Katerina from Kids Love Greece says…
With over 6000 Greek islands to choose from, picking the best one for your family vacation is never going to be an easy job. To help you out, we’ve narrowed it down to the five most popular Greek islands for a family vacation based on different themes. Whether you and the kids are into water sports, archaeological sites, photography, hiking, cultural activities, or simply laying around on the beach, these choices have you covered. Combine a few of these choices together by island hopping in Greece and you’ve got the perfect family vacation!
1. CRETE
Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and we are not ashamed to be biased in saying our favourite! It seems to have a bit of everything – incredible beaches like Elafonisi, an abundance of archaeological sites, the opportunity for numerous outdoor activities and great cuisine. This is definitely the island to head for if you want a more authentic experience, but be warned, you will want to return the next year to discover even more!
Family activities in Crete
It’s the people that make Crete what it is and so with this in mind, we would suggest choosing at least one family activity that involves interaction with the locals. Some great suggestions might include a cooking class, food tour, or even an agrotourism activity such as bread making or olive picking. If you are visiting during the grape harvest season, you might even have the opportunity to pick some grapes, stomp on them and make your own wine! Don’t forget to visit the archaeological site of Knossos. This was the home of the mythical King Minos and the Minotaur. Some people even think that the Palace of Knossos was the Labyrinth itself.
Kids Love Greece recommends:
- Hiking in Crete Through Forests, Traditional Villages and Olive Groves
- Discover the Wild Herbs of Crete Family Tour
- Traditional Soap Making Family Workshop, Crete
As you might expect, Crete offers a variety of accommodation types. You can stay in boutique hotels, purposely designed family-friendly resorts and agritourism farms. You might even find thatsome people are free camping on quiet out-of-the-way beaches! Find out about family accommodation in Crete here.
2. SANTORINI
Santorini might not be everyone’s first choice of a family-friendly destination but hear us out! If you’ve traveled halfway around the world to visit Greece for the first time and you may never have the opportunity to return again, it’s a must-see. A stay of 2 nights/3 days is enough to see the highlights of the island such as the blue domed churches, sunset and archaeological site of Akrotiri and there’s plenty to do to keep the kids occupied whilst you’re there. You can tiein a visit to Santorini with Crete or another of the Greek islands mentioned in this list.
Family activities in Santorini
An adults appreciation of a sunset may be very different to that of a kids! What if you could make looking at the sunset something the entire family will enjoy though? A sunset catamaran activity is the perfect answer. Not only do you get the fun of sailing, diving off the boat and seeing Santorini from a unique angle, but you also see the sunset from the ocean! Other ideas for family activities include photo-tours, e-bike tours and visiting the volcano followed by swimming in the hot springs.Kids Love Greece recommends:
- Premium semi-private Santorini Family Sailing Sunset Tour
- Visiting the Volcano in Santorini
- Explore Santorini on foot
Family accommodation in Santorini
Much of the accommodation on Santorini is geared toward couples and so family rooms or facilities for kids may be limited. Fortunately, Kids Love Greece have a great selection of family friendly accommodation in Santorini and can recommend quieter parts of the island to base your stay in such as Perissa. Take a look at what’s on offer here.
3. NAXOS
The Greek island of Naxos seems to have come out of nowhere and increases in popularity year after year. It’s still got that undiscovered charm to it though and boasts long sandy beaches, a rich agricultural tradition and more greenery than the other Cycladic islands put together. Think of it as Mykonos without the jet-set crowd and you’ll see why families love returning there year after year!
Image source
Image source
Family activities in Naxos
There’s plenty of things to do for kids of all ages on Naxos. You could try a cultural experience, such as a cooking class or visiting a farm. A sailing trip around the island, windsurfing or kitesurfing might appeal to the more adventurous. Visiting the archaeological site of Delos is a must and for something different, why not try a horse riding trip? The more you see and experience, the more you realise there is so much still left to do!
Kids Love Greece recommends:
Kid-Friendly Sailing Holiday in Greece
Naxos has a superb range of accommodation suitable for families. You could choose from staying right on the beach, in a boutique hotel, in a private villa, or even on a farm. Kids Love Greece have an excellent selection of family-friendly accommodation to choose from here.
Note: A nice alternative to Naxos is Paros and a day trip to nearby Antiparos.
4. SPETSES and HYDRA
These Greek islands are most commonly visited during a day trip from Athens, but their true charm is revealed when staying for a night or two. Take Hydra, a cosmopolitan island where no cars are allowed. It’s a true joy to walk around in a traffic free environment, soaking up the ambience and seeing how the pace of life is little changed from what it must have been a hundred years ago or more.
Hydra
Spetses
Family activities on Spetses and Hydra
Staying on Spetses and Hydra for a couple of days is most suited for families who want a quieter holiday. Outdoors types might like to hike through the Cycladic landscape or take a sailing trip. Younger kids might like a donkey tour or cooking class. The islands are perfect for those that want to take a step back from the hectic pace of the modern world and recharge the batteries. You could even try a digital detox whilst you are there!
Kids Love Greece recommends:
Family accommodation on Spetses and Hydra
The type of accommodation found on Spetses and Hydra, ranges from townhouses to boutique hotels, with a few 4 and 5 star hotels for good measure. One great recommendation for Spetses is the Xenon Estate.
5. MYKONOS
The final island that we want to mention when it comes to family vacations, is Mykonos. The very epitome of luxury travel, Mykonos attracts a jetset crowd from both Greece and overseas. There is a cosmopolitan, lively atmosphere, where every need can be catered for. Mykonos has great beaches and a wide range of outdoor activities and is most suited for families looking for fun and excitement.
Family activities on Mykonos
One activity we highly recommend, is to take a private tour to the archaeological site of Delos. This is a great way to understand the significance of the site and a kid-friendly guide will make sure your kids love the experience! Other suggested activities include sailing trips, watersports, cooking classes and hiking. If it all gets too much, the long sandy beaches and clear warm waters are the perfect setting to relax in!
Kids Love Greece recommends:
Family accommodation on Mykonos
Mykonos offer a range of accommodation, much of it geared towards luxury holiday makers who like their own privacy. Whilst there are the usual 4-5 star hotels and boutique lodgings you expect to find on the island, there are also a large number of luxury villas and private houses. If you want to enjoy a vibrant, cosmopolitan beach holiday whilst at the same time having your own space, Mykonos is an ideal family friendly destination.
For more information on the Greek Islands listed above or for help with your Greece itinerary, visit Kids Love Greece
Image: By the Sea with Three
Do you have any other suggested islands, activities or accommodation tips to add to the list above? We highly recommend PAROS ISLAND as another perfect family-friendly destination – check out our recent stay here!
Until next time, safe travels!
Images supplied by Kids Love Greece unless otherwise stated.
