Where to buy in Greece for a steady income all year round

Discover the best places to invest, whether you're in retirement, renting, or working remotely.

Greece is the best place for warm weather

Greece is one of the best places for guaranteed warm weather over a long period of time, especially in the summer when the average temperature is over 20°C (68°F) from May to October. Visiting outside of peak season means fewer crowds, with opportunities for cycling or golfing. The National Bank of Greece predicts that last year's record tourism will be beaten again, but rising prices and overcrowding have led to a drop in visitors to fashionable Mykonos and Santorini. Some areas are suffering from forest fires (Rhodes and northeastern Greece, for example) or flooding (Skiathos and central Greece). According to Greek estate agency Elxis, Crete and Corfu are currently the two most popular destinations for British property buyers - but there are plenty of other options, depending on your needs. Here are some ideas.

Best place for retirees

Retirees appreciate the availability of medical care, convenient services and an active lifestyle in a great climate, and in this sense Crete, Greece's largest island, is hard to beat. "Along with the best air links to the rest of Europe, there is a large international community here that merges well with the locals, and it can be affordable: you can buy a detached villa with pool for less than €250,000 (£217,000)," said Greek estate agent Dion Gavriilidis. The island's north coast, especially the capital Heraklion, offers the most extensive amenities and the new Kasteli International Airport will further improve accessibility. Crete continues to attract loyal Brits to return again and again. The new Elounda Hills resort on the northeast coast, in Mirabello Bay, offers new properties and a welcoming environment. According to Mirum Group's global sales director Ricardo Severini, property owners have been spending more and more time on the island in recent years, which has contributed to the development of remote working, Crete's healthy Mediterranean lifestyle, low living costs and developed infrastructure. Since June, Mr. Severini has been selling new properties at Elounda Hills, a new 138-acre resort on the northeast coast, in Mirabello Bay, with a sustainable design. The development, nestled in the hills with Camper & Nicholsons Harbor, offers 90-quad Hilltop one-bedroom residences

The best place to rent through Airbnb

Milos, the southwesternmost island in the Cyclades group, is popular for its 80 beaches and volcanic geology - check out the moon-like rocks at Sarakiniko Beach. "Its beauty is indescribable. It's quiet, there are only two good hotels and few rentals. Very few cruise ships come here, so it's quiet and there's no overcrowding," says Vicky Vamiedaki, editor of travel and tourism portal News247.gr. However, the fact that luxury hotel chain Andronis has announced its opening on the island speaks volumes about its developing status. According to analytics company AirDNA, Milos has the highest (72%) occupancy rate (meaning that 72% of available nights are booked) over the past 12 months, surpassing Santorini (71%) and Skiathos (66%). Most of the offerings on Milos are studio apartments (94% are one or two bedroom apartments). Many small traditional houses are being converted into vacation rentals, especially around the popular main town, Chora. Through the Spitogatos.gr agency, you can find a two-bedroom house in need of renovation for €150,000.

The best place for athletes

Many Greek islands are a yachtsman's paradise, but for top-notch sports facilities it's hard to beat Costa Navarino in the mountainous southwest of the Peloponnese. A cluster of five-star hotels and neighborhoods near the town of Pylos - 45 minutes from Kalamata airport - offers three golf courses and 30 outdoor activities, including NBA basketball training, FC Bayern Munich's soccer academy, cycling, Ironman competitions, kayaking and rock climbing. For tennis enthusiasts, there are 12 courts including padel and pickleball. To take advantage of all these amenities, you can buy a two-bedroom apartment from €770,000, two-bedroom villas from €1.4 million or choose other villas under construction for up to €6.2 million from local developer TEMES. In the Messinia area you can find many stone houses for renovation from around €120,000 (apropertyingreece.com), or a cute one-bedroom cottage surrounded by olive and fig trees for €170,000 (elxis.com).

The best place to invest

Real estate investment in Greece has always been about lifestyle rather than income, but a strong economy has helped turn things around, with Greece receiving an investment grade rating for the first time since the debt crisis. Athens, which was the most affordable capital in Europe for housing, remains the focus of significant inward investment, and real estate prices have been rising since 2018, according to the Bank of Greece. A flood of investors from Turkey, the Middle East and China buying Athens properties to obtain golden visas has helped push up prices in the city center. However, investors' attention is also being drawn to the new sustainable smart city of Ellinikon, which is located on the site of Athens' former international airport on the coast. According to Lamda Development, which is developing the 6.2 million square meter project, 79% of investors are Greek, followed by British and Americans. The project includes schools, a marina, a shopping center and 9,000 new residential units. The 200-meter Riviera Tower by Foster + Partners, the tallest building in Greece, has already pre-sold 170 luxury apartments and plans are underway for beach villas and apartments, which will also be completed in 2026. Current prices start from €450,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.

The best place to work remotely

Crete is a popular center for digital nomads due to its good internet connection, access to flights and well-developed infrastructure - especially the town of Chania in the northwest of the island. The same can be said for the city of Thessaloniki on the mainland, but Athens is the most obvious choice for most people. "The coolest neighborhoods to base yourself in are Koukaki, Kipseli or Pagrati," says Katie Silcox, 38, editor-in-chief of travel portal Citizen Femme, who has lived in the city for four years. "There's affordable housing and trendy cafes where it's OK to sit for a few hours with a cup of coffee. If you want to live like a local near the center, choose Kukaki or Pagrati, and if you like an artsy atmosphere and eclectic style, choose Kipseli; it's home to the city's creative community." You can buy a large one-bedroom apartment in Kukaki for €500,000 from Engel & Volkers, or a one-bedroom apartment in Kipseli for €135,000.

"Crete: I can't think of a better place for remote work," Janet Williams never planned to buy property abroad, but the psychologist from Bath visited Crete on vacation and fell in love with it. She has just purchased a two-bedroom apartment in Elounda Hills, which will be completed in2026. "I loved the locals: we were so warmly welcomed, it was like Ireland in the sun," says50-year-old Janet, who is from Northern Ireland, where her partner lives. "I can work anywhere, and the arrival of the new airport (in Kasteli,30 minutes away) I consider a turning point in improving access not only for tourists but also for the permanent population. I can't think of anything better than sitting with a cup of coffee and admiring the heavenly Mirabello Bay. I think we'll spend a lot of time there."