Greece › Family Holidays
Updated: April 15, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com
See Also
- Athens – Where to Stay & Go
- Santorini – Where to Stay & Go
- Mykonos – Where to Stay & Go
- Naxos – Where to Stay & Go
- Paros – Where to Stay & Go
- Crete – Where to Stay & Go
My boys on a boat in the Santorini caldera. A boat tour of the caldera is one of the highlights of a family trip to Greece.
My Advice: 10 Things to Know for Planning a Greek Holiday
1. Greece is a World-Class Destination for Families
Greece and the Greek Islands are my top recommendation in Europe for a family vacation. The culture is incredibly welcoming to children. It is common to see local kids playing in town squares late into the evening while parents eat nearby. The combination of shallow sandy beaches, ancient ruins that feel like playgrounds, and a safe environment makes it very easy to manage. Ferry travel adds a sense of adventure that kids love, turning a travel day into a boat trip across the Aegean.
2. Naxos is the Best Island for Most Families
If you only pick one island for a family trip, make it Naxos. It has the best sandy beaches in the Cyclades, and the water at Agios Georgios is shallow for a long way out, making it perfect for toddlers and young swimmers.
Other excellent options include:
* Paros: Great for a mix of beaches and charming walkable villages.
* Crete: Huge and diverse, with incredible history at Knossos and famous beaches like Elafonisi.
* Rhodes: Offers a medieval Old Town that feels like a movie set.
* Corfu: Very green with a strong Italian influence and great family resorts.
* Mykonos: Can be busy, but the beaches are some of the best in Greece.
* Santorini: Best for families with older children who can handle lots of stairs and will appreciate the caldera views and boat tours.3. Direct Flights Save Significant Time
For travelers from the U.K. and Europe, many islands have direct seasonal flights. You can fly straight into Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Corfu, or Rhodes without stopping in Athens.
For travelers from North America, there are now more direct flights to Athens than ever before from hubs like NYC, Newark, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Dulles, and San Francisco. My advice is to fly nonstop to Athens, stay for a night or two to adjust to the time zone, and then take a ferry or domestic flight to the islands.
4. Timing is Everything: June and September are Best
The best time for a Greek holiday is June through September. This is when the weather is most reliable for swimming and ferries run at full frequency.
Consider these factors when picking your dates:
* July and August: The hottest months and the most crowded. This is also when the Meltemi (strong northern winds) can make the sea choppy and affect ferry schedules.
* June and September: My favorite months. The water is warm, the crowds are thinner, and the prices are more reasonable.
* May and October: Great for hiking and sightseeing, but the water can be too cold for some kids, and many seasonal businesses or ferry routes may be limited.5. Do Not Skip Athens, But Don’t Overstay
Many people try to rush through Athens to get to the islands, but the city is worth your time. Two days is the “sweet spot” for families. Stay in the Plaka or Koukaki neighborhoods so you can walk to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.
If you are taking a ferry, I recommend staying in Athens the night before your departure. Trying to fly into Athens and catch a ferry to the islands on the same day is risky if your flight is delayed.
My kids on the beaches of Mykonos. Mykonos has a party reputation, but the nightlife is easy to avoid and there are plenty of family-friendly hotels, restaurants, and beaches.
6. Focus on One or Two Island Groups
The biggest mistake travelers make is trying to see too many islands in one trip. Every ferry ride takes at least half a day when you factor in packing, getting to the port, and checking into a new hotel.
Stick to one island group per trip. For example:
* The Cyclades: Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Milos.
* The Ionian Islands: Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia.
* The Dodecanese: Rhodes, Kos, Patmos.7. Understand the Different Beach Types
Not all Greek beaches are sandy. Naxos, Skiathos, and Western Crete are famous for long stretches of fine sand. Other islands, like Santorini, have volcanic beaches with black or red pebbles that get extremely hot in the sun. Always bring water shoes for the kids.
On Mykonos, Ornos is the most family-friendly because it has calm water and a relaxed luxury vibe. On Naxos, Agios Georgios is the gold standard for families with small children.
8. Greek Tavernas are Stress-Free for Parents
Dining out in Greece is a highlight. Most tavernas are casual and have outdoor seating where it is perfectly acceptable for kids to be a little loud or move around.
The food is very “kid-friendly” even for picky eaters. Look for:
* Souvlaki: Grilled meat skewers.
* Pastitsio: A baked pasta dish similar to lasagna.
* Greek Salad: Served with a large block of feta that my kids loved.
* Tzatziki and Pita: Perfect for snacking.9. Use Licensed Guides for Major Sites
Greek history is dense, and many archaeological sites can look like a pile of rocks to a child (or adult) without any context. Hiring a licensed professional guide for the Acropolis in Athens or Knossos in Crete is worth the investment. They know how to tell stories that keep children engaged. I also suggest booking “skip the line” tickets for the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum well in advance, especially for summer visits.
10. Book Flights, Ferries, and Hotels Separately
While package deals exist, I find that families get much better value and better hotel locations by booking the pieces themselves.
- Google Flights to compare airfares and flight times.
- Booking.com to book hotels and lock in family rooms early.
- Ferryhopper.com to check ferry schedules and book tickets.
- Welcome Pickups for pre-booked airport and port transfers.
- Booking.com for rental cars.
- GetYourGuide.com to browse tours and activities.
What are the Best Greek Islands for a family holiday?
Folegandros is a great island for families interested in solitude, quiet, and good hiking.
The 7 Best Greek Islands for Families:
• Crete
• Rhodes
• Paros
• Naxos
• Santorini
• Mykonos
• Corfu
- Best Greek Island for Families: Naxos (The best overall mix of beaches, food, family-friendly hotels, and easy day-to-day travel.)
- Best Greek Islands for Beaches: Naxos, Crete, Paros, and Mykonos.
- Best Greek Islands for Teens: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos.
- Best Greek Islands for History: Crete (Knossos), Rhodes (Old Town and Lindos), Santorini (Akrotiri), and Mykonos (as a base for Delos).
- Best Greek Islands for Hiking: Crete, Sifnos, Santorini, and Naxos.
- Best Greek Island for Biking: Kos (Easily the most bike-friendly island in Greece.)
- Best Greek Islands for Luxury: Santorini and Mykonos.
- Best Greek Islands for Quiet and Solitude: Folegandros, Ikaria, and Karpathos.
- Best Greek Islands for Outdoor Activity: Crete, Naxos, and Santorini.
- Best Greek Islands for Food: Crete and Naxos.
- Best for a Family Cruise: In general, I prefer staying on the islands rather than taking a cruise. You will see more, have better beach time, and enjoy a much more relaxed trip.
- Best for Island Hopping: Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Mykonos, and Milos are all very well connected.
How far in advance should I book hotels?
Paros is a wonderful mix of charming towns and family-friendly beaches. For the best choice of larger rooms and suites, book early – especially on popular islands such as Naxos, Paros, Santorini, and Mykonos.
- For July and August on the most popular islands, families should book early. Rooms for 4 or more, connecting rooms, and hotels with pools or beachfront locations are the first to sell out.
- As a general rule, I would try to book 6 to 9 months ahead for peak summer if you want a specific hotel or room type. For June and September, you have a little more flexibility.
- Booking.com is my favorite hotel tool for Greece because it is easy to compare room types, see family-room options clearly, and reserve flexible rates while you finalize ferries or flights.
- If you are traveling in May, early June, late September, or October, you may find more last-minute availability, but families still do better booking ahead if they want to stay near the beach or in a walkable town.
- I would not rely on showing up without a reservation, especially with kids. It can still work for budget travelers in some places, but it is not a good strategy if you need a larger room, a crib, a pool, or a hotel in a specific location.
When is the best time to visit Greece for a family vacation?
Waterfront dining in Naxos is a highlight for families. The best months for beach weather are June through September.
June and September are the best months for most family trips to Greece. You get warm weather, swimmable water, and fewer crowds than the peak weeks of July and August.
July and August are the hottest and busiest months. The weather is reliably sunny, but beaches, ferries, and popular hotels are at their most crowded and expensive.
May and October can be wonderful for sightseeing and slower travel, but the sea is cooler and some smaller islands feel quieter, with fewer services and less frequent transport.
My advice: If your trip is mainly about beaches and swimming, go in June or September. If you are tied to school holidays, aim for the first half of June or the very end of August if you can.
How do I get to the Greek Islands?
These are the 3 most common and most practical ways families get to the islands:
- Fly to Athens and then continue by ferry. This is the classic Greece trip and works well if you want to spend a day or two in Athens first. It is also a good option if you are visiting Cycladic islands such as Naxos, Paros, Santorini, or Milos.
- Fly to Athens and then take a domestic flight to the island. This is the fastest and easiest option with young kids, especially if you are headed to Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, or another island with a busy airport.
- Fly direct to a Greek island from Europe. Many of the larger islands have seasonal nonstop flights from major European cities. This can be a great option if you are already traveling in Europe or are happy to connect there.
My advice for families: If you are flying in from North America, the simplest plan is to fly to Athens, spend the night, and continue to the islands the next day. Trying to connect from a long-haul flight to a same-day ferry is where many trips start to feel stressful.
How should families travel between the islands: ferry or flight?
Ferries are one of the most memorable parts of a Greece trip. Kids love them – but fewer, simpler ferry days make for a smoother family holiday.
- Choose ferries if you are traveling within one island group, especially in the Cyclades. Ferry routes between islands such as Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos are one of the easiest ways to island-hop.
- Choose flights if you are going a long distance, changing island groups, or traveling with very young kids and want to reduce travel time.
- Larger conventional ferries are slower but more stable. High-speed ferries save time, but they can feel rougher in windy weather.
- If anyone in your family is prone to motion sickness, I would choose a larger conventional ferry whenever possible and avoid building your itinerary around too many long high-speed rides.
How far in advance should I book ferry tickets?
- For the busiest summer routes, especially from Athens to the islands or on popular inter-island routes, I would book ahead.
- Foot passengers have more flexibility than travelers with cars, but families still benefit from booking ahead so they can choose a convenient departure time.
- If you are traveling with a rental car or your own vehicle, book as early as possible. Vehicle space can sell out well before passenger seats do.
- Ferryhopper is the easiest site for comparing schedules and booking tickets.
How do e-tickets work?
- Greek ferry companies now use e-tickets, so you do not need printed tickets. After booking online, you will receive your tickets by email or through the booking app.
- Download the tickets to your phone before you leave for the port. Do not count on getting a good signal at the dock. I recommend saving the PDF or downloading the QR code so it is easy to open when boarding.
- Have your tickets ready before you get in the boarding line. This is especially helpful if you are traveling with kids, luggage, or passports in hand.
- For most trips, arrive at the port at least 45 minutes before departure. If you are traveling with a vehicle or on a very busy summer route, a little earlier is even better.
How many islands should I visit with kids?
- For most families, 2 islands is ideal for a 1-week trip.
- For a 10- to 14-day trip, 2 or 3 islands is just right.
- Moving hotels, getting to the port, boarding, unloading, and finding your next hotel takes more time and energy than many first-time visitors expect.
- With toddlers or younger kids, I would rather stay longer in fewer places than try to see as many islands as possible.
Should I rent a car on the islands?
- Usually yes on larger islands. Crete, Naxos, Rhodes, Corfu, and Paros are much easier with a rental car if you want to explore beaches, villages, or restaurants outside the main town.
- Usually no on Santorini and Mykonos unless you are staying somewhere remote or traveling in a way that makes a car especially useful. Taxis, transfers, and buses can work fine there for many families.
- If you need a child seat or booster, reserve it in advance. Do not assume it will be available at the last minute.
Do I need to stay in Athens before taking a ferry?
- Usually yes. If you are arriving on a long international flight and then taking a ferry the same day, delays, baggage issues, and airport-to-port transfer time can make the connection stressful.
- Athens airport has rail and public transport links to Piraeus, but it is still a real transfer, not a quick walk across the terminal.
- For families, sleeping in Athens first and taking a ferry the next morning is the calmest and smartest way to start the trip.
What are the best island groups for family island-hopping?
The most useful thing to know is that ferries work better within an island group than between different island groups. That is why first-time visitors have a smoother trip when they focus on one cluster of islands rather than trying to jump all over Greece.
- Cyclades: Best for classic island-hopping. The most popular family-friendly islands here are Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Milos, and Mykonos.
- Dodecanese: Good for longer stays and bigger islands such as Rhodes and Kos.
- Ionian Islands: Better for travelers combining islands with mainland western Greece or Italy.
- Crete: Best treated as a destination in its own right, not just a quick add-on.
Suggested Family Itineraries
About Santorini Dave