Greece was at the top of my bucket list for years before we finally made it there, and it was worth the wait! Our two week stay was the most relaxing part of our whirlwind family gap year. The toughest parts of planning a trip to Greece with kids isn’t any logistical challenge, it’s that you’re entirely spoiled for choice with dozens of fantastic options.
Since we only visited a few areas of Greece this time around, we asked some of our fellow family travelers for their input on the best places in Greece for families. Read on for important travel planning tips and inspiration for your family’s Greece vacation – you’ll probably find a few places you’ve never even heard of!
Read more Greece articles or get Europe travel inspiration
Getting started planning your trip to Greece with kids
How long is your family trip to Greece?
It can be challenging to plan a family itinerary for Greece with so many great options! How long you plan to stay in Greece will play a big part in determining how many places you can visit.
For visitors traveling from the US, you’ll need to stop in Athens before continuing on. It’s worth staying for 2-3 nights before you proceed so that you can see the main sites like the Acropolis.
Beyond that, we’d suggest staying in most places in Greece for at least five days to give you an opportunity to both explore and relax – we know, sometimes it’s tough to imagine relaxing on a trip with kids but you really can do it in Greece!
In some cases, small islands that are close to one another can be explored in just 3-4 days. If you don’t mind moving around Greece with family in tow, on a standard “travel week” trip of two weekends and the work week in between you can probably manage to visit Athens and two islands! Just map out your flight times and ferry times in advance so that you won’t be spending all of your time in transit. And be sure to pack light so you won’t have too much luggage to drag around – check out our top tips for packing light with kids.
Consider how you want to get around Greece: planes, boats or cars?
Where you choose to visit in Greece with children depends in part on how much internal travel you want to do and how you want to do it.
If you’re flying from the US to Greece, you have no choice but to at least transit through Athens. So you might as well stay a few days and soak in the epic history! Find your cheapest flight options here.
Once you arrive in Athens it’s easy to hop to other destinations either by plane or ferry. There are pros and cons to both ways of getting around. Both the Athens airport and the ferry terminal in Piraeus are accessible by the very efficient metro system, though the airport takes about 65 minutes from the popular Plaka neighborhood compared with 45 minutes from Plaka to Piraeus.
Flights in Greece
Flights are obviously shorter, but prepare to arrive at the airport well in advance. For longer distances, like Athens to Crete, a flight could be the right choice – 50 minutes compared with 7-9 hours! Even when you account for the extra airport time, flying is the clear winner (and that’s what we did on our return from Crete to Athens).
On the other hand, if you’re traveling from Athens to Naxos or another similarly short route the ferry takes the same amount of time (once you add in the airport time), costs less, is more comfortable and puts your right in the middle of town instead of at a far away air field. It’s also a classic Greek vacation experience to watch the islands appear on the horizon!
It’s worth comparing the costs and schedules of flights and ferries when you make your decision. Note that schedules do vary with season, and popular routes book early. You can easily mix and match – we flew to Athens, took a ferry to Naxos, took another ferry from Naxos to Crete and then flew from Crete back to Athens. Check out cheap Greece flights here.
Ferries in Greece
Overall ferries in Greece are comfortable and efficient. They have large seats, cafes, plenty of restrooms and places to walk around inside and outside.
You’ll want to consider different ferry options closely. A few months in advance, the complete ferry schedule for a given season should be available here. Once you start searching for some routes you may notice that there are lots of choices for duration and price.
For instance, on the popular Athens to Santorini ferry in May there are four (or more!) options to choose from, ranging from 33 EUR to 70 EUR with times ranging from 4.5 hours to over 9 hours. But obviously you should take the shortest one, right? Maybe, or maybe not.
We took one “regular speed” ferry and one “fast ferry”. While the regular one was a lovely and pleasant experience, we spent most of the fast ride trying to keep our food down. So you may save a few hours but at the expense of an unpleasant experience. It’s different for everyone so there’s no clear answer on this one. In the future our family might opt for the second fastest option! Check ferry schedules from every operator with an easy-to-use interface in English.
Read more: A Local Guide’s Perfect Greek Island Hopping Itinerary (Without the Crowds)
Flights from Europe to Greece
If you’re starting your journey elsewhere in Europe, EasyJet has tons of flights from all of Europe to many Greek islands (even smaller ones!). Some of them are as cheap as 25 EUR. As of this writing, they fly to fourteen different airports in Greece! Check out all the choices here.
Read more: How to travel to Greece on a budget
Driving in Greece
There are parts of Greece that are perfect for a family road trip! We had a great time driving around Crete, while we know others who have driven around the Peloponnese and other regions. Local drivers know where they’re going and often want to get there fast, but roads are in good shape and shouldn’t pose too many challenges for most North American and European drivers. We rented through RentalCars.com (as always) and had a good experience. Check rates here for your trip.
We strongly recommend bringing your own car seat from home if you plan on renting a car in Greece. We’ve heard many reports from around the world of rented car seats being dirty, expired, inappropriate for the child’s age or – worst – not even there. Don’t miss our comprehensive resources for traveling with a car seat:
–How to travel with a car seat (without losing your cool)
–The best convertible car seats for travel
–Ride Safer Delight travel vest review
–Bubblebum review
Essentials to pack for Greece
You can find most things you’ll need anywhere in Greece, albeit at a price. Make sure to bring these essentials from home to start your epic Greece family vacation off on the right foot:
Sunscreen
We were able to buy good sunscreen in Greece, but it wasn’t exactly cheap (and one family member had an allergic reaction to it!). We recommend bringing sunscreen from home to avoid looking like a lobster by the end of your vacation, though you can enjoy a good laugh when you see people from northern Europe getting their first sun exposure in months. These (here and here) are two of our favorite kid-safe sunscreens that go on well and are very effective at preventing burns, and they come in 3oz tubes sized just right for travel.
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Europe-ready SIM card
Unless your cell phone from home offers unlimited global roaming, you’ll be best served by picking up a local SIM card for Europe. Most US cell phone carriers offer a $10 per day roaming plan, but that obviously adds up very quickly! We’ve used this European SIM card in multiple countries and it works great – if you’ll be in Europe for more than two weeks, just register it online to extend its life. It includes 10GB of data, 1000 texts and 120 minutes of talk time. Once you have it in your phone you can even top it up. Just make sure your phone is unlocked before you go, which can take a few days depending on the carrier.
Great travel camera
You may not want to lug a huge DSLR on your relaxing vacation, but what if you want better photos than your cell phone can muster? The best solution these days is a so-called bridge camera. It has many of the features of high-end cameras like some manual controls (only if you want them!) and plenty of zoom, but comes in a compact package and doesn’t require swapping lenses.
Ready to pack your bags? Check out our complete packing list for Greece!
Preparing your kids for a Greece family vacation
A family trip to Greece is what you make of it. You can choose to focus on relaxing by the beach, venturing into new foods or, of course, exploring the country’s rich and varied history. As worldschoolers, we think you’d be missing an opportunity if you didn’t at least give your kids a taste of Greek history or mythology as you’re traveling around! We enjoyed reading these books together in the shady park across from the Acropolis as we looked at our surroundings and took a journey back through time.
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Ready to plan where to go in Greece with kids? We got so many fantastic suggestions from our fellow family travelers that we’ve divided them into two sections: best family vacations in Greece’s mainland and best Greek islands for kids.
Athens, Peloponnese and mainland Greece with kids
Athens with kids – Local Passport Family
What’s great about visiting Athens with kids? What are the best things to do in Athens with kids?
Athens is an incredible juxtaposition of the old world and the new. There’s just something so fun (especially for kids!) about seeing something so familiar that you’ve learned about in school and books, especially in the middle of a modern city. Athens is obviously a history lover’s dream, with buildings, stadiums, and even recipes dating back nearly 2,500 years. Don’t miss the Acropolis, which is one of the best things to do in Greece with kids. These activities are paired with amenities like digital tour guides and a modern transit system to help all the history come alive. Plus, the food is fantastic!
What are potential challenges for families visiting Athens?
Athens has a history of being dirty, crowded, dangerous, and overall a bit gritty. And…it can be. But that’s honestly part of what I love about it! It’s not as pristine as some other famous cities, but that also means that tourists aren’t swarming every nook and cranny, and you’re rewarded with a more easily localized experience than in other places. It has a million hidden gems. Take normal travel precautions, of course. But in my experience, because Athens requires a bit more effort to love, it rewards you with a lot of love back.
How long do you recommend staying?
3-4 days, then head to an island or two
If you have a day to spare after you see the top Athens tourist attractions, consider a day trip to Poseidon’s Temple!
What’s the best way to get to Athens?
Fly into Athens, then use public transit. Definitely no need to drive in the city!
Where to stay in Athens with a family
If you want to be close to the action, stick with Syntagma or Koukaki. We stayed a bit north of the city center near the Agios Nikolaos Metro station, which we loved. It had a bit more of a local feel, a terrific bakery across the street, and was easily accessible to downtown via public transit. It was also significantly cheaper than staying in the center!
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Athens, Greece
Plan your family trip to Athens
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Find the best hotels ∙ Schedule tours
Everything you need to know about visiting Athens with kids
Thanks to Preethi at Local Passport Family.
Athens and Peloponnese Percy Jackson tour – 5 Lost Together
Note from Melissa: I love the trip that Dawn and her family did because it was child-led! Once kids are old enough, it’s amazing to let their interests influence family travel… and it’s an especially good way to get reluctant travelers on board with leaving behind their friends and the comforts of home. This is a great way to travel with tweens and teens!
What’s great about the Athens and the Peloponnese with kids?
Our trip was entirely focused on visiting major sights in the Rick Riordan Percy Jackson books. My daughter had become really interested in Greek mythology and so our trip revolved around historical sights, culture and food. We planned a DIY trip that hit up places from the books.
I think you can’t go to Greece without visiting Athens; the Acropolis is stunning and the city is very walkable. We did an amazing food tour which was a great way to taste foods that were new to us, while also learning about the city from a local.
The Peloponnese was much less touristy than the Greek islands, while still having cute fishing villages, beaches and important sights like ancient Olympia and Epidavros (sometimes spelled Epidaurus). We based ourselves in the charming town of Naflios and loved the polished stone streets, eating outside at family restaurants and mingling with Greek tourists on their summer holidays.
What are potential challenges for families visiting?
We found Greece to be a really family-friendly destination. A few minor things to consider are the heat and high prices of visiting in the summer peak season.
How long do you recommend staying?
Anywhere from 1-2 weeks would be ideal. We were there 10 days, but we definitely could have stayed longer.
What’s the best way to get there?
We flew in, but then rented a car for our road trip to the Peloponnese. We found rental cars to be fairly expensive, but it was great to have the flexibility to get around independently. The roads were good, although be prepared for lots of cash tolls. Check here for rental car rates in Greece.
What’s the best place for families to stay?
Being a family of 5, we stayed at Airbnbs and small hotels. In Athens we stayed at a great flat right near the Acropolis Museum, but still in a neighborhood that locals lived in. I can’t say enough good things about Nafplion on the Peloponnese…such a cute town and very close to Athens.
Plan your DIY Percy Jackson tour in Greece
Book flights ∙ Check rental cars ∙ Find the best hotels
Thanks to Dawn at 5 Lost Together. You can find more info on their Percy Jackson tour of Athens and the Peloponnese here.
Check out these awesome hidden gems in Greece!
Halkidiki with kids – Another Milestone
What’s great about visiting Halkidiki with kids? What are the best things to do in Halkidiki with kids?
I stayed on both legs of Halkidiki. Kassandra has larger resorts and is more crowded. Sithonia is wilder, but is has some amazing beaches. For kids, they are both great: delicious food (my daughter ate tatziki and souvlaki almost every day), great views and some beautiful beaches with gold sand and clear water. The best beach for kids on Sithonia is definitely Vourvourou. It has the finest sand I ever stepped on and water is clear and not deep for several meters. Another great beach for kids is Kriopigi, on Kassandra, because of the natural pine forest behind that offers a natural shadow.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Halkidiki?
During summer we had two challenges when traveling with our little girl: some beaches were a bit crowded and that meant that she couldn’t run free as she was used to. The other problem was the road on Sithonia. If your child gets car sick, the road in Sithonia will be a test! Though beautiful, with spectacular views, it is narrow and curvy.
Where to stay in Halkidiki with a family
Probably a week is enough if you don’t want to visit too many beaches. Two weeks is better if you really want to get to know the region. June and September are perfect to go there. In July and August it is hot and crowded.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Halkidiki, Greece here
What’s the best way to get to Halkidiki?
The best way to get to Chalkidiki is by plane to Thessaloniki and from there, a rental car that can allow you explore the region and discover the secret beaches.
What’s the best place for families to stay in Halkidiki?
A good place to stay if you come with your children is Hotel Sarti Beach. It is not very big, the beach is close to every hotel and it has some good restaurants. It has also some games for bigger children.
Plan your family trip to Halkidiki
Book flights ∙ Check rental cars ∙ Find the best hotels
Thanks to Corina at Another Milestone.
Sithonia with kids – Are We There Yet Kids
What’s great about visiting Sithonia with kids? What are the best things to do in Sithonia with kids?
We absolutely fell in love with the natural beauty of Sithonia, the beaches are white and sandy, the cliffs are rugged and rocky and parts of it feel like it’s the land that time forgot. We watched dolphins playing in the sea over meals of fresh fish and greek salads and discovered totally deserted attractions such as Aristotle Park and the million year old Petralona Cave, both located just a short drive away.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Sithonia?
If you want to explore more than just your resort, you’ll need a car to get to the various attractions and beaches. Some of the roads are pretty incomplete, and if you stray from the main roads there’s a good chance you’ll end up getting lost. This is not a polished tourist destination but I think that’s part of its charm.
How long do you recommend staying?
We stayed for a week but could easily have stayed on longer. Even a long weekend will be enough to recharge your batteries.
What’s the best way to get to Sithonia?
Fly into Thessaloniki and hire a car, it’s less than an hours drive to Sithonia.
Where to stay in Sithonia with a family
We stayed at the Athena Pallas Village, a super family friendly hotel with pools, family sized rooms, a small bowling alley and spa. We loved this place for its small stretch of private beach and quiet location. If you’re looking for somewhere a little busier, I recommend staying somewhere in Neos Marmaras, a little further South.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Sithonia, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Sithonia
Book flights ∙ Check rental cars ∙ Find the best hotels
Thanks to Karen at Are We There Yet Kids. You can find more info on visiting Sithonia with kids here.
Sani Resort with kids – As the Bird Flies
What’s great about Sani Resort with kids?
Sani Resort is exactly that, a resort, but it’s one so well designed and set up for families that I think it deserves to be in this list. Located on a bay in the seaside town of Halkidiki near Thessaloniki on Greece’s mainland this huge resort is essentially a collection of smaller resorts and hotels all with different amenities. While a few are adults-only the larger ones are for families including the luxurious Sani Club and the activities-focused Sani Beach (which also offers villas). Guests with kids can use all the family-friendly facilities in other resorts in addition to the ones they’re staying in and that includes the vast majority of the resorts restaurants which cater to all tastes from Asian to Greek to Italian to French cuisines.
Aside from the variety on offer, the fantastic activities and amenities for our young son, and the luxury feel of this stylish and slickly run resort, we loved how easy it was to get to with just a one hour transfer by car from Thessaloniki airport – this car service will even provide a car seat along with the ride! That said, our favorite thing was just how blue and beautiful the Aegean Sea was despite not being on one of the Greek islands – it was the best ocean water I’ve seen in Europe in a long time!
What are potential challenges for families visiting?
Sani is a resort and so this is not a place to head to if you don’t like resort holidays. While you can easily get out of the resort and explore the local area and a local’s beach is just a few minutes walk away, you pay a premium to stay at Sani so you feel you want to make the most of the facilities on offer there, which is no bad thing as there’s a lot of variety.
How long do you recommend staying at Sani Resort?
We stayed for a week and that was about right.
What’s the best way to get to Sani Resort?
Fly to Thessaloniki and then you can get a taxi or private transfer as organized by the resort. If you need a car seat to be provided for the journey, you can arrange it with Welcome Pickups.
What’s the best place for families to stay?
As mentioned above Sani Club and Sani Beach were the best locations for families and I would say Sani Club is best for those with small children or families wanting a relaxing holiday, while Sani Beach is more for those with older children or families wanting a lot of entertainment and activities every day.
Plan your family trip to Sani Resort
Book flights ∙ Car service ∙ Compare San Resort properties
Thanks to Frankie at As the Bird Flies. You can find more info on visiting Sani resort with kids here.
Litochoro with kids – Strolling Greece
What’s great about visiting Litochoro with kids? What are the best things to do in Litochoro with kids?
Mythology, history, and nature come together in Litochoro.
What we like most about the mountain town of Litochoro is that it grants easy access to the mountains, historical sites, and beaches of the Northern Greek region of Pieria. Litochoro is located at the foot of Mount Olympus, home of the 12 Olympian Gods. It’s a vibrant little town with pastel blue and yellow painted stone houses of traditional Macedonian architecture. There are lots of taverns and bars to choose from, but with kids, we always enjoy eating at the terrace of Meze Meze. The food is tasty and attractive and the atmosphere relaxed. Other nice places to eat and drink are close to the entrance of the Enipeas Gorge, which you can reach by descending the stairs from the main square.
Driving up the mountain towards Prionia you can visit the old monastery of Saint Dionysios at a height of 820 m. From the parking lot next to the monastery, a path runs through the woods, along waterfalls and natural pools to a cave. This is where the monk Saint Dionysios used to live in the 16th century. The little white chapel built below a huge rock is like a picture from a fairy-tale book. It’s a hike of only twenty minutes. We went there when our son was only five years old, and it was perfect.
With older children, you can visit one of the numerous waterfalls. This year we visited a few with our local guide Sotiria. Our 11-year old son’s favorite experience was when she took us to a hidden waterfall with natural pools where he could swim in the crystal clear (though ice cold!) water, and jump off a rock into the swimming hole!
A picnic with a view on the snow-capped peaks of Mount Olympus in the old sacred city of Alexander the Great was my idea of spending the day in the archaeological park of Dion. This huge park with statues of ancient Gods, ruins of Roman baths, theaters, ponds, bridges, streams and an impressive nature is an oasis of greenery. Just prepare a cooler with food and drinks, pack a blanket and find a place in the shadow of a tree to have lunch.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Litochoro?
A guide may be helpful for some of the more challenging mountain hikes to avoid getting lost.
How long do you recommend staying in Litochoro?
From 1 to 3 weeks.
What’s the best way to get to Litochoro?
Litochoro is about an hour drive from the airport from Thessaloniki. It’s recommended to rent a car if you want to visit the mentioned places.
Where to stay in Litochoro with a family
Nice place to stay: Ktima Fakis (mountain area), Litochoro Olympus Resort Villas & Spa (Beach area).
Plan your family trip to Litochoro
Book flights ∙ Check rental cars ∙ Find the best hotels
Thanks to Ninah at Strolling Greece.
The best Greek islands for families
Naxos with kids – The Family Voyage
What’s great about visiting Naxos with kids? What are the best things to do on Naxos with kids?
Naxos just might be the most family-friendly island in Greece! It offers sandy beaches, a charming white-walled little town, ancient ruins, amazing food and gushing hospitality all in a lovely, walkable package if you stay in the main town (Naxos Chora). We enjoyed beach-hopping, restaurant-hopping and chatting with locals since we visited just before “the season” began on May 2. It truly is the best place to go in Greece for families, so be sure to put it on your list!
What are potential challenges for families visiting Naxos?
Naxos was the most stress-free vacation we’ve ever taken! The only potential challenge is that Naxos is becoming more popular with families every year so you may find it more crowded if you visit during peak season in mid-summer.
How long do you recommend staying on Naxos?
We stayed for five days and that was perfect! It was enough time to spend several days at the beach, a day exploring the old town and its castle of narrow, winding cobblestone streets and art galleries and even to rent a car and explore the other island villages for a day. If you stay for a full week you an even take a day trip to another nearby island like Paros.
What’s the best way to get to Naxos?
Naxos is an easy ferry ride from Piraeus near Athens, and there are also ferries available from several other islands in the area like Santorini and Crete. Naxos does have a small airport for domestic flights from Athens, but they are seasonal and generally quite pricey.
Where to stay on Naxos with a family
We absolutely loved our stay at Spiros Hotel in Naxos, just a few minutes’ walk from kid-friendly St. George beach as well as the town center and its many wonderful restaurants.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Naxos, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Naxos
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Book your hotel ∙ Schedule tours
Get more info on visiting Naxos with kids
Crete with kids – The Family Voyage
What’s great about visiting Crete with kids? What are the best things to do on Crete with kids?
While so many other family-friendly destinations in Greece are ideal for a few days at a time, you could spend weeks on Crete without getting bored. It’s the largest Greek island and was formerly an independent state, and the diversity of experiences reflects that. You can visit the fascinating four thousand year old ruins at Knossos, hike gorges with incredible views, watch endless sunsets and even swim in the Libyan Sea. Crete also offers both city amenities and quaint villages, so there’s an opportunity to suit every preference. As a heavily populated island, there will be restaurants and hotels open year-round in the cities (unlike many Greek islands). Since there are so many things to do on Crete, it’s one of the best Greek islands with kids if you don’t want to move around.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Crete?
Crete is huge compared to other Greek islands! The drive from Herklion to Chania (the island’s two largest cities) is over two hours and driving the whole island east to west would take around five hours. Likewise, many of the north-south drives on the island look short on a map but the take you through narrow, windy gorges and can be very time consuming. You’ll need to rent a car on Crete unless you plan to stay at a resort or in a city the whole time, but in our opinion you’ll miss out on a lot of the island’s best features if you do that.
How long do you recommend staying on Crete?
We recommend visiting Crete for at least one week. Spend the first 1-2 nights in Heraklion (especially if you’re coming on an afternoon ferry) to visit the Venetian Fort, Knossos and possibly the Antiquities Museum and one of the easier gorge hikes (they’re closer to Herklion, while the ones on the west side near Chania are generally more challenging). Spend the remaining 5 nights in the Chania area visiting the lovely beaches, strolling the town’s waterfront and admiring the scenery. If you have more time, you could just as easily extend your visit to two weeks to explore more of the island’s quieter eastern side.
What’s the best way to get to Crete?
Crete is easy to access by both plane and ferry, and both options offer service to Heraklion or Chania. Provided your car rental price doesn’t change much, it would be very convenient to come in to one city and leave from the other. EasyJet is a great option if you want to fly to Crete – check their schedules here.
Where to stay on Crete with a family
We had great (but brief) stay at Candia Suites & Rooms in Heraklion – the one-bedroom suite was just enough space for our family for the night.
There are many options for where to stay in Chania. We had a wonderful HomeExchange villa above Almyrida beach and really fell in love with the area. There are lots of great restaurants to choose from and the beach is very kid-friendly – we much preferred it to all of the other local beaches we tried including the insta-famous-but-not-that-pink Elafonisi beach.
Almyrida Resort is another great option in the area that puts you just steps from the beach while offering affordable luxury in their three different types of accommodation.
Plan your family trip to Crete
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Check rental cars ∙ Book your hotel ∙ Schedule tours
Get more info on visiting Crete with kids
Sifnos with kids – Suitcases and Sandcastles
What’s great about visiting Sifnos with kids? What are the best things to do on Sifnos with kids?
You have to go off the beaten track to find the best Greek islands. Sifnos is smaller and feels more authentic than famous islands in the Cyclades like Santorini and Mykonos, but it’s every bit as beautiful and has a laid-back vibe that makes it an ideal base for families.
Good sandy beaches aren’t always a given in Greece but there are several here, from little bays to wide sandy beaches with kayaks and pedalos. Be sure to explore the labyrinthine streets of Kastro, the island’s oldest village and walk across to the Church of the Seven Martyrs, one of the most beautiful settings of any church in Greece.
Your kids will love watching the old grandmother rolling out sweets on the table in the family bakery at Artemonas and eating fresh fish under the shade of a tamarisk tree right on the beach at Vathi.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Sifnos?
Some of the little bays that you have to hike to are not suitable for young children – the rocks are quite steep and the the sea here is too rough for swimming. Stick to the sandy beaches and sheltered harbours instead.
How long do you recommend staying on Sifnos?
You could see most of Sifnos in a couple of days (it only covers 28 square miles) but this is the sort of place you’ll want to linger and relax – a week here was perfect for our family.
What’s the best way to get to Sifnos?
In summer there’s a daily ferry to Sifnos from Athens. It takes three to five hours. You can also get ferries to Sifnos from Santorini.
Where to stay on Sifnos with a family
There are several good hotels and houses for rent on the island but it’s best to book several months in advance if you’re planning on visiting during the peak summer period.
We stayed at the super stylish Astra Verina. We loved the infinity pool with wonderful views over the Aegean and across to Kastro and our family suite there was one of the best we’ve ever had – it was very hard to leave. If you’ve got young children who’d rather be close to the beach, try its sister property, Verina Suites on Platys Gialos beach.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Sifnos, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Sifnos
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Book your hotel
Thanks to Clare at Suitcases and Sandcastles. You can find more info on visiting Sifnos with kids here.
Milos with kids – Because Germany
What’s great about visiting Milos with kids? What are the best things to do on Milos with kids?
Milos has an incredibly diverse landscape that’s so interesting to explore. There’s everything from beautiful sandy beaches that are perfect for kids, volcanic rock formations and caves, colorful fishing villages, and whitewashed hilltop towns. Best of all, it still feels undiscovered, uncrowded, and relaxing.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Milos?
One potential challenge is that Milos is still relatively undeveloped compared to other islands (although for us this was a plus). There aren’t any large resorts, some of the beaches don’t have facilities, and some roads are unpaved.
How long do you recommend staying on Milos?
You’ll need at least 4 full days to see everything Milos has to offer, but if you can stay longer, you won’t be bored!
What’s the best way to get to Milos?
Milos is reachable by either twice daily flights from Athens or daily high speed ferries from Athens. There are also connections to Milos from multiple other islands in the Cyclades, but check the schedules early in your planning as many only run on certain days each week.
Where to stay on Milos with a family
Pollonia is the best place for families to stay, since there’s a nice town beach and plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance. There are a range of small hotels and apartment-style accommodations; Nefeli Sunset Studios has a beautiful setting and affordable suites that are perfect for families.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Milos, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Milos
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Book your hotel
Thanks to Hayley at Because Germany. You can find more info on visiting Milos with kids here.
Kos with kids – Mummy Travels
What’s great about visiting Kos with kids? What are the best things to do on Kos with kids?
It’s the perfect combination of everything which makes Greece wonderful for families – plenty that’s set up for tourists, so it’s easy with kids (who are welcome everywhere), lots to explore whether you’re looking for history, nature or wandering around the old towns, and lots of chance to relax on some beautiful beaches or visit the waterparks. Big enough to have plenty of options to fill your days, it’s also small enough that you can see a lot of the island’s highlights in one day.
Don’t miss the ancient Asklepion, one of the world’s oldest hospitals – best visited with a guide – and stop off in the archaeological museum in Kos for more gods and legends. The Castle of the Knights in Kos Town is also great to visit, with its views out over the water, while you can visit traditional houses still set as they’d have been lived in in Kefalos and Antimachia. Escape the crowds in the shade of the trees at Plaka and with older kids, head to the thermal springs near Agios Fokas beach. It’s also a great place for a boat trip: you can even take a day trip to Bodrum in Turkey, or to the smaller islands off the coast of Kos, as well as traditional gulet boats and even a pirate ship.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Kos?
It is one of the busier islands, so expect big groups at some of the attractions in peak times. And while it’s small, you’ll either need a hire car to get around or take tours – taxis are astonishingly expensive and buses almost non-existent. Hire cars are cheap and the roads are quiet though.
How long do you recommend staying on Kos?
Four days to one week
What’s the best way to get to Kos?
Kos has an international airport so you can fly in but you can also get ferries from other islands in the Dodecanese, including Rhodes, for an easy Greek island hop. There are also ferries from Piraeus if you’re coming from Athens.
Where to stay on Kos with a family
Stay on the south coast, around Kardamena – it’s easy to head north to Kos Town for a day out, as well as to the islands attractions, but you’re close to some of the most beautiful beaches along the coast to Kefalos as well. We stayed at Lagas Aegean Village, just outside Kardamena.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Kos, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Kos
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Check rental cars ∙ Book your hotel
Thanks to Cathy at Mummy Travels. You can find more info on visiting Kos with kids here.
Corfu with kids – Family Off Duty
What’s great about visiting Corfu with kids? What are the best things to do on Corfu with kids?
Corfu is a beautiful island steeped in history. There is plenty to see and some lovely beaches to explore. If you visit out of season, then you can have the beaches to yourself and still see some sun.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Corfu?
Choosing the best place to eat. Just because there is so much choice and the food is great. Make sure you try as many places as possible and normally the ones filled with locals will be the best!
How long do you recommend staying on Corfu?
I suggest one to two weeks. You can explore the coast and the hills on your own pace.
What’s the best way to get to Corfu?
Probably fly – drive is the best solution, depending where you are coming from. If you are in Albania then you may want to grab the boat over, but you will definitely want to hire a car when you are there. This will give you the flexibility to explore all the wonderful beaches which would not otherwise be accessible by public transport, except by taxi.
Where to stay on Corfu with a family
Kassiopi is a great place to stay. This little town has residents even out of season. There are plenty of nice little bars and restaurants in walking distance and a nice little harbor as well as some old castle ruins worth exploring.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Corfu, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Corfu
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Book your hotel
Thanks to Thass at Family Off Duty. You can find more info on visiting Corfu with kids here.
Skyros with kids – Dreamista
What’s great about visiting Skyros with kids? What are the best things to do on Skyros with kids?
All beaches are accessible, sandy and most are even shallow, ideal for kids. There are a few activities for families, such as horse riding and sea games. The old town is awesome for families, with a huge play area surrounded by cafes and bars for parents. The parking is also great there.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Skyros?
There are no baby changing facilities anywhere and no high chairs in almost all restaurants and taverns. None of the restaurants have play areas for kids, though there are a few that may have a toy or two or very old swings.
How long do you recommend staying on Skyros?
If you want to relax, you can stay on Skyros itself for 7 days, but that’s probably enough. If you’d rather island hop and continue with Skiathos (also very family friendly), 3 days might be enough on Skyros.
What’s the best way to get to Skyros?
You can fly from Athens to Skyros and rent a car. Alternatively, drive from Athens to Kymi port (2.5 hours away) and get the ferry (another 2 hours).
Where to stay on Skyros with a family
There is a property right on Aherounes beach with its own restaurant and another one on Aspous beach (don’t stay there in August though, as it get windy). Both are independent houses with green areas to play.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Skyros, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Skyros
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Check rental cars ∙ Book your hotel
Thanks to Anna at Dreamista. You can find more info on visiting Skyros with kids here.
Kefalonia with kids – Wanderlust Crew
What’s great about visiting Kefalonia with kids? What are the best things to do on Kefalonia with kids?
Kefalonia (sometimes spelled Cephalonia) is a fantastic little island in the Ionian sea. It’s great for families due to its laid back atmosphere, affordability, and ease of getting around the island by car. There are probably more goats than people! The food is incredible and you’ll find many Greek grandmas selling delicious meals out of their tiny restaurants! Kefalonia is a place where you can come to slow down and relax. Kids will love playing on the gorgeous beaches, and parents will love exploring the history and charm of the island.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Kefalonia?
Getting to Kefalonia may be the only challenge. There are limited, but inexpensive, flights from London to Kefalonia on easyJet and Ryanair. Otherwise, you’ll probably have to fly into Athens first.
How long do you recommend staying on Kefalonia?
At least a week…maybe a lifetime? But honestly you can cover most of the island in a week.
What’s the best way to get to Kefalonia?
Fly from London to Kefalonia on easyJet or take a ferry from Athens to Kefalonia.
Where to stay on Kefalonia with a family
Airbnb is very affordable on Kefalonia. We stayed in an apartment for $35/night – see the options here. First time using Airbnb? Click here for $40 off! There are also several hotels and resorts right on the water.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Kefalonia, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Kefalonia
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Check rental cars ∙ Book your hotel
Thanks to Vanessa at Wanderlust Crew. You can find more info on visiting Kefalonia with kids here.
Santorini with kids – Carpe Diem Our Way
What’s great about visiting Santorini with kids? What are the best things to do on Santorini with kids?
Santorini is best known for its stunning cliff views of whitewashed buildings above the shimmering blue waters of the caldera below. Its unique shape was formed from a volcanic eruption and it is easy to see from plenty of viewpoints! People do not come here for the stunning Greek beaches (although they’re not too bad ) but to watch the sunset from Fira or Oia and enjoy the ambiance.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Santorini?
The first challenge is that it is not a location that caters to children. Popular with couples and honeymooners, you will see that plenty of the island caters to 2 person groups! Many hotels do not permit children as guests.
Another problem is that the traffic is insanely busy in high season. There are no sidewalks and it can be very stressful walking in Fira with kids. Don’t even bother with a stroller. The stunning cliff side is a maze of steps and stairs, so if you’re visiting with toddlers make sure to bring a comfortable baby carrier.
While we did not experience anyone who was unkind or unwelcoming to my children, there is not much in terms of children’s menus, activities for kids (besides the beaches, which are on the less popular and scenic side of the island) or family-friendly hotels.
Many people will say not to even bother taking your children to Santorini, but I have to disagree. It is a bucketlist-worthy place to see, with or without kids. Come for a night, experience it, and leave. Do not come for a week, pick another island to visit next where you can relax with your kids. But do not skip Santorini just because it is not designed with families in mind!
How long do you recommend staying?
1-2 nights is plenty to get the feel of the island.
What’s the best way to get there?
You can get to Santoini by plane or ferry. There are plenty of budget flights onto the island and it is serviced by the local Greek ferries. Both require a transfer by taxi or prearranged shuttle or renting a car.
The best way to get around the island in my opinion is by renting quads. We rented two and were able to explore the whole island with the kids riding on the back. My kids were 6 and 4 and we managed just fine, but these probably wouldn’t work for children under 4. . You can also rent a car or take public buses.
Where to stay on Santorini with kids
The main reason to visit Santorini is to see the stunning vistas and tick it off the bucket list, so stay in Oia or Fira to be steps away from unforgettable views!
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Santorini, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Santorini
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Book your hotel
Thanks to Lindsay at Carpe Diem Our Way. You can find more info on visiting Santorini with kids here.
Zykanthos with kids – Unkempt Adventures
What’s great about visiting Zykanthos with kids? What are the best things to do on Zante with kids?
Zakynthos (also called Zante) is an island located on the Italian side of Greece, which creates a wonderful Italian influence. This island is home to Navagio, the local name of the incredible and breathtaking Shipwreck Beach that you might’ve seen in photos. While Shipwreck Beach is an incredible experience in its own right, this island has so much more to offer: Fresh seafood, authentic Greek food with a touch of Italian flair at times, warm breezes laden with rosemary as you brush past native plants, sea turtles, and secluded private beaches perfect for the youngest children.
Most importantly, the people and the hospitality are incredible. Everyone we met in Zakynthos was welcoming, accommodating, and just plain nice. The locals in Zakynthos are proud of their island and seemed to take personal pride in ensuring that we had an amazing time during our trip. We met the owners of our villa, two restaurants, a boat service, and a taxi service, and felt welcomed and befriended by each one of them.
Also, we’d be remiss not to mention that Zakynthos can be very affordable. Despite dining out for every meal during our time in Zakynthos, our trip was about 55% less expensive than the same amount of time in Santorini, for example.
What are potential challenges for families visiting Zykanthos?
Okay, so here’s the part where we get serious for a second: Navagio has become a popular photography spot, as you might imagine. It is absolutely worth the trip around the world to experience, and we would go again in a second (and we would absolutely take our kids). However, we need to tell you that we DO NOT recommend bringing your kids to the top of Navagio.
The cliff has a sharp 65-story drop (about the height of Hearst Tower, for those of you who have been to Charlotte, NC), there are no guardrails, and the winds can pick up quickly. Our guide refused to show us another path that would have had a slightly better photo opportunity, and rightly so…three days after we left, a tourist stepped off the cliffside while taking a selfie from that very spot. She was the second person to fall from that area in the last two months. A quick google search for “Navagio cliff selfie” will turn up loads of photos of people dangerously close to this cliff edge. Just don’t do it. It’s not worth the photo.
Instead, let us tell you about a much better way to experience Shipwreck Beach with your kids! Shipwreck Beach is actually an exposed cove that is also called “Smugglers Cove” by the locals. The freight liner on the beach ran ashore in 1980 during a storm, but the locals have many stories that it was smuggling contraband at the time and ran aground trying to evade arrest. The people in Zakynthos are excellent story tellers, and we kind of liked this version of the story. The captain was never arrested, and the locals have stories for that, too, of course…
We chartered a boat for the morning. The captain stopped the boat in the cove of Shipwreck Beach so that we could enjoy it, and we all ate our breakfast together. It was really fun to see this incredible sight from 65 stories above on the cliff, as well as from the water itself. These are the only two options to view Shipwreck Beach other than perhaps a helicopter ride (which Calypso Villas can help arrange). The beach itself is inaccessible by land.
We researched ahead of our travels and heard that the best time to see Shipwreck Beach from the water is in the morning due to larger crowds on larger tour boats in the middle of the day. This approach proved to be effective, and the cove began to teem with more and more boats, though it did provide us with a fun people watching experience as a large boat had a line of passengers walk down a walkway, through the water, and onto Shipwreck Beach. If you decide to do a larger boat tour (which is probably less expensive), expect to get wet from the waist down!
How long do you recommend staying?
3 nights to 6 nights
What’s the best way to get there?
We booked a regional roundtrip ticket through Aegean Airlines from Athens to Zakynthos (a.k.a. Zante), and we recommend flying.
Zakynthos is a large island, and if you’d like to explore it more thoroughly, getting a rental car when you arrive at the airport would be helpful. We’ve found that this doubles as a nap guarantee for our toddlers, who refuse to nap while on vacation unless in the car. By car, you can travel to Navagio (the jaw-dropping cliffs above the famous Shipwreck Beach), and check out the lookout. You can also check out a few areas of the island that are favorite nesting spots for loggerhead sea turtles (a.k.a. Caretta Caretta), including Laganas Bay. Check prices for your rental car here.
If you don’t want to rent a car, ATV rentals and taxis are also available on the island — but a rental car would probably be most cost effective if you’re planning frequent or extended car rides.
Where to stay on Zykanthos with kids
While part of the island lends itself well to night life, the area that we chose to stay in was quieter, and a great location to relax or enjoy with family. This area is called Amoudi.
We stayed at Calypso Villas, which is located in Amoudi. It appears to have been updated since we stayed there, and it was a simple and affordable option and located right on the water, next to a great restaurant called the Amoudi Taverna, and steps away from a convenience store.
A second restaurant, Clear Horizon, also had wonderful food and delightful owners. Try the traditional frappes (iced coffees) and local Greek yogurt with honey! We had a fridge in our room, so you could also easily grab some groceries and save the cost of eating out to help your budget.
Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Zykanthos, Greece here
Plan your family trip to Zykanthos
Book flights ∙ Check ferry schedules ∙ Book your hotel
Thanks to Shannon and Michael at Unkempt Adventures. You can find more info on visiting Zykanthos here.
With so many great options, it’s hard to choose the best places to go in Greece with kids! Pin this article to come back to it through your planning.
