Crete Was Named the Best Retirement Destination in Greece—Here’s Why

Greece doesn’t even crack the top 20 most popular countries for American expats, according to data from World Population Review. And that feels like a mistake, considering the European nation is filled with stunning mountains, historic cities, and seaside towns. But nothing quite compares to the beauty of the Greek Islands, which make for a picture-perfect retirement destination. While there are around 100 inhabited islands in the archipelago, there’s one particular island that International Living says is heads and shoulders above the rest as the ultimate place to spend your golden years.

In late June, the website dedicated to helping expats find their perfect home abroad shared its list of the six best Greek islands for retirement. And the list comes from one very knowledgeable source: Lynn Roulo, an American expat now living in Athens, Greece. 

According to Roulo, her top pick for retirees looking for a top-notch spot to spend their golden years is the largest island in Greece, Crete, as it “combines the best of Greek island living with practical advantages like top-notch healthcare, reliable accessibility, major universities, and solid infrastructure.”

The island, home to about 600,000 people, is like a mini-country in its own right. As Roulo noted, it stretches on for 3,260 square miles, punctuated by small cities, quaint towns with white-washed buildings and blue roofs, and country farms in its rolling hillsides. “Whether you prefer urban energy, peaceful seaside villages, or quiet mountain retreats, you’ll find it here, all within a few hours’ drive,” Roulo added. 

As Travel + Leisure previously shared, Crete is an excellent place for those who love history, thanks to sites like the Palace of Knossos, the island’s most iconic archaeological site. “Crete’s most famous archaeological site is the great Minoan Palace of Knossos, the oldest, largest, and most elaborate of these sites,” Peter Sommer of Peter Sommer Travels shared. “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?”

And it’s a fantastic place for those who love the outdoors, with destinations like Samaria Gorge, which will take you on a 10-mile hike through Crete’s White Mountains. And naturally, there are plenty of beaches to relax on, including the famed Elafonissi Beach, known for its pink sand created by millions of crushed seashells. 

Roulo added that the island is also well-connected to the rest of the world, thanks to its two international airports (Heraklion and Chania) and ferry ports. Healthcare is also relatively accessible thanks to the University General Hospital of Heraklion. Crete also “has large supermarkets and chain stores, including Lidl, and starting in 2025, Heraklion will be home to a newly opened IKEA,” Roulo said. 

Other spots to make Roulo’s list include Corfu, Syros, Naxos, Rhodes, and Evia. 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. See more about the visa process and start your application at migration.gov.gr.