The Greek Isles - Playground of the Gods | Private Islands Magazine

The Greek Isles - Playground of the Gods

By Private Islands Magazine • Aug 15th, 2008 • Category: Private Islands for Sale

The country of Greece is home to more than 2000 stunning isles, and surrounded in a mystique that may arguably be credited with inspiring the world’s love affair with private islands. The glamour of owning one of these unique properties was popularized nearly a half-century ago when Jacqueline Kennedy wed Aristotle Onassis on his isle of Skorpios, and the ensuing storm of paparazzi immortalized the private island as an unequalled symbol of prestige and luxury for the jet set. But from the rocky outcroppings of the Mediterranean to the forested mountains rising from the Ionian Sea, these isles have long been the playground of the elite- both mortal and otherwise.

“As someone of Greek heritage”, says Alexis Pappas of Private Islands Inc., “I feel a particular affinity with these islands. Of course they are undeniably beautiful- but they’re also the backdrop for many of the unforgettable stories I grew up with.” More than any other private island market, the allure of Greece powerfully combines emotion and intellect. From the Homeric epics to the dramatic lives and loves of the gods, the otherworldly Greek isles form the scattered stages for some of the most compelling myths ever created. It is not surprising that islands in Greece are regarded by many to be more than badges of wealth, but also taste and sophistication. “It’s not a question of elitism”, Pappas says. “You don’t have to have a Classics background to be familiar with Eros and Aphrodite, or even the Odyssey. These are profoundly human stories that are still prevalent today in popular culture- and they all add to the fantasy that makes ownership of these islands so desirable.”

However, the very culture and history that draws many to seek out a Greek isle of their own can prove a barrier to certain kinds of development. “Greece, like much of Europe, is not for every buyer,” says the CEO of Private Islands Inc., Chris Krolow. “The government takes an active interest in ecological and cultural preservation- and rightly so.” In fact, the fame of the private isle in Greece is almost surprising in light of the relative newness of the market. Foreign ownership of Greek islands was entirely prohibited until 2003, and the soaring market demand over the last four years has been kept in check by limited development opportunities and relative rarity. “An island in Greece is best suited to those who have a deep appreciation of both beauty and history, and are willing to forgo luxuries that would compromise either,” explains Krolow. “There are many regions whose islands will accommodate airstrips or large resorts- but those who buy in Greece are looking for something quite different.”

Even within these constraints, a surprising variety is offered among the properties available on the market in any given year. Nafsika, one of the most spectacular Greek islands currently offered on Private Islands Online (highlighted in the google map map below), lies north of the Mediterranean in the more temperate Ionian Sea. The lush forests and high mountains of Nafsika belie the low, desert-like image of the stereotypical Greek island, and the sprawling 1235 acres offer more than simply a property, but the feeling of one’s own little world. “At a very reasonable EUR €8M,” says Krolow, “Nafsika is genuinely a once in a lifetime opportunity. Complete islands of this size are unheard of on the Greek market”. Further south, the shimmering Mediterranean is home to a property that fulfills the classic look of a Grecian isle, and lies merely 2 hours from the fast-paced social scene and international airport of Athens. The 23 acre St. George’s Island is situated within the resort area of Galaxidi Bay, and at only EUR €1.5M, the price is comparable to a moderately luxurious home in the Athenian hills.

Sun-kissed beaches, sparkling seas and proximity to some of Europe’s most exciting nightlife are of course factors in the purchase of a Greek island, but beyond such material considerations is often a motive with deeper resonance for buyers. “Greece is unique among the island regions,” says Krolow. “There’s a union of the respect for cultural heritage behind the purchase of historic castles in Northern Europe, with a playful indulgence in the fun things in life- yachts and parties and beaches covered with beautiful people.” And this merger of the sacred and the profane found in the islands of Greece is, no doubt, a quality of which the gods would greatly approve.

Map this location relative to other areas of interest

Nafsika Island highlighted in the above google map is available for sale on Private Islands Online