Crete is referred to with the nickname “island of the gods.” The famous Greek island is known for its history, its welcoming people, its picturesque landscapes, and high quality of life. It seems like everyone is always in a good mood, even when there is a disagreement. What’s not to like? In this article, we break down why Crete is the ideal place to buy a second home.
Sunny Weather
Crete has hot summers and mild winters. The hottest month is July, when the temperate is 32 C in the day and 22 C at night. July is also the driest month, with 31 sunny days on average. Unlike Athens and some areas of mainland Greece, Crete does not have temperature extremes that are suffocating in the height of the summer. The coldest month is January, with a high of 14 C and a low of 7 C. This of course will change if you are in the mountains.
Rich Cultural Heritage
The history of Crete goes back thousands of years and the island has treasures from the Minoan civilization. Among archaeological sites, the Palace of Knossos is the most popular to visit. The sites of Malia and Phaistos are also worth visiting. Phaistos is known for its palace from the second millennium BCE, and Malia is known for its stonework and frescoes.
Diverse and Picturesque Landscapes
Crete has a wide variety of landscapes that are ideal for anyone who loves the outdoors. On the coast, you will find golden sand beaches. In the mountains, you will find traditional villages and scenic views. The island of Crete also has ancient ruins, gorges with steep cliffs, and a network of caves.
Easy Flights
There are 3 airports to fly into in Crete: Heraklion Airport (HER), Chania Airport (CHQ), and Sitia Airport (JSH). The former 2 are larger and offer more international flights.
Heraklion has non-stop flights from 27 countries, and Chania from 20 countries. Some of the airlines flying this route are Aegean Airlines & Olympic, British Airways, Lufthansa, Iberia, Finnair, Norwegian Air, SWISS, Brussels Airlines flights, and SAS.
Dutch travelers can fly from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Brussels.
UK travelers can fly from Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Luton, Manchester, and Newcastle.
French travelers can fly from Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux.
Italian travelers can fly from Bergamo, Milan, Napoli, and Rome.
Access to the Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is known for its stress-reducing qualities. Some say that the waters of Crete are good for the skin, help circulation, and help with weight loss. To add to the therapy of the sea, the fresh air and sun will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. It’s no wonder that the locals are always happy.
Beaches
Crete has more beaches than any other island in Greece. The coastline stretches for 1046 kilometers and has many sandy, romantic beaches. Uniquely, Crete has the biggest palm forest in Europe – Vai on the east coast of Crete. The beaches of Balos, Elafonissi, and Falasarna are some of the most popular beaches and are found on the west coast of the island.
Low-Cost Living
Crete has a low cost of living, much like the rest of Greece. It’s possible to live on a small fixed budget of 800 euros a month, if you are savvy like the locals. 2,000 euros per month would give you a comfortable life. Eating out is affordable. You can have a lunch of tzatziki, village salad, and pork souvlaki for 2, with wine included, for 20 euros.
Cretan Diet
US News and World Report ranked the Mediterranean Diet as the Best Diet Overall for the sixth year in a row. They classify Crete as “one of the best expressions of the Mediterranean diet.” Among the common foods in Crete are olives, grains, fish, cheese, and red wine, which are often produced locally. Uniquely, Crete is known for its wild greens, with over 100 different types used in local pies and dishes. The result is a diet high in Omega-3 fats, vitamins, and fibers.
Cretan Olive Oil
Yes, olive oil needs a category all to itself. The olive oil of Crete is an important part of daily life, and is the main source of fats in Crete as opposed to butter or vegetable oils. The average American consumes 0.5 liters of olive oil annually, the average Italian consumes 11 liters, and the average Cretan consumes 25 liters. Most of the olive oil is not fried or boiled, but is added to dishes raw.
Good Place to Retire
Crete has a variety of activities, so you will never get bored in your golden years. In Chania and Heraklion, you can walk around the historical center and explore the history of the Venetian influence in Crete. For living, smaller towns like Almida, Douliana, Elounda, or Agios Nikolaos are ideal for a slower pace of life. Of course, you will still have access to Crete’s larger towns.
Many expats have made Crete their home – especially Brits, Germans, French, Dutch, Belgians, Italians and Americans. The CIC (Cretan International Community) is one example of a group that supports expats, and is based in Rethymno. The CIC organizes social events and helps provide practical info for relocating to Crete.
What’s Next?
Do these benefits make you want to buy a second home in Crete? To view properties, see our Crete feature page here. Alternatively, stop by our Crete offices in Plakias in person for a non-committal one-on-one consultation with one of our team members.
