A history that dates back 4,000 years, superb beaches, an amazing climate, great cuisine (the healthy Mediterranean Diet originated here), and the sun shining for more than 300 days a year. This is the island of Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica.
Crete offers great variety, and it would take over 5 hours to drive from one end of the island to the other. Whether you are after beaches, mountains, wildlife, archaeology, walking, birdwatching, photography, sailing or anything else, Crete really has something for everyone – from lively resorts, ancient ruins, Venetian-style monuments, pristine beaches, and also more new-build holiday homes than most other islands.
CRETE REALLY HAS IT ALL. IT IS A CONTINENT IN AN ISLAND.
The pros of living in Crete
1. Relaxed way of life
Crete is an island that takes life at its own, relatively slow pace. As a Mediterranean island, it has a very strong sense of community and even larger towns can often feel like a small village, where most people know each other. However, the island is large enough to have everything you might need.
2. Sunny weather year round
Crete enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate, including mild winters and hot, dry summers. Because of the varied terrain, the island offers a variety of microclimates in different areas, the mountainous regions having very different weather conditions than the coastal villages.
3. Beautiful landscapes
There’s something majestic in the way the Cretan landscape unfolds, from the pristine beaches in the north to the rugged canyons spilling out at the wild, cliff-lined southern coast. In between, valleys hug picturesque villages, and round-shouldered hills are the overture to often snow-covered mountains. Crete really has it all. It is a continent in an island.
4. Good quality of life
The quality of life in Crete is generally considered to be one of the best in Greece. Although life moves at a slower pace than in other places in Europe, the island offers everything you need to live comfortably.
5. Fresh and healthy food
There is plenty of fresh food grown on the island, and the Greek diet is well-known for its fish, simple dishes, and fresh produce. If you’re a foodie and a healthy diet enthusiast, you will be in heaven in Crete. Herbs and greens are gathered from each hillside, cheeses are made fresh with unique village-specific recipes, and honey is flavored by mountain herbs.
Crete is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to try year-round Greek island living. It is divided into 4 so-called “regional units”, from west to east: Chania (pronounced “Hania”), Rethymno (also spelled “Rethimno”), Heraklion, and Lasithi. Each one has a beauty of its own and offers a vast range of benefits for anyone who takes the plunge to live there. The island is so big and varied, you’re almost sure to find a property that fits your dream.
If you are looking to buy property on Crete, here are some impressive properties for sale on the island:
Villa in the Prefecture of Heraklion | 680 sq.m. (7,319 sq.ft.)
View the property in detail here and make your offer now!
Villa in the Prefecture of Heraklion | 570 sq.m. (6,135 sq.ft.)
View the property in detail here and make your offer now!
Villa in the Prefecture of Lasithi | 270 sq.m. (2,906 sq.ft.)
View the property in detail here and make your offer now!
