Crete vs Corfu: where to buy property

Geography and climate

Crete is the southernmost point not only of Greece, but also of Europe - according to this indicator, the island is second only to Cyprus - therefore the summer season here begins earlier than on other islands of the country, and ends later than everyone else. It lasts from April to the end of October and the beginning of November, which certainly contributes to its greater tourist congestion and a good yield from resort rentals. But it should be understood that in the height of summer, Crete can get very hot. In addition, Crete is also one of the largest islands in Europe, so it is a mini-continent with different climatic zones, mountains, lakes and coasts of different seas.

There are numerous beaches and islands around (the famous Cyclades, Dodecanese islands, you can reach Santorini), quiet bays sheltered from the winds and areas for yachting and other water sports. Crete has both green groves and semi-desert areas of land. Thus, here everyone will find for themselves the most comfortable option for rest during most of the year.

Corfu is the northernmost island in Greece with the highest rainfall in the country, so the local landscapes are invariably pleasing to the eye. Fans of rich flowering nature can safely choose it, since almost every part of it is very green. Due to the fact that the island was a part of the Venetian Republic for a long time, you can see the corresponding architecture here - Corfu is the most Italian of all the islands, especially since it is located not far from Italy.

The climate here is milder in summer than in Crete, but the winters are quite rainy. The swimming season in Corfu lasts in summer and early autumn, as the temperatures of the Ionian Sea are lower than the Aegean, and the island near the coast has relatively cold water even during the high season in July and August. The towns of picturesque Corfu are very diverse, each of them has its own attraction or several, so it is always very interesting to travel around it. There are several islands nearby, where you can come on excursions or spend your holidays. During the navigation period, from here it is possible to reach mainland Greece in two hours by ferry.

How to get there

Crete has two airports and a third is expected to be built in the future. Regular flights from Europe fly to the island all year round. There is only one small airport in Corfu, so it is very overloaded during the peak season, and plans to build a new one are still in the distant future. There are regular flights from the EU countries, although in the low season there are much fewer of them. Charter flights fly from Russia during the season, but outside of it our compatriots will have to get there with a transfer at the airport of Athens or by ferry from Greece or Italy (it takes 8 hours from Bari to Corfu) with an eye on the weather conditions. And it is important to take into account that in the summer, due to the flow of tourists, the cost of tickets to both islands can increase significantly, so they should be purchased in advance.

Economy and infrastructure

Due to the fact that Crete is a large island, there are many hospitals, educational institutions (including international schools, large universities and colleges) and much more. Therefore, it is suitable for both summer holidays by the sea and for year-round living, which is becoming an important factor for buyers of real estate in Crete who are planning to move to permanent residence. There is excellent ecology, very high quality food, there is no industry on the island - its economy is based only on tourism and agriculture. A lot of vegetables, fruits and olives are grown on the island, so it usually happens that local residents, who are engaged in tourism in summer, work in the agricultural sector in winter.

Corfu has all the necessary infrastructure, but it should be understood that it is presented in small quantities, especially if we consider the issue of the availability of private international schools and hospitals. It houses one university and a couple of faculty colleges. As well as in Crete, Corfu lacks industry and the main source of income for the local population - agriculture and tourism. This island is more suitable for recreation than for permanent residence (especially since the winter here can be very chilly, especially for warmth lovers). Corfu is beautiful and active in the summer, as well as in May and September, in other months life here gradually stops. Out of season, the island is very quiet and deserted, in winter it is suitable for those who are looking for solitude and tranquility.

Real estate market

Crete offers a wide variety of properties and locations on the island to suit every budget. From the most prestigious and expensive (Elounda and Mirabello Bay) to actively developing and so far underestimated (Irapetra and the west coast of Crete). Homeowners have very good holiday rental yields from the long season. And places like Heraklion and Rethymno are great for long term and student rental investments. Real estate worth up to 100,000 euros may already have not only a sea view, but also a fairly close location to it. For 300,000 euros it is possible to buy a two-bedroom villa located relatively close to the sea.

In the real estate market of Corfu there is a fairly high threshold of entry, housing is expensive here due to its great demand among Europeans, especially among Italians and British, this is also influenced by the limited coastline. Housing is cheaper than 100,000 euros, but the choice in this case will be small, especially since most of the properties are for sale far from the sea at a distance of one or more kilometers. They can be located on a hill, in the mountains and with complex infrastructure accessibility (when you can only get there by car along a serpentine road with bad roads). Objects with a sea view are priced from 200,000 euros and more. Objects on the first line of the sea with beaches are rarely and expensively exhibited (their cost can be several million euros) - so those who want to buy such real estate have to wait a while. But the game is worth the candle, as there is a high demand for first-class holiday rental properties in Corfu.

Thank you for your help in preparing the material:

Natalia Kovaleva, Sales Director, Real Estate Service

Natalia Ruvu, expert at Roula Rouva Real Estate Agency