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Greece with Kids: Where to Go and How to Plan a Family Trip

ByJessica Lee Updated on

Greece is one of my favorite countries to visit with kids, even if it takes a little more planning than some destinations. The dramatic cliffs, scattered islands, and impossibly blue water are a huge part of its appeal, but they also make getting around more complicated.

I’ve traveled to Greece three times with my children, visiting Athens and six Greek islands through both Mediterranean cruises and an independently planned island-hopping trip. From bringing a baby and toddler to returning with all three kids, here’s what I’ve learned about where to go, how to plan a realistic itinerary, and what to expect along the way.

Jump to: Family fit check, Where to go, Planning to trip, Best time to go, Getting around Greece, Where to stay, Things to do, With a baby or toddler, Tips, FAQs

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Is Greece Good for Families with Kids?

Yes, Greece is a wonderful place for a family vacation. There are beaches, ancient ruins, beautiful villages, delicious food, and plenty to enjoy together without filling your itinerary with kid-specific attractions.

I especially love the variety. One day might mean exploring an archaeological site; another might involve swimming off a boat, wandering a whitewashed village, and settling in for a leisurely outdoor dinner. The food is fresh and simple but so delicious and flavorful, and people have been consistently warm toward our children, even in places like Santorini where I wasn’t sure what to expect.

The tradeoff is that not every destination is easy. Some towns have steep staircases, cliffs, or uneven paths, and traveling between islands can eat into your vacation time. But less convenient doesn’t automatically mean less worthwhile. I would happily travel to Greece with kids again. I’d just be more selective about where we went and how much we tried to fit in.

Where to Go in Greece with Kids

Choosing where to go was probably the hardest part of planning our independent island-hopping trip. I spent countless hours researching and comparing islands, trying to choose the “best” ones for our family. Then I had to work out how to connect them by ferry or flight without spending half the trip in transit. It felt like a giant puzzle!

The best places in Greece for families depend on what you want from your trip. Some islands are especially good for beaches and easy wandering; others reward you with spectacular scenery but require more effort. Here’s how I’d describe the destinations we’ve actually explored with our kids.

Athens with kids

Athens feels nothing like the islands. It’s busy, gritty in places, and not always the easiest city to navigate with young children. But the history is extraordinary, and I appreciated its prettier pockets, especially around Plaka, much more on our second visit.

We’ve explored Athens twice: during a full-day stopover in 2018 and on an overnight stay in 2021. The Acropolis was absolutely worth the effort, while the Panathenaic Stadium was a particular hit because our kids could run on the historic track. I’d consider at least a day or two here if your family enjoys history and city sightseeing.

Our first Athens visit was actually a flight stopover, rather than a separate overnight stay.

Greek islands with kids: Six we’ve visited

Santorini: I’ve visited three times with my kids, and it really is breathtaking. The cliffside villages, white buildings, and caldera views are spectacular, and our kids have loved exploring them. It’s also expensive, steep, and less convenient with little ones. If Santorini is a dream destination, go! If it doesn’t particularly interest you, don’t feel obligated to include it just because you’re visiting Greece.

Naxos: One of my strongest all-around recommendations for families. We spent three nights here and loved its combination of sandy beaches, charming pedestrian streets, history, and relaxed outdoor dining. It offered plenty of interest without every outing feeling like a production.

Milos: My personal favorite for its remarkable landscapes. Our boat excursion around the coast, including the sea caves near Kleftiko, was a highlight, and Sarakiniko’s pale rock formations were unforgettable. Milos takes more planning if you want to explore beyond town, but it’s a fantastic fit for families who love nature and adventures on the water.

Kos: Probably the easiest island we visited with small children, at least in the areas we explored. Kos Town’s flat waterfront, pedestrian areas, and established tourism infrastructure made outings straightforward. It can feel more built-up and touristy than some other islands, but that convenience is useful with young kids.

Mykonos: Charming whitewashed streets, colorful doors, and beautiful photo opportunities, but also very expensive, windy, and known for a party atmosphere. We’ve visited twice on cruise stops. Our family-friendly beach club day was fun, although it wasn’t something I’d make a special trip to Mykonos for.

Corfu: We only had a cruise stop here, so I can’t fairly judge the island as a whole. We did, however, have a fantastic beach day with our baby and toddler.

For a more detailed comparison of which island suits which family, I plan to cover that separately rather than trying to rank every island here.

Other destinations to consider

Crete, Rhodes, and mainland destinations beyond Athens are also worth researching, particularly if you’d prefer to settle into one place rather than move between islands. I haven’t yet explored those with my kids, so I won’t present them as firsthand recommendations.

How to Plan a Family Trip to Greece

Greece rewards a little restraint when you’re putting an itinerary together. You can see several islands on one trip, but every change of destination comes with packing, transfers, and time spent waiting for a ferry or flight.

How many days do you need in Greece with kids?

I’d aim for at least one week, with ten days to two weeks giving you more breathing room if you want to combine destinations.

  • Seven days: Settle into one island, or pair Athens with one conveniently connected island.
  • Ten days: Consider Athens plus one or two islands, depending on the actual connections.
  • Two weeks: Athens and two or three islands can work well if you allow several nights in each place.

These are starting points, not fixed routes. Two islands that look close on a map aren’t always easy to connect on the day you need to travel.

How many Greek islands should you visit?

I’d lean toward fewer islands with longer stays, especially with babies or younger kids. And I say that as someone who didn’t exactly follow this advice!

On our July 2021 trip, I planned Santorini, Naxos, Milos, Athens, and Kos, with Rhodes originally on the itinerary too. We’d barely traveled for more than a year because of COVID, I was pregnant with our third baby, and I knew travel might slow down again. I was eager to make up for lost time and see ALL the things.

I don’t regret the trip. We made incredible memories. But if I planned it today with three kids, I’d probably choose one or two islands and explore them more deeply. Settling into island time instead of always looking at the next departure can be refreshing and restorative.

Independent island hopping vs. a Mediterranean cruise

I’ve done both, and neither is automatically better.

On our 2018 and 2025 Mediterranean cruises, we could visit several Greek destinations while unpacking only once. That convenience is hard to beat with children, especially when you don’t want to organize a new hotel and transfer for every stop.

The downside is limited time in port. On our independent trip, we could enjoy slower mornings, take boat excursions, and see towns in the evenings after day-trippers had left. The atmosphere changes significantly in the pre- and post-cruise passenger and day-tripper rush. But in exchange, I handled every accommodation, ferry, and flight connection myself.

If you want a taste of several destinations with simpler logistics, a cruise is appealing. If you want more time to experience island life, I’d choose an independent trip and stay longer in fewer places.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Greece with Kids?

Late spring and early fall can be extra appealing for families, with generally milder sightseeing weather and fewer peak-season crowds. June is also a pleasant option if you want warm days and an active tourist season. Keep in mind that spring sea temperatures can be cooler (and the water is already pretty cool), while seasonal boat tours and ferry routes may be more limited outside summer.

All three of our Greece trips have been during the summer months, in June, July, and August, so that’s the season I can speak to firsthand. We’ve enjoyed the sunny beach weather and long days, but popular places such as Santorini and Mykonos can get crowded and expensive. July and August can also be very hot, making midday archaeological sites and steep villages tough with younger children.

Summer brings the Aegean’s seasonal Meltemi winds, too. They can affect time on the water and transportation plans, so I’d leave some flexibility between island transfers and important flights.

Getting Around Greece with Kids

We haven’t rented a car on any of our Greece trips. We combined walking, ferries, domestic flights, taxis, and boat excursions instead. It worked well for the time we had, although it also meant we didn’t reach every corner of the islands.

Taking ferries between the Greek islands

On our independent trip, we took ferries from Santorini to Naxos and from Naxos to Milos, then an overnight ferry from Milos to Athens. We booked a cabin with bunk beds for that last journey, which made a long crossing much more manageable with young kids.

I used Ferryhopper extensively to compare routes, schedules, and journey times while building the itinerary. It helped me see which island combinations were actually realistic.

Ferries vary in speed, comfort, and amenities, so I’d look beyond the advertised crossing time. Factor in getting to the port, boarding with luggage, seating or cabin options, and reaching your next accommodation. I’ll save the booking and boarding details for a dedicated Greek ferries guide.

Flying between Athens and the islands

We’ve flown from Athens to Santorini and Kos. Flights can save time, but not every island has an airport, and connections between two islands sometimes require going through Athens.

We’d also booked a flight from Milos to Rhodes in 2021, but high winds canceled it. We had to change our plans at the last minute, spend another day on Milos, and eventually return to Athens by overnight ferry. It was a memorable reminder not to build an itinerary with no room for disruptions.

Exploring without a rental car

Many of our stays were in walkable towns with restaurants, shops, and sometimes a beach close by. For farther beaches or sights, we’d take a taxi or explore from the water on a boat tour.

But this isn’t a universal formula. Some islands have ports away from the main visitor areas, and local buses and taxis differ greatly between destinations. If I returned to one island for a longer stay, I’d consider renting a car for part of the trip to explore further. With little kids, though, arranging appropriate car seats is another factor to weigh.

Where to Stay in Greece with Kids

For me, location is one of the most important factors in choosing family accommodations in Greece, especially without a rental car.

I’d look for somewhere with restaurants, shops, and your main activities within a comfortable walk. If you’ll be arriving by ferry, check the distance from the actual port, not just the island’s main town. And on hilly islands, look closely at how many stairs stand between your room and the street. A spectacular view is less appealing if you have to haul a stroller and luggage up endless steps.

We’ve used a mix of hotels and apartment-style stays, including a cave house in Santorini, a boutique hotel in Naxos, and an apartment in Kos Town. For a family of five, I’d also pay attention to the actual sleeping arrangements, air conditioning, and whether a refrigerator or kitchenette makes meals and snacks easier.

If your trip is primarily about beach time, walking distance to a suitable swimming beach may matter more than staying in the most photogenic village.

Things to Do in Greece with Kids

Some of our favorite things to do in Greece with kids weren’t traditional children’s attractions. Greece is great for mixing history, outdoor adventures, and simple moments that are fun for everyone.

Discover ancient history

The Acropolis in Athens is incredible, even if visiting with a toddler takes extra patience. The Panathenaic Stadium was especially memorable because our kids could move around instead of only looking at things. On Naxos, we visited the Portara and explored the old Kastro area, fitting a little history into an otherwise relaxed island stay.

Swim and explore the coastline

From sandy beaches on Naxos to dramatic rocky landscapes on Milos, Greece’s beaches and coastlines are incredibly varied. I’d choose beaches based on access and swimming conditions for your children’s ages, rather than on photographs alone.

Take a boat excursion

Our Milos sailing trip was one of our favorite days in Greece. We relaxed on the boat, saw extraordinary sea caves and cliffs, and swam together. Exploring by water also let us see parts of the island we couldn’t easily reach without a car. Check boat size, shade, sea conditions, and child-sized life jackets before booking.

Wander through towns and enjoy everyday life

Our kids have been perfectly happy admiring bright doors and parked Vespas, exploring little passageways, getting gelato, and watching boats in the harbor. I love Greece’s leisurely outdoor meals and fresh food, especially the herbs and simple flavors that make even basic dishes delicious. You really don’t need to schedule every hour.

Traveling to Greece with Babies and Toddlers

We first visited Greece with a baby and toddler and returned with two preschool-aged children. It’s doable at these ages, but I would pay particular attention to terrain and pacing.

A lightweight stroller was useful in flatter areas such as Kos Town and some of Athens. A baby carrier made more sense for steep stairs, uneven archaeological sites, and parts of Santorini. You don’t necessarily have to leave the stroller at home, but you shouldn’t assume you’ll be able to use it everywhere. We still brought our stroller, but used it less in Greece than in most other places.

I also found that our little ones didn’t need many activities designed specifically for them. Pedestrian streets, boats, rocks, beaches, and people going about daily life held plenty of interest. The biggest difference was how much freedom each place gave them to walk and explore safely.

I’ve shared more about those tradeoffs, including Athens, Santorini, Naxos, Milos, and Kos, in my guide to European destinations we’ve visited with toddlers.

Practical Tips for a Greece Family Vacation

Food and restaurants

Greek food has been an easy part of traveling here with our kids. We’ve found plenty of approachable options such as grilled meats, pita, potatoes, fruit, and pastries, alongside fresh local dishes for the adults. I also love how welcoming restaurants have been toward our children, including during outdoor meals in busy tourist areas.

Budget and accommodations

Costs vary widely by island, season, and travel style. Santorini and Mykonos have felt particularly expensive, and moving frequently adds ferry tickets, transfers, and separate hotel stays. Staying longer in fewer places can help both your budget and your sanity.

Safety and packing

In summer, I’d prioritize sun protection, water, comfortable walking shoes, and a plan for breaks during hot sightseeing days. Cliffside paths, rocky swimming areas, and boat trips call for extra supervision, especially with little ones. Pack as lightly as you reasonably can if you’re moving between islands, since luggage and stairs aren’t a fun combination.

If Greece involves a long international flight for your family, I also have a separate guide to taking a long-haul flight with kids.

FAQs About Visiting Greece with Kids

Do you need to include Athens on a family trip to Greece?

No. Athens is absolutely worth considering for its history, but if you’re planning a beach-focused island vacation, there’s no requirement to add it. Choose it because it interests your family, not because you feel you have to tick it off.

Should you book Greek ferry tickets in advance?

I’d book ahead for peak-summer travel, popular routes, or a trip with fixed accommodation dates, particularly if you need specific seating or an overnight cabin. Schedules can change, though, so keep an eye on your operator’s updates and avoid leaving a tight connection before your flight home.

Ready to Plan Your Family Trip to Greece?

Greece is one of those places I could happily return to again and again. The incredible landscapes, welcoming people, delicious food, and laid-back island atmosphere make it such a special place to explore as a family.

My biggest advice for visiting Greece with kids is to choose destinations that genuinely interest you, be realistic about travel logistics, and leave yourself time to enjoy the experience. You don’t need to visit every famous island or squeeze everything into one trip. There’s plenty of Greece worth coming back for!

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