Which is the best Greek Island for families?

Holidaying with tiny tourists who have big opinions? The Greek Islands wear out the most energetic toddlers and appease even the most temperamental teens. Greece is a long-standing favourite for family holidays – short flights, sunshine, kid-friendly food and a warm welcome wherever you go...

Crete: Best for families who want it all

If you’re sleep deprived and in demand, visit Crete on repeat. Greece’s biggest island has everything to distract the kids so you can mentally tune out for a while. With Blue Flag beaches, postcard-perfect harbours and aquatic adventures it earns a well deserved spot on our family favourite list. Crete will also take you all beyond the beach, bringing back to life centuries old Minoan civilisations and underwater ruins. Hotels with kids’ clubs give you ‘me’ time and the island’s bounties give you together time; strolling past candy-colored houses, sampling honey and cheese in tiny tavernas, and swimming in waters as blue as peacock feathers.

Popular areas: Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Hersonissos

Highlights: Knossos Palace, Waterparks, boat trips

Favourite Kuoni stays: Daios Cove, Amirandes, A Grecotel Resort to Live

Rhodes: Best for beach days and a side of history

Every day’s a beach day in Rhodes. If it’s your first holiday as a family and you’re feeling apprehensive, this is your island. You’ve got the security of Blue Flag beaches where you confidently introduce chubby little toes to warm shallow waters but also swish hotels where you can stay tucked up with fancy facilities if you prefer...

Top areas: Lindos, Faliraki

Highlights: Butterfly Valley, Waterparks, Boat trips

Favourite Kuoni stay: Grecotel LUXME Dama Dama, LUX ME Resort

Corfu: Best for little legs and lazy days

If you’ve watched or read The Durrells together, you must visit Corfu. This green as a parrot island is packed with olive and cypress trees and has over 50 fab beaches up its sleeve...

Top areas: Dassia, Paleokastritsa

Highlights: Calm coves, Short transfers, Quiet family-friendly resorts, Boat trips

Favourite Kuoni stays: Grecotel LUXME Costa Botanica, Ikos Dassia

Kos: Best for keeping it simple

Flat and compact Kos is the island where cycling is second nature. Come with the pushchair or hire a cargo bike and bundle everyone in for easygoing sightseeing with a side of palm trees and salty air...

Top areas: Psalidi, Kefalos

Highlights: Cycling paths, Family beach resorts, Lots to see and do

Favourite Kuoni stays: Grecotel LUXME Kos, Ikos Aria

Skiathos: Best for beach-hopping and nature-loving families

Skiathos, low-key, laid-back and lush, is a way better than average picturesque escape. This tiny treat of an island just off of southern Greece comes with plenty of outdoorsy diversions...

Top areas: Kanapitsa, Koukounaries

Highlights: Pine-backed beaches, Boat trips, Easy pace

Favourite Kuoni stay: Princess Resort Skiathos

Beyond the islands: Halkidiki & Athens

Halkidiki: Fly-and-flop holidays with all the perks. Families are lured to the northern end of mainland Greece for sunny shores and shallow waters...

Favourite Kuoni stays: Eagles Palace, Sani Club

Athens: Best for a history hit before the beach. The holiday they’ll be obsessing over long after they get back? Ancient Athenian views and the brilliant beaches you’ll find on every Greek island...

Favourite Kuoni stay: Cape Sounio, A Grecotel Resort To Live

What about Santorini & Mykonos?

You might want to save spellbinding Santorini and Mykonos for love story moments and self discovery solo trips. While it’s possible to visit with children, they’re generally better suited to adults or older teens.

Family travel tips

• Best time to go: May–Oct (July–Aug hottest, June and Sept are great with kids)

• Flight times: 3–4 hours

• Book early for best room options (interconnecting, family suites)

• Look for resorts with kids’ clubs, shaded pools, family dining, bespoke kids’ menus, creches, babysitting services and experiences you can do together

• Book with us and we can help arrange private transfers, baby equipment and family extras

This feature was updated on 4th June 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.