DAILY POSTCARD | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026 |
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Dear International Living reader, Most folks thinking about Greece fixate on the islands. They chase scarcity, views, and name recognition—and end up in the most crowded and expensive markets in the country. But Greece has another story… There are stretches of the mainland coast that rival the islands for beauty. And they deliver a richer, more affordable lifestyle. Yet because they're on the mainland, they're overlooked by most expats and real estate buyers. Recently, our real estate expert Ronan McMahon included one such stretch of Greece's coast on the RETA Index—his ranking of the 25 best places in the world to buy real estate in 2026. (The online Index Reveal broadcast and Index Report are now available on demand. You can get access for just $7 here but only until midnight tonight.) Below, Ronan explains why this "hidden" stretch of Greece's coast made the list—and why it's shaping up as one of Europe's most compelling under-the-radar opportunities. Read on… | |
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Greece Without the Crowds—and Without Island Prices |
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| The evening sun paints the stone walls of your terrace amber and gold. The Aegean Sea stretches out to the horizon, deep sapphire in the fading light. Fishing boats are heading back to harbor, their lamps flickering on as they approach the shore. You lean against the stone railing and breathe it all in. |
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Wild thyme and salt on the air. The village below coming to life. Taverna tables filling up along the waterfront. By nightfall, you'll walk down cobbled lanes still warm from the day, settle in for grilled fish and tzatziki, and watch the stars come out over water so calm it mirrors the sky. This is your life since you bought on Greece's "hidden" mainland coast—a region that still feels like the country did 30 years ago, before the world arrived. |
There are stretches of coast on Greece's mainland that match the beauty of the islands, but which see a tiny fraction of the visitor numbers. I've just named one such stretch of coast on my index of the 25 best places to buy real estate in 2026. |
Everyone is looking for the next Greek island. The least crowded Greek island. The best value Greek island. But here's what nobody's asking: Who needs a Greek island when you get everything they offer on the mainland…but for a fraction of the price? Recently, I asked my real estate scout Eoin Bassett and RETA photographer Alan Kennedy to investigate an under-the-radar stretch of coast in mainland Greece. They discovered a place with stunning beaches that rival anything in the Cyclades…ancient cities where Ottoman fortifications watch over café-lined harbors…rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves… This coastline is a place where the quality of life is world-leading. And where right now, you can still own ahead of the people you will come later… That's why I named this coast on my 2026 RETA Index of the 25 best places in the world to buy real estate this year. And it's why I gave this region a massive score of 9.5 out of 10 in the Quality of Life category on this Index. More about my Index in a moment, including how you can unlock access to the full replay of RETA Index Reveal online broadcast, the complete 181-page RETA Index Report, and a 60-day trial of my Real Estate Trend Alert (RETA) group…all for just $7. (Details here.) First, here's why this coast is on my list of the best places to own in the world in 2026… |
This stretch of coastline has been mostly overlooked by international buyers—but that's changing. |
A Golden Crescent on the Aegean |
Eoin and Alan drove 600 miles across this coast. Virtually everywhere they went, they saw opportunity. They began in a growing harbor city that blends ancient and modern Greece. In this port town, an Acropolis and Ottoman fortifications watch over a crescent-shaped bay of fishing boats and café-lined promenades. Life here is lived outdoors. Streets rise gently through whitewashed neighborhoods, sea views appear around corners, and the day gives way to familiar rituals—walks, swims, and unhurried dinners. It's a rhythm that's easy to slip into—and hard to give up. With its incredible coastal lifestyle, this city is seeing growing interest from both Greek and international buyers. Infrastructure is strong, too—there's an international airport that was recently modernized, and a four-lane highway connects this harbor city directly to Greece's second city of Thessaloniki in just two hours. This accessibility is helping drive a meaningful transformation here, and not just in the city but on the stunning coastline nearby… |
This stunning city offers a rich Mediterranean-style lifestyle. And yet it's completely off the radar of most travelers to Greece. |
Heading west from this harbor city, my scouts explored a stunning couple of peninsulas that jut out dramatically into the Aegean and boast a range of beach towns. The first peninsula is where the opportunity feels freshest. This is a coastline of low-key resorts tucked discreetly into pine forests, and traditional fishing towns where daily life hasn't been reoriented around tourism. Here, pine-shaded roads lead to small beaches with few sunbeds, no music, and water clear enough to see the seabed even at depth. What makes it especially compelling now is a quiet but unmistakable shift driven not by mega-projects, but by boutique hotel investments, selective marina upgrades, and a steady rise in long-stay expats seeking authenticity over flash. This coast is seeing the kind of early momentum that doesn't announce itself loudly—but tends to reward those who arrive before the story becomes widely told. |
Stunning sandy beaches fronted by pristine turquoise waters nestle in the bays along this coast. |
On the other peninsula, my scouts found a more mature market, with established golf courses, yacht harbors, and resort infrastructure that already attracts an international crowd. The opportunity here lies inland, just a short drive from the coast, where traditional villages sit slightly removed from the beachfront buzz. In these villages, authentic stone homes—often overlooked—offer a compelling lifestyle play: character, space, and proximity to the coast without the premium pricing of the frontline. |
My scout Eoin Bassett scouting this "hidden" coast of Greece earlier this year… |
An Opportunity Taking Shape |
Tourism is on a tear across Greece. Now, as visitors look for unspoiled alternatives to the crowded islands, this coast is poised to benefit. The combination of culture, affordability, and accessibility makes it one of the most compelling under-the-radar opportunities in Europe today. A major catalyst is coming from the north and east, too. Neighboring Bulgaria's adoption of the euro currency on January 1 this year could have powerful ripple effects. Trade, tourism, and second-home demand could shoot higher as cross-border investment becomes simpler. This is a place on the cusp… But right now, it still feels undiscovered. A coastline where you can find hidden coves instead of cruise ship crowds. Where ancient history meets modern infrastructure. Where you can live like the Greeks lived decades ago—before the world caught on. And here's the bigger point… |
The northern coast of mainland Greece is just one of the emerging destinations my team and I scouted in 2025. |
Across the world, new destinations are rising like this… Places where real estate is still affordable, lifestyle is exceptional, and you can get in ahead before the crowds show up. Recently, I went live to reveal my top picks at the 2026 RETA Index Reveal—my complete ranking of the 25 best places in the world to buy real estate in 2026, including this overlooked coastline. Now for the first time, the full Index Reveal event replay and the complete 181-page Index Report are available on demand. Claim instant access for $7 here. If you're trying to decide where to buy, where to retire, where to invest, or simply want to know what your best options are…the 2026 Index gives you a global map of possibilities. Within the Index report, you'll also get a Personal Index Tool that lets you compare all 25 destinations side by side—so you can rank them by the categories that matter most to you: income potential, lifestyle, climate, stability, ease of ownership, or long-term upside. Whether you're looking for one great lifestyle home, a strong potential income property, or the next place to move before the crowd arrives, this is how you shortlist with confidence. For $7 today, it's the smartest place to start your 2026 planning. When you claim access today for $7, you'll get… |
- The full Index Reveal replay video
- The complete 181-page 2026 RETA Index Report
- The sortable Index data table
- Your 60-day trial to Real Estate Trend Alert with all my research, scouting intel, contacts, and member-only deals.
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