Ultimate Guide to Crete with Kids

Crete is the largest island in Greece with a huge amount of family friendly things to do, places to stay and some of the most gorgeous beaches in Europe. Being one of the furthest South of the islands make it an ideal year round destination. Read on to discover how to plan for your next trip to Crete with kids and why it makes the best Greek holiday destination.

If you’re looking for something specific feel free to jump to that section from the table of contents below. Otherwise scroll through and start planning!

Crete with kids overview

Family holidays are special, having time a way from daily life is so valuable and a great way to bond. So the destination you choose is super important. Greece has always been one of my top places to visit, I love the weather, the people and the history. Plus the fact that it’s a pretty short flight from the UK. Crete is one of the best Greek islands you can visit with kids. It’s huge meaning there’s loads to do and pretty popular so you can find great accommodation all over the island.

Is Crete good for families?

Absolutely! I would go so far as to say that whatever your kids are interested in, they’ll find something to entertain them. Avid readers will love the opportunities to visit the origins of all the Greek legends they’ve discovered. Active kids will get excited by the many waterparks and water-sports on offer. And mini shopaholics will love exploring the charming towns and cities.

The food is delicious, the hotels are super family friendly and the people are welcoming to all ages.

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Where to stay in Crete with kids

Best areas in Crete for families

First up you need to decide where to base yourselves. Crete is big and you don’t want to spend your whole holiday driving from one attraction to the next. That said, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed whichever end of the island you end up on. One of the main factors to help your decision will be where you fly into. This will either be Chania to the West or Heraklion further East. Obviously if you’re arriving by ferry you’ll have more choice.

I think Chania is by far the prettiest, it’s full of interesting architecture, close to some stunning beaches like Elafonisi and Balos, water parks and great hiking at the Samira Gorge.

Rethymnon is another great region to choose which is about halfway between Heraklion and Chania. It has small, friendly villages great hiking opportunities and some of the quieter beaches on the island. Panormos is a great little resort town which is the perfect place to stay near Rethymnon.

Being the Capital of Crete if you opt to stay around Heraklion you’ll find loads of family friendly things to do. There’s theme parks, water parks, archeological sites and of course the busy city centre. Being fairly central along the North coast means heraklion is in a good spot for exploring all over Crete.

Agios Nikolaos is another fantastic tourist resort about an hour East of Heraklion. it has plenty of entertainment, bars and restaurants and some absolutely gorgeous beaches. It’s right next to another of Cretes most famous resorts, Elounda. This is where you’ll find many of the 5 star family hotels and is probably your best bet if your just looking to relax while the kids play in the pool or kids club.

Best family resorts in Crete

All inclusive hotels are a popular choice for families looking for somewhere to stay in Crete. They can be a great value way to stay on the island cutting down the need to budget for dinners, drinks and never ending requests for snacks. There seems to be a hotel for every budget.

Luxury all inclusive Crete

My favourite luxury all inclusive hotel in Crete is the Mitsis Rinela. It’s an absolutely stunning hotel about 20 minutes outside of Heraklion. It’s brilliantly set up for kids with family rooms of all sizes, two pools, a kids club, kids friendly entertainment, a private beach and all day snacks. The hotel has several A La Carte restaurants you can book into so you wont be fighting the hoards at the buffet each day. This luxury does come with a price but I absolutely think its worth it.

Check prices for your stay at the Mitsis Rinela.

Mid Range all inclusive Crete

Kiani Beach

A great mid range all inclusive hotel near Chania is the Kiani Beach resort. Whilst it doesn’t have all the luxurious perks of the Mitsis it is still a beautiful hotel with a fantastic beachfront location. It has both indoor and outdoor pools, a kids play area, onsite donkey rides and face painting, family friendly entertainment, an onsite shop and kids club.

Check prices for your stay at the Kiani Beach Resort.

Kalyves Beach

Just down the road from the Kiani beach is its sister hotel, The Kalyves Beach Resort. This one is even better value but still a fun hotel to stay in Crete with kids. Located in a small, traditional Cretan village this hotel has a lovely stretch of sand to play on. It has nightly family friendly entertainment, a playground, mini disco and donkey rides.

Check prices for your stay at the Kalyves Beach Resort.

Rental or hotel?

Sometimes it’s good to have more space for yourselves when traveling with kids. Rented villa can be a great option. They will give you the freedom to eat and drink whenever and whatever you want and you’ll have more space to relax once you’ve got the kids to bed. If you’re traveling as a large family or extended group a luxury villa can prove to be great value for money.

Check out these great rentals in Crete on VRBO.

Things to do in Crete with kids

If you just want to spend your days lazing on a beach or relaxing with a book at your hotel pool whilst the kids have fun in a kids club then of course do that. We all need a break sometimes and a holiday somewhere hot is the perfect opportunity to rest a recharge. But if you do fancy getting out and exploring, there are heaps of things to do in Crete with kids.

Hit the beach

Crete is known to have some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. What makes them even better is the ease to which they can be discovered. Pretty much wherever you end up staying, you’ll be a short walk to a sandy shore. You don’t need to be too prescriptive, just follow your nose and you’re sure to find a charming beach but if you want one with more family friendly facilities I’ve listed a few of my favourites below.

Best beaches in Crete for families

Almyros Beach in Agios Nikolaos makes a great choice for a day at the beach with kids. The sand is soft and the sea is warm and shallow. There are plenty of restaurants lining the sand for lunch and tourist shops within a short walk should you need to grab a bucket and spade or beach towel.

10km west of Chania is Platanias beach. It’s located in a busy resort so there’s always plenty going on. This is a popular beach for families due to its nearby family friendly hotels and restaurants. You can hire sunbeds and umbrellas for the day whilst the kids play in the shallow water.

We love Elounda Beach, it has to be one of the cleanest and prettiest on the whole of Crete. It is in a very well sheltered bay overlooking Spinalonga island. The whole town feels very laid back with plenty of bars and restaurants near the beach. There’s a small play area, some charming stone windmills and plenty of soft white sand.

On the far West of the island Elafonissi is Cretes most famous pink sand beach and will charm the socks of all ages. Set in a nature reserve backed by a shallow lagoon it’s a great spot for a swim or paddle. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas here over the summer months but there is not much else to do at this beach.

Agia Pelagia is another fab beach resort located to the West of Heraklion. It’s a fairly narrow stretch of sand which is bordered by some great restaurants and mid range hotels. During the summer months the sunbeds and umbrellas can feel like they take over the whole of the beach but walk all the way to the end and you’ll find some space. The beach is well sheltered from the wind and a popular place to try watersports and diving.

Discover the origins of Greek myth and legend

Crete is full of fascinating history. Being Europes first literate civilisation it’s a fantastic place to understand early society. The most popular archeological sites in Crete is the Minoan Palace of Knossos near Heraklion. Legend has it this was home to King Minos and his minotaur. There’s also Diktean Cave, the birthplace of Zeus and Phaistos which was once the second largest Minoan city.

Another fun and family friendly way to learn more about Minoan Culture is to head to a theme park. Labyrinth amusement park is based on Minoan history with mazes, quad bikes, mini golf, a farm, miniature village and an eco garden. The kids will learn heaps without even realising it!

Towns and cities to explore in Crete

Chania is the second largest town in Crete and for me, a visit to its stunning Venetian port is an absolute must do. It’s my favourite town to explore in Crete and the architecture will blow you away. Kids will love the walk along the harbour wall to the lighthouse and grown ups can recover with a cold glass of wine at one of the many restaurants overlooking the port. Discover more things to see and do in Chania, Crete to understand why I love it so much.

Located to the East, Agios Nikolaos is well worth a visit during your stay in Crete. There are plenty of brilliant things to do in Agios Nikolaos from lazing on it’s gorgeous beaches to exploring the pretty harbour area. There’s a fun folklore museum which is an interesting place to spend an hour learning about the local area.

Crete’s capital city Heraklion is also a must visit. It’s home to Koules fort which dates back to the 16th century and some stunning Venetian architecture around the port area. Kids will love the main town square which is always buzzing and a great place for people watching. It’s the location of the most amazing ice cream shop which is bound to keep the kids happy. Little ones will also love the earthquake simulator at the Natural history museum, it’s seriously cool! Check out all the best things to do in Heraklion here.

For somewhere that feels a bit more off the beaten path, head to Sissi which is a charming fishing village halfway between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. There’s not too much to do here apart from cliff walks and lazy lunches but it really is super pretty. You can read my guide to Sissi, Crete to learn more.

Take a hike

But it’s not all beaches and Greek mythology, Crete is home to four mountain ranges. These are snowcapped in winter – even through to spring and covered in wildflowers from Easter. A day hiking the mountains and gorges offer a fantastic alternative to the beach. The breathtaking Gorge of Samaria is one of the most popular hikes to attempt in Spring and summer. At ten miles long this is the longest gorge in Europe it’s pretty challenging with kids. But active little ones should manage it fine but do factor in around 8 hours to complete.

Learn about the origins of the local food

Whilst a trip to an olive oil farm might not sound like fun, it really is in Crete. Plus its a great way to give the kids an understanding of where food comes from. Fun fact – it’s thought that the oldest olive tree in the world is in Crete! You could also book into a Cretan cooking class to learn a new skill to take home with you.

Shelter from the rain in a museum

If the weather is less than perfect then there are still plenty of indoor activities in Crete that the kids will love. Creteaquarium, Planet Crete and Dinosauria park are all located very close to each other in Gournes, around 25 minutes drive from Heraklion. If you have a day full of rain, this is a great place to base yourselves with kids. Most of the main cities have museums dedicated to the archeology and history of Crete. There’s the folklore museum in Agios Nikolaos, the Natural History museum in Heraklion and the Maritime Museum in Chania.

Cool down in a waterpark

Surely all kids love waterparks, they make for a fun day away from the beach and Crete is home to several. Aqua water park near Malia is probably the largest and has plenty of thrill slides plus an excellent lazy river. It’s also home to a lovely garden full of Cretan flowers. There’s also Limnoupolis Water Park near Chania which has plenty of high adrenaline rides, a crazy river and a separate kids pool. Both of these waterparks are open from May until October.

Day trips from Crete for families

Although I’m sure you will find plenty to do actually on the island, if you do fancy escaping on a day trip there are loads to choose from.

Chrissi Island

15 km south of Crete is the deserted island of Chrissi. It has crystal clear waters which are perfect for snorkeling and white sandy beaches bordered by ancient trees. The whole island is a protected nature reserve and home to a huge amount of plants and animals. You may even spot seals and sea turtles during your visit. This is the place to visit for beauty and relaxation, you’ll find toilets, beds and a small beach bar for drinks and snacks.

Pre-book your tour to Chrissi Island

Spinalonga Island

Visiting the site of an ancient leper colony doesn’t sound like fun but I promise you the kids will love it! Located just off Elounda Bay, Spinalonga was home to the last leper colony in Europe. It only closed in 1957!  Even if you’re not that interested in leper colonies the views to and from the island are stunning and the ancient buildings fascination to explore.

Prebook your tour to Spinalonga

Dia Island

Another stunning uninhabited island to visit near Crete is Dia. Located 6 miles off the north coast it is full of protected wildlife and plants. There’s very little to do here apart from swim in the sheltered bays and relax on the sand to take in the view. The real fun is getting here. A half day sailing trip will be a magical experience the whole family will remember forever. You can fish, snorkle and enjoy a fresh meal. Sailing time is around an hour each way. Day trips from Crete for families don’t get much better than this!

Pre-book your tour to Dia Island 

Where to eat in Crete with kids

Food in Crete is fresh, delicious, local and pretty healthy. It’s a diet rich in seafood, fresh herbs and colourful veg. there are millions of olive trees on Crete so olive oil forms a large part of the diet.

If you’re staying in an all inclusive hotel you’ll likely dine there and please do make sure you try some of the local dishes. If you are heading out for dinner then opt for a local tavern that looks popular with locals. This way you can try some gorgeous Greek food and help support the local economy. Even the pickiest of kids will find something they like. Grilled meat is pretty plain and most dishes will come with a side of fries or hunks of fresh bread.

Most of the larger towns and resorts will have fast food brands the kids recognise from home if you get really stuck.

Shopping in Crete

I always try to save space in my suitcase for locally produced goods I can’t find at home. My favourite things to buy in Crete are boho style dresses for my daughter and I, bottles of local olive oil and jars of thyme honey for gift hampers and leather goods from the craftsmen in Chania.

Some of the larger resorts will have streets full of knock off goods and cheap clothes and toys from China. These aren’t really worth purchasing but if you need a bucket and spade or jumper if it gets cold they’re useful to have.

If you’re self catering you’ll find it super easy to source fresh food to prepare. There are large supermarkets on the outskirts of every town and food markets for fresh produce all over the island. Make should you visit an independent bakery for fresh bread and baked goods. You can create a whole meal from these alone.

How to get to Crete

Crete has two international airports, Chania in the North West and Heraklion further East. Both service all the European low cost airlines and offer some long haul flights. If you’re visiting from Athens you can also fly in to Sitia on the Eastern tip. Flying from the USA you’ll need a connection at another large European city. I always use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights. I love that you can see all the prices for each day so you can plane the best price for within a date range.

If you’re arriving from elsewhere in Greece, there are also 5 ferry ports spread along the Northern coast. You can use these to hop around the islands or head across to the mainland. Crete to Athens on a ferry can take around ten hours but it is a good option if you’d like to travel overnight as you can book a cabin.

Getting around Crete with kids

Crete has a decent public bus system which links all the main resorts and towns. If you want to explore some hidden beaches and head off the beaten track you’ll need to hire a car. This isn’t too expensive and offers you a lot more freedom which is great when traveling with kids. Be careful if you are driving, you’ll often find herds of sheep and goats crossing roads, especially if you head inland.

Have a look at Discover Cars to find one to suit your party.

How long to spend on Crete with kids

If you want to explore the whole of Crete you’ll probably need over a week. It’s a large island with the top sightseeing spots pretty spread out. If you are just visiting for the sun and a hotel break then a week will be more than enough but if you only have a few days on the island I would recommend picking just one town and staying around there. I think you could easily spend two weeks on Crete and still not see everything.

What to pack to visit Crete with kids

Firstly, don’t stress too much over your packing for Crete. You will be able to buy pretty much everything you need on the island. Including nappies, formula, wipes and baby food.

Water shoes and rash vests are a good idea as some beaches can be pretty rocky and you’ll worry less about constantly apply suncream as the kids are in and out of the pool. We always take a bottle of our preferred suncream as Piper is allergic to most others and it’s best to be safe. We also take branded over the counter medicines like calpol and piriton in case we can’t get it over there plus a mosquito repellent we know suits her skin.

I always recommend taking extra power packs to keep phones, ipads and consoles charged to entertain the kids. Plus several adapter sockets for charging in your room.

Definitely take some warmer clothes for the evenings, especially if your traveling in shoulder season. It can get surprisingly chilly even when the days are sunny.

Make sure you have everyones passports, double, double check they are all in date. We always take photocopies of these as well – just incase!And be sure to take any medical prescriptions just in case.

When to visit Crete with kids

Crete is one of the few Greek islands which has a year round tourist seasons. Whilst some of the smaller tourist resorts close up over the winter months, most resorts and attraction stay open all year. As do most restaurants and hotels. The weather is also good all year, winter rarely drops below 12 degrees and it reaches around 27 in summer.

The European summer holidays (July and August) are by far the busiest months with hotel rates and occupancy skyrocketing. I like to visit either in the May half term or the October half term. Both of these offer pretty warm weather meaning you will be able to swim in the sea and outdoor pools but it’s a bit cheap and better value for money.

How to stay safe in Crete with kids

We found Crete to be pretty safe although we did have something stolen from our check in bag at the airport coming home. Pickpocketing in the busy cities are probably going to be your biggest concern so just keep your valuables close in a money belt or something similar.

Obviously keep a very close eye on your kids in the sea or hotel pools. Make sure they drink plenty of water and wear a hat. Apply suncream consistently throughout the day or make sure you’re all covered up. And make sure you have a valid Global Health Insurance Card for everyone in your family as well as good travel insurance.

In all the main tourist areas you’ll find doctors and pharmacies, all who speak good English. If you’re struggling to find one, the Greek word for doctor is “Giatros” for pharmacy it is “farmacia” and for hospital it is “Nosokomio”. There are hospitals in the major cities and health centres in smaller ones.

Good to know

The currency on Crete is Euros and you’ll find ATMS all over the island. Most places do take card although a lot of local businesses will prefer cash. The official language is Greek although we found that most people spoke good English. Most roadsigns will be in Greek and English.

The emergency number on Crete is 112 as with everywhere in the EU.

If you’re visiting Crete as part of a tour of Greece then make sure you read my post on things to do in Halkidiki with kids. Another gorgeous spot on the mainland near Thessaloniki airport.