Kalo Nero: a well-kept secret

Corfu is a well-known island in Greece, particularly popular as a vacation destination, but it’s much more than that.

The first thing that probably comes to your mind when you hear the words “Ionian Sea” is its islands. On the mainland side, though, there are a few regions that can be considered a practical and smart choice for international property buyers.

Crete, in general, has been particularly appealing when it comes to real estate, both for permanent living and for investment opportunities.

The Peloponnese gets far less international attention than Santorini or Mykonos, and for buyers, that is part of the appeal. The peninsula has a long and varied coastline, mountain villages that stay lived-in through winter, and some of the country's best-known ancient sites, Mycenae, Olympia, and Epidaurus among them. Prices here have stayed closer to reality than on the popular islands, mostly because foreign demand arrived later. If you are willing to look past the obvious destinations, the Peloponnese gives you more for your money and a region that does not shut down in October.

One of Greece's unparalleled advantages is the bounty of islands it offers, with countless places to explore, all set against the backdrop of the endless blue sea. However, figuring out where each of these islands is located can be tricky. The purpose of this guide, therefore, is to provide a simple and easy-to-understand overview of Greece's island groups.

It's a sensible thing to check before you start house-hunting, and the answer is a qualified yes. There is a train, but it only reaches the northern edge of the Peloponnese. Athens connects by rail to Kiato, and on towards Aigio, with a bus completing the run to Patras while the line is being finished. Beyond that, the peninsula has very little passenger rail, so the popular spots like Nafplio, Kalamata, and the Mani are reached by road. For most buyers, that makes the bus or the car the practical choice. Here's the full picture, and what it means if you're thinking of a home here.