Best Greek Islands for Families: Naxos, Ios, Santorini trip

Planning a family trip to the Greek islands sounds dreamy until you start researching. Suddenly you're worried about rocky beaches that hurt little feet, cliff-edge villages with no railings, ferry schedules that clash with nap times, and restaurants that close at 11pm when your toddler finally decides they're hungry.

I get it. Traveling with kids requires a different kind of planning. The islands that work for couples or backpackers aren't always the best choice when you've got children in tow.

The good news? Greece is incredibly family-friendly. Greeks adore children—your kids will be fussed over, fed extra portions, and welcomed everywhere. And several islands have exactly what families need: shallow sandy beaches, resorts with pools and kids' clubs, activities beyond beach time, and the infrastructure to make traveling with little ones actually enjoyable.

Here are the best Greek islands for families—tested, vetted, and recommended by parents who've done it.

Quick Answer: Best Greek Islands for Families

In a hurry? Here's the short version:

Best overall for families: Naxos – Shallow sandy beaches, affordable, authentic Greek experience

Best for resort facilities: Rhodes or Corfu – Family resorts with pools, kids' clubs, all-inclusive options

Best for variety and adventure: Crete – Everything from water parks to ancient ruins to incredible beaches

Best for nature-loving families: Kefalonia – Dramatic scenery, caves, boat trips, sea turtles

Read on for the full breakdown of each island.

What Makes a Greek Island Family-Friendly?

Before diving into specific islands, here's what I look for when recommending islands for families:

Sandy beaches with shallow water. This is non-negotiable with small kids. Many Greek beaches are pebbly with steep drop-offs—beautiful but not ideal for toddlers. The best family islands have long stretches of sand where kids can wade safely.

Good accommodation options. Family rooms, apartments with kitchens, resorts with pools—you need more than a romantic cave hotel. Bonus points for kids' clubs and babysitting services.

Things to do beyond the beach. Kids get bored. Water parks, boat trips, ancient ruins they can climb on, animal encounters—variety keeps everyone happy.

Practical infrastructure. Pharmacies, supermarkets, pediatricians, highchairs in restaurants. The boring stuff that matters when you're traveling with children.

Reasonable travel logistics. Long ferry journeys with restless kids are nobody's idea of fun. Easy access matters.

Greek hospitality toward children. This exists everywhere in Greece, but some islands have more family-oriented tourism infrastructure than others.

With those criteria in mind, here are the best Greek islands for families:

The 6 Best Greek Islands for Families

1. Naxos – The Best All-Around Family Island

Why families love it: Naxos tops nearly every "best Greek islands for families" list, and for good reason. It has the best beaches in the Cyclades for children—we're talking kilometers of golden sand with water so shallow that toddlers can wade out seemingly forever.

If I could recommend only ONE island for a family trip to Greece, it would be Naxos every time.

The beaches (this is the main event):

Agios Prokopios and Plaka Beach are the stars. Imagine 4+ kilometers of uninterrupted golden sand, crystal-clear turquoise water that stays knee-deep for ages, and natural cedar trees providing shade. These are legitimately among the best beaches in Greece—and they happen to be perfect for kids.

Other family-friendly beaches:

Agia Anna – Organized beach with sunbeds, tavernas, calm water
Mikri Vigla – Slightly windier (great for older kids wanting to try windsurfing)
Kastraki – Long, often emptier, excellent for families wanting space

Beyond the beach:

The Portara – The massive marble gateway is impressive for kids and easy to explore
Mountain villages – Halki has a great playground and ice cream shops; Apiranthos feels like stepping back in time
Horseback riding – Several stables offer family rides along the beach
Kitesurfing/windsurfing lessons – For older kids and teens at Mikri Vigla
Cooking classes – Family-friendly options where kids can make Greek dishes

Accommodation:

Naxos has excellent family accommodation at every budget level. You'll find apartments with kitchens (essential for picky eaters), family rooms in hotels, and some resorts with pools. The area around Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna has the best concentration of family-friendly stays.

Top family hotel picks:

Naxos Resort Beach Hotel – Beachfront, pool, family rooms
Galaxy Hotel – Great pool, close to Agios Georgios beach, playground nearby
Kavos Boutique Hotel Naxos – Stunning pool, family suites, excellent breakfast

The practical stuff:

Getting there: Direct ferries from Athens (4-6 hours) or connecting flights via Athens
Getting around: Rent a car for maximum flexibility. Roads are good, parking is easy.
Budget: Significantly cheaper than Santorini or Mykonos. Great value for families.

Best ages: All ages, but especially good for toddlers through age 10 thanks to those incredible shallow beaches.

The catch: Limited nightlife (which might be a plus with kids). Less "glamorous" than Santorini—no caldera views or cave hotels. But most families consider these features, not bugs.

Find family hotels in Naxos

Book a Naxos family sailing trip

2. Crete – The Island That Has Everything for Families

Why families love it: Crete is Greece's largest island, and it has literally everything a family could want: world-class beaches, ancient ruins, water parks, aquariums, gorges to hike, boat trips, and enough variety to keep everyone entertained for weeks.

If your family gets bored easily or you have kids of different ages with different interests, Crete is your answer.

The beaches:

Crete has beaches for every family situation:

Elafonissi – The famous pink-sand lagoon with Caribbean-like shallow water. Kids can wade forever. Bucket-list material that happens to be family-perfect.
Balos – Even more dramatic lagoon (boat trip recommended with kids—the hike down is tough)
Falassarna – Wide golden sand beach, good facilities, excellent for sandcastle building
Marathi Beach – Near Chania, calm and organized, perfect for young children
Elounda area – Calm, clear water, upscale resorts with kids' facilities

Kid-friendly activities:

This is where Crete really shines:

Knossos Palace – Ancient Minoan ruins that kids find genuinely fascinating (the Minotaur lived here!)
Cretaquarium – Excellent aquarium near Heraklion with Mediterranean marine life
Water parks – Acqua Plus (near Hersonissos), Watercity, Limnoupolis
Samaria Gorge – For older kids/teens who can handle the 16km hike
Boat trips – Glass-bottom boats, pirate ships, trips to Balos lagoon
Horseback riding – Multiple stables across the island
Cretan cooking classes – Family-friendly options in Chania and Heraklion

Accommodation:

Crete has the best family resort infrastructure in Greece. You'll find:

All-inclusive resorts with kids' clubs, multiple pools, entertainment
Family apartments and villas with kitchens and private pools
Beachfront hotels with direct beach access

Top family resort areas:

Elounda – Luxury family resorts, calm water, upscale vibe
Rethymno – Beautiful old town plus sandy beach, great balance
Chania region – Prettiest town, access to west coast beaches
Hersonissos/Malia – Most family resorts, water parks, but more touristy

Find family resorts in Crete

The practical stuff:

Getting there: Direct flights to Heraklion or Chania from most European cities
Getting around: You NEED a car. Crete is huge. Book child seats in advance.
Budget: Wide range—from budget apartments to luxury resorts

Best ages: All ages. Toddlers love the shallow beaches; older kids enjoy the activities and ruins; teens appreciate the variety.

The catch: Crete is BIG. Driving between highlights takes real time (Chania to Elafonissi is 75+ minutes on winding roads). You can't see everything. Pick a region and explore it properly rather than rushing around.

Book an Elafonissi family day trip

Rent a car in Crete (book child seats)

3. Rhodes – Best for Family Resorts and History

Why families love it: Rhodes offers something special: a UNESCO World Heritage medieval town that kids actually find fascinating, plus excellent beaches and well-developed family resort infrastructure. It's history meets beach holiday in the best way.

The east coast of Rhodes is lined with family-friendly resorts, many offering all-inclusive packages with kids' clubs, pools, and entertainment. If you want a "set up camp and relax" family holiday with organized activities, Rhodes delivers.

The beaches:

Rhodes has over 40 beaches. The best for families:

Tsambika Beach – The family beach of Rhodes: golden sand, shallow water, sunbeds, lifeguards, water sports for older kids
Faliraki Beach – Long sandy beach, tons of facilities, water park nearby
Lindos Beach – Beautiful setting beneath the Acropolis, but can be crowded
Agathi Beach – Quieter golden sand beach, very family-friendly
Kallithea Springs – Unique setting with natural coves, calm water

Kid-friendly activities:

Rhodes Old Town – Kids love exploring the medieval walls, moats, and castle-like streets. It's like walking through a storybook.
Lindos Acropolis – Ancient ruins atop a dramatic cliff (donkey rides up for tired legs!)
Faliraki Water Park – One of Europe's largest water parks
Rhodes Aquarium – Small but charming, built into a historic building
Valley of the Butterflies – Seasonal butterfly sanctuary (June-September)
Boat trips – Day trips to Symi (one of Greece's prettiest islands)

Accommodation:

Rhodes has excellent family resort infrastructure:

All-inclusive resorts along the east coast (Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos area)
Kids' clubs are common at larger resorts
Multiple pools including children's pools
Family apartments in Rhodes Town and Lindos

Top family areas:

Kolymbia – Quieter, family-focused resorts, Tsambika Beach nearby
Faliraki – Maximum facilities and activities, can be touristy
Lindos area – Beautiful but busier, smaller beaches
Rhodes Town – Great for exploring, beach less impressive

Find family resorts in Rhodes

The practical stuff:

Getting there: Direct flights from most European cities
Getting around: Rent a car or use resort shuttles. East coast is well-connected.
Budget: Good range of options from budget to luxury

Best ages: All ages, but the medieval town and water park make it especially good for ages 5-12.

The catch: The east coast can feel resort-heavy and less "authentically Greek." If you want traditional village life, explore the west coast or interior. Rhodes is also far from the Cyclades, so don't try to combine it with Santorini/Mykonos.

Book a Rhodes family boat trip to Symi

4. Corfu – The Green, Easy-Access Option

Why families love it: Corfu is different from the Cyclades—lush, green, with Venetian architecture and Italian influences. It's also incredibly easy to reach with direct flights from all over Europe, making it ideal for families who want to minimize travel hassle.

The island has a good mix of developed resort areas (for those wanting facilities) and quieter villages (for those seeking authenticity).

The beaches:

Corfu's beaches vary by coast:

East coast (calmer, family-friendly):

Dassia – Sandy, shallow, well-organized, water sports
Barbati – Pebble but beautiful, calm water
Ipsos – Long beach with facilities, good for older kids

West coast (more dramatic, can be windier):

Paleokastritsa – Multiple bays with clear water, boat trips to caves
Glyfada – Sandy beach with cliffs, sunbeds, lifeguards
Sidari – Famous Canal d'Amour rock formations, sandy areas for kids

North coast:

Roda – Long sandy beach, shallow water, very family-friendly

Kid-friendly activities:

Corfu Town – Explore the Venetian old town, fortresses, cricket ground (really!)
Aqualand Water Park – Large water park with slides for all ages
Boat trips – Glass-bottom boats, trips to Paxos island
Achilleion Palace – Sissi of Austria's palace with gardens kids enjoy
Corfu Donkey Rescue – Meet rescued donkeys (kids love it)

Accommodation:

Corfu has diverse family options:

All-inclusive resorts in the developed areas (Dassia, Gouvia, Sidari)
Family villas throughout the island
Apartments in Corfu Town or villages

Find family hotels in Corfu

The practical stuff:

Getting there: Direct flights from most European cities (especially UK)
Getting around: Rent a car to explore beyond the resort areas
Budget: Good value, especially compared to Cyclades

Best ages: All ages. The water park and boat trips appeal to school-age kids.

The catch: Some coastal areas are heavily developed with package tourism. The west coast can be windy. Less "quintessentially Greek" than the Cyclades due to Italian influences.

5. Kefalonia – Best for Nature-Loving Families

Why families love it: Kefalonia is the choice for families who love nature, adventure, and dramatic scenery. The beaches are spectacular (Myrtos is world-famous), and there are caves to explore, boat trips to take, and even sea turtle spotting opportunities.

This is Captain Corelli's Mandolin territory—an island of cinematic beauty that older kids and nature-loving families will appreciate.

The beaches:

Myrtos Beach – One of the best beaches in Greece. Dramatic white pebbles, turquoise water, towering cliffs. WARNING: steep drop-off and strong currents make it less suitable for small children.
Xi Beach – Unique red-orange sand, shallow water, perfect for families with young kids
Skala Beach – Long sandy beach, very shallow, lifeguards, facilities
Antisamos – Beautiful pebble beach, calm water, great for snorkeling with older kids
Makris Gialos & Platis Gialos – Sandy beaches near Argostoli with facilities

Kid-friendly activities:

Melissani Cave – A magical boat ride through a partially collapsed cave with sunlight streaming through. Kids are mesmerized.
Drogarati Cave – Impressive stalactites and stalagmites
Sea turtle boat trips – Spot Caretta caretta turtles in Argostoli harbor (they come to be fed!)
Boat trips – To Ithaca (Odysseus's island) or around the dramatic coastline
Robola wine tasting – Parents enjoy the wine; kids enjoy the vineyard running space

Accommodation:

Kefalonia is less developed than Rhodes or Corfu—fewer mega-resorts, more villas and apartments:

Family villas with private pools (excellent options)
Small family hotels in Skala, Lassi, and Sami
Apartments in Fiskardo (beautiful but pricier)

Top family areas:

Skala – Best family beach, quieter, family-focused
Lassi – Near Argostoli, good beaches, some resort facilities
Sami – Near the caves, good base for exploration

Find family accommodation in Kefalonia

The practical stuff:

Getting there: Direct flights from UK and some European cities, or ferry from Zakynthos/Patras
Getting around: Car essential. Roads are winding but scenic.
Budget: Mid-range. Good value compared to Cyclades.

Best ages: Ages 5+ (toddlers might struggle with the pebble beaches and cave logistics). Perfect for nature-loving families with school-age children.

The catch: Fewer resort facilities than Rhodes or Crete. Many beaches are pebbles (bring water shoes). Myrtos, while beautiful, isn't suitable for small children due to currents.

Book a Kefalonia cave and beach tour

6. Skiathos – Small Island, Maximum Beaches

Why families love it: Skiathos packs over 60 beaches onto one small island. You're never far from a beautiful beach, and the pine forests meeting the sea create a unique, green atmosphere different from the arid Cyclades.

The beaches are excellent, the island is easy to navigate, and the lush scenery makes it feel like a relaxed family getaway.

The beaches:

Koukounaries – The famous one: golden sand backed by a protected pine forest. Regularly voted best beach in Greece. Shallow, safe, with facilities.
Banana Beach (Krassa) – Good for families, some sections quieter
Vromolimnos – Water sports available, good for older kids
Agia Eleni – Quieter, natural shade from pine trees

Kid-friendly activities:

Beach hopping by bus – The island bus stops at most beaches, making it easy
Boat trips – To Lalaria Beach (boat-access only, dramatic white pebbles) or around the island
Walking trails – Through the pine forests
Skiathos Town – Charming port with ice cream shops and boat watching
Skopelos day trip – Visit the Mamma Mia! island

Accommodation:

Family hotels around Koukounaries and Troulos
Apartments in Skiathos Town
Small resorts with pools and facilities

Find family hotels in Skiathos

The practical stuff:

Getting there: Direct flights from some European cities or ferry from Volos
Getting around: Bus service is good; car useful for flexibility
Budget: Mid-range

Best ages: All ages. The many beaches and easy logistics make it stress-free with kids.

The catch: Small island, so less variety in activities beyond beaches. Can feel busy in peak summer. Not in the Cyclades, so harder to combine with Santorini/Mykonos.

Quick Comparison: Family Islands at a Glance

Island

Best Family Beaches

Resort Facilities

Kid Activities

Budget

Best Ages

Naxos

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐

€€

All ages

Crete

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

€€-€€€

All ages

Rhodes

⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐

€€-€€€

All ages

Corfu

⭐⭐⭐⭐

€€

All ages

Kefalonia

⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐⭐

€€

Skiathos

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

⭐⭐⭐

€€-€€€

All ages

Tips for Traveling to Greek Islands with Kids

Book accommodation with kitchens. Picky eaters, late-night hunger, and the cost of eating out three times a day—having a kitchen saves money and sanity.

Bring water shoes. Many Greek beaches have pebbles or rocky entries. A €10 pair of water shoes makes a huge difference for little feet.

Rent a car. With car seats pre-booked. Buses exist but having your own wheels with kids is infinitely easier.

Embrace Greek timing. Greeks eat dinner late (9pm+). Restaurants are happy to serve earlier, but don't stress if your schedule shifts. Greeks adore children and won't mind a late dinner with a sleepy toddler.

Pack sun protection seriously. Greek summer sun is intense. High SPF, hats, rash guards for swimming—protect those little shoulders.

Book ferries carefully. Long ferry rides with restless kids are challenging. Fly when possible, or book faster catamarans over slow ferries.

Lower your expectations for "sightseeing." Ancient ruins in 35°C heat with a whining toddler isn't fun. Pick one cultural activity per day maximum, and spend the rest at the beach or pool.

Sample Family Itineraries

7 Days: Easy Family Beach Holiday

Days 1-7: Naxos
- Stay near Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna
- Mix beach days with village exploration and the Portara
- Simple, relaxing, perfect for young families

10 Days: Crete Family Adventure

Days 1-4: Chania region (old town, Elafonissi, Falassarna)
Days 5-7: Rethymno (old town, nearby beaches, Arkadi Monastery)
Days 8-10: Heraklion region (Knossos, Cretaquarium, Watercity)

7 Days: Classic Cyclades with Kids

Days 1-2: Athens (Acropolis, Plaka, ice cream)
Days 3-7: Naxos (beaches, villages, relaxation)

Final Verdict: Which Island for Your Family?

Here's my honest recommendation:

For young children (under 5): Naxos. Those shallow beaches are unbeatable with toddlers.

For families wanting resort facilities: Rhodes or Crete. Kids' clubs, pools, all-inclusive options.

For adventure-loving families: Kefalonia. Caves, nature, dramatic scenery.

For maximum variety: Crete. Whatever your family needs, Crete has it.

For easy access from UK/Europe: Corfu or Rhodes. Tons of direct flights.

For more detailed information, check out my guides to the best Greek islands to visit and where to go in Greece for first-time visitors.

And if you're planning your family trip, our Greece trip planning quiz can help match you with your perfect island.

Whatever you choose, your kids are going to love Greece. The beaches, the food, the friendly locals who'll pinch their cheeks and sneak them extra dessert—it's a family destination that delivers.

Start planning your family Greek island adventure

Last updated: January 2026