The Greek Islands for families complete guide with beaches, activities and practical tips

When talking about holidays in Greece with children, people often think only of sea and relaxation. In reality, the Greek islands offer so much more: adventure, culture, unspoilt nature, genuine gastronomy and a tradition of hospitality that makes every family feel at home. In this guide, you will find an in-depth journey through the 4 islands most suitable for travelling with children, each one different, each one special, each one able to create memories that last forever.

1. Rhodes the island of the sun

Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese and is located in the south-eastern corner of the Aegean Sea, almost a stone’s throw from Turkey. Its position gives it an extremely stable climate, with long, warm summers and a spring that already smells like the sea. It is famous for being “the island of the sun”, and not by chance: the island enjoys more than 300 days of good weather a year, a precious detail when travelling with family.

Rhodes is one of the best-connected Greek islands:

• Direct flights from May to October.

• Connections via Athens all year round.

• Ferries from Athens (Piraeus port) or from other Dodecanese islands such as Kos, Symi, Karpathos, Kastellorizo.

For families, flying is always the most convenient choice: Diagoras Airport is modern and close to the main resorts.

Rhodes is a magical mix of landscapes: golden dunes, secret bays, cool pine forests, ancient medieval villages, archaeological sites and a rural inland scented with honey and citrus trees. In the north you’ll find the busiest areas, while the south offers tranquillity, turquoise waters and natural settings perfect for children.

Where to stay

• Kolymbia: tidy, quiet, full of resorts with pools and family rooms.
• Faliraki: perfect if you want activities, things to do with kids, water parks and services.
• Lindos: ideal for those who love the charm of whitewashed villages and sheltered beaches.
• Kiotari & Lardos: peaceful area, with large all-inclusive hotels perfect for little ones.

What to do

Children never get bored in Rhodes:

• Rhodes Aquarium: ideal for windy days.
• Butterfly Valley: a nature trail with little bridges and streams.
• Lindos: the climb to the Acropolis feels like travelling back in time.
• Medieval Old Town: walls, towers and alleys that feel like a fairy tale.
• Faliraki WaterPark: slides and pools for all ages.
• Excursion to Symi: an experience that takes your breath away.

The beaches

The best beaches for families are:

• Tsambika: fine sand, calm sea, shallow water.
• Ladiko & Anthony Quinn: perfect for snorkelling.
• Lindos Beach: protected, crystal clear, no waves.
• Agathi: sandy bottom and warm waters.
• Glystra: ideal for babies and toddlers.

Activities

• pedal boats, canoes, SUP
• glass-bottom boat trips
• snorkelling lessons and first dives
• mini trekking in the Seven Springs Valley

Local specialities

• pita gyros
• loukoumades (honey fritters)
• pita with tzatziki
• sesame koulouri
• Rhodes honey
• local cheese “krasotiri”
• grilled fish
• meatballs “keftedes”

2. Kos golden beaches for active families

Kos is part of the Dodecanese and lies right in the centre of the south-eastern Aegean. It is close to Turkey and easily reached by sea. The island is wonderful for families: flat, easy to explore, equipped with cycle paths and long beaches perfect for walking by the water even with a stroller.

Reaching it is very simple during summer:

• Direct flights all summer long.
• Connection via Athens all year round.
• Ferries from Piraeus and from nearby islands (Rhodes, Kalymnos, Nisyros, Leros).

“Ippocrates” Airport is small, simple and close to all major areas.

Kos combines sea, plains, traditional villages, cultivated countryside and a varied coastline: fine sand to the north and south, pebble coves to the east, turquoise waters and shallow seabeds everywhere. Perfect for families thanks to its flat morphology, which makes moving around extremely easy.

Where to stay

Best areas for families:

• Tigaki: white sand, family hotels, very shallow water.
• Marmari: peaceful, long, perfect for running and playing.
• Lambi: super convenient for those wanting to stay near Kos Town.
• Kardamena: livelier, but with plenty of family-friendly resorts.

What to do

• Kos is a paradise for dynamic families:
• bike ride along the seafront
• visit to the Asklepieion, the sacred site of ancient medicine
• water parks (Lido Water Park)
• Castle of the Knights
• excursion to Nisyros, where children can see a real volcanic crater
• boat trip to spot dolphins

The beaches

Best family beaches:

• Tigaki: kilometres of shallow water.
• Marmari: golden dunes and absolute peace.
• Paradise Beach: transparent water, soft sand and many water sports.
• Camel Beach: stunning emerald green bay.
• Therma: the most loved natural hot spring.

Activities

• SUP and kayak
• boat trips with snorkelling
• horse riding on the beach
• 4×4 mini safaris for families

Local specialities

• psarosoupa (fish soup)
• dolmadakia
• local cheese “tyrotheri”
• pita gyros
• fresh and crunchy horiatiki

3. Crete the endless island

Crete is the largest Greek island, the southernmost and one of the most diverse in the Mediterranean. A world of its own, where each area feels like a different island. Families love it for the variety of its beaches, excellent cuisine, modern services and countless activities for all ages.

It is also easy to reach:

• Direct flights from Italy to Heraklion and Chania.
• Connection via Athens all year round.
• Ferries from Piraeus.

Crete is a mosaic of landscapes: wild mountains, gorges like Samaria, green plateaus, traditional villages, historic towns, pink beaches, tropical lagoons and quiet bays. Families often choose the north coast for convenience, but those who explore further fall in love with the south even more.

Where to stay

Best areas for families:

• Gouves & Hersonissos: many hotels with pools, entertainment and slides.
• Rethymno: beautiful town, suitable even for families with strollers.
• Agios Nikolaos: wonderful sea and a quiet atmosphere.
• Elounda: high-level resorts with family services.
• Agia Marina: endless beaches.
• Kissamos: strategic for postcard-perfect beaches.

What to do

In Crete there are activities for every family:

• Knossos, the capital of the Minotaur
• Cretaquarium
• Heraklion Museum
• Samaria Gorge (for families with older kids)
• water parks such as: Watercity waterpark, Acqua plus water park, Aqua Creta Limnoupolis water park, Star Beach water park
• Traditional villages such as Kritsa, Archanes, Loutro
• Boat trips to Chrissi Island and Balos

The beaches

Crete has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world:

• Elafonissi: pink sand, shallow waters, ideal for children.
• Falassarna: wide, breezy, natural.
• Balos: Caribbean-style lagoon.
• Stavros: clear and sheltered sea.
• Agios Pavlos: dunes and silence.
• Glika Nera: crystal clear and wild.
• Vai Beach: fine sand, turquoise sea and natural setting.
• Voulisma Beach: golden sand and transparent water.

Activities

• snorkelling
• SUP
• jeep excursions
• educational farms
• Cretan cooking workshops
• small cruises
• interactive museums

Local specialities

Crete has one of the healthiest cuisines in the world:

• dakos
• kalitsounia
• lamb with Cretan herbs
• graviera cheese
• Cretan extra virgin olive oil
• sweet bougatsa for the kids

4. Naxos fairy-tale villages

Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades and lies in the heart of the Aegean, easily reachable from Athens and well connected to islands such as Paros, Mykonos and Santorini. It is considered the most family-friendly island of the Cyclades thanks to its sandy beaches and shallow waters.

How to get there

• Flights with connection in Athens, then domestic flight.
• Flights to Mykonos and then ferry.
• High-speed ferries from Piraeus (3–4 hours).
• Ferries from Paros (30 minutes).

Naxos offers mountains, stone villages, green plateaus, white beaches, authentic settlements and a lively but never chaotic town (Chora). It is an island that keeps the authentic soul of Greece, perfect for families looking for relaxation.

Where to stay

Recommended areas for families:

• Agios Prokopios: turquoise sea, white sand, full services.
• Agia Anna: small, romantic, perfect with little kids.
• Plaka: long and spectacular.
• Mikri Vigla: ideal for sporty families (kite & windsurf).

What to do

Naxos is surprisingly rich in activities:

• Portara, the great portal of the Temple of Apollo
• Venetian castle
• Ancient villages such as Halki, Filoti, Apeiranthos
• Educational farms for children
• Greek cooking lessons
• Snorkelling and SUP
• Boat excursions to Rina Cave
• Day trips to Paros and Mykonos

The beaches

Best family beaches:

• Agios Prokopios: shallow, crystal-clear water.
• Agia Anna: perfect even for babies.
• Plaka: long and natural.
• Kastraki: quiet and safe.
• Mikri Vigla: ideal for sporty kids.

Activities

• snorkelling
• kayak
• mini excursions
• ceramic workshops
• visits to traditional homes
• goat farms

Local specialities

• Naxos PGI potatoes (kids love them!)
• Naxos graviera cheese
• citron, a typical liqueur for adults
• artisan pita
• oven-baked lamb
• sweet galaktoboureko

Rhodes, Kos, Crete and Naxos are four completely different islands, yet all perfect for families. Whether you prefer endless beaches, authentic villages, ancient myths or turquoise lagoons, here you’ll find a world designed for children.

Relaxed holidays, crystal-clear sea, genuine cuisine, culture, nature: this is the real secret of Greece for families.

What are you waiting for? Write to info@meraviglioseisolegreche.com to have a wonderful holiday organised for your whole family.