Greece with Kids

See Also

• Athens – Where to Stay & Go
• Places to visit and stay in Santorini
• Noteworthy Areas to Stay and Explore in Mykonos
• Travel guidance on places to stay and visit on the Greek island of Naxos
• Travel guidance on places to stay and visit on the Greek island of Paros
• Travel guidance on places to stay and visit on the Greek island of Crete



Table of Contents

Family Holidays to Greece – 10 Things to Know while Planning

1. Greece is a Wonderful Destination for a Family Holiday

Greece and the Greek Islands are my favored destination in Europe for a familial vacation. Fine beaches, intriguing history, remarkable cuisine (much of it suitable for children), wonderful inhabitants. Island hopping by ferry contributes a bit of adventure to the whole experience and an opportunity to see several very distinct places. No additional vaccinations are mandated, and no special medicine is prescribed. Transportation in Greece, whether by Greek ferry, bus, or plane, is effective and comfortable.

2. The Best Greek Islands for a Family Holiday

The finest places to visit in Greece with a family are the Greek Islands, and my personal favorite island for families is Naxos. However, there are many others that are also suitable for kids and wonderful for families. Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu are four additional options that have excellent beaches, interesting towns, and a environment welcoming to families. Santorini is generally seen as a destination for couples but there`s plenty to see and do and it remains a very good choice for families too (particularly if your children are a little older, say, 6 and up).

3. Greece is Easy to Get to from the U.K. and the Rest of Europe

Some of the most popular Greek Islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, and Kos provide direct flights to them from major airports in London, Manchester, Paris, Amsterdam, Oslo, and Rome, making trips quite convenient. It is reasonable to expect being on the beach within 4 to 5 hours after departing from home. Getting to the Greek Islands from locations in the United States will invariably need two flights, usually with a connection in western Europe. A few North American hubs like Toronto and New York City offer direct flights to Athens, but none fly directly to the islands.



4. Best Time to Visit Greece for a Family Holiday

The optimal weather conditions in Greece for children, families, swimming, and beach activities are from late May through early September. During this period, the sun will be out, skies clear, and rainfall very infrequent. The absolute best beach weather spans from late June to early September.

5. The Highlights of Athens Can be Seen in One Full Day of Sightseeing

The prime attractions in Athens (Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, and historic locations in the Plaka) can easily be seen in a single full (but busy) day – or take two if wanting a bit more leisurely pace. And then board a ferry the following morning (most ferries from Athens to the islands depart between 7am and 8am) and transport the children to a beach.

6. The Best Greek Islands for History and Culture are Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, and Delos

Crete features arguably the single most historically significant site across all the Greek Islands: Knossos near Heraklio. Rhodes is renowned for the Medieval City of Rhodes Town and the Acropolis of Lindos. And Santorini is celebrated for the caldera, the volcano, and the account of how this island was destroyed by a colossal volcanic eruption. The entire small island of Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with extraordinary ruins; while guests cannot stay there, it is conveniently accessible from Mykonos.

7. The Best Beach for Kids in Greece

The single best beach in all of Greece is Elafonisi Beach in Crete. Magical and extremely kid-friendly. Other excellent beaches for families can be discovered on Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Mykonos, Lesvos, Skiathos, Skopelos, Corfu, and Rhodes. Santorini has great swimming and unique beaches but since they`re composed of volcanic rock they become very hot in the middle of the day.

8. Greek Restaurants are Very Kid Friendly

Virtually all Greek eateries and taverns maintain a family-friendly environment welcoming children who are pampered. While Santorini and Mykonos known for luxury and nightlife each have a handful of restaurants where kids risk feeling out of place, the vast majority on every Greek island will gladly embrace your kids with hospitality.

9. Do a Tour

Greek tour guides provide excellent services. Per national law, they must obtain a degree in Greek history to guide tours to historical sites in Greece. You`ll gain much more from visiting historical attractions with a guide`s insights. At some locations (e.g. Knossos), it`s easy to find quality guides on site. For others (Akrotiri in Santorini), advanced booking is recommended. Food tours are also highly advised experiences (especially in Athens).

10. Best Websites for Planning a Greek Holiday

Planning a Greek vacation is simple to do independently. Don’t book an package tour as you end up getting inferior hotels and the worst flights. These are the websites I use and recommend for easy and reliable trip planning:

• You can find the best airfares at Kayak.com.

Hotel Austria – Hotel phone: +43 1 51523

• A ferry travel site to find schedules and book tickets.
• Welcome Pickups for port/airport transportation.
• Vehicle Rental Site for booking automobiles.
• GetYourGuide.com for sightseeing tours.

Special Considerations for Family Travel in Greece

• Perhaps one of the most testing issues for families is finding suitable hotel rooms for 4, 5, 6 or additional people. Typically, rooms are small containing twin beds with a modest balcony and small fridge. However, numerous options do exist outside of these but will necessitate planning and booking well in advance.
• All Greek taxis have a highest number of 4 travelers. If your accommodation does not provide airport or ferry port transfer, Welcome Pickups pre-booked vehicle service is a great choice. Larger vehicles are accessible for groups of more than 4, and kid car seats are available upon request.
• High chairs are rarely available in restaurants, so a stroller may serve as a convenient place to seat an infant or toddler during meals.

What are the Best Greek Islands for a family holiday?



The 7 Best Greek Islands for Families:

Crete • Rhodes • Paros • Naxos • Santorini • Mykonos • Corfu

• Best Greek Island for Families: Naxos
• Best Greek Island for Beaches: Naxos, Mykonos, Ios, Crete
• Best Greek Island for Teens: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros
• Best Greek Island for History: Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos (Delos)
• Best Greek Island for Hiking: Crete, Folegandros, Santorini, Naxos
• Best Greek island for cycling: Kos
• Best Greek island for luxury: Santorini, Mykonos
• Best Greek Island for Quiet and Solitude: Folegandros, Ikaria, Karpathos
• The finest Greek islands for outdoor activities are Crete and Santorini
• Best Greek Island for Food: All of them
• Best Greek Island for Family Cruise: None of them – don’t do cruises, visit on your own
• Best for Island Hopping: Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Mykonos, and Milos are all well linked by ferry and ideal for island hopping

Should I book hotels in advance when visiting Greece?



• For July and August on the most popular islands — like Santorini and Mykonos — reserving ahead of time is completely essential. It becomes increasingly less critical as you move away from those islands and those months. Therefore, Naxos and Paros in June or September would be no problem at all to arrive at without reservations. That leaves a large gray area of course. Are reservations necessary for Santorini in June, Naxos in July, Paros in August? Generally, booking in advance and making reservations will get you the best price, and give you a better selection of room size to accommodate your family’s needs.
• Booking.com is my preferred website for finding and reserving hotels in Greece. They’re reliable, well-organized, and offer generous cancellation plans.
• Flexibility is beneficial (and enjoyable). It’s nice to have some lodging reservations booked in advance – particularly for the initial nights on a new island – but remaining open to where one is traveling and how long staying also has advantages. Attempting to attain a proper balance – perhaps reserving the first 2 nights on each island in advance, followed with a few days that can be filled as preferred.
• That said, flexibility may not always be possible for families who don`t feel able to afford it. During peak season, family groups and larger parties should definitely book rooms ahead of time.
• If you do arrive on an island without reservations you might see hotel owners greeting the ferry, inquiring if you need accommodations. These will often be affordable hotels (but still pleasant, clean places to stay). If you do opt to remain with them, endeavor to walk to the hotel from the pier. (This won’t be practical on every island, eg. Santorini’s port is quite distant from anywhere.) Most main towns are directly by the ferry dock, so if they’re informing you that their hotel is right “in town” you should easily be able to walk there with no trouble, correct? If instead, they’re trying to get you and your bags into their vehicle it’s likely it’s several miles outside of town. At the very minimum get them to pinpoint the hotel precisely on a map. Some hotel owners will “gently” fib but if faced with a precise inquiry they’ll accurately indicate where it is on the map.

When is the best time to visit Greece for a family vacation?



The months of June and September are undisputedly the finest times for a holiday vacation in Greece, with July and August close behind. And if you’re truly seeking to narrow it down then mid-September is the absolute prime. The weather is essentially identical to late June but while the water can still be chilly in early summer, by September it’s perfect. The crowds arrive in late June and stay until the islands are packed in the final week of August. By early September you can sense a discernible difference in the number of visitors and hopping on a ferry, securing a seat at a popular restaurant, or finding lodging gets noticeably simpler.

While the difficulty of peak season travel is sometimes exaggerated, visiting in the middle of summer has never caused trouble for finding accommodation on a Greek island during numerous trips. Still, if traveling during the busy months of July and August, reserving lodging in advance is prudent. Also, be ready for crowded ferries and tourist hot spots.

May and October can provide excellent options as well but you’re accepting a small amount of chance with the weather if your aim is beach and swimming time. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in hiking, biking, and historical sites then mid-April to early June and late September until early November can offer fantastic possibilities.

How do I get to the Greek Islands?

These are the 4 easiest and most common ways to get to the Greek Islands:

• Travel to Athens Initially and After Take a Ferry to the Islands.
  The quintessential Greek holiday involves halting your travels midway, touring storied Athens, and savoring a prolonged, sometimes relaxing, occasionally magical ferry journey from the capital to the Islands. While breaks provide Athens explorations, ferries consume days on each trip end. For shorter stays, time may be better spent partaking more Island experiences than Athens, though journey interruptions hold appeal.

  The ferry schedule can be erratic in August as strong winds in the Cyclades (called the Meltemi) can play havoc with ferry routines. (The Cyclades are specifically vulnerable to strong winds.) Cancellations for over a day or two are unusual but your itinerary could be disrupted with one badly-timed delay.

• Fly directly to a Greek Island from a city in Northern or Western Europe.
  Affordable airfare to select Greek islands is readily available from major transportation hubs across Western Europe such as London, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and Milan. Budget carriers frequently offer astonishingly low fares for direct flights. Additionally, travelers from other regions like North America, Asia, or Australia benefit from the ability to spend leisure time in one of Europe`s vibrant cities while en route.

  Cons: Surprisingly difficult to coordinate if you’re arriving from outside the continent. The low-cost carriers tend to depart from smaller local airports, not the huge hubs where your long-haul jet landed. Getting from one airport to another can consume much of a day. (For example, your flight from New York will arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, but your flight to Greece will leave from Orly – on the opposite side of the city.)

  Also, only a handful of islands have direct flights from outside of Greece. Currently, the Greek Islands that have international flights are Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Zakynthos, Crete, Lesvos, Samos, Kos, and Rhodes.

• Fly to Athens, then fly to the islands.
  Pros: Additional time on the islands. There are more islands you can fly to from Athens than from outside the nation. For example, Milos, Naxos, Paros, and Karpathos all have flights from Athens but do not have international arrivals, so you if you want to fly to the smaller islands you’ll have to go through Athens.Cons: You’ll miss out on island hopping by ferry. Though, of course, you can take ferries between the islands once you’re there it’s that initial trip from Athens out to the islands that’s filled with so much excitement and anticipation. Also, if you do stop in Athens it’s often easier (or just as easy) to go to the port and hop on a ferry as to make your way all the way back to the airport, go through security, and wait for your plane. When you factor in the extra time that taking a flight involves, a highspeed ferry will get you to some of the Cycladic islands nearly as fast as a flight.
• Combining a trip to Greece with an excursion to another nearby country such as Turkey or Italy would offer the chance to visit multiple destinations.
  Several ferry transportation options exist for travelling between Turkey and Italy. Ferries regularly travel between the Turkish port of Ayvalik and the Greek island of Lesvos, as well as between Cesme in Turkey and the island of Chios, Kusadasi and the island of Samos, Bodrum and the island of Kos, and Marmaris and the island of Rhodes. These ferry rides typically span 1-3 hours and allow booking on the day before departure. One recommended itinerary would involve flying into Istanbul, touring along the Turkish coast, taking a ferry to one of the eastern Greek islands like Samos or Rhodes, island hopping to two or three islands total, then ending the trip in Athens and flying home from there.

  Ferries run between the Greek island of Corfu and the Italian port cities of Ancona, Brindisi, Bari, and Venice across the Adriatic Sea. These crossings take 8 to 12 hours and are frequently overnight trips, so booking at least a few days in advance is advisable. Advance reservations far in advance are necessary if traveling with a vehicle or desiring a sleeping cabin.

How to Travel with Kids on Greek Ferries

Ferries are one of the ingredients that make a trip to Greece so magical and exceptional. Hopping between islands by ferry — particularly the Cyclades where the islands are very near to each other — is quite enjoyable. And if you’re simply traveling between one island and the next it’s quite effortless too.

Pedestrian passengers usually don’t need to schedule far in advance – particularly for ferries betwixt islands – merely purchase a ticket from a local representative the day before travel and board. But for ferries from Piraeus (the harbor proximate Athens) to an island during high season, it’s advised to book no less than a week prior to your departure date. Ferryhopper.com presents the optimal website for exploring ferry routes and booking tickets ahead of time

When transportation extends beyond a brief ferry ride like from Santorini to Mykonos, planning gets more intricate. Here are some factors you may want to weigh for longer boat trips:

• If choosing between high-speed ferry, catamaran, or conventional ferry, should I book about a week in advance to travel to or from Athens using the faster options?
• Does one want deck seating (also referred to as second class or airplane-style seating) or does one want to reserve a sleeping cabin? If a cabin is wanted, one will want to book at least a few weeks in advance.
• Is vehicle transportation required? Booking several weeks in advance is suggested as spaces in the automobile garage are limited.

Planning a Greek Island Trip

• Jumping between islands is what it’s all about. There are so many great islands in Greece it’s almost necessary to visit more than one. With the exception of Crete (see below) don’t confine yourself to 1 island. But, don’t see too many islands. Two nights (3 or 4 is best) is the minimum time needed to feel like you’ve observed an island at all, don’t spread your time too slim among the islands.
• Crete is a big island that requires at least a full week to see it thoroughly. If you have limited time available and want to visit multiple islands, Crete may not suit your plans best. It`s quite distant from any other islands (and Athens) and takes some time to get around because of its size. The island could easily occupy you for 2 or more weeks because it offers diverse attractions like art, culture, cities, beaches, and quaint harbors. If you have at least 10 days available and want to visit Santorini too – its closest neighbor – that is very doable.
• Accommodations and restaurants on most islands close during the winter period. You’ll always find something open, but things can be very quiet in the offseason. On the less popular islands operations shut down even sooner in the fall and reopen later in the spring. For example, Santorini will become rather empty by mid-November. The hotels and restaurants that close will begin to resume operations in late March. However, a less frequented island like Folegandros will start slowing considerably in late September and not be completely reopened until mid-May.
• Depart from and arrive in different cities. Having to return to the initial embarkation city is a waste of time and money. Open-jaw tickets cost marginally more but you’ll save funds by avoiding needing to purchase tickets back to a destination you’ve already visited. For example 1) Arrive in Thessaloniki travel through the Aegean and Cycladic islands and fly home from Santorini. Example 2) Arrive in Istanbul, visit the Turkish coast, take a ferry to a Greek island and then more ferries and islands on your way back to Athens for your flight home. Example 3) Fly to Heraklio on Crete, tour that island prior to visiting Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos on your return trip to Athens and home. These are merely a few of numerous good routes and options – all made less complicated and more pleasurable by not requiring returning to the city of initial embarkation.
• Don’t disregard Northern Greece. Thessaloniki, the Halkidiki, and the North Aegean islands are less popular than the southern destinations but have some great sights and make a great vacation destination. If you’re looking for quieter towns and secluded beaches the north is great.
• Consider pairing a vacation in Greece with a visit to a neighboring country, most probable Italy or Turkey. The Ionian islands in northwest Greece offer an easy overnight ferry from Italy’s eastern coastline. The Sporades and Aegean islands make a good circular route with Thessaloniki in Northern Greece, Istanbul, and the very popular Turkish coast and beaches.
• The winds can be intense during summer, particularly in August and especially in the Cyclades. The breeze blows from the north so beaches on the south coast of an island generally experience the least bluster. Naxos, specifically, has a long string of sheltered beaches on it’s southwest coast.
• The same islands and places have different spellings – usually because of differences between their English and Greek names. One that causes the most problems is that Zante and Zakynthos refer to the same island. Corfu is alternatively called Kerkyra.Santorini is known as Thira. The city ofChania in Crete is also called Hania, andHeraklio can also be referred to as Heraklion,Iraklion, orIraklio.Thessalaniki and Salonika represent the same city. Ferries often depart from the port of Piraeus, nearAthens, and these locations may be used interchangeably when discussing ferry routes.

Suggested Ferry-Hopping Itineraries

1-Week Recommended Itinerary for Greece:
Spending 2 to 3 days each on a couple of Greek islands in the Cyclades group would make for a lovely trip, as ferry connections between them are quick and easy to book. Some of the best Cyclades islands to consider include Naxos, Santorini, Folegandros, Paros, Mykonos, and Milos. Concluding the journey with a full day exploring Athens would round things out nicely.

2-Week Itinerary:
Spend 1 week exploring Crete then follow the 7-day itinerary outlined above.

1 Month Itinerary:
Begin in Lesvos or Samos in the Aegean islands, either by direct flight or ferry from Athens. Spend a week in those two islands before moving on to the Dodecanese spending a week in Rhodes, Ikaria and Karpathos, then continue with the 2 week itinerary above.

Choosing Ferries and Buying Tickets

• The premier website for viewing ferry schedules and purchasing tickets for Greek ferries is FerryHopper.com.
• Ticket rates on a comparable ferry will always be equivalent between 2 ports (the rates are established by the administration) but services, speeds, and comforts can vary significantly between types of ferry and ferry companies.
• Most islands are connected to Athens by maritime transport at least once daily — even in winter. An underground rail line connects downtown Athens with the port of Piraeus making reaching your ferry inexpensive and straightforward, but the port is huge and perplexing for a first-time visitor to navigate. Plan to arrive at the port at least one hour before your ferry departs. There are plenty of places to dine and purchase snacks in Piraeus before boarding your ferry. A suburban train route connects the airport with the port of Piraeus where the ferries depart for the Greek Islands. If you`re flying to Athens but don`t want to stay there you can almost completely bypass it. (See our Athens Ferry Port Guide for more information.) Most ferries to the islands leave early in the morning so even the best-laid plans will have you staying the night in Athens.
• High speed ferries, catamarans, and Flying Dolphin hydrofoils will cost about twice as much as a regular car/passenger ferry. (Trust me, if you think keeping track of all the ferries is perplexing, I know. I’m quite knowledgeable about the various types and I can barely recall which is which.)
• Larger vehicles like passenger and car ferries tend to experience smoother rides even in rough seas, as their size makes them more stable than faster ferries. Hence, the slower the ferry, the more stable it is likely to be.
• Cabins are recommended for long overnight ferry rides to Crete, Rhodes and other islands located far from Piraeus (Athens’ ferry port). You’ll see many folks camped out in the hallways and stairwells, or sleeping upright in seats, but everyone does better the next day after a good night’s sleep – and the convenience of a cabin is well worth the price.
• Ferries do not always travel between every 2 islands in Greece. Far from accurate. Ferries tend to circulate within island groups – among different Cycladic islands for example – with the most popular islands within a group acting as a hub to neighboring island groups. This makes the idea of vacationing in just one island group a good plan to follow unless you have much time to spare.
• During peak season (June to September) ferries depart daily for all major islands – usually with multiple sailings. Service is less frequent in winter, but year-round connections include:

Morning Ferries

• Piraeus to Syros, Tinos and Mykonos
• Piraeus to Paros, Naxos, los and Santorini
• Piraeus to Kythnos, Serifos, Sifnos and Milos

Evening overnight ferries

• Piraeus to Hania, Crete
• Piraeus to Heraklion, Crete
• Piraeus to Rhodes and neighboring islands
• Piraeus to Lesvos and Chios

What are the Greek Island groups and why do they matter?

The Greek Islands are separated into several island groups. In part for administrative causes, but more usually for shared history and island geography. Ferries and catamarans run more often within island groups than between them, so don’t suppose that 2 neighboring islands will have daily ferry connections if they lie in different island groups. The most popular island groups for tourists being:

The Saronic Islands like Hydra, Aegina, Poros and Spetses were several hours away by passenger ferry from Athens and were highly visited.

Cycladic Islands – located in the middle of the Aegean Sea, approximately 4-8 hours from Athens by ferry. Most popular islands include: Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos.

Dodecanese Islands – in the southeast of the Aegean Sea, off the southwest coast of Turkey. 10-18 hours by ferry from Athens. Most popular islands: Rhodes, Karpathos, Kos, Patmos.

Aegean Islands – off the central shore of Turkey. 8-15 hours from Athens by ferry. Most preferred islands: Samos, Chios, Lesvos.

(Northern) Sporades: – in the northeastern section of the Aegean, closer to Thessaloniki and Istanbul then to Athens, 2-5 hours by ferry from Thessaloniki. Most popular islands: Skiathos, Skopelos, and Skyros.

Crete: – the largest island in Greece and thus its own island group, requiring a 10-15 hour ferry ride from Athens. Main Cities: Heraklio, Rethymno, Hania.

Ionian Islands: – the sole group on Greece`s western side, accessible by 1-2 hour ferries from the western ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras, or overnight ferry from Bari or Brindisi in Italy. Most popular islands include Corfu, Kefalonia and Zante (Zakynthos).