Crete
The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete is a perfect for luxury family holidays, boasting a fantastic climate, stunning beaches and very beautiful countryside. Steer clear of the heaving party strips and, instead, seek out the Island's outstanding luxury, family-friendly resorts. You’ll discover true Cretan cuisine - famous for being the healthiest in the Mediterranean - and spectacular, untouched rugged countryside. Direct flights to Crete's capital, Heraklion, are frequent and, once there, you'll find that, though relatively large in size, Crete is a gentle and charming place of immense beauty, deep history, warm people and seriously good food.
Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa
Next to the quiet Kolymbari beach sits the impressive Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa, which is fit for the whole family.
For a slice of peaceful luxury head to the Avra Imperial Beach Resort and Spa. Just a few minutes walk to the rustic fishing port of Kolympari, it’s worlds away from the mass tourist areas of North Western Crete, rendering it perfect for lazy days and calm evenings. It’s minimalist in design and, depending on your...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
Paradise Island Villas
Paradise Island Villas are a family-run collection of villas with top-notch personal services.
The boutique bolt-hole that is Paradise Island Villas hits the spot for families seeking an elegant private retreat with the facilities of a 5-star hotel. The sleek styling of the twelve individually designed villas may scream grown-up luxury, but the resort offers plenty to prove it's super-child friendly, too. Each...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort
Amirandes Grecotol is a sumptuous 5-star treat on the northern Crete coast.
Lavish and palatial, the Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort is only a short transfer from Heraklion International Airport and a prime find for luxury-loving families. Architecturally stunning, the refined rooms, sea view villas and bungalows are built around sea water lagoons and pretty, manicured gardens. There’s...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
Daios Cove Luxury Resort and Villas
Daios Cove is an award-winning, contemporary hillside stay just ten minutes drive from Agios Nikolaos.
Daios Cove is a fabulous choice with over 300 rooms, suites and villas set against a rugged mountain backdrop with views over a sheltered, private bay. This modern resort excels in keeping little guests happy without compromising on style or attentive service for the grown-ups. In-room desirables such as wi-fi,...
Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
Villa Serenity Crete
Serenity is a very large, family-friendly and luxurious villa in a sunny position on top of a hill set two kilometres back from the beach.
Villa Serenity in Crete is a very large, family-friendly and luxurious villa in a sunny position on top of a hill set two kilometres back from the beach. There is a a beautiful garden in which to relax within the large grounds of this villa, a courtyard, a swimming pool, an outside shower, a patio, a terrace and a...
Baby-friendly / Pre-Teen friendly / Summer Sun / See this Villa & Book »
Vitsentzos Villa Crete
Vitsentzos is a very family-friendly, comfortable, and luxurious villa only 250 metres from the beach.
Vitsentzos Villa Crete is a very family-friendly, comfortable, and luxurious villa only 250 metres from the beach. The grounds are private and fenced in, and include a courtyard and a 60 m2 swimming pool. There is a terrace for outside eating and a barbecue. Comfortably sleeps 8 across 4 bedrooms. In the...
Baby-friendly / Pre-Teen friendly / Summer Sun / See this Villa & Book »
Lucilda Villa
Lucilda is a guarded, very family-friendly, modern villa surrounded by trees in a quiet and sunny position just 5 kilometres from the beach.
Lucilda Villa is a guarded, very family-friendly and modern villa surrounded by trees in a quiet and sunny position just 5 kilometres from the beach. The private grounds are 6'000 m2, there is a 50 m2 swimming pool, an outside shower, patio, terrace, and barbecue. There are lots of useful nearby amenities such as...
Baby-friendly / Pre-Teen friendly / Summer Sun / See this Villa & Book »Isla By The Sea
Gouves, Heraklion
Isla By The Sea is a chic, sleek, shore-side eatery that turns into a buzzing bar later on at night – the owners will happily welcome little ones before nightfall, however. Enjoy a relaxing lunch or early dinner on day beds at the water’s edge and, should you prefer to sit at a table, plenty of highchairs are available for the tots. There’s no food items specifically designed with children in mind, but staff are happy to tailor any items on the menu that may appeal.
Kyano Beach Restaurant
Chania
At Kyano, an attractive restaurant on the beach of Platanias, Chania, children happily play on the sand or in the kid’s playground while waiting to eat. Enjoy beef, baby pork or lamb and potatoes all cooked in a traditional Cretan wood oven. You’ll love the strawberry daiquiris and mojitos, while your children will adore the epic fruit and ice-cream sundaes.
Agreco Farm
Rethymno
Agreco Farm doubles up as a both a family day trip and a wonderful dining experience. Arrive in the afternoon to this fairytale farm that’s reviving age-old Cretan farming practices on a sprawling rural estate; the children will delight in playing farmer for the day. They can press grapes and olives, have a go at bread and cheese making and even crush wheat in the antique flour mill. When the hard work is over, you can sit down to enjoy dinner with mouth-watering choices, such as oven-baked lamb and herby vegetables. Aside from being delicious, everything on your plate comes straight from the farm, so it really does tick the eco-friendly boxes.
Pelagos
Agios Nikolaos
Crete is known for it’s fantastically healthy diet of fresh vegetables, slow-cooked meats, generous use of wonderfully fragrant herbs and plethora of cosy. In a fabulously restored neoclassic mansion, the Pelagos restaurant has an idyllic vine covered courtyard with brightly coloured decorations and lamps hanging from the trellises. Cosy with the your children on bold, cushion-covered benches and tuck into the fresh catch of the day or traditional moussaka. There’s no set children’s menu, but particular little eaters will be gladly accommodated.
Crete's Beaches
There are tons of family-friendly, Blue Flag status beaches to enjoy in Crete. Try Spiliada beach in Lassithi. It is impressively clean and has a lifeguard to keep an eye on little bathers. The small Ammoudi beach near Agios Nikolaos boasts shallow, clear waters and large tamarisk trees offering welcome shade from the midday sun. Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti beach) in Chania is essentially two lovely, busy beaches that are separated by a small hill. The sand is extremely soft (perfect for little feet) and there’s a play area for the children, too.
Cave of Zoniana
Little explorers will love a visit to the Island’s Cave of Zoniana in Rethymno. Take a guided tour during which they will be amazed at the magnificent stalagmites and stalactites on show.
Lake Kounas
Take a trip to Lake Kounas, a beautiful freshwater lake situated against stunning mountains between Chania and Rethymno. Here, you can swim with the kids, hire a pedalo and eat at one of the traditional tavernas that line the lake.
The Natural History Museum
In Heraklion, the fantastic Natural History Museum is unmissable and perfect for getting the children out of the hot summer sun. With loads of interactive activities like digging for bones, experiencing an earthquake and handling animal skulls, children will happily spend a whole day there.
About
Whilst impressive, many of the ancient sights and ruins in Crete are unsuitable for very small children so get advice from your hotel concierge before venturing out. Don’t attempt to visit the much talked about Samaria Gorge as this will prove way too challenging for little legs. In line with the rest of Greece, remind the children that Cretan toilets don’t like toilet paper and waste bins are provided to use instead. There are good hospitals in four of the Crete’s main cities should you need one. For medical emergencies on the island call 166. The coastguard in Crete can be reached by dialling 108.
When to go
Crete is at its hottest and busiest during the summer, school-holiday months. If your family is pre-school age then we recommend booking for the shoulder seasons. May and October are still wonderfully warm and some great rates at the Island’s best resorts can be found. Away from the large hotels, things tend to shut down completely during the winter months.
Currency
Euro
Language
Greek