Greece for Families: A Guide to The Best Areas

From watching the sun set over the Acropolis in Athens to building sandcastles on the golden beaches of Naxos, from Instagram-worthy shots of Santorini's blue domes to enough ancient history to sate any knee-high fan of Greek mythology, Greece is the word when it comes to great family holidays for 2025 and beyond.

"For more extreme thrill-seekers, consider an adventure holiday to the Peloponnese and go bungee-jumping into the Corinth Canal or white-water rafting down the Lousios River."

Which Greek island is best for families?

This is the million-dollar question! 

Crete

Bagging some of the best beach resorts in Greece for families, Crete is considered one of the best Greek islands for families of varying ages. With soft sandy beaches, safe shallow waters and plenty of kid-friendly amenities on tap, the resorts of Elafonissi and Balos are great for families with young nippers, who need little more than a bucket and spade to keep them happy. 

For older kids, a Crete family holiday also offers exciting activities such as horse riding, snorkelling tours or a romp around historical sites including the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

Corfu

If it's fun, fun, fun in the sun you're after look no further than Corfu, considered one of the best Greek islands for teenage families. South-east Corfu is packed with lively beach resorts such as Kavos and several water parks to sate teens, while the northern resorts such as Kassiopi are a little quieter and more suitable for kids of all ages.

While it has a reputation as a party island, Mykonos' beautiful sandy beaches, heavenly waters and relaxed vibes makes it another good option for families with older children. 

Santorini

Santorini's dramatic blue domes and spectacular sunsets are always a hit with teenagers who appreciate an Instagram-worthy view.

Kos

Kos is another great choice if you're travelling with older kids and teenagers. Again, offering plenty of sandy beaches, plus ancient ruins such Asklepieion and the Temple of Apollo, and oodles of Grecian charm, it's one of our top 10 Greek islands for families. Closer to the Turkish resort of Bodrum than Athens, Kos' southern Aegean location means it benefits from more sunshine and a longer season, which often runs from early April through to late October.

Paros

Or consider Paros, one of the best Greek islands for a quiet family holiday, dotted with secret beaches, pretty fishing harbours and quaint villages.

Best Places in Greece for Water Sports

Whether you want to sail around the islands, master windsurfing, or simply whizz across the waves on a banana boat, Greece is a paradise for water-sports fans.

Lefkada

Regarded as one of the best sailing spots in Greece, Lefkada, one of the quieter Ionian islands, is a popular destination for sailing families.

Crete

Meanwhile, the biggest and perhaps the very best Greek island for families, Crete teems with water parks, water-sports centres and surf schools. Teenagers can learn to surf in Kokkini Hani, near Heraklion, go windsurfing in Palekastro, or take a scuba-diving course in the crystal-clear waters of Rethymno.

Corfu

And you can't beat a family holiday in Greece with water slides. The five-star Grecotel LUXME Costa Botanica in Corfu has a huge on-site water park. Or with serious flume fans, Corfu is also home to one of the biggest water parks in the world, Aqualand in Agios Ioannis, with more than 50 different water slides, including Double Twisters, Kamikaze and the simply terrifying Black Hole.

Best Places in Greece for History and Culture

Kos

Steeped in ancient Greek and Roman history, Kos is particularly popular with young history buffs. Visit Asclepieion, the ruins of Hippocrates' ancient healing complex, sit under the Plane Tree of Hippocrates, where the father of medicine is said to have taught, and visit the Archaeological Museum of Kos to see millennia-old mosaics and statues of Hermes, Aphrodite and Demetra.

Crete

Or as the largest Greek island, Crete is a great place for lessons in ancient history and Greek culture. Visit the Palace of Knossos, the centre of the Minoan civilisation, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and explore the ancient Minoan sites of Phaistos and Zakros. In the north, you'll find charming coastal towns like Chania and Rethymno, with more Venetian and Ottoman influences.

Rhodes

Rhodes is another of the best Greek islands for families interested in history. Tour Rhodes Town and its Unesco-listed Old Town, packed with medieval charm, visit the Acropolis of Lindos, and explore Asklipio, a village in southern Rhodes famous for its Byzantine church and medieval castle. 

The Best Places in Greece for a Luxury Family Holiday

Halkidiki

Of course, these islands are not short of five-star all-inclusive family resorts. Halkidiki is one of the most sought-after Greece holiday destinations thanks to upmarket resorts such as Sani and Ikos. The Sani Resort has five luxury hotels in one resort, including Sani Beach, Sani Dunes and Porto Sani, each with its own private beach, lagoon-style pools and Michelin-starred dining.

For what is perhaps the ultimate Greece family holiday, all-inclusive resorts Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania are renowned for their swim-up rooms, high-end and family dining options, and plenty of activities including water sports and wellness programmes.

Santorini

Santorini is another hotspot for those looking for a little pampering. Perched on the outskirts of Oia, Domes Novos Santorini is a luxury resort overlooking the Aegean Sea and promises those unforgettable Santorini sunsets. It also has the only dedicated kids' club on the island.

Zante

Over in Zante (Zakynthos), Domes Aulus Zante, Autograph Collection is considered one of the best beach resorts in Greece for families. Children are the VIPs here and can attend Kiepos Crèche or the Kiepos Kids' Club, so parents can kick back and relax in the spa or by one of the many pools. 

Best Places in Greece for Adventure

Crete

Crete is great for trekking – especially through the Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s longest canyons. 

Lefkada

Lefkada is another hotspot for thrill seekers, with plenty of kitesurfing, windsurfing and paragliding on offer, as well as e-fat biking along leafy mountain trails.

Peloponnese

For more extreme thrill-seekers, consider an adventure holiday to the Peloponnese and go bungee-jumping into the Corinth Canal or white-water rafting down the Lousios River.

Paros

If you're looking for adventure a little off the beaten track, consider a family holiday to Paros. This tiny island in the Cyclades goes big on adventure with kite-surfing schools, horse-riding and mountain-bike tours. Alternatively, hop on a catamaran cruise and sail over to Antiparos and explore sea caves or try cliff jumping.

Best Places to Eat in Greece with Kids

Rich lamb kleftiko fragrant with fresh oregano, thick creamy yoghurt drizzled with wild thyme honey, smoky souvlaki served fresh from the grill… Good food accounts for much of the essence of a  Greece family holiday.

Crete

As well as having the best beaches in Greece for families, Crete is a dream for young gourmands. Taste local delights such as kaltsounia (sweet cheese pies), loukoumades (heavenly honey-drenched doughnuts) and fried stuffed courgette blossoms.

Rhodes

Over in Rhodes, those with a sweet tooth will love melekouni, the local sesame and thyme honey bar, while pitaroudia, a Rhodes version of falafel spiced with mint and cumin, is delicious served with creamy tzatziki.

Corfu

Corfu is all about pastitsada, a spicy meat stew, while Naxos is famous for its local cheeses, particularly arseniko and graviera.

Whichever island you choose for your Greece family holiday 2025 or beyond, it's guaranteed to be blessed by the Greek Gods of good food, good fun and plenty of sun.

By Tracey Davies

Read more about Greece family holidays.