Greek islands with kids: family island hopping

There’s only one real drawback to visiting the Greek islands with kids. Deciding which island to choose! My daughter has already been to six, I’ve been to at least half a dozen more and we’ve still barely scratched the surface of the 227 inhabited islands.

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That’s not even considering the rest of the 6,000 uninhabited Greek islands – although they make for some very tempting day trips, whether that’s a return visit to ancient Delos, just off Mykonos, or sailing to secluded coves for a swim and relax on the beach.

For equally indecisive island-lovers, the solution is – of course – a Greek island hop. I took ferries around the Cyclades and Crete with my best friend after university, a rather swankier cruise with my husband which stopped at Mykonos and Chios a decade ago, and a mini island hop between Kos and Symi with my then four-year-old.

But the dream has to be having your own boat and choosing your own route. As I can’t sail at all, that means a crewed yacht charter in Greece is my best option (and a very indulgent one) with someone else to do the work as I enjoy exploring.

Because with more than 9,000 miles of coastline to explore around Greece, it’s hugely tempting to head off to the Ionian or Aegean sea and sail from island to island.

With extras like watersports gear and bikes sometimes included in charters, and someone to help arrange your food and drink provisions before you set sail, these can also be a fantastic luxury option for bigger families or groups who want to explore together too.

Having taken a full-day boat trip from Skiathos to Skopelos on a previous holiday, we got a brief taste of what life aboard might be like – cruising gently across the deep blue of the Aegean to little bays accessible only by boat, the clear water gleaming turquoise in the sun.

Check out my complete guide to Greece with kids here

Lounging in the sun with a book was broken up by swimming to the beach and venturing into sea caves to snorkel, plus delicious Greek mezze and fish, washed down with ice cold white wine.

For a longer trip, we could voyage further, stopping at some of the brightly picturesque harbours of islands big and small, discovering more tiny islets where only the wild rabbits would watch us swim, or little beaches which somehow all seem to have a taverna with seafood feasts costing surprisingly little.

Plus someone else would be doing all the work of sailing (although perhaps I could pick up a few tips along the way too), so all I’d need to think about was what fun was planned next.

Which brings me back to my original quandary… where to choose? I’ve picked out some of the Greek islands I’d most love to visit on my fantasy sailing holiday, with two family-friendly ideas for itineraries.

Greek islands with kids: The Ionian Islands

With gentle winds, calm seas and some glorious sunshine, the Ionian islands would be perfect with younger kids – not to mention direct flights with low-cost airlines into Corfu.

We spent a few days exploring Corfu during our visit in 2018 but I’d love to see the wilder north coast of the island, including the forests and the endless olive groves – perhaps even spot some of the filming locations from the TV show The Durrells.

Then sail on to Paxos and Antipaxos. The latter is the smallest of the Ionian islands, just two miles square with fewer than 100 inhabitants – and some spectacularly clear water, including its most famous, Emerald Bay, and pretty Voutoumi beach.

Paxos is bigger, although still far from huge. In Greek mythology it was here that Poseidon spirited away Amphitrite, after the god of the sea broke the land off from Corfu with his trident.

Far less drama there these days, with more olive groves, peaceful seaside ports including Gaios and Lakka, and little coves, especially the white sand Vrika beach.

With two weeks to spare, we could even venture down to Lefkas (or Lefkada). A busier contrast to quieter Paxos and Antipaxos, there are restaurants galore in the old town at Lefkas Town and a castle, restored by the Venetians to wander around.

Porto Katsiki is the most famous beach – and arriving by boat would mean we could skip the 99 steps down (and more importantly back up) – but the idea of a dip at the Dimossari Waterfalls near Nidri is tempting too.

The island is also known for its wines, and the Lefkaditiki winery is only around five miles from Nidri as well.

Or perhaps, I could head back to Kefalonia – starting in Lefkas instead of Corfu and heading into the South Ionian islands.

Stopping off at mountainous Kalamos, known for its sunsets, and the empty beaches of unspoiled Kastos along the way, we could moor at pretty Fiskardo and wander the streets of the fishing village before heading to the east coast, and the traditional Greek town of Sami with a return to Melissani Lake and a chance to relax on one of the best beaches in Kefalonia with kids.

There would even be time to stop off at Ithaca island as well or Meganisi, not far from Kalamos, with a tavern in almost every bay. Or a day trip to the mainland and the ancient Greek ruins near Palairos.

Greek islands with kids: The Cyclades

These islands are some of the most popular in Greece for a reason – and it’s not just glamorous Santorini and Mykonos that tempts people.

With higher temperatures in summer, but also stronger winds (the meltemi), it’s a good one to visit at May half-term with kids, and also a good place to make the most of having a skippered charter, unless you’re an experienced sailor.

Most people start in Mykonos or Paros (unless you sail from Lavrion on the mainland, about half an hour from Athens airport), so I could retrace my footsteps from previous trips.

But with 24 inhabited islands in the group, I’d like to venture somewhere new. I’ve still never seen the sunset from Santorini – and it’s more child-friendly than you might expect, particularly with older kids.

One island which caught my eye is Folegandros – it might be small, but it packs in everything you dream about when you think of a family holiday in Greece.

White and blue buildings with splashes of bougainvillea? Yep. Incredibly clear sea lined with little coves. Lots of it. A traditional way of life and laid-back atmosphere – in spades. How many places can you see octopus hanging out to dry in the sun, after all?

Heading further west, there’s Milos, which has the largest number of beaches in the Cyclades (you can never have too many) with dramatic rock formations and towering cliffs on this volcanic island.

As the centre is a major site for mining, a boat trip around the coast – and a stop at the Roman Theatre, where the Venus de Milo was discovered- would top my list over a long stay.

Or perhaps finishing up at Sifnos, known for its beautiful ceramics (I have a weakness for these as souvenirs) and its food. As I’ve barely had a meal I didn’t love in Greece, that sounds distinctly tempting.

Fortunately, it also has a reputation as being great for walking, with nearly 100km of marked trails – including (happily) short walks. But if I need to walk off all that fabulous Greek cuisine, a wander between villages and old monasteries sounds ideal.

And that’s before I sit down with my trusty Lonely Planet guide to the Greek Islands and start eyeing up the Dodecanese, the Saronic islands, the Sporades… So many ideas for trips to Greek islands with kids, so few school holidays!

Check out my complete guide to Greece with kids here

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own including the belief that you can never get tired of the Greek Islands. 

Girl on boat/Corfu image copyright Mummytravels, all others courtesy Depositphotos

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