Greek islands are some of the most family-friendly destinations in the world, but they are not all the same. To be honest, there are lots of similarities. Crete is the largest Greek island, and it is, in my opinion, the best option for a family vacation in Greece, but Santorini and Naxos are also some of the best Greek islands for families with younger (or even older) kids.
The best Greek island for families is Crete, with hundreds of family-friendly beaches and some of the best family resorts in Greece.
BEST FAMILY HOTELS ON THE GREEK ISLANDS:
- In Crete:Creta Maris
- In Rhodes:Rodos Palladium
- In Corfu:Almyros Beach
- In Santorini: Nissia
- In Mykonos: Mykonos Bay
- In Kos: Astir Odysseus
- In Zakynthos: Lesante Classic
- In Kefalonia: Emelisse
- In Athens: Coco-Mat Athens BC
There are very specific things you might be looking for in a family trip to the Greek islands, but I honestly believe that being close to amazing sandy beaches is probably the top thing you will do. In my opinion, the best places in Greece for families are the ones that are close to the beach, safe and quiet in general, and have good resorts.
To be honest, you won’t have a bad time on any of the Greek islands, but islands such as Crete, Naxos, Santorini, Corfu, Skiathos, Paros, or Ios probably have a slightly better infrastructure to make your family trip a fantastic experience.
READ ALSO:
- Best Family Hotels in Santorini
- Best Family Hotels in Mykonos
- Best Family Hotels in Athens
- Best Family Resorts in Greece
- Best Greek Islands for Teenagers
VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
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 an oversized island, and it’s not the typical small and cute Greek island you may have in mind, which makes the family holiday 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, Naxos is your next best option. With endless sandy beaches and shorter distances overall, Naxos is one of my favourites as well, but it does not have large resorts like Crete. Overall, Crete and Naxos are two of the best Greek islands for kids.
Where is the best place in Greece for families?
The best places in Greece for families are Crete and Naxos Island, as they both are very family-friendly places with many amenities, great hotels, and beautiful family beaches. 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. None of these islands would be my first option if I were looking for a family holiday on a Greek island.
Naxos and Crete are much better options; they have more family-friendly beaches and a better atmosphere for younger kids. Families have a great time in Santorini (especially places like Kamari or Perissa beach), and the same applies to Mykonos.
However, remember that most of Mykonos’ beaches are not 100% family-friendly, and their amenities can be costly, as the island has recently become a VIP spot for wealthy people. If I had to choose one of these islands, I would go with Santorini and stay in Kamari or Perissa.
Which is the best Greek island for teenagers?
The best Greek island for teenagers is Santorini. The island offers many options for exploration and curiosity, as well as ancient ruins with amazing, unique tours (such as a visit to an active volcano) that won’t let your teenage daughter or son be bored even for a minute.
Since social media seems “important” for teens, remember that Santorini is a world-famous destination on social media. Any picture or video of it will become popular immediately!
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
So, let’s see the best Greek islands for families:
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 families and has the best family hotels in Greece. In Crete, you will find amazing family-friendly beaches along with an endless choice of 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 there are direct flights to the island’s biggest cities, from almost every European capital during the high season (April to October). Make no mistake, Crete is one of the best places in Greece for families and the best Greek island for kids.
2. Santorini
- Santorini on Google Maps
- Best Family Hotels in Santorini: Maregio Suites • Grace Santorini • Cosmopolitan Suites
Santorini is without a doubt the most famous Greek island. Even though it’s not famous for family holidays, I still think it’s great for families.
Perissa Beach (Black Beach), Kamari Beach, and Vlychada Beach are ideal for children of any age, and they have many amenities and restaurants. Santorini has numerous things for kids to explore, such as a visit to the famous volcano or the Akrotiri historical site.
READ ALSO: Best Family Hotels in Santorini
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, perfect for family vacations. It 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 many 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 lovely, with Venetian architecture and many options for food and entertainment after a long day at the beach.
5. Skiathos
- Skiathos on Google Maps
- Best Beaches in Skiathos: Koukounaries, Big Banana, Mandraki, Troulos, Lalaria
- Best Family Hotels in Skiathos: Avaton Hotel • Aegean Suites • Kassandra Bay
Skiathos is a Greek island on the northern side of the Cyclades islands group, and it has lots of direct flights from outside Greece during the summer months (high season). In my opinion, Skiathos has the perfect size for a family trip, and it is ideal even for older kids.
Many family resorts have been developed on the island in recent years, and you may even see Kate Hudson lying on a beach, as it’s been her go-to location for relaxation and family holidays for the last 10 years.
6. Ios
- Ios on Google Maps
- Best Family Hotels in Ios: Hide Out Suites • Ios Palace • Relux Ios
In my opinion, Ios is a very underrated Greek island because it used to be a party island back in the 90s, but honestly, it’s not anymore (that’s purely Mykonos nowadays…). Ios now has some of the best resorts and hotels in Greece, and its family-friendly atmosphere makes it ideal for kids.
Yes, there are plenty of options for adults or even people who want to party, but it’s an island in the Cyclades worth visiting with your family. There are many options for watersports, and the fantastic beaches with the beautiful beach bars and restaurants are ideal for families.
7. 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 diverse island with many unique sandy beaches, some of the best restaurants, and Greek tavernas.
Many Greeks also prefer Paros, which says a lot about the island. Because of its size and amazing golden sand beaches, Paros is among the best Greek islands for kids.
CONCLUSION
So, these are the best Greek islands for families. You will have an amazing family trip on any Greek island, but you will get the most out of your holidays in Crete or Naxos.
They are ideal for a family vacation with fantastic beaches, many amenities, and cultural opportunities for the whole family. Crete probably has the best family hotels with kids’ clubs and lots of water sports, while Naxos is a quieter but extremely well-organized island with lots of things to do and explore for older children and teenagers.
