Μake us preferred on Google Asking prices for homes on Greek islands continued to rise in the second quarter of 2026, with both established destinations and smaller islands attracting strong demand from domestic and international buyers, reports show.
According to data from the Spitogatos site, the average asking price on the Aegean islands reached 2,941 euros per square meter, up 5.9% from a year earlier. Prices in the Ionian islands rose by the same rate to 2,531 euros per square meter, while Crete recorded a stronger annual increase of 6.9%, taking the average to 2,250 euros. Over five years, asking prices on Crete have risen by 50%.
The latest figures confirm a broader trend of sustained international demand for Greek holiday property, particularly in the Cyclades and Dodecanese island chains. The market has increasingly expanded beyond traditional hotspots such as Mykonos and Santorini, with smaller islands attracting buyers seeking lower prices and investment potential.
In the Cyclades, small Antiparos has overtaken Mykonos in average asking prices, reaching 7,600 euros per square meter, compared with 7,059 euros on Mykonos and 5,263 euros on Paros. Antiparos has also been among the islands recording some of the strongest price growth, reflecting its emergence as a high-end alternative to the more established luxury markets. To Vima’s recent coverage has identified Antiparos, Folegandros, Kythnos and Paros as among the Cycladic markets gaining momentum as buyers look beyond the traditional premium destinations.
Mykonos nevertheless remains one of Greece’s most expensive and sought-after property markets. Luxury summer homes on the island have commanded prices as high as 16,000 euros per square meter, while standard summer residences have reached a median asking price of 2,854 euros per square meter. Santorini also remains firmly in the premium segment, while Paros continues to attract substantial international interest.
In the Ionian islands, lush Paxos has the highest asking prices at 3,846 euros per square meter. In the Sporades, Skiathos leads at 3,521 euros, continuing a pattern of strong demand for islands combining established tourism infrastructure with limited housing supply.
The Dodecanese is also seeing notable price increases. Leros recorded an annual increase of more than 30%, while Kalymnos rose by almost 20%. Patmos remains the most expensive island in the group, with asking prices reaching 5,000 euros per square meter. Rhodes is also firmly established in the higher-end holiday-home market, with premium properties reaching 6,750 euros per square meter.
Foreign buyers remain a major force in the market
For instance, Americans are the largest group seeking Greek island properties, followed by buyers from the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and France.
Recent market data indicate that foreign interest is increasingly driven by second-home and lifestyle considerations rather than “Golden Visa” incentives. More than half of foreign buyers in 2025 purchased properties for use as second or holiday homes, while only 8% cited the Golden Visa as their main motivation.
Crete has emerged as a particularly strong destination for international buyers. as one in three prospective foreign holiday-home buyers in 2026 is choosing the island, with Western European buyers dominating demand.
