International Living voted Crete the best Greek retirement island due to its health care infrastructure and accessibility.
Data from World Population Review. The European nation is full of stunning mountains and historic seaside towns. There is nothing that compares to the breathtaking beauty of the Greek IslandsThe island is a perfect retirement destination. International Living claims that there are more than 100 inhabited islands within the archipelago. However, one island stands out as the best place to retire.
Late in June, the website that assists expats with finding their dream home abroad released its list. six best Greek islands for retirement. Lynn Roulo is an American expat who now lives in Athens.
Roulo says that the biggest island in Greece is her first choice for retirees seeking a great place to enjoy their golden years. CreteIt is a great place to live, because it “combines the best aspects of Greek island life with practical benefits like reliable access, top-notch healthcare and major universities as well as solid infrastructure.”
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About 600,000 people live on the island. It’s like a little country all by itself. Roulo pointed out that it is a 3,260-square-mile island, punctuated with small cities, charming towns with blue roofs and whitewashed buildings, and country farmland in its rolling hillside. You can choose from a variety of options, including peaceful seaside villages or quiet mountain retreats. All are within a few driving hours.
You can also read about the advantages of using Travel + Leisure previously sharedCrete is a great place for history lovers, with sites such as the Palace of Knossos – the most famous archaeological site on the island. Peter Sommer, of Peter Sommer Travels, shared that the Minoan Palace at Knossos is Crete’s most iconic archaeological site. It’s the oldest, biggest, and most intricate of all of them. “In its wide courts, shaded colonnades, and intricate arrangements of room after room, floor after floor, one can really come to grips with a civilization from far back in the Bronze Age, and grapple with questions that are still hotly debated – what did these palaces look like, what were they for, who lived in them, and how did they function?”
It’s also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, as you can hike 10 miles through Crete’s White Mountains in Samaria Gorge. There are also plenty of beaches, such as the famous Elafonissi Beach with its pink sand, created by crushed seashells.
Roulo said that the island’s two international airports, (Heraklion/Chania) and ferry port are also very well connected with the rest of world. The University General Hospital in Heraklion makes healthcare accessible. Crete has “large supermarkets and chains, including Lidl. And starting in 2025 Heraklion will have a newly opened IKEA,” Roulo stated.
Roulo also included Corfu, Syros and Rhodes on his list. As for how you can make the leap to the Aegean nation, the best option may be the Greece Retirement Visa, otherwise known as the Greece FIP visa, which offers temporary residency to non-EU citizens that can show passive earnings of at least €3,500 (about $4,100) per month, according to Lincoln Global Partners. Visit to learn more about the Visa process. migration.gov.gr.
