Greece › Mykonos › Kid-Friendly Hotels
By Santorini Dave
My boys exploring the fantastic kid-friendly beach at Ornos. The best place to stay with kids in Mykonos.
Mykonos with Kids – Where To Stay
- Most kids and families will want to stay on the beaches of Ornos or Platis Gialos – great sand, swimming, hotels, and beach restaurants. Ornos and Platis Gialos are both well connected to Mykonos Town by bus and connected to other beaches by a water taxi. Personally, I love staying in Mykonos Town, filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Stay in town overnight, then visit any of Mykonos’ gorgeous beaches by day. Although Mykonos Town is known for nightlife, partying starts late here (some clubs don’t even open until after midnight), so it’s easy to avoid for families.
- Best Hotel for Families in Mykonos Town: Semeli
- Best Hotel for Families in Ornos: Santa Marina
- Best Hotel for Families in Platis Gialos: Petasos
- Best Villa for Families in Mykonos: Myconian Villa Collection at Elia Beach
- Best Midrange Hotels for Families in Mykonos: Petinos Beach in Platis Gialos and Erato Hotel near Ornos Beach
- The beach clubs Pasaji (Ornos) and Hippie Fish (Agios Ioannis) have great food, a family-friendly vibe, and wonderful beach and swimming.
The 33 Best Hotels for Families in Mykonos
See Also
• Where to Stay in Mykonos
• Best Hotels in Mykonos
• Best Beaches in Mykonos1. Santa Marina – Ornos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 23220
One of the larger hotels on Mykonos with enormous suites and villas for up to 12 guests, many with private pools and full kitchens. Great for families with a beautiful semi-private beach and small, covered playground. The resort is built up the side of a hill to offer extraordinary sea views. The restaurants of Ornos are a short walk away and there is a regular free shuttle into Mykonos Town that takes less than 10 minutes. If you have young children this is the best resort in Mykonos. Review of Santa Marina.2. Mykonos Blanc – Ornos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 27618
Casual luxury hotel on family-friendly Ornos Beach, offering a pool with sea views, a public beach club (Pasaji – it’s fantastic), and a guests-only beach area. The best room for families is the 2-floor Friends and Family Suite, which sleeps up to 5 with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and an outdoor jacuzzi. Great location on the east end of Ornos Beach near the water taxi to the southern beaches and steps from several great beach restaurants. Complimentary breakfast buffet (at the beach restaurant) and private arrival and departure transfer. Bonus: dogs under 5 kg welcome. Review of Mykonos Blanc.3. Mykonos Blu – Psarou Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 27900
Exclusive 5-star hotel with generous suites and villas for up to 10, all with private terraces and welcome gifts (wine, fruits, and sweets), and many with private pools or jacuzzis. Facilities include a free-form infinity pool, wonderful restaurants, and an amazing spa. Family amenities include kids’ menus at all restaurants, 24-hour room service, a playroom, babysitting, an on-call pediatrician, and more. Located on Psarou Beach, which is well-protected from the wind, the hotel has its own private beach area for guests with food and drink service all day. It’s an easy walk to Platis Gialos beach and the excellent restaurants there. The hotel’s free shuttle gets you to Mykonos Town in less than 10 minutes. Review of Mykonos Blu.4. Kivotos Mykonos Hotel – Ornos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 24094
One of the more magical hotels on Mykonos, Kivotos boasts 2 picturesque pools, fantastic food and drinks, and a small private beach (more pebbles than sand) with a cabana sitting out on the water. It’s set on beautiful Ornos Bay and has stunning views of the surrounding water and hills. Ornos Beach and a handful of restaurants are a short walk away. Guests can book the hotel’s private yacht to tour the island. Review of Kivotos Mykonos Hotel.5. Petasos Beach Resort & Spa – Platis Gialos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 23437
Upscale hotel with a small private beach, saltwater pool and jacuzzi, and a spa with thalassotherapy, just steps from Platis Gialos and Psarou Beaches. Rooms and suites include private terraces, some with private jacuzzis or semi-private pools. Connecting rooms can join to create 2 to 3-bedroom suites with private pools. Onsite dining is stellar at VIP and Le Club, overlooking the sea, plus the hotel is right at the bus stop to Mykonos Town and just a short walk to several great restaurants and beach clubs. Review of Petasos Beach Resort & Spa.6. Panoptis Escape – Elia Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 45400
Open to children eight-years-old and up. Families with older kids can enjoy this exclusive, all-villa getaway with a trendy pool and beach club. Two and Three-Bedroom Villas feature private, outdoor, saltwater pools with sandy “beach” terraces. Inside, guests will find a kitchenette, king-sized beds, a sofabed in the living rooms, and the same number of bathrooms as bedrooms. A combination buffet and a la carte breakfast is included in the rate. The pool bar serves a casual menu throughout the day; modern Greek is on offer in the main restaurant for dinner. 24-hour room service. Activities on offer include pottery workshops, cooking on the beach, free diving, scuba, sailing, and horseback riding. As a Myconian Collection hotel, guests of Panoptis Escape have access to all the restaurants and the beach club of the hotel’s 10 sister properties in Mykonos.7. Myconian Villa Collection – Elia Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 76000
Ultra-luxury suites and villas ranging from 1 to 6-bedrooms with private pools or outdoor jacuzzis. On a hill overlooking Elia Beach, the hotel boasts a sea-view, saltwater infinity pool, an indulgent spa, and a fine dining Greek-Mediterranean restaurant. Perks include free shuttles to Elia Beach and complimentary beach beds there, babysitting services, and access to the facilities and dining of all other Myconian Collection properties.8. Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort – Agios Ioannis Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 25111
Luxury property offering a wonderful pool with an attached kids’ pool, a full-service salon and spa, and direct access down to a private, sandy beach (though it does have some stony patches). The largest suites have 3 beds (1 queen, 2 twins) sea views, and a private pool. The hotel has 2 restaurants, while the popular Hippie Fish restaurant is just down the beach. Though the immediate area of Agios Ioannis Beach is fairly quiet, Mykonos Town is just 15 minutes away on the bus, which runs frequently. Review of Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort.9. Panormos Village – Panormos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 25182
Friendly hotel with a split-level infinity pool perched above Panormos Beach. A few spacious rooms sleep up to 4 guests, including the luxurious Executive Suites (1-bedroom suite with a private pool and contemporary Mykonian architecture) and the Family and Superior Apartments (affordable 1-bedroom suites with kitchenettes). Their low-key Greek-Mediterranean restaurant serves a wonderful buffet breakfast each morning, while local dishes are served all day. Arrival and departure transfer is included.10. AGL Luxury Villas – Agios Lazaros, near Psarou Beach
Hotel phone: +30 21280 63333
Ten luxury villas make up this private retreat in set on the cliffs between Ornos and Psarou Beaches. Villas offer ample space, ranging from 120 to 180 square meters, all with private, outdoor infinity pools (heated on request), terraces with dining tables, a minimum of two full kitchens, a washer and dryer, and dedicated parking. Villas sleep anywhere from six to sixteen guests with three to eight bedrooms and up to fourteen bathrooms; top-tier villas add outdoor jacuzzis or hammams. Ultra-private and ultra-secure, the villa collection has 24-hour security, a gated entrance, a private path to the beach, and its own pier and helipad. The concierge team specializes in arranging bespoke experiences with plenty of options nearby for families, including snorkeling, farm visits, family cooking classes, kayaking, go-karting, and more.11. Semeli Hotel – Chora (Mykonos Town)
Hotel phone: +30 22890 27466
Awesome location in the pedestrian zone of Mykonos Town, a 2-minute walk from the shops and restaurants of Mykonos Town. The hotel offers 2 amazing pools (1 heated and 1 cool), 2 fantastic restaurants, plus 24-hour room service. The 3-bedroom Semeli Suite and 2-bedroom Executive Suite (both with jacuzzis) are easily the most luxurious family suites in Chora. Though this is a 5-star hotel, the ambiance is casual and friendly, never too formal. Review of Semeli Hotel.12. Myconian Imperial – Elia Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 79500
Trendy, luxury hotel overlooking Elia Beach with 2 pools and a kids’ pool, a playground, and babysitting on request. The open-plan Grand Executive Suite is the best option for families of 4, with 1 king-sized or 2 twin-sized beds, a sofa bed, and a private pool. Facilities and amenities include 6 restaurants and bars with all-day room service, a complimentary shuttle to Mykonos Town and Elia Beach (where they have a private beach section), wheelchair-accessible rooms, and a full-service spa.13. Nissaki Hotel – Platis Gialos
Hotel phone: +30 2289 027666
Charming boutique hotel with 4 saltwater pools, a cozy spa, and delicious restaurant and bar bites. Suites and villas are all spacious and include indoor or outdoor private jacuzzis; the largest villa sleeps up to 6 with 3-bedrooms and 2-bathrooms. Nissaki is well-located, about a 5-minutes walk both Platis Gialos and Psarou Beaches, near the bus stop for Mykonos Town (running every 30 minutes), and near the water taxi to all the southern beaches as far east as Elia. Review of Nissaki Hotel.14. The Wild by Interni – Kalafati
Hotel phone: +30 22890 72500
Boho-chic hotel with a tiny beach in a protected cove and a heated infinity pool with attached shallow pools. The Wild’s 2-bedroom suites and villas sleep up to 4; the villa and Signature Suite (for 3 guests) offer private plunge pools. The hotel features an excellent Greek taverna, serving authentic dishes in a casual setting; breakfast is always included. Babysitting available. Walkable to Agia Anna Beach 2 and Kalafati Beach for swimming and water sports.15. Casa del Mar – Aleomandra
Hotel phone: +30 22890 26676
Boutique resort on a private beach in serene Aleomandra. Each of the eleven villas boasts a fully equipped kitchen and an ample terrace with an al fresco dining space, many with private infinity pools or jacuzzis. Villas run from two to nine bedrooms and sleep four to 18 guests with baby cots available on request. The breezy Miramar Restaurant serves crowd-pleasing Mediterannean fare all day on the beach or on its seaview terrace (high chairs available). Breakfast is always included. Facilities include a pilates-focused gym, a full-service spa, and an indoor, heated pool.16. Vencia Boutique Hotel – Mykonos Town
Hotel phone: +30 22890 23665
Laid-back luxury hotel with a huge infinity pool overlooking Mykonos Town, the sea, and the windmills. Unlike most hotels on the island who close off their pools in the evenings, Vencia keeps their pool open all day, from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Superior Suites sleep up to four guests with a queen-sized bed, sofabed, and private terrace. The three-bedroom Vencia Villa sleeps six with a separate living room, dining room, full kitchen, and a generous veranda. Karavaki Restaurant offers Greek comfort fare by day with an excellent breakfast included in the room rate. Dining is more gourmet in the evenings but still offers kid-friendly options. Wonderful location on a hillside above town, easy to walk into the village but removed from the noise.17. Mykonos Riviera – Tourlos/New Port
Hotel phone: +30 22890 40100
Refined yet kid-friendly hotel overlooking the marina in Tourlos with a heated, saltwater infinity pool. Suites are spacious, offering up to 3 bedrooms and sleeping 9, all with private, sea view terraces with outdoor jacuzzis or pools (heated on request); the largest villa boasts 8 bedrooms and can easily sleep more than 20. Dining is spectacular at their Lebanese restaurant, all-day Pool Club, and complimentary a la carte breakfast. Perks include an hourly shuttle to Mykonos Town, port transfers, and access to the hammam and sauna at the spa. Review of Mykonos Riviera.18. Mykonos Princess – Agios Stefanos
Hotel phone: +30 22890 23806
Five-star hotel with a pool and rooftop restaurant just a five-minute walk to Agios Stefanos Beach. Junior, Deluxe, and Princess Suites sleep up to three guests; Deluxe and Princess Suites each have private, outdoor jacuzzis. The Traditional Maisonette (with three bedrooms, two bathrooms) and Two-Bedroom Traditional House (two bathrooms) sleep six or seven guests, respectively, both with kitchens and private terraces. Pets are welcome, too, with their own special amenities, such as dog shampoos, beds, and bowls. A decadent la carte breakfast is included in the room rate.19. Cavo Tagoo – Old Port (Mykonos Town)
Hotel phone: +30 22890 20100
Swanky hotel with a stunning pool, spacious suites, and an incredible restaurant and lounge. Suites and villas range from 2-bedrooms and 60 sqm up to 5-bedrooms and 325 sqm, all with private jacuzzis or private pools. Cavo Tagoo sits to the north of the Old Port of Mykonos Town, about 8 minutes away on foot or a 2-minute ride in their complimentary shuttle, which is available 24 hours a day to Mykonos Town, the Airport, or the New Port. Review of Cavo Tagoo.20. Katikies Villas – Elia Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 25182
Polished collection of 1 to 3-bedroom villas overlooking Elia Beach. Each villa offers a private, heated pool, a large sun terrace, an ensuite bathroom for each bedroom, and an outdoor shower and bathtub. Luxury perks include complimentary arrival and departure transfer, complimentary shuttles into Ano Mera village or Elia Beach, and 24-hour in-villa dining. Located near Elia, one of Mykonos’ most relaxed beaches, with a casual restaurant and beach club and a water taxi to the southern beaches.21. Adorno Beach Hotel & Suites – Ornos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 25744
Charming little beachfront hotel with a pool set in an open-air courtyard and served by a friendly bar and restaurant. Maisonettes may have a private jacuzzi or pool, while the Two-Bedroom Suite sits directly on the sand; both of these room types sleep up to four guests with king-sized beds and glass-walled or cave-style showers. The restaurant serves light fare throughout the day, plus a complimentary breakfast buffet highlighting locally-produced fruits, cheeses, pastries, and more. Set on family-friendly Ornos Beach, just steps from the sea, restaurants, beach clubs, the water taxi to the south coast beaches, and the bus to Mykonos Town.22. Votsalaki Boutique Resort – Paradise Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 79743
Family-run, family-friendly Votsalaki offers Family Studios, Superior Apartments, Superior Suites, and Villas that sleep up to six guests. All include sea-view balconies and some add private plunge pools or semi-private sharing pools. Family Studios add kitchenettes, while Superior Apartments and Villas have full kitchens. The main infinity pool features all-day food and beverage service. Kid-centric perks include a shallow baby pool and a small playground. Ideally located just a short walk from Paradise Beach, the bus to Mykonos Town, and a handful of restaurants.23. Palladium Hotel – Platis Gialos
Hotel phone: +30 22890 25926
Beautiful hotel with a nice pool, large family rooms, great views, and good rates. The beaches of Psarou and Platis Gialos are a 5-minute walk down the hill. Getting back up can be a little steep for some, which is why the Palladium is such a good value (rates need to be a little cheaper than the hotels right on the beach). The bus to Mykonos Town stops directly outside the hotel and the ride to town takes 10 minutes.24. Salty Houses – Kalo Livadi
Hotel phone: +30 22890 72421
Homey small hotel just a short walk from calm Loulos Beach and the restaurants and beach clubs on trendy Kalo Livadi Beach. Facilities include a kidney-shaped infinity pool, a creative Greek restaurant, and pool bar open until midnight. All seven of its apartments offer full kitchens, private terraces, and sea views. The Two-Bedroom Apartment and Grande House sleep up to five guests; the Grande House adds a private pool and barbeque. The bus toward Mykonos Town (via traditional Ano Mera village) is only 500 meters away, though renting a car makes it much easier to explore the island from here.25. Kouros Boutique Hotel – Mykonos Town
Hotel phone: +30 21280 25381
Stylish boutique hotel with two pools and a spa in a fantastic location just north of the Old Port. Suites and connecting rooms sleep four to six guests and include private balconies and sea views; some add private, outdoor jacuzzis, plunge pools, or swimming pools. Wine tastings and cooking classes are on offer at their modern Greek restaurant, Narcissus, which also serves poolside refreshments and in-room dining until midnight. Babysitting is available on request.26. Grace Mykonos – Agios Stefanos
Hotel phone: +30 22890 20000
Wonderful hotel above Agios Stefanos Beach with a Mediterranean restaurant, pool, spa, and gym. Spacious Junior Suites and Family Suites (either can be booked with or without private plunge pools) and sleeping 3 or 4 guests, respectively. Amenities include 24-hour reception, 24-hour room service, kids’ menus in the restaurant, babysitting on request, and a la carte breakfast served in the restaurant or directly to the suites.27. Mykonos Cactus – Ornos
Hotel phone: +30 22890 28478
Chic boutique hotel with a sun-drenched pool and a shaded, poolside snack bar. Family Junior Suites and Executive Suites sleep up to four with one king-sized bed and a sofa bed. Both suite types offer private terraces and walk-in showers; Executive Suites add an outdoor jacuzzi. A complimentary, American-style buffet breakfast is on offer daily from 8 to 11 a.m. with light bites and drinks served until 10:30 p.m. Well-situated just a 5-minute walk to Ornos Beach with golden sand and great restaurants, about a 5-minute walk to Korfos Beach for kitesurfing, and about a 10-minute walk to the water taxi connecting the southern beaches and the bus to Mykonos Town.28. Petinos Beach Hotel – Platis Gialos
Hotel phone: +30 22890 22913
Beautiful hotel with a nice pool located right on Platis Gialos beach. Family suites have 1 double bed and 2 sofa beds, all with stunning sea views Complimentary breakfast is served at their restaurant on the beach. Perks include 24-hour room service, babysitting on request, and complimentary arrival and departure transfer. Their sister property Petinos Hotel is just a few meters back from the beach and offers great value rooms and suites with access to all of the luxury facilities here.29. Yakinthos Residence – Panormos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 29183
Family-run boutique hotel with a homey feel, offering a sea-view pool, complimentary breakfast served to each room, and free arrival and departure transfers (though a car rental is strongly recommended for the area). Spacious 1 and 2-bedroom suites boast full kitchens, private terraces, and views to Panormos Bay. Panormos Beach, an organized beach with restaurants and beach service, is only a 10-minute walk away, while the unspoiled Agios Sostis Beach and the amazing Kiki’s Tavern is a 30-minute walk away (or a 5-minute drive).30. Erato Hotel – Ornos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 22890 23961
Family-owned and operated, midrange hotel in a lush garden on a walking path to Ornos Beach. Junior Suites (for three guests) and Family Suites (for four guests) include small yet fully-equipped kitchens, bathtubs, and sea views. An excellent buffet breakfast is served every morning on the spacious, shaded terrace; light snacks and drinks are on offer throughout the day at the lobby bar. Currently run by the second generation of the family, the owner, Ms. Zouganeli, grew up spending every summer here in the hotel built by her father. Questions are answered and recommendations are offered up from an island insider with all the warmth, care, and attention that epitomizes Greek hospitality.31. Bay Bees Sea View Suites & Homes – Platis Gialos Beach
Hotel phone: +30 21033 06012
Wonderful apartments and suites, ranging from studios up to 3-bedroom homes, all with fully-equipped kitchens (for stays of 3 or more nights, they will stock it up with food) and private terraces with sea or garden views. Though these are self-service units, the property offers daily maid service, babysitting on request, and welcome wine and fruits. The hotel is just a 2-minute walk to family-friendly Platis Gialos Beach, lined with restaurants and beach clubs, and about 5 minutes walk to the bus for Mykonos Town.32. Mykonos Town Suites – Chora (Mykonos Town)
Hotel phone: +30 21033 06012
Fantastic studio, 1, and 2-bedroom apartments all with private terraces and either full kitchens or kitchenettes. Kids’ amenities (baby cots, high chairs, etc.) are available on request free of charge. Though these are self-service units, they do offer daily maid service and round-the-clock assistance and concierge services. This urban oasis is set in a quiet but central quarter of Chora (Mykonos Town) known as Fournakia (little oven) and is accessible to everything yet peaceful inside its gates and gardens.33. Carbonaki Hotel – Mykonos Town
Hotel phone: +30 22890 24124
Family-run, pet-friendly hotel with a jacuzzi and complimentary breakfast. Their wide range of room types suits all budgets and sleeps up to 4; wheelchair-accessible rooms are available with wider doors and specialized showers. Friendly, welcoming, kind, and cozy.
I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on 
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.