Crete tops British family holiday choices and foreign home‑buyer demand in 2026

British families continue to rank Crete, Rhodes and Corfu among their favourite European destinations for family vacations, according to the Post Office Travel Money Family Holiday Report 2026. The islands are listed as some of the most expensive options, with Crete costing £221.57 per day on average, yet families still choose them for their organised infrastructure, beaches and hospitality, often exceeding their original budgets.

Crete also leads demand for secondary‑home purchases among foreign buyers. One‑third of all overseas purchasers surveyed by real‑estate firm Elxis in 2026 selected Crete, with buyers mainly from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. About 77% plan to buy within the next year, many seeking new‑build villas with sea views and pools. Prices for new villas start at €3,800‑€4,500 per square metre, remaining lower than comparable properties on the Ionian islands and the Cyclades.