Greece › Mykonos › Kid-Friendly Hotels
Updated: August 18, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
My Favorite Family Hotels in Mykonos
- Best Overall: Santa Marina (Ornos)
- Best Beach Hotel: Mykonos Blanc (Ornos)
- Best for Large Families: Myconian Villa Collection (Elia)
- Best in Platis Gialos: Petasos Beach Resort & Spa
- Best Quiet Luxury: Mykonos Grand (Agios Ioannis)
- Best Value Luxury: Palladium (Platis Gialos)
My boys exploring the fantastic kid-friendly beach at Ornos. My favorite area in Mykonos for families with young kids.
Mykonos Family Hotels – My Tips
- Best Areas for Families: Ornos Beach is my top pick for families with young kids: calm water, lots of restaurants, good hotels, and easy buses to Mykonos Town. Platis Gialos is the best choice if you want a beach stay with easy transportation and water-taxi access. Mykonos Town works better for families with older kids who care more about restaurants, shopping, and atmosphere than being right on the beach.
- Best Value: Petinos Beach is right on Platis Gialos and gives families a great location without the price of the top luxury resorts. Erato Hotel is one of my favorite lower-priced choices in Ornos, a short walk from the beach with family rooms and a quieter feel.
- Book Family Rooms Early: Mykonos has plenty of hotels, but far fewer good rooms for four or more people. Two-bedroom suites, connecting rooms, villas, and rooms with private pools sell out first. For July and August, book as soon as your dates are firm.
- Wind Matters: The meltemi can be strong in July and August. Ornos and Platis Gialos are among the better protected beaches and are safer choices if easy swimming is important. North-coast beaches are much more exposed when the wind is blowing.
- Do Not Rely on Taxis: Taxis are scarce in summer and particularly frustrating with tired kids at the airport, ferry port, or after dinner. Stay somewhere with good bus connections, use hotel shuttles, and pre-book airport and ferry transfers when possible.
- The Water Taxi is Great with Kids: The Mykonos water taxi is one of the easiest ways to explore the south-coast beaches. It connects Ornos and Platis Gialos with Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia. I would use it for a fun beach-hopping day, not for anything time-sensitive.
- Choose Beach Clubs Carefully: Mykonos beach clubs range from very family-friendly to full-on party scenes. Pasaji on Ornos works well with kids, while Hippie Fish at Agios Ioannis is a good choice for a relaxed beach lunch or early dinner. I would avoid planning family beach days around Paradise or Super Paradise unless the kids are older and you know what the scene is like.
The 21 Best Hotels for Families in Mykonos
1. Santa Marina – Ornos Beach
My favorite family resort in Mykonos, especially with young kids. Santa Marina has large suites and villas for families and groups, many with private pools and full kitchens. The big advantage is the beautiful private sandy beach on sheltered Ornos Bay, plus a covered playground and excellent pools. Ornos restaurants are a short walk away, and the hotel runs a complimentary shuttle to Mykonos Town. The hillside layout means some stairs and slopes, but the views are fantastic. Review of Santa Marina.2. Mykonos Blanc – Ornos Beach
Casual luxury hotel with a fantastic beachfront location on family-friendly Ornos Bay, close to the water taxi and several excellent restaurants. There is a sea-view pool, a guests-only section of beach, and Pasaji beach club right on the sand. The two-floor Friends and Family Suite sleeps up to 5 with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and an outdoor jacuzzi. Breakfast and arrival and departure transfers are included. An especially easy choice for families who want a beach holiday without feeling isolated from Mykonos Town. Review of Mykonos Blanc.3. Myconian Villa Collection – Elia Beach
The best luxury choice for large families and multigenerational groups. Suites and villas range from 1 to 6 bedrooms, with private pools or outdoor jacuzzis and lots of room to spread out. The hotel sits high above Elia Beach with a huge saltwater infinity pool, excellent spa, and Greek-Mediterranean restaurant. Free shuttles run down to Elia Beach, where guests get complimentary beach beds. Babysitting is available, and guests can use restaurants and facilities at the other nearby Myconian Collection resorts. The tradeoff is location: Elia is beautiful but far less convenient for evenings in Mykonos Town.4. Petasos Beach Resort & Spa – Platis Gialos
One of the best family hotels for location, with a small private beach and easy walking access to both Platis Gialos and Psarou. There is a saltwater pool, jacuzzi, thalassotherapy spa, and excellent sea-view restaurants. Connecting rooms can create 2 or 3-bedroom family setups, including options with private pools. The Mykonos Town bus stops right outside, while the water taxi and restaurants of Platis Gialos are a few minutes away. A very easy hotel for families who do not want to rent a car. Review of Petasos Beach Resort & Spa.5. Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort – Agios Ioannis
Excellent luxury resort for families who want a quieter beach stay with plenty of space. There is a large pool with a kids’ section, full-service spa and salon, and direct access to the hotel’s private serviced beach, though parts of the shoreline are stony. Larger suites work well for families and some add private pools. Agios Ioannis is much calmer than Ornos or Platis Gialos, with Hippie Fish just down the beach and buses into Mykonos Town. A great choice when relaxation matters more than having lots of restaurants outside the hotel. Review of Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort.6. Mykonos Blu – Psarou Beach
Beautiful five-star resort with its own serviced section of calm, protected Psarou Beach. Suites and villas can accommodate large families, and many have private pools. Family amenities include kids’ menus, babysitting, and plenty of room around the resort. Platis Gialos and its restaurants are an easy walk away, which adds a lot of flexibility, and the hotel runs a shuttle to Mykonos Town. Psarou is expensive and scene-y, but the swimming is excellent and Mykonos Blu remains one of the island’s most special resorts. Review of Mykonos Blu.7. Palladium Hotel – Platis Gialos
One of my favorite value-luxury choices for families. The bus to Mykonos Town stops directly outside, while both Platis Gialos and Psarou beaches are about a 5-minute walk downhill. The return walk is steep, which is the main drawback and part of why rates tend to be better than at the beachfront hotels below. Rooms are spacious, family accommodations are good, and the pool is excellent. A smart pick if you want a high-end hotel in a great beach area without paying beachfront prices.8. Petinos Beach Hotel – Platis Gialos
Very good family hotel right on Platis Gialos Beach, with a pool, sea views, and one of the easiest locations on the island. Family suites offer a double bed plus sofa beds, and breakfast is served at the beachfront restaurant. Babysitting is available, and arrival and departure transfers are included. The bus and water taxi are nearby, so you can stay here comfortably without a car. The sister Petinos Hotel, a few meters back from the beach, is worth checking when rates here are high.9. Semeli Hotel – Mykonos Town
The best luxury family hotel in Mykonos Town. Semeli is just a few minutes on foot from restaurants, shops, and the pedestrian lanes of Chora, yet has enough space to feel like a proper resort. There are two pools, one heated, excellent restaurants, and large multi-bedroom suites. The three-bedroom Semeli Suite is especially good for bigger families or multigenerational groups. I prefer the beach areas for families with small children, but Semeli is an excellent choice with older kids who will appreciate being able to walk everywhere at night.10. Acrogiali Beachfront Hotel – Platis Gialos
One of the best values for a family that wants to stay directly on the beach. Triple, quadruple, and family rooms are available, and some ground-floor rooms have patios opening almost directly onto the sand. Breakfast and a good restaurant are included in the easy setup. Acrogiali does not have its own pool, but guests can use the pool at nearby sister hotel The George. The excellent Platis Gialos location is the main reason to book.11. Myconian Imperial – Elia Beach
Large luxury resort overlooking Elia Beach with excellent facilities for families who want to spend most of their time at the hotel. There are multiple pools, including a children’s pool, a playground, spa, babysitting, and a dedicated beach section below. Family-sized suites include options with private pools. The resort offers transport to the beach and Mykonos Town, but Elia is a long way from Chora, so I would choose this for a resort holiday rather than a trip built around going into Town every night.12. BayBees Sea View Residence – Platis Gialos
A particularly good choice for families who want an apartment rather than a full-service resort. Studios, suites, and homes range up to three bedrooms, with kitchens or kitchenettes and private terraces. The larger units give families more space and the option to prepare breakfast, snacks, and simple meals, which can save a lot on Mykonos. Platis Gialos Beach is only a couple of minutes away on foot and the bus to Mykonos Town is nearby. No big resort pool or spa, but the location and self-catering setup are excellent.13. Nissaki Boutique Hotel – Platis Gialos
Stylish family-friendly hotel with several saltwater pools and an excellent location between Platis Gialos and Psarou. Rooms, suites, and villas are spacious, and the largest villa sleeps up to 6. Many accommodations add indoor or outdoor jacuzzis. Both beaches are about a 5-minute walk away, with the Mykonos Town bus and south-coast water taxi nearby. A good choice for families who want resort facilities without being directly in the busiest section of the beachfront. Review of Nissaki Boutique Hotel.14. Adorno Beach Hotel & Suites – Ornos Beach
Friendly boutique hotel with a pool and an excellent location right by Ornos Beach. Family-friendly room types sleep up to four, including a two-bedroom suite close to the sand, while some maisonettes add a private jacuzzi or pool. Breakfast is included and light meals and drinks are served around the courtyard pool. Restaurants, buses, and the water taxi are all within easy walking distance. Less elaborate than Santa Marina or Mykonos Blanc, but very practical.15. Vencia Boutique Hotel – Mykonos Town
Laid-back hotel with a beautiful infinity pool and sweeping views over Mykonos Town. Larger suites sleep up to four, while the three-bedroom villa works well for families of six and adds a full kitchen and large veranda. Karavaki is one of the better hotel restaurants in the area and breakfast is included. You can walk into Town, but the hotel sits uphill, so the return climb is worth knowing about with small children or strollers.16. Erato Hotel – Ornos Beach
One of my favorite lower-priced family hotels in Ornos. This small, family-run property sits in a garden a short walk from the beach. Junior Suites sleep three and Family Suites sleep four, with kitchen facilities that are useful when traveling with children. Breakfast is served on a shaded terrace and the atmosphere is personal and relaxed. You give up the pools, spas, and beach service of the luxury resorts, but the location is excellent and rates are much easier to swallow.17. Katikies Villas – Elia Beach
Polished collection of one to three-bedroom villas with private pools and lots of outdoor space. Multi-bedroom layouts, ensuite bathrooms, and private terraces make these particularly good for families who want privacy rather than a traditional resort setup. Service is high-end, with transfers and in-villa dining available. Elia Beach is nearby, but this is a secluded location and works best for families happy to use hotel transfers or a rental car rather than walking to restaurants and shops.18. Mykonos Town Suites – Mykonos Town
Very good apartments in a quiet but central part of Mykonos Town. Units range from studios to two-bedroom apartments, all with kitchens or kitchenettes and private outdoor space. Cots and high chairs are available, and daily housekeeping makes this easier than a typical vacation rental. The big advantage is being able to walk to restaurants, shops, and nightlife while still having room to spread out. Best for families with older children who value Town over beach access.19. Kivotos Mykonos – Ornos Beach
One of the more magical hotels on Mykonos, with two beautiful pools, wonderful Ornos Bay views, and a small private beach. Ornos Beach and several restaurants are a short walk away, and larger accommodations include suites and villas with private pools. The atmosphere is romantic and sophisticated rather than overtly kid-focused, so I like Kivotos best for families with older children or teenagers rather than toddlers. Guests can also charter the hotel’s yacht for private trips around the island. Review of Kivotos Mykonos.20. Carbonaki Hotel – Mykonos Town
Friendly, family-run hotel in the heart of Mykonos Town with simple rooms at much easier prices than the luxury resorts. Room types sleep up to four, and the central location makes restaurants, shops, and nightlife easy on foot. There is a courtyard jacuzzi but no swimming pool, and this is not the choice for a beach-focused family holiday. It works best for families with older children who want Town atmosphere and are watching the budget.21. Panoptis Escape – Elia Beach
Extraordinary all-villa luxury resort, but only a family option for travelers with older children. Villas offer large terraces, private pools, kitchens or kitchenettes, and lots of privacy above Elia Beach. Service and dining are excellent, with beach access, transfers, and plenty of resort-style amenities. I rank Panoptis last here not because the hotel is weaker than the others, but because of its age restriction.See Also
• Where to Stay in Mykonos
• Best Hotels in Mykonos
• Best Beaches in Mykonos
Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to 
Awesome information Dave !! Thanks for putting it together. I am planning to travel with my wife and two kids (teenagers).
We are looking for a hotel in Mykonos that is right on the beach. Most of the beaches that I see are rocky (not sandy). Which hotels do you recommend for a family right on the beach where it is sandy, we can swim in and it is not windy?
Mykonos Blanc is one of my favorite hotels in Mykonos. It’s on Ornos, a beautiful swimming beach with wonderful restaurants. There are beach clubs with music but no crazy nightlife. It’s wonderful for families and anyone looking for a great beach spot.
Hi Dave,
Great, informative site!
We are traveling to Greece in July this summer with our 12-year-old daughter and want to stay in Santorini or Mykonos for 3 days. We want to stay in a luxury hotel (this is part of the vacation where we splurge), any recommendations? Lots of places in both places say no kids.
Thanks for the advice!
Yes, many hotels on the caldera in Santorini are adults-only, mainly because they are filled with steep stairs that can be dangerous for little ones to navigate. There are definitely some great family-friendly hotels, though, and Andronis Concept Wellness and Aria Suites and Villas are two hotels that I recommend often. Andronis Concept is wonderful for its kid-friendly amenities, including 3 pools, kids’ yoga, kids’ spa treatments, family cooking classes, tennis, and more. All suites and villas here include a private, heated, infinity plunge pool. Located in Imerovigli, Andronis Concept offers a perfect perch for amazing sunset views, but there’s not a lot to do in the immediate area. Aria Suites and (especially) Aria Villas offers luxurious, spacious accommodation for families in Fira, the island’s busy capital, near restaurants, attractions, and the bus station for exploring the island’s best beaches and attractions. All suites and villas share a common pool, while the villas each have a private jacuzzi and a kitchenette.
Mykonos has more family-friendly hotels than Santorini, though there are still quite a few adults-only spots catering to couples and partygoers. The best family-friendly hotels include Mykonos Blu on Psarou Beach and Semeli Hotel in Mykonos Town. Mykonos Blu has unreal suites and villas, many with private pools, plus a gorgeous shared pool, fantastic restaurants, and a private beach section. Located on exclusive Psarou Beach, but just a short walk to lively Platis Gialos Beach, with more restaurants and beach clubs. If staying in town is preferred, Semeli Hotel is my favorite, with wonderful suites, many with private jacuzzis, plus 2 pools (1 heated, 1 cool), 2 amazing restaurants, 24-hour room service, and just steps from the dining, shopping, and attractions of Mykonos Town.
We are deciding between Nissaki Mykonos and another hotel called Rocabella Mykonos. We are traveling to Mykonos for a week mid-late August with 2 young children. Both have great reviews and comparable prices. It seems Nissaki’s location might be better to go to the beach with the children? Do you have any advice? Thank you
You are correct. Though Rocabella and Nissaki are both amazing hotels, Nissaki has the better location for visiting the beach. Nissaki is a 3-minute walk to kid-friendly Platis Gialos Beach and a 5-minute walk to Psarou Beach. From Platis Gialos, it’s also fun and easy to catch the water taxi to the more remote beaches like Paraga, Paradise, Super Paradise, Agrari, and Elia. Rocabella is near Agios Stefanos Beach, which is an ok beach, but not one of my favorites on the island.
Hello Dave
I am torn between Semeli Hotel and Theoxenia Hotel in Mykonos. Which would be better for a family of 2 adults and 2 young kids? We want to be in a central place with easy access to food and the sights like the windmills, Little Venice, and the church.
For a family of 4, I’d recommend Semeli over the Theoxenia. Though Theoxenia has a great location right at the windmills and access to a small beach area (small and rocky), the rooms are smaller and have an open plan; three guests max would be comfortable. Semeli is still super close to everything (a 6-minute walk to Little Venice, a 7-minute walk to the windmills, and an 8-minute walk to Paraportiani Orthodox Church), plus they offer spacious accommodation for families with 1 to 3 bedroom options, many of which have sea views or plunge pools. Onsite amenities include 2 pools (1 heated, 1 unheated with attached jacuzzi), a spa, a gym, 2 stellar restaurants (and walking distance to dozens more), and free valet parking. Both hotels are near the bus station, making it easy to reach the island’s best beaches.
Hi Dave,
We are traveling with 4 adults and 2 kids (6 & 8). Looking for some island recommendations. We were thinking Ios, Naxos, Paros, Milos – as some options. We are in Athens for a few days then would like to hit a couple of islands. Can you recommend any islands? We would like somewhere with beautiful beaches.
I recommend Naxos for a family vacation but Paros and Ios are also great. Milos also has wonderful boat tours of the coast and nearby islands. And even Mykonos (though known as a party island) is super family-friendly and has great beaches. You really can’t go wrong no matter where you pick.
Hi David,
Great site!
We’re travelling to Greece late September with our two year old for 10 nights. We were planning 5 in Oia, Santorini & 5 in Mykonos.
Would you add in Naxos in between?
Also for Myknonos, we’re planning to stay at Leonis Summer House in Ornos but I’m torn about staying in either Ornos or Platys Gialos in a hotel. What would you recommend?
Thanks very much
Gary Young
Naxos is wonderful but with the way you have your trip setup it seems great and I’m reluctant to change it. If you add Naxos it means a few less days in Mykonos and Santorini and more of a go-go pace. 5 and 5 is perfect. Between Ornos and Platys Gialos, stick with Ornos if you want laid-back and family-friendly, go with Platys Gialos if you want a few more bars to enjoy (which you probably don’t). P.G. also has the advantage of being connected by footpath with 4 or 5 other beaches. Fun, but once again, it might not be something you take advantage of with a 2 year old.
Hi David,
Husband, wife, and a 4 year old daughter travelling to the Greek islands in the first two weeks of September. We fly into Athens and head straight to Santorini. We plan to stay at Chez Sophie in Kamari for a night or two, to enjoy a bit of the beach and sun while we get over jet lag. Then head to the Marizan Caves (Sunset Cave) in Oia for three nights. Here, the Caldera views, great food, and quiet evenings are important to us. Have we made a good choice?
Thereafter, we will go to Naxos. And this is where we are having difficulty! We know you recommend staying in Naxos Town, but being close to the beach is important to us. We’d also really love to be close to great, lively restaurants. We will rent a car if we have to, but if we can avoid it, that would be lovely. We will spend four nights in Naxos.
After Naxos, we are entertaining the idea of Milos or Mykonos or Ios. We really like nice sand, shallow water with as turquoise in colour as it can get! What do you recommend? And, same problem…if staying in a town is recommended because of close proximity to the best lively restaurants, we’d also like to be close to the beach!
What do you suggest? And how many days would you spend on Naxos versus the other smaller island?
Many thanks and blessings,
Natalie
Your plan for Santorini sounds great. Well done. And yes, for Naxos I like staying in Naxos Town – nice beach right there and the best ones are still only a short bus ride or drive away. Then at night you have a great choice of restaurants and no worrying about driving if you have a few drinks. Ios has the wonderful Milopotas beach (though it’s not shallow – the sand and water are beautiful but there’s a pretty quick dropoff) and the Chora is a short bus ride up above (it’s close but not really walkable). In Mykonos, I’d go with Ornos beach which is wonderful for kids. A few nice restaurants there and Mykonos Town is a 10 minute bus ride away. One final note, if you do Ios then visit it in-between Santorini and Naxos.
Hi David,
We are wanting to travel to the Greek Islands this August with our 2 year old boy. I guess we are wanting the best of both worlds in terms of nice beaches with clear waters, food and drink being easily accessible (on foot), and not having to spend a fortune on the accommodation.
Can you please recommend the best islands if we are going to be there for 1.5 weeks?
Thanks
Danni
Mykonos is great for all of your requirements except for inexpensive accommodations. Naxos has more families, no nightlife, but the beaches are just as good and it’s far cheaper.
Hi Dave,
We are a party of 4 (2 adults 2 kids aged 11). Really want to introduce my boys to snorkelling/ diving. Could you recommend best beaches in Greece for this?
Thanks
Liz Peel
Greece is a great place for snorkelling as long as you’re not expecting Caribbean-like underwater scenery. Most beaches are sandy (good for swimming, less so for snorkeling). There are hundreds – if not thousands – of beaches where you can safely enter the water and start snorkeling. The waters of the Greek seas (the Ionian and the Aegean) are among the cleanest and clearest of the whole Mediterranean especially as you head on out to the islands.
Assuming your 2 kids are novices, you’ll be wanting easy water entry (a sandy beach), calm waters (it can get very windy and choppy in Summer), and things to see under water (around rocks you’ll find the most sea life). The best kind of beach for snorkelling is one that is part of a bay – the smaller the better and one that is flanked by rocks. You’ll want to select a beach out of the wind (it tends to be northerly in Summer) and has an easy, gradually deepening incline of sand. Pebbles can be a pain to walk on and then try to fit flippers on your feet. With rocky sides to a bay you can can then easily swim/snorkel to the edge of the bay to find interesting things to look at – underwater rock formations that look like castles, fish that prefer to swim in and out of rocks – and you are close to land in case you are tired and need a rock to hold on to. Milopotas Beach/Bay in Ios is a good example of such a beach.
Permutations of all the above can be found anywhere in Greece and the ‘best’ beach can be that one that leaves you with the fondest memories. On the whole the islands do generally have their disproportionate share of bay beaches and the waters of the Aegean tend to be warmer than those of the Ionian. The further south you go the warmer the water (in theory at least) so that would suggest the Cyclades and the Dodecanese islands are the ‘best’ spots for snorkelling. Some islands that jump off the map are Mykonos, Milos, Karpathos, Halki, Rhodes, Patmos, Lipsi, Paros, and Naxos – there are more, all islands have some snorkelling opportunities and none are world-renown.
A lot of the wooden cruise boats that ply varying routes take passengers to off-the-radar snorkelling and swimming coves and usually carry a supply of snorkels, masks and flippers as well as the now popular makaronia – long thin floats made of styrene that look like spaghetti. These are absolutely great snorkelling opportunities and kids love it. One particular trip comes to mind and it operates out of Piso Livadi on the east side of Paros. Run by Captain Yiannis, this excellent tour/cruise takes in secret beaches off Naxos and the Koufonisia, lasts all day, and includes lunch and drinks. Ammoöpi Beach on the Dodecanese island of Karpathos is also good for snorkeling.
Finally you mention diving, though it is not evident how serious you are as this involves training and a lot more expense and preparation. Diving is popular in Greece and you could start learning to dive in Greece. A dive school you might look at is the Water Hoppers outfit in Rhodes or search further afield.
Hi David
We are a family of 4 – 2 adults and 2 children (12 and 7).
I was thinking of doing 5 nights in the Majestic Hotel in Santorini followed by 5 nights at Kavos Naxos.
What do you think?
Thanks for your help
Nik
Both are very nice 4 star hotels and great for kids with nice pools. The Kavos is a little isolated and a 10 minute walk to the beach and 10 minute drive to Naxos Town. The Majestic is a 10 minute walk from Fira (and the views from the hotel are not of the caldera).
Hi David,
Amazing tips you have!
Just wondering if you can help me, by suggesting the best beach for us to stay in Mykonos this summer. We have about 5 nights there and we are 2 adults and 2 kids 9 & 5. We like a lively sort of place that we can try different restaurants every night but still be close to the beach. Also, are there still some cheaper places to eat or is everything really expensive?
This is what we are planning for:
Mykonos 5 nights
Paros 3 nights
Naxos 4 nights
Santorini 3 night
We fly from Rome to Mykonos and then Santorini to Athens.
We also would like to fit a trip to Antiparos.
What beaches or towns would you suggest staying on each of these islands?
Many thanks in advance for your tips.
Juliana
For your interests I would stay in Platys Gialos on Mykonos, Parikia on Paros (makes a day trip to Antiparos easy), Naxos Town on Naxos (with day trips to other beaches), and Fira or Firostefani on Santorini. If you want to save money find a good gyro place – delicious and cheap. Naxos, Mykonos, and Santorini all have good gyro places. In Paros the best gyro place is in Naoussa, not Parikia.
Hi David,
This may seem like a bizarre question but are the pools in Greece/Mykonos in August quite warm? We are travelling with a child who has a rare sensitivity to cold water and can only swim in 30 degrees celsius water temp. Most hotels don’t seem to have heated pools and I was just wondering how warm the pools get in August. Many thanks, Kay.
You’re right, pools are not heated. They are at their warmest in August but they’re usually still coolish to mildly warm – though every one is different, of course.
Hello David,
We had booked an all inclusive hotel in Rhodes for 5 days. However, my 12yrs old wants to go to Athens too. And I, after read your blog, I want to go to Naxos and Mikonos. We have 5 days free before Rhodes.
We will leave from Luxembourg.
Your views will be helpful
Tks
Kaf
It’s very hard to combine Rhodes and Naxos (few connecting ferries) or Mykonos (no connecting ferries) with such a short amount of time. You’re better to add an island close to Rhodes such as Kos or Karpathos. Flying between Rhodes and Athens will be your best bet to save time.
Hi David I am taking my 12 year old granddaughter to Paris in September and then 8 days on the greek islands. She enjoys the beach but also sightseeing and bike riding. I was thinking 2 nights in Santorini and 4 nights in Naxos and 2 nights Mykonos. I was thinking of staying in Platys Gialos in Mykonos and Agios Prokopios in Naxos. Do you suggest staying in Fira or at the beach in Santorini. We will be there late September and early October will it be warm enough for swimming . Jill
Platys Gialos is a great choice for Mykonos. I generally recommend Naxos Town in Naxos (more to do and see, and more places to eat – especially in September/October when the beach towns can be getting slow). And yes, one of the caldera towns (Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, or Oia) is where you want to be on Santorini. You should still be swimming in late September for sure, some years you can be getting cooler weather by October 5th that makes swimming less enjoyable. Other years can be hot until the 20th or later. So obviously a lot of variability.
Hi David ! You seem to be so helpful. I am in the beginning g phases of planning a family trip in early June . We by then will have a 3.5year old . Would you recommend the following
Santorini – 6 days
Naxos – 4 days
Mykonos – 3 days
Also where should we look in to staying and any particular ferries you recommend for the island travel?
Melissa Solano
That sounds great to me. Some might want less time in Santorini and more time in Naxos as it has some great kid-friendly beaches. If that were the case then 4, 6, and 3 would be perfect. That said, there’s more to see and do in Santorini and if you split your time (which I recommend) between 2 towns (say, Oia and Fira) then 6 days is not too much at all.
The Blue Star ferry which will run from Santorini to Naxos and Naxos to Mykonos (but not Santorini to Mykonos) has the smoothest ride and is best for kids as you can walk around on the decks and enjoy the sea air.
Hello! Many thanks for your blog. My wife, 2-year-old son and I are planning a 2-week holiday at the end of August/beginning of September, and having been to Paxos in the past, we’re thinking of going to Naxos for a change. (Fewer pebbles, more sandy beaches!) We’re looking for a simple, relaxing holiday, but my question is: will we become frustrated by 2 weeks just on Naxos (staying in Naxos town)? Or to put it another way, would it be more sensible to have, say, 1 week on Naxos and 1 week on Paros or Mykonos? I don’t want to overcomplicate things, but equally I wouldn’t want things to become monotonous in the course of a fortnight, if that makes sense…
Russell Goulbourne
Is that too long? Will you get bored? No, I don’t think you’ll get bored or frustrated but I would still recommend splitting that time between 2 islands (or even 3). Naxos and Paros are both wonderful, so those are good choices. Mykonos has a bit of a party vibe but it’s still really family-friendly as long as you’re not out late into the night (most 2-year olds aren’t). Platys Gialos is a great beach on Mykonos that is an easy bus ride into the Chora and good combination between beach and town.
Hello
We are planning 2 week trip to Cyclades Greece in the middle of june . We are 2 families with children (1 to 12 years). First my idea was to visit definitely Mykonos for a week (we have flight tickets back home from Mykonos) and shorter stays in other islands – Syros, Santorini, Naxos?.
We have found nice apartment in Agios Ioannis beach Mykonos, it should be quiet area. The idea was to be at beach, visit town/villages and drive around by car. But now readining that Mykonos is party place and very expensive we are not sure anymore. Is it also expensive to by food from supermarket and cook ourself? Maybe it is better to choose some other island for longer stay and 2-3 days only in mykonos? Or skip Mykonos at all, only for flight to Athens? We cant choose best island anymore for our 2 weeks trips, can you suggest some? 3 islands are maximum for our 2 week stay.
Thanks,
Kaidi
Mykonos does have a party vibe but it’s easy to avoid if you want to. The beaches are wonderful and the atmosphere is fun and (for the most part) family-friendly. You’re right, everything is a little more expensive on Mykonos and if you’re looking to save money it’s not the best island. In any case, Agios Ioannis is not the best beach on the island – both Elia and Platys Gialos are larger, better beaches for kids.
We are torn between the Nissaki and the Petinos Beach hotels in Platys Gialos. The deciding factor is the pool as our 2 boys (ages 6 and 7) love the pool. Which one is more kid-friendly? And I’m correct in thinking these hotel are both walking distance to beach restaurants and the bus to Mykonos Town?
Thanks,
Thomas
The pool at Petinos Beach definitely has a bit more of a kid-friendly vibe. The pool at Nissaki is on the deck with views and lounge chairs so guests tend to sit out there and relax. The pool at Petinos Beach is semi enclosed (even though it’s steps from the beach) and thus people tend not to sit around there and relax. They come for a dip, then return to the beach or their room. They also have some play toys at the PB pool which is not something that you’d find at the trendy Nissaki. Not that the Nissaki isn’t kid-friendly, there are kids everywhere there – but it does have more of a boutique feel. And Yes, PB is very close to beach, restaurants, and bus. Nissaki is a few minutes walk up the hill from the beach and bus stop but still pretty easy.
I’ve read that the walk along the beach from Platys Gialos to Paraga Beach is a nice walk but a little tricky in parts. We have a 6 year old, will he do ok on it?
Thanks,
Netty
There are a couple places where you have to watch your footing but for the most part pretty tame. I think he’ll do fine. There are even lights that come on at night and make it doable even in the dark.