29.10.2025
Along Greece’s serene western coast, something remarkable has unfolded this year. Kyparissia Bay, a long stretch of golden sand in the Peloponnese, has recorded one of the most successful Caretta Caretta (loggerhead sea turtle) nesting seasons in decades; a milestone for both wildlife conservation and Greece’s natural heritage. According to the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece (ARCHELON), more than 6,100 nests were documented in 2025, marking a 74% increase compared to the 12-year average. That’s not only a local success but a European one: together with Zakynthos’ Laganas Bay, Kyparissia now hosts over 57% of all Caretta Caretta nests in the European Union. This makes Kyparissia Bay the most important sea turtle nesting area in the Mediterranean, a quiet, natural paradise that’s playing a leading role in preserving one of the world’s oldest marine species.
The impressive numbers are no coincidence. For more than 30 years, ARCHELON’s volunteers and researchers have been protecting the nesting sites in Kyparissia Bay, ensuring hatchlings reach the sea safely. In 2025, the program mobilised 90 volunteers and field researchers, including 27 university students, who worked day and night from May through September. Together, they monitored beaches, collected data, and educated both locals and tourists about the importance of protecting coastal habitats.
Over 5,800 residents and visitors also participated in awareness activities, including guided beach walks, school talks, and clean-up efforts. Under the EU-funded LIFE MareNatura project, ARCHELON also attached satellite transmitters to adult turtles, gathering valuable data on their migratory routes and feeding grounds. This long-term collaboration among science, volunteers, and the community shows how sustainable tourism and environmental protection can go hand in hand; a model that aligns perfectly with Greece’s growing focus on green development. The organisation is calling for the immediate implementation of Greece’s National Action Plan for the Caretta caretta and stronger institutional protection for the Kyparissia Bay Nature Protection Area.
“The recovery of the Caretta caretta population is a national achievement,”ARCHELON notes,“but it’s a fragile one that depends on ongoing protection, funding, and responsible coastal management.”
Beyond its ecological importance, Kyparissia Bay is one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Peloponnese, a region known for its authenticity, olive groves, and slow-paced lifestyle. Visitors are drawn here for its endless beaches, crystal waters, and peaceful atmosphere, far from the crowded islands. Small towns like Kyparissia, Kalo Nero, and Filiatra offer traditional Greek charm, while nearby Ancient Olympia and Kalamata make perfect day trips. In many ways, Kyparissia reflects the heart of modern Greece, a place where nature, heritage, and community coexist. The Peloponnese is one of Greece’s most diverse and captivating regions, and its growing international appeal is evident from recent figures.
Beyond the Caretta caretta, Greece is home to a wide variety of protected species — from the Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) in the Aegean to the Dalmatian Pelican of Lake Kerkini and rare birds across its wetlands and mountains. The country’s diverse ecosystems, ranging from alpine forests to coastal lagoons, make it one of Europe’s most biodiverse regions. Many of these habitats are safeguarded under the Natura 2000 network, reflecting Greece’s ongoing efforts to preserve its natural heritage while promoting sustainable tourism. For instance, Nisyros island recently became Greece’s UNESCO Geopark, as you can see here.
07.08.2026
Greece is taking an important step in environmental protection, becoming the first country in the world to deploy a national satellite system for wildfire detection and monitoring. First launched in May and expected to become fully operational in September 2026, the new Hellenic Fire System brings advanced space technology to Greece's efforts against wildfires.
06.08.2026
If you own a home in the Peloponnese or have been quietly thinking about buying one, there is some news you should be aware of: At the end of June, a 40-year concession for Kalamata International Airport "Kapetan Vasilis Konstantakopoulos" was signed by a consortium led by Fraport, together with the Kopelouzos Group's Delta Airport Investments and the Konstantakopoulos Group's PILEAS. According to the National Development Fund, which retains a 10% stake in the new company, the initial concession payment is 45 million euros, and the planned investment programme is expected to exceed 125 million euros over time.
In short: Kalamata's airport is set to roughly double its traffic by 2030, with a new terminal three times the size of the current one. For anyone with a house in the region, or an eye on one, that matters.
03.08.2026
A new regulation regarding the calculation of ENFIA (Eniaios Phoros Idioktesias Akineton/annual property tax) was announced by the Greek Ministry of National Economy and Finance. The purpose of this regulation appears to be to address cases where property owners were previously taxed on more square meters than their property actually has. The new regulation, which is expected to take effect in the 2027 tax year, introduces the Electronic Building ID as a key factor in determining taxable floor area.
28.07.2026
As UNESCO recently announced, Mount Olympus – also known as the Home of Ancient Greek Gods, or Greece’s highest mountain – has been added to the list of World Heritage Sites. Of course, Greece welcomed the news with a wave of euphoria, as Mount Olympus is widely recognized for its cultural and natural significance.
23.06.2026
Moving your life to a new country brings enough to think about, including the costs. For those settling permanently in Greece, there is some welcome news on that front. Bringing your household belongings and even your car can come with relief from customs duty, VAT and vehicle registration tax. The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) has recently set out clearer rules on how this works. It's important to clarify that this relief is not exactly new, but what has changed is a significant detail: a recent AADE circular (reference E.2027/2026) spells out the eligibility, the supporting documents and the procedure, with the aim of handling applications more consistently across customs offices.
14.05.2026
For many people who own, or plan to buy, a home in Greece, the journey is part of the experience. Some fly directly to Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, or Chania. Others prefer slower travel, combining trains, ferries, buses, and regional routes across Europe. Until now, however, planning a cross-border trip by train has often required patience, several booking platforms, and a healthy tolerance for uncertainty. A new proposal from the European Commission aims to make that process much simpler. The plan introduces a more unified system for booking cross-border journeys across Europe, especially train journeys involving more than one operator. The goal is clear: travellers should be able to search, compare, and book a complete journey through one platform, even when different transport companies are involved. For international buyers, second-home owners, and regular visitors to Greece, this could become an important step towards easier, more flexible travel across Europe.
07.05.2026
If you own property in specific areas of the Regional Unit of Rethymno in Crete, there is an important deadline to keep in mind. As of 30 April 2026, the posting of cadastral data begins for several areas in Rethymno, giving property owners the opportunity for the first time to review how their property has been recorded in the Hellenic Cadastre. This is an important stage in the cadastral process. It allows each owner to check the legal and technical details of their property before the records become final. In simple terms, this is the moment to confirm that your property has been correctly registered and, if something is wrong, to request a correction within the official deadline.
30.04.2026
Buying a home in Greece has always come with a long list of pleasures: sea views, sunny terraces, village squares, fresh fish by the water, and the small but serious joy of never being too far from a good bakery. Soon, for many destinations, there may be another reason to smile: better airports. Greece is preparing for a new wave of airport upgrades, with a major tender planned for 22 regional airports that are still under state management. The project is expected to mark the next chapter in the modernization of Greek aviation infrastructure, following the earlier upgrade of the 14 regional airports managed by Fraport Greece. For travellers, this means smoother journeys. For local communities, it means better connectivity. And for international property buyers, it could make certain areas of Greece even more attractive.
