Interior & Exterior Painting in Crete

Painter in Crete: interior and exterior painting that survives the sun, salt and humidity

The Cretan climate is hard on paintwork. Strong sun bleaches and chalks exterior walls, salty sea air attacks railings and shutters near the coast, and winter humidity brings damp patches and black mould into bedrooms and bathrooms that are closed for months. A quick coat of white over the problem looks fine for a few weeks, then the bubbles, cracks and stains come straight back.

That is why I spend most of the time on preparation. I clean and scrape loose paint, open and fill cracks, treat mould, let damp areas dry and use the right primer for each surface. Only then do I apply quality paint suited to the job: breathable paint for old stone walls, washable paint for rentals, anti-mould paint for bathrooms and elastic exterior paint for façades that move with the heat.

I am Gino, a Belgian-certified tradesman living in Hersonissos, and painting is a big part of my handyman work. I paint apartments, villas, holiday rentals and village houses between Heraklion, Malia and Agios Nikolaos. Because I am also a plumber and electrician, I can take off sockets and lights safely, and find the leak behind a damp patch before I paint over it.

Painting work I do in Crete

Interior walls and ceilings

Living rooms, bedrooms, stairwells and ceilings, with furniture covered and the room left clean.

Exterior façades and garden walls

Elastic exterior paint on prepared, primed walls so the colour stays bright in the sun longer.

Cracks and surface preparation

Scraping, filling and sanding, with larger cracks handled through my plastering work.

Damp and mould treatment

I treat mould, find the cause of the damp and use anti-mould paint in bathrooms and closed rooms.

Shutters, doors and pergolas

Wooden shutters, doors and pergolas sanded and treated, metal railings derusted and primed against salt air.

Refresh between rental seasons

A quick, clean repaint of a rental before the first guests arrive, planned around your bookings.

Don't see your job in this list? Contact me with your question: if it is in or around the house, I can most likely help.

Which paint for which surface in Crete

Choosing the right paint system matters more than the colour. This is what I usually advise.

Surface	Typical problem	What I use
Exterior plaster façade	Fading, chalking and hairline cracks from sun and heat	Crack filler, primer and an elastic exterior paint
Old stone or lime walls	Moisture trapped behind plastic paint, peeling	Breathable mineral or lime-based paint
Bathroom and kitchen walls	Black mould, steam, stains	Mould treatment and a washable anti-mould paint
Wooden shutters, doors, pergolas	Grey, dry and splitting wood	Sanding, then a wood stain or oil with UV protection
Metal railings and gates	Rust spots from salt air	Derusting, an anti-rust primer and a metal topcoat
Concrete terrace walls and parapets	Water soaking in from the top, cracks along the edges	Sealing the top and cracks first, then a flexible exterior paint

Why paint fails so quickly in Crete

When a client shows me peeling or bubbling paint, the cause is nearly always one of a few things. Fix the cause and the new paint lasts for years. Skip it and you pay for the same job twice, so I always check the wall with you before I give a price.

Moisture behind the paint, from rising damp, a leaking pipe or a roof that lets water in
Salt crystals on coastal walls that push the paint off from behind
Paint applied on dust, chalky old paint or bare plaster without primer
Plastic paint on old stone walls that need to breathe
Painting in full midsummer sun, so the paint dries before it bonds

Interior or exterior: what to plan

Interior painting

Possible all year round
Furniture moved and covered by me
Washable paint for rentals and children
Usually one to a few days per apartment

Exterior painting

Best in spring and autumn
Cracks and salt cleaned first
Elastic paint that moves with the heat
Depends on weather, scaffolding and access

Many owners combine the two: exterior work in April or October, and interior painting in winter when the house is empty anyway. That way the house is ready, inside and out, before the first guests or your own holiday.

Painting for holiday rentals and owners abroad

Guests notice scuffed walls, grey corners and mould around the shower before anything else, and they mention it in reviews. I repaint rental apartments and villas in Hersonissos, Malia, Elounda and the surrounding area before the season or between bookings, and I work with washable paints that can be wiped clean during the summer. A light refresh every year or two keeps a rental looking new for much less than a full repaint later.

If you live abroad, send me photos and the approximate size of the rooms on WhatsApp. I give you a free quote, agree the fixed price before I start, pick up the keys from your manager or neighbour and send you photos when the work is done. Small repairs I find along the way, such as a loose socket or a dripping tap, I can fix in the same visit.

Often combined with painting

Crack and plaster repairs

Paint only looks as good as the wall underneath. I repair cracks and damaged plaster first, so the new paint stays smooth.

Cracks opened and reinforced
Holes and corners repaired
Smooth, paint-ready finish
Same visit as the painting

More about Drywall & Plastering

Pressure cleaning first

Before exterior painting I clean façades, terraces and walls of dust, salt and loose paint. It gives the primer a clean surface to grip.

Façades and garden walls
Terraces and pool areas
Removes salt and algae
Better paint adhesion

More about High-Pressure Cleaning

Interior & Exterior Painting Near You

Available across Heraklion and Lasithi, from Agios Nikolaos to near Rethymno.

Hersonissos Analipsi & Anissaras Malia Stalis Gouves & Gournes Mochos & Avdou Kastelli (Pediada) Heraklion Knossos & Archanes Arkalochori Gazi & Ammoudara Agia Pelagia & Lygaria Fodele Moires Tympaki & Kokkinos Pyrgos Sissi & Milatos Neapoli Agios Nikolaos Lasithi Plateau Elounda & Plaka Kritsa Istron & Kalo Chorio Pachia Ammos & Kavousi Ierapetra Anogia Bali Perama & Mylopotamos Panormo Margarites

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to paint a house or apartment in Crete?

It depends on the size, the condition of the walls and how much preparation is needed. Send me photos and the number of rooms and I give you a free quote with a fixed price before I start, so there are no surprises.

When is the best time to paint outside in Crete?

Spring and autumn are ideal: not too hot and not too wet. In midsummer paint dries too fast in direct sun and does not bond well, and in winter rain and humidity slow everything down.

Why does paint peel off my exterior walls?

Usually moisture behind the paint, salt from the sea air, or paint applied on a dusty or unprimed surface. I find and fix the cause first, otherwise the new paint will peel again.

How long does exterior paint last in Crete?

With good preparation and a quality exterior paint, usually 5 to 8 years. Walls facing the sea or full south can need attention sooner.

How long does it take to paint an apartment?

A small apartment is often done in one to a few days, depending on the number of rooms, the colour change and the repairs needed. I give you a realistic planning with the quote, and I keep at least one room usable for you while I work if you are staying in the house.

Can you get rid of black mould on my walls?

I clean and treat the mould and repaint with anti-mould paint, but I also look at the cause: a leak, poor ventilation or a cold wall. For persistent damp I can improve the ventilation as well.

Do I need to move the furniture?

No. I move and cover furniture and floors myself, protect sockets and switches, and leave the room clean afterwards.

Do you paint in Heraklion, Malia and Agios Nikolaos?

Yes. I am based in Hersonissos and paint homes and rentals in Heraklion, Malia, Stalis, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos and the villages in between.

Related Services

Drywall & PlasteringCrack repair, new partition walls and smooth plaster. High-Pressure CleaningTerraces, driveways, pool decks and stone walls. Roof Repairs & WaterproofingFlat roof membranes, tiles and sealing against winter rain. Holiday Home & Villa MaintenanceYour eyes and ears on the ground while you are away.

Interior & Exterior Painting