Guide to Greece with kids: Greek islands to cities

With 227 inhabited islands to explore and one of the world’s most ancient cities (just for starters), you could happily spend a lifetime discovering Greece with kids.

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Hugely family-friendly, with wonderful coast, unspoiled countryside, fantastic food and the chance to pack several destinations into one easy trip, I’ve been back over and over again with my daughter.

So if you’re wondering where to begin your family travel to the country, this guide to Greece with kids gives you ideas on planning a family holiday in Greece, ideas for a city break or an island hop, when to go, where to stay and more.

Practical info

Getting to Greece

There are 15 international airports in Greece. Only 5 of these are in mainland Greece, while the rest are located on the Greek Islands. A further 20 regional airports run domestic flights which help connect the lesser-visited regions and smaller islands.

Many low-cost carriers have direct flights from European destinations to Greece and the Greek Islands.

If you’re coming from outside of Europe, most national airlines only fly to Athens airport (ATH). Flights to other regions and the islands will include a connection in a larger city such as Athens, London, or Paris.

When to go 

Greece is tempting no matter what time of year you decide to visit. The best weather in Greece is from April to November, and you can expect to enjoy sunny days and very little rain wherever you visit in the country during this time. 

During peak summer, temperatures in Greece can soar to 35C+. This is great if you’re relaxing on a beach on a Greek island (just remember to apply plenty of sunscreen) – but not ideal for exploring cities and wandering around ancient ruins.

Avoid visiting Athens in August unless you enjoy heatstroke… and huge crowds.

The shoulder months of April, May, September, and October are the best times to visit Greece for warm but bearable weather and smaller tourist crowds, so this is ideal if you’re heading to any of the Greek cities or planning lots of sightseeing.

However, the Easter weekend can get particularly busy, and prices go through the roof over this period – bear in mind that this is celebrated according to the Greek Orthodox calendar, and is usually slightly later than in the rest of western Europe, although the Easter holidays based on the western calendar are busy too.

During the winter, you can explore the ancient sites of Athens without the crowds (ideal if you’re visiting Athens with a baby or younger kids. Or head down to the more southerly Greek islands such as Crete, Kos or Rhodes for some of the mildest winter climates in the Mediterranean.

It won’t quite be sunbathing and swimming weather, but it will be warm enough for sightseeing. There’s also more open on these larger islands during the off-season than on the smaller islands that close down after most tourists leave towards the end of October.

What to see

From the world-famous archaeological sites, including Unesco World Heritage sites and ancient ruins of Athens to the beautiful white sand beaches and luxury holiday resorts of the Greek islands, there’s certainly no shortage of fantastic things to see and do all across Greece.

And while Greece is best known for its ancient cities and beautiful beaches, 80% of the country is covered in mountains so it’s even a great destination for hiking holidays.

Fancy an island break? The country includes 6,000 beautiful islands and islets, although only 227 of these are inhabited.

Plus of course, more history than you can shake an ancient artefact at: not just the Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens, you can find more ancient history at Knossos on Crete, on Delos near Mykonos, on Kos, as well as elsewhere on the mainland such as Sparta (although finding ancient Spartans is just one of the things to do in Sparta, Greece).

To start you off, below is a brief introduction to the major cities, regions, and island groups, and their highlights.

City/Region	Highlights
Athens	Capital City, The Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Parthenon, Temples and Ancient Ruins
Thessaloniki	Ottoman White Tower, Roman Forum and Palace, Byzantine Churches
Halkidiki	Beautiful Beaches, Seaside Resorts, Watersports, the nearby island of Ammouliani Greece
Peloponnese	Ancient Olympia, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Archaeological Sites
Epirus	Parga, Mountains, Hiking, Beaches
Ionian Islands	Corfu, Kefalonia, Paxos, Zante, White Sand Beaches
The Cyclades	Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Luxury Hotels and Resorts, Nightlife
Dodecanese Islands	Rhodes, Kos, Karpathos, Medieval Architecture
Crete	Heraklion, Minoan Palace of Knossos, Beaches, Food and Wine
Sporades Islands	Skiathos, National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades
Saronic Islands	Salamina, Hydra, Aegina, Póros

Where to go in Greece with kids

The question isn’t really where to go in Greece with kids, it’s where to go first… If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve picked out some of the highlights, plus my travel tips on visiting Greece with kids, and lots more detail in all the posts I’ve published from our travels. Click through to read more about each location.

Island hopping in Greece

One of the best options for a Greece trip is being able to hop around the Aegean Sea and Ionian Sea, spending some time on the small islands as well as the better-known destinations.

13 reasons to go island hopping in Greece with kids

Island hopping in Greece – itineraries for the Ionian islands and Cyclades

Athens

There’s no bad age to visit the capital of Greece, but if you’ve got older children or your kids love Greek mythology, it’s a fantastic family city break.

As well as the Unesco World Heritage site of the Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museum, plus other ancient temples like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, you’ll find quirky street art, great Greek food and plenty more to keep the whole family entertained.

The best things to do in Athens with kids

Visiting Athens with a baby – a 2-day Athens itinerary

Review – an Acropolis tour with kids (and why tour guides are a great idea)

Review – a street art tour of Athens with kids

Review – Athens4 hotel with kids

Review – Acro Urban Suites aparthotel

Thessaloniki & Halkidiki

Greece’s second city is much more compact than the capital, with a laid-back vibe that makes it easy to explore as a family. You’ll find historic sites here too, including day trips to Vergina, where Alexander the Great’s father is buried, and it’s also easy to combine with the sandy beaches of Halkidiki.

The best things to do in Thessaloniki with kids including ideas if you’re planning a day trip from the city

Where to stay in Halkidiki – my Cora Hotel review with kids

Ionian islands

The Ionian Islands include some of the best Greek islands for younger kids (although just as good with older kids), you’ll find plenty of direct flights to the larger islands including Corfu, Kefalonia and Zakynthos (Zante), with Venetian history, sandy beaches, and lots of family attractions – plus one of the shortest flight times from the UK to any of the Greek islands.

The best things to do in Kefalonia with kids

Visiting Kefalonia’s Melissani Cave with kids

The best beaches in Kefalonia with kids

The best Kefalonia boat trips with kids

The best things to do in Corfu Town with kids

One day in Corfu – lost and found

Sporades

These northern islands include Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos, and Skyros – Skopelos is best known as the filming location for Mamma Mia, while Skiathos is ideal for a relaxed break; this is somewhere to take a boat tour, relax on a beach and wander the lanes of Skiathos Town. The islands are also known for their crystal-clear waters.

The best things to do in Skiathos with kids – including our favourite boat trip

Dodecanese

Not far from Turkey, the Dodecanese include some of the most southerly Greek islands, so they’re a great option if you’re looking for sun outside peak season, and include some of the best islands for families.

Rhodes is one of my favourites, although there’s also lots for families in Kos, which we teamed with picturesque Symi – as laid-back as you could hope after a few busy days exploring.

The best things to do in Kos with kids

The best things to do in Rhodes with kids

Tips for visiting the Acropolis of Lindos with kids

Gennadi Grand Resort – my review

Crete

The largest island in Greece, you need more than one visit to try to explore the whole of Crete – this is somewhere which has ancient sites like the palace of Knossos, but also several water parks, the pink sand of Elafonissi Beach, the picturesque old town of Chania and Rethymno, the former leper colony of Spinalonga, hiking in mountain gorges, sandy beaches and lots of family attractions.

The best things to do in Crete with kids

Visiting Knossos with kids – tips on exploring the ancient Minoan palace

The best things to do in Heraklion with kids

Elafonisi Beach with kids – discovering Crete’s pink sand beach

North Aegean islands

Less visited than many of the other Greek Islands, the North Aegean islands aren’t such a cohesive group as some of the others. Samos is one of the best if you love history (or maths!), birthplace of Pythagoras, and home to Unesco World Heritage Site the Pythagoreion and the Heraion of Samos, which includes an ancient aqueduct. Or we had a great day on Chios as part of a cruise, one of the smaller islands that’s got plenty of quirky character.

One day in Chios

Cyclades

Some of the most popular Greek islands for families, you’ll find the beach clubs of Mykonos (with the ancient temples of Delos nearby), the glamorous caldera of Santorini, but also a string of smaller and quieter islands – Folegandros is ideal if you want a taste of traditional life.

During my first Greek island hop, I stopped at Paros and Naxos as well, which both sit happily in the Goldilocks zone – not too big, not too small, not too busy, not too quiet, but there are plenty of others to tempt, such as Amorgos, Tinos, Sifnos, Milos, even Ios (which, despite its party island reputation, still has plenty for families).

Travelling within Greece

The best way to travel around the Greek mainland is by road. Greece’s rail network is extremely limited and will only take you between the main cities. 

If you prefer not to drive, the country’s extensive bus network is operated by KTEL and connects most cities, towns, and major attractions. Buses in Greece are modern, comfortable, and affordable, and you can buy tickets at the stations or on board.

Alternatively, hiring a car for your family trip gives you more freedom to travel at your own pace and visit off-the-beaten-path locations – especially if you’re travelling with young kids.

Car hire is fairly cheap and roads are easy enough to navigate if you’re planning day trips – in Kos, it was cheaper to hire a car for the day than two taxi journeys to the nearest major town. UK license holders don’t need an International Drivers Permit to drive in Greece.

If you’re planning to hire a car to explore Greece with kids, one of my favourite sites is Zest Car Rental which I used for our trip to Rhodes

If you’re just looking for an airport transfer to one of the major Greek cities, or don’t need a car for every day, check out Welcome Pickups which we’ve used in Athens.

For hopping around the Greek Islands, boat is the most popular way to travel – there’s always somewhere new to discover just a ferry ride away. The Ferryhopper website is a good way to compare routes and prices; it’s well worth checking the different options as some popular routes will have fast ferries which can take half the time of slower ones, which is handy if you’re travelling with young children (or easily bored ones).

Pedestrian and car ferries connect the mainland with many of the islands, and regularly run between the islands. The farther away islands can be reached by overnight ferry or regional planes.

Flight resources 

Skyscanner is the website I tend to start with to compare rates for my flights, as it’s easy to see which routes are cheapest and which airlines are available (although I’d normally recommend booking direct).

Money-saving tip: Don’t input any dates to scan the best available times to go OR simply input ‘Greece’ instead of a specific airport – you may get a much cheaper flight if you can be flexible!

For more ways to save on a city break with kids, check out my top tips

Accommodation resources

When I travel, I often prefer to book a villa to give me plenty of space while exploring Greece with kids, as well as all the facilities including a kitchen which makes life easier on family holidays (although you’re missing out if you don’t visit a few local tavernas).

Check out Plumguide, which has a range of accommodation that’s been individually vetted, and which you can filter if you’re travelling with babies or kids, including some great places to stay in Athens with kids.

For a luxury villa stay, companies like Top Villas.has properties across Greece, including the mainland as well as the islands.

There are some great hotels to choose in Greece with kids too – we’ve stayed at the lovely all-inclusive Ikos Dassia in Corfu as well as the luxurious Elivi Skiathos and Lagas Aegean Village in Kos, plus Cora Hotel in Halkidiki. You can also find well-known family-friendly accommodation such as Sani Resort in Halkidiki.

Or check out some of the big package holiday operators like TUI which has a mix of self-catering apartments in Greece right up to all-inclusive hotels.

Jet2Holidays also has a range of places to stay in Greece with kids, including accommodation on several different islands and flights included.

For standard hotel stays, Booking.com usually offers some good deals, including free cancellation, or check out hotels.com.

Safety tips

Greece is generally a very safe destination to visit. Crimes against tourists are extremely low and the country is welcoming towards families.

Petty crimes such as pickpocketing sometimes occur in busier destinations like Athens. Take basic precautions and look after your belongings, especially when walking through crowded areas, visiting touristy landmarks, and travelling on the metro.

There have been some recent reports of minor scams against tourists at beach resorts on the Greek Islands, such as overcharging at restaurants.

To avoid scams, do your research in advance, look for menu prices before sitting down, and check the bill before paying.

Money saving tips

Greece has shifted from a budget backpacking spot to a luxury holiday destination over the last few decades. But there are still ways you can save money on your trip.

• Visit during off-season to save on flights and accommodation.
• Get off-the-beaten-path rather than heading to popular tourist destinations.
• Generally, the mainland is cheaper than the Greek Islands.
• When island-hopping, book the older, slower (sometimes overnight) ferries rather than the high-speed catamarans and hydrofoils.
• Opt for Gyros and other tasty street foods rather than eating at expensive restaurants.
• Find free activities to do, such as relaxing on the string of family friendly beaches or hiking.

For more tips on ways to save on a city break with kids, including city passes and finding cheap (or free) tours, check out this post.

Packing for Greece

If you’re visiting Greece during the scorching summer months, make sure to pack sunscreen, aftersun, sun hats, and water bottles. Unless you want to return home with a family of lobsters that is! Ultrasun is my go-to as you only need to apply it once a day.

Loose, lightweight clothing will be your best friend on sticky, humid days, although if you’re visiting in shoulder season, it’s worth including a lightweight umbrella.

When swapping between the mountains and beaches in some regions of Greece, layers are a must. Temperatures can change significantly depending on the terrain and time of day.

And definitely don’t forget your camera. The ancient ruins and beautiful whitewashed island towns make fantastic backdrops for family photos. 

Check out my complete family holiday travel planner here, including packing lists and more

Book list

Lonely Planet guides are always my favourite starting point – the Lonely Planet Guide to Greece covers the whole country or try the Pocket Athens guide if you’re visiting the capital.

If you’re likely to be exploring historic sites, there are also some great books for kids on Ancient Greece to bring the ancient stones to life, including So You Think You’ve Got It Bad? A Kid’s Life in Ancient Greece, while the Horrible Histories range includes Groovy Greeks.

My daughter also has this gorgeous Usborne Book of Greek Myths, perfect for kids who love tales of gods, heroes and monsters.

For more ideas of the best kids’ books about Greece, check out my top picks

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Boat at Skiathos/Symi/Lagas Aegean Village/Issos beach copyright MummyTravels, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos

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