Why should I buy a home in Heraklion if I am British? How does it rank compared to other destinations in Greece for me? In this article, we’ll take you on a tour of Heraklion with the help of Suzanne (a.k.a. The Travelbunny), one of the UK’s top travel bloggers.
Who is The Travelbunny?
Suzanne spent 16 years as a professional travel planner arranging corporate incentive travel, conferences and events. In her own words, “That means I can find the best travel deals and know how to research and build a perfectly balanced itinerary. It also means I’ve stayed in countless hotels so I know what to look for when booking accommodation.”
Suzanne grew up just outside Brighton on the Sussex Coast, UK, so she never wants to be far away from the sea. As Suzanne describes, “I’m a full-time blogger and fit my passion for travel, food and adventure around family, friends and work. My aim is to inspire your wanderlust and then give you the information, guides and tips to help you plan your own amazing trip.”
You can find Suzanne on Instagram and on her travel blog.
About Heraklion
Heraklion is one of the most popular regions of Crete among foreigners and it is found on the eastern side of the island, between the towns of Rethymno and Lassithi.
In the area around Heraklion are two of the most famous sites on the island: Knossos Palace and Phaistos Palace. The most popular sights in the main Heraklion town are the Koules fortress, the Venetian port, Turkish and Venetian fountains, Venetian buildings, the Venetian Loggia and also the Archaeological Museum and Historical Museum.
Beaches Near Heraklion
If you and your children aren’t so keen on sightseeing, you will love the beaches near Heraklion. Matala beach, Agia Pelagia and Malia are three of the most popular beaches in the area.
About Matala Beach
Matala is a small town on the southern coast of the island of Crete and is known specifically for the Matala Beach Festival. Visitors come from all over the world to listen to Matala Beach Festival’s music and to marvel at the beautiful sidewalk art. The unique selling point of the Matala Festival? It’s free of charge!
Matala Beach is one of over 400 beaches in Greece that have been given a Blue Flag. This exclusive eco-label is for beaches that offer clean and safe swimming and have strict requirements for water quality, environmental management, and safety.
Palace of Knossos
The Palace of Knossos in Crete is one of Greece’s largest and most important archaeological sites, and its history goes back to the 7th millennium BC. It was the political, religious, and commercial center of the Minoan civilization. When visiting Crete, it simply cannot be missed because of its architecture, murals, and unique historical significance.
The palace is made of many parts. On the east side, there were the royal apartments, a sanctuary, and the Queen’s Apartment. The throne room was found on the north side of the sacred apartments, with an entrance from the main courtyard. It was said to be designed by Daedalus, the most famous inventor of the time. Once a visitor entered, it was said to be a maze inside, and it was almost impossible to leave.
Rating Heraklion for The British
Sea View
Heraklion has one of the most beautiful coastlines of any area in Crete, and the areas around Heraklion are excellent for homes with sea views. Some popular areas to get a sea view near Heraklion are Paleokastro, Xeropotamos, Karteros, and Gouves.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Direct Flights
From London, you can fly directly to Heraklion in about 4 hours. There are several direct flights per week between London and Heraklion. Consider that it might take a lot longer to get to other Greek islands from London like those in the Cyclades. For example, to get to Paros or Naxos, you would also need to take a ferry or a connecting flight from Athens. The total travel distance would be more like 8 hours from London.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Property Prices
Prices in Heraklion highly depend on the area where you buy a home. According to national averages from Spitogatos, average prices are 1300-1800 Euros per square meter.
Compared to other popular islands in Greece, like Mykonos and Santorini, prices in Heraklion are lower. For example, average prices in the Cycladic Islands are 3500 Euros per square meter, according to Spitogatos.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Internet Speed
Internet Speeds are available in Heraklion via Speedtest by Ookla. The average speed is 40-50 MBPS. Compared to other areas of Greece, this is average.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
English Speakers and Expatriate Community
This area of Greece is growing a lot in popularity, so you can expect to see many visitors, many who are English speaking (or even other Brits), if you’re lucky.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Heraklion Overall Rating for the British: 9.3/10
Heraklion offers a unique blend of urban amenities and traditional Cretan charm, making it an attractive destination for British expats seeking a balanced lifestyle.
