With literally thousands of Greek islands out there, picking just one for your family holiday can seem overwhelming. Almost everyone you ask will have a different favourite island, and the truth is, with the stunning sea, sunshine and friendly culture, you can’t really go wrong.
We’ve picked out the best places in Greece for families to visit, whether you’re with tiny tots or teens. These five islands each have something unique, but they all share the same mouth-wateringly good food and breathtaking beaches. If you're planning your next getaway, holidays to Greece offer the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and stunning scenery. Get ready to explore!
In collaboration with
Rough Guides
One of the Ionian islands, Corfu is frequently dubbed one of the best places in Greece for families because of its size, amenities and glorious sunshine hours. It’s a great island to hire a car and go off-piste or head on a hilly hike, but it’s also home to pretty towns with a laid-back atmosphere, perfect for just flopping down and enjoying the sun, sea and sand.
Agios Gordios is one of these places, with its sheltered cove dotted with pretty rockpools at one end, backed by dozens of easy-going beach restaurants and hotels where you can literally step from the door onto the sand.
If you do hire a car, a trip to Corfu Town is rewarding, with its pretty marina, museums and forts to explore. If you’re seeking adventure, head to the island’s green north and find gems like the Nymfes Waterfalls and Kassiopi Castle.
Nisaki, Kerasia and Avlaki are all stunning beaches with stony shores and an authentic vibe, or why not head well and truly off the beaten track to the beautifully deserted Gialiskari Beach? If you're planning your stay, exploring the best areas to stay in Corfu can help you find the perfect base to enjoy these coastal gems. In the far northwest, Cape Drastis is a stunning geological formation that’s worth at least an afternoon of your time.
Highlights for kids: Sea, beaches & hidden corners
Highlights for parents: Laid-back vibe, great food
Visiting Crete, you are guaranteed a holiday full of history and adventure. If you're wondering where to stay in Crete, choosing the right base can make all the difference, whether you want to be near ancient ruins, stunning beaches, or lively towns. This is the island where Greek myths and legends really come to life at sites like the mind-boggling Dikteon Cave and the breathtaking Samaria Gorge – the latter’s a good day’s walk, so it’s one for the older, more adventurous kids.
Europe’s oldest civilisation, Knossos, is also located here and is well worth a visit. You’ll see some spectacular palace ruins where kids can really get up close and personal with history, as well as quite a few interactive exhibits and museums.
Beach-wise, you’re spoilt for choice: splash in the lagoons of Elafonisi, dabble in the rockpools at Kato Gouves, or simply soak in the sun and enjoy the impossibly blue, shallow waters at Falasarna. Numerous beaches on the north coast offer watersports in Crete, from windsurfing, sailing and kayaking to paddleboarding, scuba-diving and banana boat rides.
Highlights for kids: Watersports & shallow seas
Highlights for parents: History & culture
Naxos is a green idyll in the Aegean Sea that’s less developed than some of the other islands. It’s one of the best places to go in Greece for families with younger children to swim and enjoy the beaches, as most of the coves boast soft, white sand rather than volcanic rock.
Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna are all easily accessible spots with sheltered sandy bays and crystal-clear waters. Inland, expect sleepy villages with olive groves, monasteries and ancient ruins. It’s a great foodie island too, with tons of local produce and hearty, reasonably priced dishes – gyros and souvlaki are must-try specialities.
There are options for car hire and booking on organised tours here to visit some of the island’s best villages. Agia Anna is a classic seaside town with an old-fashioned look thanks to the low-slung white buildings lining the shore, while further inland, Chalkio, Filoti and Apiranthos feel like a step back in time to a quieter, prettier age. There’s also the Aqua Fun waterpark in the south. While not as large as the waterparks you might be used to, it’s small, pleasant, and has a real family vibe and a low entry fee.
Highlights for kids: Waterpark, beaches, great food
Highlights for parents:Authenticity, quietness, prices
Kos is perhaps less visited than its larger neighbour Rhodes, but that makes it so fantastic for families seeking authenticity, off-the-beaten-track adventures, and trips through the Greek countryside.
Kos Town is a smorgasbord of historical sites, from the Plane Tree of Hippocrates to Roman amphitheatres, ruins and Ottoman temples – not to mention a castle and archaeological museum. The old town is a maze of narrow streets, white buildings and flower-laden balconies, as well as a pretty harbour promenade. When the kids are “cultured out”, you can head to the popular Lambi beach or aptly named Paradiso beach for an afternoon in the sun.
Adventurous activities here range from kitesurfing and paddleboarding to horse riding (along the beach and maybe in the sea – magical). And although birdwatching at Alikes Salt Lake might not sound like your usual family activity, the flamingos living here are enough to tempt anyone to visit, plus there are some dreamy sandy beaches metres away at Tigkaki.
The further south you head, the more stunning the beaches and the scenery get, so it’s worth spending a day or two exploring the glorious hiking trails and ruggedly beautiful bays south of Kefalos.
Highlights for kids: Watersports and flamingos
Highlights for parents: History and hiking
Looking for a destination that will excite the older kids? Paxos is a true hidden gem. It's less frequented than its larger neighbours, with just over 2,000 residents and no international airport.
You can take a day trip from a larger island or catch a boat here and stay for a family getaway like no other. Your ferry arrives in the pint-sized capital of Gaios, where you’ll find pretty streets, authentic restaurants with sunny courtyards and the pebbly but delightful Gianas beach – all within around ten minutes’ walk.
Take a short drive along the coast and stop at any of the tiny, tempting coves with their crystalline waters (Stafiucha, Octopus Beach and Kaki Lagkada to name a few). One of the best ways to explore is on a boat or kayaking excursion, slipping in and out of the gorgeous, deserted bays and caves.
The other two towns here are the lovely and sleepy harbour town of Lakka and enchanting Loggos or Longos, with its quiet beach and colourful houses. And why not pop over to the tiny isle of Antipaxos? With fewer than 50 inhabitants it’s a miniature paradise, encircled by even bluer water than its neighbour and swimming spots to die for.
Highlights for kids: Adventures, caves, kayaking
Highlights for parents: Beaches, peace, authenticity
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