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Buy a Home in Chios: Guide for the Dutch

Regional Guides

03.04.2024

Why should I buy a home in Chios? How does it rank compared to other destinations in Greece for me? What are the most popular areas to buy a home in Chios? Throughout the article, you will hear quotes from Wesley (aka @grieksblauw), a Dutch travel blogger who has traveled extensively in Greece.

Who Is Wesley?

Wesley calls his travel blog Grieksblauw. He started it after noticing that many of his friends had never been to Greece and associated it with "touristy and tacky." Since then, he considers it his mission to let everybody see Greece through his eyes: welcoming, adventurous, diverse, and endless. Wesley often gets asked if he has Greek roots. "I have an Indonesian background, but it seems that some ancestors lived in Greece. My grandmother's grandfather would have been a sponge diver at Leros. There were Greek stories around in the house of my (Indonesian) grandma. This may be why it feels like coming home when I set foot to land in Greece. But most likely it's the Greek hospitality that makes me feel at ease." Find Wesley on Instagram @grieksblauw and on his travel blog.

About Chios

The island of Chios is located in the North Aegean Sea, near the coast of Turkey, and is the fifth-largest island in Greece. It is known for its mastic trees, its medieval villages, the UNESCO-listed monastery of Nea Moni, and a rich history. Chios also has very attractive beaches in every shape and size.

Mastic Villages

Chios is scattered with the so-called Mastic Villages. Their roots go back to Byzantine times, but it was under Genoese rule in the 14th century that mastic growing was systematised: the Genoese designated these villages as mastic centres in order to hold a monopoly on the precious resin. Today, 24 villages on Chios are known as mastic villages. Among the best known for mastic production are Armolia, Kalamoti, Mesta, Patrika, Pyrgi, and Kalimasia.

Pyrgi Architecture

Chios is known for unique architecture, on full display in the village of Pyrgi. It is called the "painted village" of Chios because of its stone houses decorated with striking grey and white geometric motifs, created with a technique called xysta. Walking through Pyrgi, you will not want to leave, because the whole village feels like an open-air art exhibit.

Kampos Architecture

Kampos is another fascinating area, famous for the grand mansions built by the island's wealthy families from the Genoese period onwards. The district is recognised as a historic site by the Ministry of Culture. The mansions, with their traditional architecture, walled citrus gardens, and terraces, reflect the prosperity the island once enjoyed.

Rating Chios For The Dutch

Ranking Methodology

How did we decide which factors matter most to Dutch home buyers? We first asked our sales and legal team, who provide consultation and legal handling to dozens of Dutch clients (both those who do and don't end up purchasing). We then combined this with a small survey of Dutch clients who bought a home, to learn their highest priorities.

Sea View

Chios is famous for its Aegean views, with around 215 kilometres of coastline. Popular areas for a sea view on Chios include Pyrgi, Mesta, Anavatos, Volissos, Avgonyma, Agia Ermioni, and Vrondados.


Rating: 10 out of 10

Direct Flights

From the Netherlands, you cannot fly directly to Chios, as the island's airport serves domestic routes. The flight from Amsterdam to Athens takes about 3.5 hours, and several flights depart daily from Athens to Chios, landing in around 50 minutes; tickets typically start from around 60 euros. There is also a ferry from Piraeus to Chios, though the crossing takes around nine hours. Chios is also connected by ferry to Lesvos and Samos, two islands that have seasonal direct flights from the Netherlands.


Rating: 8 out of 10

Property Prices

Prices on Chios are higher than the Greek national average, yet well below the most sought-after islands. At the time of our research, Spitogatos listed average asking prices in the Cyclades at around 3,500 euros per square metre. Spitogatos does not publish a separate average for Chios, so we calculated our own estimate from around 250 homes listed for sale on the island: roughly 1,500 euros per square metre, far below islands like Santorini or Mykonos.


Rating: 9 out of 10

Internet Speed

Based on Speedtest data by Ookla at the time of our research, you can expect average speeds of around 45 Mbps on Chios, slightly above average compared to other areas of Greece.


Rating: 9 out of 10

English Speakers And Expatriate Community

If you choose one of Chios's most popular spots, like Karfas or Chios Town, you will easily find English speakers. In winter, when the tourists leave and mostly local Greeks remain, English speakers become scarcer.


Rating: 9 out of 10

Chios Overall Rating For The Dutch: 9.3/10

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