Yes, it’s possible to buy a private island in Greece! With nearly 30,000 islands, Greece has plenty of uninhabited isles to choose from. Of course, only about 446 of these 30,000 islands is more than 0.1 square kilometers in size. 15 islands in Greece are currently listed for sale, and you can find them on Greek real estate websites like Spitogatos and MYRO.
Who Buys Greek Islands?
In 2013, the emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chose to spend €8.5m (£7.35m) on six idyllic islands in the Ionian Sea. Bill Gates has supposedly been eyeing the island of Petali, just south of Evia.
The Beatles once eyed the island of Ethereal just off the coast of Eretrea on the mainland. The island is listed for 8 million Euros and includes 2 traditional Greek homes, a church, docks, and roads for the future owner. The island also has a grove of olive trees, cypress trees, pomegranates, apricots, and peaches.
After completing Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, John Lennon had the idea to buy the island as a band to create a hippie community. John Lennon’s idea was to create a commune of connected houses with a biodome in the center to be used as a stadium. Lennon was quoted saying “They’ve tried everything else,’ he said, ‘wars, nationalism, fascism, communism, capitalism, nastiness, religion—none of it works. So why not this?’”
The plan ultimately fell through and John Lennon bought a small island in Ireland instead. However, his dream of creating a utopia for the band didn’t come to fruition.
How many Greek Islands are For Sale?
Greece has thousands of islands and 15 are listed for sale to the public. The process of acquiring an island in Greece is more complex than simply buying a plot of land, because you need certain confirmations with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Ministry of Culture. The Forestry Office might also have land on the island with protected woodlands in Greece.
The sale of an island also requires certificates from the Ministry of Mercantile Marine which show that there are no national security commitments on the island or Natura 2000 allotments.
The following are just a few of the islands for sale in Greece:
Kato Antikeri Island (€12,500,000)
Kato Antikeri is 272-acres and is found in the Cyclades. The closest major island is Amorgos, which can be reached by a short boat ride to Katapola. It is just 16 kilometers east. No developments are found on Kato Antikeri, but there are a few old huts and wells, which are a remnant of the agricultural history on the island. Kato Antikeri is listed on Spitogatos. Other nearby inhabited islands include Keros and Koufonisia.
Spalathronisia (€10,000,000)
Spalathronisia is known for its solitude. It also has a lot of commercial possibilities because of its beautiful beaches and white sand. Olive trees are found in the interior of the island.
The island of Spalathronisia is just off the coast of Halkidiki (Chalkidiki), not too far from the city of Thessaloniki. For the future owner, It is possible to develop this island into a tourist attraction, or to build homes. Spalathronisia is listed on MYRO. Be careful not to mistake it with “Spalathronisi” which is an island south of Athens.
Panteleimona Island (€4,000,000)
Panteleimona Island is found next to the island of Oinousses in the Chino Strait, across from Chios. It is easy to get to Oinousses because only 250 meters of water separate the 2 islands. This means that you have access to the calm of your own private island, while also having access to basic necessities and services on Oinousses. The island of Panteleimona already has 3 small churches and a well for water.
Strongylo Island (€2,500,000)
Strongylo (Stroggilo) Island’s name means “round island” and it is found in the Aegean Sea next to Skopelos. It is an ideal island for sailors. Strongylo has 3 natural beaches and an old house with a well. The island is close to areas for recreation, like the beach town of Marathi, which is known for its serene beaches and tavernas. The island of Strongylo is listed on Leroshome and Vladi Private Islands.
Aspronisi Island (Price not Listed)
Aspronisi is found next to Santorini and offers what its neighbor cannot – complete solitude and privacy. You have access to the benefits of the famous Cycladic island of Santorini and its internationally-recognized caldera, while being able to skip the crowds when you want peace and quiet. The island of Aspronisi is great for sailors because it has a natural harbor and 2 beaches.
Of course, the island doesn’t have roads, a water track, or electricity like Santorini does. However, civilization is not far away – only 2 kilometers separate it from the port of Ormos Athinios. The island of Aspronisi is listed on Greekblue.
Visiting Greece’s Islands
Greece has thousands of islands, and these are just a small selection. There are likely hundreds or even thousands of other islands that aren’t on the market. In your travels in Greece, it’s worth going off the beaten track from the best-known isles of Santorini and Mykonos to explore a more raw and wild Greece. Read more about Greece’s smallest and most remote islands here.
I Can’t Buy My Own Island… What Are Some Tiny Islands I Can Live On in Greece?
Gavdos
150 Residents
The island of Gavdos is a hidden gem. It is the southernmost place to visit both in Greece and in Europe. The island of Gavdos belongs to Crete and is technically in the Chania prefecture. Gavdos is closer to Africa than to Athens and is about 26 miles from the city of Chora Sfakion (Sfakia) in Crete.
The island is small – about 32 square kilometers – so it is easily explored in a few days. An even smaller island, Gavdopoula, is found nearby. The landscape features pristine beaches and greenery of pine and juniper trees, just like in southern Crete. The most popular area for the hippy community to gather is on Agios Ioannis Beach, where some informal “streets” and “addresses” mark the tent homes of its nature-loving residents.
Chalki
500 Residents
Have you heard of Chalki before? Chalki is found in the Dodecanese archipelago, very close to Rhodes. It has not been touched by mass tourism yet and is a great destination for quiet vacations that are away from Greece’s main touristed sights.
Its solar electricity grid is the first of its kind in Greece, and it aims to power the whole island. The population is 330 and it has a “big brother” relationship with the island of Rhodes for some of its basic needs in the past, including energy. It is the smallest island in the Dodecanese island chain, and this Greek island has a total size of 28 square kilometers.
Tilos
750 Residents
No, that’s not a typo — we’re not talking about Tinos, the popular Cycladic island known for its Virgin Mary Church, impressive pigeon houses, and picturesque landscape. Tilos island is not usually found on your Instagram, but some say it is just as beautiful as the most famous Greek islands.
Tilos is in the Dodecanese group and is part of an ecological park and nature reserve. The island is known for its 400 species of flora and fauna, and 150 species of birds.
Oinousses
900 Residents
Oinousses is a group of nine small islands with the names Oinoussa, Panagia, Vatos, Gaidouronissi, Pontikonisso, Archontonisso, Pontikoudiko, Laimoudiko and Prassonisia.. As you can imagine, these are very quiet islands with very little nightlife, and a lot of time for relaxation. They are part of Greece’s protected Natura 2000 Network, and one main road curves around the islands, connecting the beaches.
How Many Islands are There in Greece?
In fact, there are more islands in Greece that are so small that the census didn’t even visit. You will get many different answers to this question online. To get to the bottom of this controversy, we had to check a sure source: the Hellenic Military Geographical Service.
Based on their most recent report, the precise number of islands of any size, inhabited or uninhabited, is 29,372.
But how many of these have residents? Not many. Only 446 are more than .1 square kilometers. Santorini, for a sense of perspective, is 76 square kilometers.
