshine per day. The chances of rainfall are small: 0mm to 10mm.
In autumn and spring, temperatures range from 17 to 23 degrees. There can be considerable rainfall during autumn. But luckily, there are between five and ten hours of sunshine.
Winter sees temperatures drop to the high teens, with about four hours of sunshine.
All in all, the weather is much lovelier than in the UK and those lengthy summers are truly amazing.
2. Good transport links
Crete actually has three airports, so they’re definitely keen for you to make it there! Chania and Heraklion are both international airports, with a smaller domestic-only airport, Sitia. The flight time from Athens is 55 minutes, and an hour and a half to Thessaloniki. This is great to know if you want to do some wider exploring of Greece with your Cretan property acting as your base.
If you prefer the scenic route, then you can take a ferry to Piraeus, the port of Athens. You can also discover Greece’s other islands, both the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.
3. Wonderful Beaches
Move to Crete for the beach!
Crete is home to spectacular beaches. If you want to live somewhere truly beautiful to look at, then you can have your daily swim (April through to October) in Balos beach. The colour of the water there is a charming blend of greens and blues, while the sand has flecks of pink. There, you can find interesting fauna and flora, including the Eleonora falcons, Mediterranean monk seal, and caretta caretta sea turtle.
4. Because you won’t be able to get enough of Heraklion
Located on the eastern side of the island, Heraklion is the largest region of Crete. It is packed full of things to keep your days fun. It offers wine-tasting experiences, sailing, and walking tours. The architecture of the city is beautiful, as it possesses influences from the Arabs, the Venetians, and the Ottomans. Budding historians will love Crete, as it is home to the Palace of Knossos, the ruins of which were once home to the Minotaur, and other archaeological sites.
The Palace of Knossos
5. Great property options
No matter your budget, you should be able to find a home in Crete. For just €50,000 you will be able to find adorable, traditional Greek one-bedrooms homes. For this price, you will find lots of options off-the-beaten track, in a quiet village, but a short enough drive away from Crete’s great beaches. The closer to the action, the higher the price.
For a family house that requires some work, you can pay as little as €150,000. However, if you would like somewhere that doesn’t require too much work, then you will be able to find a decent four-bedroom home for €350,000. For this price, you can expect spacious rooms, brilliant views, and maybe even a pool.
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