11.02.2025
Do you visit Crete often, or plan to buy a home in Crete, Greece’s largest island? The island will be getting a big upgrade, and it might get a lot easier for you to get to the island. The Crete 2030 Development Plan includes 480 infrastructure projects, including new roads, hospitals, marinas, ports, and the 2nd biggest airport in Greece.
Recent updates from January 2025 show that construction is now 40% complete. The Kastelli Airport will handle millions of passengers per year and will create hundreds of jobs. The Kastelli Airport will replace the international airport of Heraklion, the “Nikos Kazantzakis Airport,” which is currently the second-largest airport in Greece and handles six million passengers every year.
It will be just a 25-minute drive from Heraklion.
It will connect the North and South of Crete through the North Road Axis (BOAK) and the South Road Axis (NOAK), with a new modern highway of two express lanes and one emergency lane in each direction. This is the first interconnection of North and South Crete with a modern road network. Before, the two areas meant it will easier for you to travel back and forward between the north and south of the island.
The new airport will also connect travelers from Chania, Rethymno, and Sitia in much shorter times.
In December 2024, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that the airport will be ready by February 2027. There will be 19 boarding gates. 29 percent of the terminal is now complete. The runway is 43 percent complete. Pavement work is advancing to connect the airport with Crete’s main north-south road axes (BOAK and NOAK).
The terminal building is 90% complete, the 3200-meter runway is almost 50% complete, and the control tower is 10% complete.
It will become easier to get to and from Crete for visits, especially if your home is near Heraklion. The airport will eventually have an 18 million person capacity, which is three times larger than the capacity of the current airport. That likely means more flight options and fewer waiting times for you.
Mitsotakis calls it “the largest construction site of Greece - one of the largest airports built in the whole of Europe”. Among the features, one terminal building will be almost 100,000 square meters in size, with LEED SILVER certification. It is worth noting that the project focuses on the reduction of Co2 emissions. A museum space inside will feature Cretan history and mythology, with archaeological remains found during the construction on display.
The new airport will also have biometric and automated control procedures, facilities for entertainment, leisure, catering, prayer, baby and mother support, and more.
The whole Crete Development Plan 2030 will cost 7.7 billion euros and in addition to new infrastructure, it will improve agricultural production and sustainability. 191 million euros will be spent on upgrading the research facilities at the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR) and the Centre for Technological Research of Crete.
Crete is the largest island in Greece, with immense cultural and archaeological heritage, and gems like the Palace of Knossos. The environment in Crete is stunning, with spectacular beaches, gorges, and mountains, and Mediterranean olive groves and vineyards. Crete is the fifth most visited destination in Greece, and it ranks seventh in the world in terms of the number of tourists, according to data from the World Tourism Organisation.
The new motorway of Crete will be called “VOAK,” and its building is already started. The construction is split into three parts: The eastern section (Neapolis to Agios Nikolaos), the middle section (Chersonissos to Neapolis), and the western section (Chania to Hersonissos). The Western section is, of course, the largest. The Eastern section will be completed first.
The new highway in Crete will become the most intelligent highway in the country, featuring state-of-the-art technology and “Motorist Service Stations” where drivers can rest, purchase Cretan products, and dine at a cafe or restaurant. Some charging stations will be available for electric vehicles, and rest stops will be available next to the highway with toilets.
A new motorway in Crete means lower travel times. If you’ve spent a lot of time on Crete, you know that traveling long distances in Crete takes a lot of time. Tourists in many cases do not visit places far from their stay, exactly for this reason. The new road will help develop tourism further on Crete, while also make the road more safe.
19.03.2026
Spanning over 1700 km across the southern peninsula and connecting 12 major hiking routes, the Peloponnese Trails network is set to become the Largest Certified Hiking Trail Network in Greece, weaving together landscapes, heritage, and storytelling in a way that is both immersive and sustainable.
18.03.2026
Basements are a familiar feature of many homes across Greece. Traditionally used for storage, parking, or utility areas, these spaces are increasingly being reimagined—sometimes as guest rooms, independent apartments, or even stylish leisure areas. For anyone exploring property in Greece, it’s useful to understand how basements are defined and when they can legally function as living spaces. The rules are quite specific, but once explained clearly, they follow a logical structure.
16.03.2026
Crete and Syros have been named among the most worthwhile Greek island destinations for 2026, according to the international tourism platform Travel And Tour World, which recently published a list highlighting Greek islands that offer visitors a strong balance between quality and price.
The globally recognized tourism publication, widely read by travel professionals, tourism organizations, and travelers around the world, compiled the ranking based on research and travel data. The list focuses on destinations that combine authentic experiences, cultural richness, and natural beauty with relatively accessible prices.
13.03.2026
Greece is preparing to introduce a sweeping reform in the way property ownership and usage are recorded. Through the creation of the Μητρώο Ιδιοκτησίας και Διαχείρισης Ακινήτων (ΜΙΔΑ) — translated as the Property Ownership and Management Registry — authorities aim to create a comprehensive digital record of every property in the country.
The project is being developed by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (Ανεξάρτητη Αρχή Δημοσίων Εσόδων - ΑΑΔΕ), in cooperation with the Ministry of National Economy and Finance. Its goal is to consolidate fragmented real estate information into a single platform and provide a clearer picture of property ownership and use across the country.
The new registry also featured prominently in discussions at the Property Owners’ Conference organised by the Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (ΠΟΜΙΔΑ). The event brought together representatives of the government, local authorities, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (ΑΑΔΕ), the Hellenic Cadastre, and property owners from across the country.
During the conference, the new registry was presented as one of the most significant reforms in the Greek real estate sector in recent years. Speaking at the event, Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, described the initiative as “the most systematic recording of the use of private real estate ever carried out in the country.” According to the minister, the registry will give the state a comprehensive digital overview of the country’s property stock and the way the real estate market actually functions.
03.03.2026
Kalamata is quietly stepping into a new chapter.
In 2026, Kalamata International Airport “Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos” will connect the Peloponnese to 22 international destinations through 31 direct routes, significantly strengthening the region’s ties with key European markets. For a city long appreciated for its olive groves, relaxed pace, and coastal living, this expanded network signals something bigger: accessibility is no longer a seasonal privilege — it’s becoming a structural advantage.
The announcement follows a record year for inbound traffic. In 2025, the airport welcomed 169,730 international passengers, marking a 25.6 percent increase compared to 2023. This steady rise reflects consistent demand from core European source markets and growing confidence in Kalamata as a destination that delivers both lifestyle and substance.
27.02.2026
Five Greek beaches located in Crete, Corfu, and Rhodes have earned prestigious distinctions at the Tripadvisor 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards, ranking among the best beaches in Europe and the world. Renowned for their crystal-clear waters, unique landscapes, and exceptional natural beauty, these destinations continue to strengthen Greece’s global reputation as a premier seaside escape.
The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards are based on millions of reviews and ratings submitted by travelers worldwide over 12 months. The awards highlight travelers’ favorite destinations, hotels, restaurants, and experiences, offering valuable insights for those planning their next getaway.
30.01.2026
Crete has significantly strengthened its position as one of the most attractive real estate destinations in Greece. For the first time, the island’s electricity demand is being fully covered by high-capacity grid interconnections with mainland Greece, combined with locally produced renewable energy sources (RES), as announced in late 2025 by the Greek Independent Electricity Transmission Operator (ADMIE). This energy achievement is a structural upgrade that directly impacts property value, investment security, and long-term growth prospects.
23.01.2026
Messinia, Greece, is attracting growing international attention after being included in The New York Times’ respected list of the 52 Best Places to Go in 2026. Ranked 38th worldwide, Messinia is the only Greek region featured, praised for its natural beauty, cultural depth, and authentic Mediterranean character.
Located in the southwestern Peloponnese, Messinia offers a rare combination of unspoiled coastline, fertile landscapes, and deep historical roots—qualities that increasingly appeal to travellers and long-term visitors seeking a genuine Greek experience.
