A sea view home in Greece is a dream shared by many people around the world. In total, Greece is thought to have 13,676 kilometres (8,498 miles) of coastline, the longest in the Mediterranean Basin. That’s a lot of potential places to have a sea view home.
Who can resist the look of a traditional Greek house with white washed walls, blue shutters and a pretty balcony? Traditional Greek balconies tend to be made of wood, or have a wooden floor and metal railings. When you see a balcony painted blue to match the sky and sea, and there is Bougainvillea climbing over it, there is no mistaking what country you are in. However, you can also find some beautiful modern apartments and villas too, with large terraces and pools.
Although Greece has 6,000 islands, only 227 are inhabited. One of the most popular is Crete, especially in areas a short drive from an airport. Both Agios Nikolaos and Chania are in great locations to not only enjoy fantastic sea views, but are also a short drive from an airport.
Find homes in Crete via our property portal.
Sea view properties for sale
There are several sea view properties currently for sale on Your Overseas Home. So, let’s take a look at some examples of what’s currently available around Agios Nikolaos and Chania on the island of Crete. They could sell fast, but if you contact a Property Guides advisor they can put you in contact with an estate agent that may have similar properties just coming on the market.
This two bedroom sea view apartment in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, 142,000.
What a view! Click on the image to see more of this property.
Municipality of Agios Nikolaos
The municipality of Agios Nikolaos is in a province of Crete called Lisithi. It covers quite a large area, incorporating several villages. As well as the town of Agios Nikolaos, there are several lovely villages around the coast such as Elounda, Plaka, Sissi, Milatos, and Kalo Chorio.
Head to our property portal for more Agios Nikolas properties.
Elounda
Elegant Elounda.
Up the coast from Agios Nikolaos is the village of Elounda. This used to be just a simple fishing village and even now it’s resident population is only around 2,200. However, since the arrival of tourism, its become a more upmarket holiday village with 5 star hotels and holiday rentals. Elounda’s harbour, known as the Gulf of Korfos, is a beautiful natural lagoon bordered by rugged peninsulas.
If you have a sea view from a property here, you may also have a view of the fascinating little island of Spinalonga, which receives up to 2,000 visitors a day in high season. Moreover, on a walk along the waters edge, on a calm day, you may also glimpse the remains of the sunken city of Olous, resting beneath the clear shallow waters.
Agios Nikolaos coast
The area boasts 80km of coastline, with 70 beaches. Moreover, twenty seven of which have been awarded the Blue Flag. As well as amazing sea views there are small coves, long sandy beaches and sheltered bays to discover. Those who love nothing better than gazing out to sea, will also be thrilled by the opportunity to eat lunch sat outside a taverna, right on the waters edge. Plus, there are several water sport opportunities, such as surfing, diving and sailing.
Tourist destination
The area is well developed as a tourist destination with luxury hotels, holiday rental accommodation, traditional tavernas, and tourist attractions. Additionally, there are archaeological sites to explore and cultural events, such as the honey festival and Cretan music festival. From Heraklion Airport, you can drive to Agios Nikolaos town in 52 minutes and the village of Sissi in only 40 minutes.
Heraklion airport
Heraklion Airport is the second busiest airport in Greece and receives direct flights from many European countries, especially during the tourist season (May to October). Throughout the year the airport is regularly connected to Athens International Airport. It is serviced by KTEL of Crete (Cretan long distance bus company) which connects it to Agios Nikolaos and other parts of the island on a regular basis.
Find out more about new flights to Greece in 2023.
A town for all seasons
Agios Nikolaos is the main town with a population of about 20,000. Its where the locals come to do their banking, shopping and visit the doctor. There is a modern hospital, schools, public swimming pool, cinema, theatre, gyms and sports facilities. It’s also the place for a night out, with many restaurants and bars around the inner harbour.
Properties for sale
There is a big selection of properties and plots of land for sale in the Agios Nikolaos area. Many of these are in the countryside and slightly inland from the coast. A two bedroom village house with a distant sea view can start at 100,000, whereas one nearer the coast starts at around 250,000.
Panoramic sea views
Sometimes if you go inland a little you can find properties with panoramic sea views. Such as this 3 bedroom house located near Kavousi village, just 26 km (16 miles) east of Agios Nikolaos. Kavousi village has shops, tavernas and spectacular views over the Gulf of Mirabello and the Isthmus of Lerapetra. Tholos beach is a just a few minutes drive.
Three bedroom house with sea views near Kavousi village, Agios Nikolaos, Crete 350,000
Built in 2004, this three-bedroom villa would make a beautiful home.
Chania
Old Venetian Harbour in Chania.
Chania is one of the three regional units of Crete. It covers the western end of the Island and incorporates seven municipalities. The principle town is also called Chania, which is located on the north west coast. Sea view properties facing north look out onto the Cretan Sea (part of the Aegean sea) and to the west and south the view is of the Mediterranean sea and Libyan Sea.
Find more homes for sale in Chania on our property portal.
The coast of Chania
The district of Chania has over 350km of coastline and more than 80 beaches, most of which have been awarded the blue flag. The regional unit also includes three headlands (peninsulas), known as the “three heads” of Crete.
Chania
Chania is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece. It combines an outstanding landscape of natural beauty with a rich history and cultural tradition. Nearly 54,000 people live in the town of Chania (according to 2011 census) and throughout the Municipality of Chania there are over 100,000 residents. Therefore, this large town has everything needed for year round living. Chania airport receives direct flights from the UK over the summer months.
Old town Chania has beautiful alleyways, that lead to stunning views of the Venetian port and the lighthouse. Plus, the main attractions in the Old Town of Chania are the Maritime, War and Archaeological Museums and other monuments of Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman and modern periods. The newer part of town is well laid out in a grid style with wide long streets and public green spaces.
Aptera village
Aptera is about 20 minutes drive from Chania. It is also just five minutes drive from the quiet sandy beaches at Kalami and ten minutes from Kalives, with its beach side tavernas, shops and cafes. Moreover, Aptera is home to one of the most interesting archaeological sites in western Crete.
It is believed that Aptera was inhabited since Minoan times, partly due to its strategic location above the bay of Souda. Within the archeological site you can visit impressive Roman cisterns, ruins of Roman bath houses, a newly excavated theatre and the monastery of Agios Ioannis. On a nearby headland is an old Turkish castle overlooking the sea.
Aptera used to be called Megala Chorafia, which literally means `Big Field’. The village is now a scattering of houses and farms with an ornate orthodox church. There are also a few tavernas, cafes and a mini market. In 2008 the local council changed the name to Aptera, but some signs and maps still show the old name. Also, Aptera village has splendid views of the Bay of Souda and the White Mountains, especially in winter and early spring when the mountains are covered in snow and the wild flowers appear.
Two bedroom semi-detached house with Sea views in Aptera, near Chania, Crete 165,000
A lovely maisonette home. Intrigued?
Almyrida
The large, gently shelving, sandy bay that makes up the seaside resort of Almyrida was once a fishing village but is now a thriving seaside resort with a Blue Flag beach. Tavernas and bars line the sea front. There are a couple of mini-markets, a bakery, patisserie, a wine shop and a newsagents. Plus, there is a windsurfing school, a scuba diving centre and boat trips. You can also hire mountain bikes to explore the area.
Three-bedroom villa in Apokoronas, Almyrida, Chania for €650,000
Think about your next dip in the sea as you dry off from your dip in the swimming pool.
In conclusion, all around Crete there are lovely towns and villages to suit everyone. From quiet inland villages with panoramic sea views, to apartments in seaside resorts with lively nightlife.
