This private island in Greece could be yours for €247,000

For years, we’ve been hearing about travel trends that involve getting off the grid like deadzoning or digital detoxing.

Think it’s time to put your money where your mouth is? Then you might be interested in this Greek island that’s up for grabs.

Makri, which is part of the Echinades island group in the Ionian sea, is going up for auction this November with a starting price of €247,000, reports Greek newspaper THEMA.

A place you can really get back to basics, the island is home to just a few abandoned buildings including a small house, a water cistern and a chapel.

You won’t be able to make upgrades easily, either – the island is classified as forest land, and also falls under the protection of Natura 2000, the network of protected areas within the EU.

That means only “minimal light infrastructure”, as well as agriculture, is permitted, according to THEMA.

Makri had originally gone up for auction in 2022, with a price of €8 million, but a reevaluation of its worth exposed the limitations for potential investors who could have been looking to turn the island into a new resort destination.

Other private islands you can book

If you want to live the private island life, you don’t necessarily have to buy one.

Elsewhere in Greece, you can rent out Turquoise Private Island in the Athens Riviera. Able to host up to 20 guests, the 10-bedroom eight-bathroom property is reachable via helicopter and comes complete with your own butler and private chef.

Tagomago Island, found just under a kilometre away from Ibiza in Spain’s Balearic Islands, is also available to book. You’ll have exclusive use of the 600,000 square metre island, which is a home to a five-bedroom villa complete with a 17-metre saltwater pool, outdoor Jacuzzi and gym.

The team on hand includes an island manager to curate your staff, a private chef, waiters, and housekeeping staff.

Further afield, the Maldives has a number of private island options, as does the Caribbean.

Necker Island, owned by Sir Richard Branson, is perhaps the most famous. You can book out the entire island for your stay, or book an individual room on select dates.