$1.5 Million Homes in Crete, Greece

New York Times

23-05-2025

Rethymno | $1.53 million (€1.35 million)
This three-story villa with a large courtyard is in the Old Town of Rethymno, on the northern coast of Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek islands.
Rethymno, with about 36,000 residents, faces the Aegean Sea and is the third largest city on Crete, situated between the larger metropolitan areas of Heraklion and Chania. Rethymno's Old Town dates mostly to the 16th century, when the Venetians controlled Crete and constructed a protective wall and the star-shaped Fortezza (the remains of which still exist) to protect the city from pirates. There are narrow alleys, mansions with Renaissance facades, picturesque arches and Venetian, Turkish and Egyptian monuments.
The Venetian harbor, with its clusters of fishing boats, has a seafront promenade bordered by tavernas. The spires of Byzantine churches and the domes of historic mosques add flavor to Rethymno, which offers several museums and other cultural attractions. The Old Town is adjacent to the western end of the eight-mile beach on Rethymno Bay.
Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis is about 45 miles west of Rethymno, and Heraklion International Airport is about 50 miles east.
Size: 2,077 square feet
Price per square foot: $737
Indoors: The three-bedroom, three-bath villa has been refurbished to retain historic details, including exposed stone, niches and arches, while adding modern amenities.
Located behind the notable Rimondi Fountain in Rethymno's Old Town, the property has a large landscaped courtyard with an entrance that leads to an open living and dining/kitchen area. The kitchen has white cabinets and a white-painted wood ceiling framed by an arch. A wood staircase ascends to the second floor, where there are two en suite bedrooms. One bedroom has a balcony, and the other has a large traditional fireplace.
The third floor has the primary en suite bedroom and a large terrace with views of the surrounding city. The house has air-conditioning and a security system.
Outdoor space: The house has an expansive courtyard with bougainvillea and an orange tree, as well as two balconies on the second floor and a large terrace with a pergola on the third floor.
Costs: Annual taxes are about 800 to 1,000 euros ($900 to $1,125). Typical closing costs, which include transfer tax and fees for the notary, lawyer, engineer and real estate agency, are 8 to 10 percent of the purchase price.
Contact: Despina Laou | Greece Sotheby's International Realty | [phone]
Plakias | $1.47 million (€1.3 million)
These two contemporary villas, one with three bedrooms and one with two bedrooms, make up a self-contained complex near the tourist resort of Plakias, on the southern coast of Crete.
The villas, perched in the hills with views of the Mediterranean Sea, sit about a half mile from Plakias, a resort area on Crete's southern coast where the main beach abuts mountains and sheer cliffs. Monasteries and traditional mountain villages, such as Myrthios and Asomatos, attract travelers, as do the gorges of Kotsifos and Kourtaliotis and the palm-fringed lake of Preveli with its junglelike forest.
The town of Plakias is has a marina, banks, medical practices, pharmacies and gas stations. Entertainment options abound, from tavernas and hotels to businesses offering water sports, scuba diving and bicycle rentals. There is frequent bus service to Rethymno, which is about 20 miles north of Plakias.
Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis is about 60 miles northwest of Plakias, and Heraklion International Airport is about 70 miles east.
Size: 2,906 square feet
Price per square foot: $506
Indoors: The two villas, one above the other, are connected by a stairway. Each has a swimming pool, floor-to-ceiling openings onto the pool areas, and skylights to illuminate the interiors.
The upper villa is on three levels, and includes three en suite bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and a living area with a fireplace. The kitchen has wood cabinets, an island and stone countertops.
The two-story lower villa has a double-height living area that opens out to the pool and an open-plan kitchen with sleek black cabinets and an island. There are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, including one with a large window overlooking the living area.
Both villas are sold furnished and have air-conditioning.
Outdoor space: The property has two swimming pools and several patios, balconies and terraces, including on the rooftops. Some are shaded by pergolas, including one with a barrel sauna. There is parking for four cars.
Costs: Annual taxes are about 800 to 1,000 euros ($900 to $1,125). Typical closing costs, which include transfer tax and fees for the notary, lawyer, engineer and real estate agency, are 8 to 10 percent of the purchase price.
Contact: Despina Laou | Greece Sotheby's International Realty | [phone]
Ligaria | $1.47 million (€1.3 million)
This six-bedroom, six-bath villa, built in 1986 and renovated in 2023, is in the hills near Ligaria, a resort village on the northern coast of central Crete.
Ligaria is primarily known for its sheltered beach, situated in a turquoise bay protected from the frequent northwest winds, and offers activities including snorkeling, kayaking, jet skiing, paddleboarding and scuba diving. There are hotels, tavernas, beach bars and supermarkets. The nearby village of Agia Pelagia, also a resort area, has several hundred residents and a fuller range of services, while the city of Heraklion, with about 180,000 residents, is 30 minutes away.
Ligaria is surrounded by traditional villages and the ruins of ancient civilizations. Larger cultural sites, such as the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Palace of Knossos, are within 30 minutes, as is Heraklion International Airport.
Size: 5,490 square feet
Price per square foot: $268
Indoors: The main entrance is on the second floor. Doors open to a large open space with a dining area, a living area with a fireplace and doors to a terrace, and a second split-level living area that also opens to a terrace. The eat-in kitchen has royal blue cabinets and opens to a veranda for al fresco dining.
Stairs descend to the first floor where the primary en suite bedroom opens to a large terrace. This level also has another bedroom, a gym, a linen room, a utility room and a garage, as well as access to the outdoor kitchen. The third floor has four en suite bedrooms. The villa is furnished and has air-conditioning.
Outdoor space: The property, on slightly more than an acre, has a swimming pool, a barrel sauna and a covered outdoor kitchen and barbecue area. The indoor kitchen has a veranda for dining, and the primary bedroom has a large terrace. There are numerous terraces off the other bedrooms with views of the Aegean Sea. The property has a landscaped garden and garage parking.
Costs: The annual property tax is about €1,216 ($1,375). Typical closing costs paid by the buyer on a home sale, which include transfer tax and fees for the notary, lawyer, engineer and real estate agency, are 8 to 10 percent of the purchase price.
Contact: George Mouchsiadis | Grekodom Development | [phone]