North coast or south coast? Where to buy on Crete
The north coast is lively and accessible, the south quiet and unspoiled. An honest comparison of both sides of the island for buyers.
Crete is 260 kilometres long and in places only 12 kilometres wide, and yet the north and south coasts are two different worlds. Understanding that difference makes choosing a region much faster.
The north coast: lively and accessible
Almost all of the island’s infrastructure sits on the northern side. The motorway runs from Chania via Rethymno to Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. Both airports are there, as are the hospitals, the universities and the large supermarkets.
Advantages
- Amenities open all year round, including in February
- Twenty minutes to an airport from many towns
- Higher and longer rental occupancy
- A larger, more liquid market: easier to sell again
Disadvantages
- Busier in July and August
- Higher prices per square metre
- More development, so more chance of looking at someone else’s roof
The south coast: space and quiet
The south coast is separated from the rest of the island by mountains. Villages such as Plakias, Agia Galini and Agios Pavlos are reached over mountain passes, and you notice that in everything. The water is warmer, the sun shines more often, and in winter it is very quiet.
Advantages
- Considerably lower prices for comparable properties
- Often completely unobstructed sea views
- Milder winters and more hours of sunshine
- Almost no mass tourism
Disadvantages
- Ninety minutes to two hours to the airport
- Limited amenities out of season; some villages largely close from November to March
- Shorter rental season, roughly May to September
- A smaller market, so reselling takes longer
The interior: the third option
Between the two coasts lie villages such as Vamos, Gavalochori and those of the Amari valley. There you get considerably more house for the same money, with olive groves around you and the sea still twenty minutes away. For anyone moving here permanently, the interior is often the wisest choice, and at the same time the most underrated.
Our advice
Moving here permanently? Choose the north coast or the interior: in January you want a baker and a neighbour. Looking for a holiday home you use yourself and occasionally rent out? The south coast gives you more house and more view for your money. Buying purely as an investment? The north coast wins on almost every measure.
Visit any serious candidate once in summer and once in winter. An island lives differently in February than in August.
We know both sides of the island and will say honestly when a region does not suit your plans. Get in touch to talk through what you are looking for.