Abandoned Houses of Greece: Ruins Against the Backdrop of Paradise, Which Can be Bought for $35,000

Every country has places and homes that lost their owners many years ago. Such abandoned villages and houses can also be found in Greece — a sunny country with a rich history and culture. Here, against the backdrop of idyllic mountains and seas, semi-ruined stone buildings seem to blend into the local landscape, as if nothing disrupts the harmony. But could these very homes get a second chance at life?

In the first quarter of 2025, the average increase in housing prices in Greece was 8.8–9.2% compared to the same period last year. From 2016 to 2025, the annual growth ranged approximately between 6–15%, and the number of transactions with foreign and local investors nearly doubled.

A separate segment of the real estate market includes abandoned or semi-dilapidated houses and buildings. Such properties are sold at significant discounts, and often, it’s not just the houses but the land they stand on that’s for sale. Sometimes, these “ruins” blend so perfectly into the surrounding landscape that they resemble paintings by famous artists, inviting you to examine every detail.

Here’s a selection of abandoned Greek villages and homes that can be purchased at bargain prices.

House in a Mountain Village on Crete

This is a two-story house built in 1972 in the traditional mountain settlement of Patsos on the island of Crete, Greece.

Key features of the house:

• Total area: 152.46 sq.m
• First floor: 83.97 sq.m
• Second floor: 68.49 sq.m
• Plot size: 114.68 sq.m
• 4 rooms
• 2 bedrooms
• 1 bathroom
• Includes a basement and balcony
• Panoramic views of the mountains and sea

Though the house is quite old, with repairs and reconstruction, it can be transformed into a cozy living space. The layout allows for 6 bedrooms, a kitchen, an inner courtyard, and a private garden.

This private house could be an excellent option for those seeking a blend of rural charm and urban conveniences. Rethymno and essential infrastructure are just 24 km from Patsos.

Price: €39,000.

Stone House in a Traditional Village on the Island

For sale is a furnished house with an area of 69 sq.m in the settlement of Mikros Prinos on the island of Thassos. The house is located on a 160 sq.m plot.

Key features:

• Living area: 69 sq.m.
• Plot size: 160 sq.m.
• 2 levels
• 1 bedroom
• Living room
• Kitchen
• 1 bathroom
• Tiled floors
• Wooden window frames
• Mountain views
• Garden and open space

The house was built in 1985. Energy rating of the building: G.

The internal layout includes two levels: the ground floor is currently used as storage but can be converted into a beautiful apartment with proper reconstruction. The second floor includes a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The house is sold furnished.

Location features: picturesque mountain views, a private garden with open space for relaxation.

Price of the property: €48,000 (€696 per sq.m).

Abandoned Villages in Greece

In Greece and its surrounding areas, there are many abandoned villages and settlements — “ghost villages.” Each holds a unique history and atmosphere, often tied to historical conflicts, demographic decline, or economic changes.

Main reasons for abandoned villages in Greece:

• Intercommunal conflicts and wars: many villages were abandoned due to Turkish-Greek conflicts, intercommunal clashes, or World War II.
• Economic migration: since the mid-20th century, residents have been leaving mountain and rural settlements in search of work and amenities in cities and coastal areas.
• Closure of mines and enterprises: mining villages or those tied to resource extraction have been deserted after the closure of operations.
• Natural disasters and geological risks: landslides, earthquakes, and floods have also led to the abandonment of some ancient villages.

Let’s explore some abandoned villages as examples.

Vathia Village, Peloponnese

Vathia is an abandoned village in the Taygetos mountain range in the southern Peloponnese. Its main attraction is a complex of ancient stone tower-houses.

The exact founding date of Vathia is unknown, but according to legend, the first dwellings appeared here centuries ago as shelters from pirate raids and invaders.

In the 1980s, some tower-houses were renovated and converted into a hotel complex. Cafés and restaurants opened for tourists. However, by the early 1990s, this tourism venture went bankrupt.

Since then, Vathia has once again become abandoned, turning into a “ghost town.” No one lives in the village now, but its sturdy stone walls and towers remain as a unique monument of medieval architecture.

Photo source: urban3p.ru

Old Perithia Village, Corfu

Old Perithia is a village in northern Corfu, located on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator, 8 km from Kassiopi. Its main feature is around 130 ancient stone houses in the Venetian style, many of which are impressive mansions.

The village was abandoned in the mid-20th century due to malaria epidemics and the threat of enemy invasions. By 1940, nearly all residents had left, turning Old Perithia into a “ghost town.”

Currently, only two people live in the village—Briton Mark Hendriksen and his wife, Saskia, owners of the hotel complex The Merchant’s House. They fully restored one of the historic mansions in the authentic 17th-century Venetian style.

The couple is helping to restore other historic homes in Old Perithia to revive the once-abandoned village. A walk through it immerses you in the authentic Greek atmosphere and architecture of bygone eras.

The British newspaper The Independent called Old Perithia “the ultimate destination for an authentic Greek holiday” due to its natural beauty, stunning sea views, and rich historical heritage.

Ropoto Village, Thessaly

Ropoto is an abandoned village in the mountainous Trikala region of northern Thessaly. Its main feature is the unique Panagia Theotokos (Virgin Mary) church, tilted at a 17-degree angle, considered the most slanted church in the world.

Ropoto was once the largest village in the area, with a church, school, several cafés, and a main square hosting various events. The village was situated on a picturesque mountain slope with stunning views of the surrounding Thessalian valleys.

In the 1960s, cracks and landslides began to appear, and geologists raised alarms, advising residents to leave. The unstable ground turned the once-thriving village into a high-risk zone.

One of the most destructive landslides occurred on April 12, 2012. That day, the surviving houses, along with their foundations, slid dozens of meters down the slope. Residents were relocated, and Ropoto became a ghost town.

Photo source: grecheskieinteresnosti.blogspot.com

Vinyani Village, Evrytania

Vinyani is an abandoned village in the mountainous region of Evrytania in Central Greece. Its main attraction is the Museum of National Resistance, which preserves the memory of the tragic events from World War II.

Old Vinyani was located on a picturesque mountain slope surrounded by dense forests typical of this region of Central Greece. The village witnessed significant historical events, particularly during the German occupation, when locals actively participated in the resistance movement.

On February 6, 1966, a devastating earthquake completely destroyed the old village. Residents were forced to abandon their homes, and authorities decided to build a New Vinyani in a safer location nearby. Since then, Old Vinyani has remained abandoned as a monument to natural disaster.

Photo source: pappaspost.com