5 coastal towns on mainland Greece – without the island price tag

Coastal towns on mainland Greece can be just as picturesque as those on the islands, plus they have the added convenience of good transport links to other towns. This is particularly useful over the winter months.

Although we used to holiday on the Greek islands, when we decided to move to Greece full time, we thought a home on mainland would be cheaper and more practical. We knew we could only afford to buy something that needed renovating and had heard that building materials on the islands could work out over 20% more expensive. This is partly due to the extra costs involved in transporting them to an island. So, after comparing mainland Greece to the Greek islands, the mainland was where we decided to start our search.

 Homes for sale in Greece

The benefits of buying property on the mainland

The mainland doesn’t just cost less than the islands. It solves a lot of the everyday hassles that come with island life too. For example:

• Lower property prices.
• More availability of labour and materials.
• Lower delivery costs for DIY products, building materials, furniture etc.
• More reliable transport options.
• Lower cost of living.
• More year-round inhabitants.
• Good access to healthcare.
• More likely to find amenities such as gyms, clubs, and events aimed at the local population.
• A lower cost of entry to the golden visa.
• From some mainland areas you can drive to Athens or Thessaloniki to catch winter flights.
• Most of the archaeological sites you may want to visit are on the mainland.
• An incredible coastline with marvellous beaches.

The best beaches on mainland Greece

The mainland’s beaches rarely get the attention the islands do, but several rival them for scenery and space. Here are a few worth building into a viewing trip.

• Voidokilia beach in the Peloponnese. Curved sandy beach in front of a lagoon.
• Valtos beach in Parga. Sandy beach with clear Ionian Sea.
• Monolithi beach near Preveza is the longest beach in Greece.
• Karydi and Portokali beaches on the Sithonia peninsula near Halkidiki have white sand, pine trees and rocky coves.

The best coastal towns on mainland Greece

1. Preveza

Preveza is a traditional Greek town. It has a year-round community and a lower cost of living than more touristy towns. It is very walkable, with a small hospital and enough tavernas and shops staying open year-round to serve the permanent residents. There’s a colourful old town, as well as a large marina where you can enjoy scenic walks and freshly caught seafood.

Things to see and do near Preveza include:

• The long Monolithi beach, 13 minutes from Preveza town. Closer beaches are about 20 minutes’ walk south of the harbour.
• Outdoor activities including hiking, rafting, horse riding, cycling and bird watching.  
• The archaeological site of Roman Nikopolis is a 15-minute drive north of Preveza.
• About 24 minutes’ drive away is Paleros, which has been grabbing the attention of international house buyers.

2. Parga

Parga is one of the most beautiful seaside towns I have been to. The bright colours of the bougainvillea climbing up balconies are particularly memorable. Parga has a very attractive waterfront with cafes and a holiday atmosphere. It has the feel of an island, and even attracts visitors from the islands of Corfu and Paxos. It caters well to their needs, with souvenir shops, excursions and boat trips.

Those fortunate enough to own accommodation in Parga can experience views of the sunset from a taverna at the top of town then take a stroll home passing pastel-coloured house. It’s a lovely place to explore on foot and you can catch a water taxi to go further along the coast.

Parga beaches

This lovely coastal town has three nearby beaches. Ai Giannakis is a busy beach by the harbour and Piso Krioneri is a pebble beach, that is great for snorkelling by the rocks. We preferred to walk over Castle hill to Valtos beach, which is bigger and sandier than the other two. The uphill walk can be tiring on a hot day, but you get a nice view and more space to sunbathe once you get there. Plus, for those with energy to burn there are several watersports at Valtos.

If you prefer to live in a rural setting but still be within easy reach of a coastal town, you can find gorgeous villages nearby. A good example is Tsouknida which is just 30 minutes’ drive away. 

3. Volos

Volos is a lively port town with a popular seafront promenade where you’ll find many traditional seafood tavernas called Tsipouradika. Here you can sip your drink and nibble on a selection of seafood mezedes.

When you want to explore the local history you can visit the castle, archaeological museum or what remains of a Neolithic settlement. Volos was built on ancient Iolcos, the legendary birthplace of Jason, of Jason and the Argonauts. It was from here they set sail on a quest for the Golden Fleece.

Things to see and do near Volos

• Volos is the gateway to the Pelion Peninsula. From here you can catch a small train up to the mountain village of Milies.
• A good hiking trail is the Centaur’s path which is about six miles from Volos.
• A popular beach is Alykes which offers watersports, bars, tavernas and other amenities.  Anchialos Beach and Pigadia Beach are also not far away.

4. Kalamata

We flew into Kalamata on our property viewing trip to mainland Greece. During those two weeks we drove from place to place, getting a feel for each town we drove through. Kalamata feels like a city you could live in year-round and isn’t too touristy. It is the second most populous city in the Peloponnese and has shops, a hospital, a museum, a football/athletics stadium, gyms, sports facilities, doctors and schools etc.  

We had spoken online to an expat couple living in Kalamata, who invited us to their home and arranged for us to meet up with other expats at a waterfront café. Hearing their stories, was a great introduction and insight into what life is like for expats on mainland Greece.

I’ve noticed that the Facebook page “Expats in Kalamata, Messinia and Surrounding” now has over 6,200 members. There has been a growing number of foreign house buyers around Kalamata and in the nearby coastal villages, such as Stoupa and Kardamili.

5. Nafplio

If we had discovered Nafplio before we bought our Greek home, I feel sure we would have bought a property there instead. While living in the Peloponnese we always took visiting friends and family to Nafplio for a day out. It has achieved a good balance between being an attractive tourist destination and somewhere you could make a permanent home.

Between 1823 and 1834 Nafplio was the first capital of Greece. It’s history is visible in the fine architecture, from neoclassical mansions to a Venetian fortress. As you stroll through the stone streets you see colourful bougainvillea, pretty squares and Ottoman fountains. As well as the Palamidi fortress on the hill, if you look out into the harbour, you’ll see the Bourtzi castle.

Conclusion

Coastal towns on mainland Greece are just as beautiful as those on the islands. In fact, some actually feel like you are on an island. Take Parga for example, which has a colourful harbour with pastel houses up a hillside. The shape of the Peloponnese, with its peninsulas, also feels like an island, yet you have the convenience of being able to drive to Athens.

If you buy furniture in Athens and want it delivered to your home in Greece, transport costs will be cheaper to a mainland location compared to an island. We were lucky to have a Greek friend with a van who took us to Athens to pick up a new bed mattress. Today, if for example you bought a table in Athens and wanted it delivered to Nafplio it might cost around €40 to €80. If you had it delivered to Chania on the island of Crete you could be charged up to €250 or more.

In each of the coastal towns on the mainland of Greece I have mentioned that the average price for a residential property in the prime coastal part of town is currently under €3,000 per square metre, which is lower than the island towns of Chania on Crete, currently at €3,648m², Corfu town at €3,375m² and the main town on Mykonos which is a staggering €7,875€m². (Source: Indomio, data from July 2026). For those who like visiting historic sites, most of the important ones can be found on the mainland. You will also find a selection of sports both on the sea and land, including skiing in the mountains.  

Find out where in Greece you can swim and ski in one day.