There is no doubt that being a teenager is a strange period of your life. Some have it easy, others have it troubled. But holidays can always be a great time for a family with teenagers, as long as the destination is right. The best Greek islands for teenage families have lots of things to do, are fun, very culturally rich, and are all super safe locations with great hotels.
The best Greek island for teenage families is Crete, with lots of things to do, amazing beaches with fun beach bars, and some of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.
But there are more teenage-friendly options than just the island of Crete.
BEST HOTEL FOR TEENAGE FAMILIES IN CRETE:Creta Maris
BUT ALSO CHECK:
- In Santorini:Petri Suites
- In Corfu:Akrotiri Beach Resort
- In Naxos:Nissaki Beach
- In Paros:Seesoo
There are very specific things you might be looking for in a teenage family trip to the Greek islands, but I honestly believe the following are the most important things that an island must have, in my opinion:
- great hotels
- Lots of available outdoor activities and fun things to do (like watersports, mini cruises, hiking, etc); yes, teens get bored easily, and you don’t want your children stuck on a screen while on holidays
- culturally rich for curious teenagers who love history
- have fantastic beaches with fun beach bars and restaurants
- be safe all-day
Best Time to Visit Greece
Best Greek Islands for Beaches
Best Family Resorts in Greece
Best Greek Islands for Older Couples
Best Family Villas in Greece
Important FAQs
Which Greek island is most family-friendly?
The Greek island that is most family-friendly is Crete, as it has the best beaches overall, the best amenities, and definitely some of the best family and kids-friendly resorts in Greece. However, Crete is quite a big island, and it’s not the typical small and cute Greek island you may have in mind, which makes the family holidays logistics slightly different, in my opinion. Crete is also the island with the best family resorts in Greece. If you want a small Greek island for families, then Naxos is your next best option, with endless sandy beaches and shorter distances overall within the island. Naxos island is one of my favourites as well, but it does not have large resorts like Crete. It is ideal for family holidays
Where is the best place in Greece for families?
The best places in Greece for families overall are Crete Island and Naxos Island, as they both are very family-friendly places with lots of amenities, great hotels, and beautiful family beaches, overall. There are, however, other family friendly places in mainland Greece that are equally beautiful. These are Parga, Tolo, Zacharo, and Chalkidiki.
Is Santorini or Mykonos better for families?
Santorini is calmer and more relaxing, but it does not have the beautiful sandy beaches of Mykonos. However, I would not consider Mykonos at all for a teenage family holiday as it’s now a super expensive island with not the best people on it to be honest (social media influencers, rich kids, socialites, and wannabe celebrities in a small island is not the best sight…). Santorini, Naxos, and Crete are much better options, and they have more teen-friendly beaches and overall a better atmosphere for teens. You will find families with teenagers having a great time in Santorini (especially places like Kamari or Perissa beach).
RECOMMENDED WEBSITES FOR GREECE:
🛏️ Booking.comis the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete (more than Airbnb!)
⛴️ Ferryhopperis the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all Greek islands
🎫 Get Your Guide has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the Greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)
🚗 Rentalcarsis the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options
✈️ Booking.com Flights has all the available flights to and from the Greek islands
🚕 Book Your Driver (Taxi) directly with booking.com’s large and safe platform of available certified drivers
1. Crete
- Crete on Google Maps
- Best Family Hotels in Crete: Domes Noruz • Creta Maris Beach Resort • Caramel Grecotel
Crete is the best Greek island for teenage families and overall the best family hotels in Greece. In Crete you will find amazing family friendly beaches along with an endless option for things to do, museums, archaeological and historical sites, picturesque towns like Chania and lots of opportunities for water sports, kite surfing or sea kayaking which can be great for older children (Chania beaches are the best in my opinion).
The great thing about Crete is that thereare direct flights to the biggest cities of the island, from pretty much every European capital during the high season (April to October)
2. Santorini
- Santorini on Google Maps
- Best Family Hotels in Santorini: Maregio Suites • Grace Santorini • Cosmopolitan Suites
Santorini island is without a doubt the most famous Greek island, and even though it’s not famous for teenage family holidays, I still think it’s great for families with teenagers. Perissa beach (Black Beach), Kamari beach, and Vlychada beach are ideal for teenagers of any age, with lots of beach bars and restaurants around.
Santorini has numerous things for teens to explore, such as a visit to the famous volcano or the Akrotiri historical site.
3. Naxos
- Naxos on Google Maps
- Best Family Hotels in Naxos: Belogna Ikons • Naxian Utopia • Nissaki Beach Hotel
Naxos is one of the biggest Greek islands, and in my opinion, it is perfect for teenage family vacations. Naxos has some of the best family-friendly beaches in Greece, with soft sand and usually warm shallow waters.
Because Naxos is a big island, there are lots of things that even older kids can do, and amazing cruises to the nearby less busy islands (such as this one).
The inner villages of the island (such as Apirathos) are considered one of the most beautiful and unique villages in Greece, and it is not a secret that local delicacies and food in Naxos are among the best you can find in the Cyclades islands in Greece.
4. Corfu
- Corfu on Google Maps
- Best Family Hotels in Corfu: Corfu Imperial Grecotel • Bella Venezia • Lena Mare Boutique Hotel
Corfu is on the western side of Greece in the Ionian Islands between Greece and Italy. There are tens of direct flights to choose from to all major European cities during the summer (May to October usually), and it’s an island known for its green landscape and its quiet and family-friendly beaches.
Corfu town is a lovely town with Venetian architecture, with lots of options for food and entertainment after a long day at the beach.
5. Paros
- Paros on Google Maps
- Best Family Hotels in Paros: Yria Island • Calme Boutique Hotel • Seesoo Paros
Paros island is in the Cyclades group of islands, and there are many reasons why this is one of the most visited Greek islands by families.
Paros is a very diverse island with many different and unique sandy beaches and some of the best restaurants and Greek tavernas in Greece. It is an island that is also preferred by lots of Greeks, and that says a lot about the island.
CONCLUSION
So, these are the best Greek islands for teenage families. I honestly think that you will have an amazing family trip on any Greek island, but for teenagers specifically, Crete is ideal with so many things to do and see, from beautiful gorges available for hiking to sandy beaches with awesome beach bars.
On the other hand, Santorini island, with its Instagram and TikTok viral landscape along with its wild volcanic terrain, won’t let the teenagers in your family get bored at all. Greece with teens can be an unforgettable experience and one they will remember for the rest of their lives.
