Almirida also known as Almyrida, is a small coastal village on the NW coast of Crete- about 30 minutes drive from Chania. In the last Greek census in 2001 there were less than 150 permanent residents who owned property in Crete. Even now, the total is probably less than 250 - 300.
In the summer, the number swells dramatically as holidaymakers arrive from all over Europe. As they became familiar with the area, more of them bought and continue to buy property in Crete.
This is good for me as I bought a small real estate company last year when the market was depressed. Surprisingly, business is quite good and we are doing OK!
The Almyrida phenomenon started in the late nineties when English, Dutch and German people started to retire here because of the wonderful climate – certainly compared with Northern Europe.
The Almyrida phenomenon started in the late nineties when English, Dutch and German people started to retire here because of the wonderful climate – certainly compared with Northern Europe.
There were only a few people at first - travellers and 'trail blazers'.
At the same time, large tourist organisations from all over Europe started to bring people to Almyrida and the area around. Many of the tourists fell in love with the area and some of them returned and chose to buy or renovate property in Crete. Some of them have retired here, others come for a few weeks a year and dream.
Small construction companies started to build houses in the area - known as the Apokoranos area of Crete. This attracted people looking for work and they came from all over Europe. Again, because of the beautiful area, many of them chose to stay here in Crete.
There are now more than 30 different Nationalities living peacefully together in the area in and around Almirida. This is a completely unique phenomenon as such a huge multi cultural diversity is rarely found even in large cities where populations can of course be in the tens and hundreds of thousands.
Almyrida in the summer – hence the attraction for North Europeans
