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The Best Islands for Your Family Vacation in Greece this Summer

Family vacation greece
Credit: Klearchos Kapoutsis/ CC-BY-2.0

When planning your family vacation to Greece this summer, it is important to select the appropriate destination to ensure you have an unforgettable experience.

Whether you are traveling with young children or your grandparents, Greece is home to the most perfect island for your family vacation.

Let’s look at the most family friendly Greek islands to help you plan your vacation.

Crete is the perfect spot for a family vacation in Greece

Crete is Greece’s second largest island and has many resorts and family-orientated hotels with water parks.

It is also an island steeped in ancient culture for those wishing to visit pristine ancient ruins, such as Knossos, which is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site and Europe’s oldest city.

You don’t have to look far to find something for the whole family to be entertained with on this island.

Here are some places to consider as your home base while visiting on the island:

Kokkini Hani, Crete

Kokkini Hani is located 14 km east of Heraklion and is a popular vacation destination for families with younger children.

The area remained quite untouched until the 1960s when full electricity and telephone services reached this part of Crete, and several hotels were built.

The beaches are beautiful and the hotels that are in this area cater to families with activity schedules, pools, social events and beachfront access.

Agios Nikolaos, Crete

Another fabulous vacation destination for you and your family this summer is Agios Nikolaos, which is also on Crete.

Agios Nikolaos is quaint and quieter than many other places on the island, and there are unique and stunning beaches such as Tsifliki beach that you can visit.

There are also many beaches nearby that have chairs and umbrellas with family friendly, shallow waters.

Also, depending on where you stay, you can have fun-filled days with activities organized by your hotel, do water sports or go out exploring on your own.

The Ionian Islands: Where history and beauty combine

All of the seven well-known Ionian islands are treasures of history and myth. These stunning islands are perfect for any vacation, but especially for families.

Corfu: a unique family vacation in Greece

Corfu Ionian Islands
Corfu Town. Credit: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) – Own work, CC BY 3.0

Corfu is home to a historic Old Town, which features shops, museums, restaurants, and even Venetian fortresses. All members of the family will find something of interest in town, which is known for its stunning architecture.

There are both sand and pebble beaches in Corfu, so depending on what you are looking for, there are many options.

Sidari Beach, which is on the north coast of the island, has very shallow and warm water.

There are also water parks on the island that are perfect for younger children.

With UNESCO sites to explore by day and open-air cinemas showing English movies at night, your days and nights will be full with family fun.

You can find many reasonably priced hotels to stay at on the island.

Zakynthos is great for teens

family vacation greece
Navagio Beach, Zakynthos. Credit: Alex Ignatiou/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA 3.0

Zakynthos is full of stunning locations that have recently gone viral on social media, such as the famous Navagio Beach, where the dramatic cliffs and white sand beaches will transport you and your family to a paradise unlike any other.

Families on vacation may rent a villa and connect with other tourists and Greeks alike, who are very warmhearted and welcoming.

There are a lot of activities for teens organized by hotels and beaches such as social events and activities.

There are also many cafes, restaurants, pools, tennis courts and water sports activities that are perfect for all members of the family.

Lefkada is the place to be for athletic families

lefkada
Kalamitsi Beach on Lefkada. Credit: Ggia/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA-3.0

This island is one of Greece’s top-ranking destinations for water sports.

If you are taking a vacation with your siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, or maybe even your sporty and active parents, check out the large marina at Lefkada Town for yachting and Vasiliki Bay in the south which is exposed to local thermal winds, and boasts many water sports activities.

From surfing to kayaking, there is something there for every sports lover.

A family vacation on Greece’s Cycladic Islands

The Cycladic island group, including Mykonos, Santorini, and Paros, are some of the most popular tourists destinations in the world.

They are also home to some of Greece’s most important archaeological ruins and have some great places to vacation with your family.

The unique landscape of Milos

Milos Island Beaches for Family Swimmers
Credit: dronepicrCC BY 2.0

Since Milos was created by underwater volcanic activity, the coast has unique rock formations and rich sea life, making it perfect for scuba diving and exploring.

There are great beaches created by natural inlets and surrounded by rock formations such as Sarakiniko or Kleftiko.

The island’s central tourist beach is Paliohori where you will find tavernas with traditional Greek fare and countless sun beds and umbrellas to rent.

Paliohori Beach is composed of three adjoining beaches, with red, pink, yellow and white pebbles, and backed by red cliffs, with warm underwater springs.

The Sporades Islands

Alonissos is home to abundant wildlife

Alonissos in Greece
Crédit: Giuliagi – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

The most remote islands of the Sporades, Alonissos has a refuge for rare seabirds as well as the protected Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus.

The Alonissos National Marine Park encompasses the land and sea surrounding Alonissos, plus six smaller neighboring islets that are all accessible by taking a boat tour.

Alonissos
The northwestern side of Alonissos from the beautiful village of Chora atop the island. Credit: Patricia Claus/Greek Reporter

Underneath the Marine Park is another gem — the site of the Peristera Shipwreck, which has been called the “Parthenon of Shipwrecks.” Scuba divers can dive just atop the wreck and gaze at the wine amphorae that litter the seafloor in the pattern of the boat hold that they were once in.

For those who aren’t up to learning scuba diving, an onshore museum showing the treasures of the Peristera shipwreck is now open nearby, in the town of Patitiri on Alonissos.

There are several organized beaches on the island, including Agia Konstantinos, as well as smaller pocket beaches scattered around the idyllic isle. The island is a paradise for all nature lovers. Just be sure to pack your binoculars to look out for seals, eagles, falcons, shags, cormorants, and various gulls.

All in all, Alonissos is a great destination for a unique family vacation.

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