Crete is Growing in Popularity

The Greek island of Crete is quickly becoming a major destination for holiday travelers and investors interested in a second home abroad. It offers long, sandy beaches with crystal clear water, mountainous landscapes, warm weather and fantastic food. It is divided into four sections, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lassithi, from west to east. Chania and the western end is the more popular one for resorts and holiday travelers, while the eastern end offers some amazing bargains for investors looking for quiet and spectacular views.

Chania is the major tourist destination on Crete. It has many resorts as well as the scenery and weather that Crete is known for. Chania has some of the best nightlife on the island, in the capital city of Chania Town and at resorts such as Platanias and Paleohora. The Golden Beach is within walking distance of downtown Chania and provides a sandy beach for those who want to stay in this lively city.

The eastern part of Crete is a popular place for Brits to purchase property, noted a recent article in The Times Online. Sitea, on the northeast part of Lassithi, is the place to learn the language and make friends with the locals. The landscape is wild and the property here can be cheap. But, most homes also require some work – and money - to get them up to standards.

One buyer, Julie Richardson, from Rutland, found a bargain for £54,000 and it only needed £10,000 in repairs. She noted in the Times that “West Crete was expensive, with too many developments. This area is untouched by tourism and the people are so friendly. But prices are shooting up.”

Getting to Crete is easy, especially during the summer travel season. The major airport is Heraklion Aiport (HER), in the middle of the island. There is an airport at Chania (CHQ), but it is not as popular in terms of flights, though less crowded. There are direct flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to both of these airports daily, and major international connections from there. During the busy months, there are also direct flights to the island from many major European Cities, including London and Manchester.

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