For a family holiday in Crete, stay on the coast east of Heraklion for the most attractions, or in Chania, Rethymno or Elounda for easy beaches and pleasant towns. Highlights for children include Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, the water parks, Knossos and a boat trip to Spinalonga.
Crete is one of the easiest Greek islands for a family holiday: direct flights to Heraklion and Chania, long sandy beaches with shallow water, plenty of family hotels and apartments, and rainy-day options such as an aquarium, a dinosaur park and several water parks. The north coast between Heraklion and Hersonissos has the most attractions for children, while Chania and Rethymno combine easy beaches with interesting towns. The main thing to plan around is distance, since the island is big and car journeys add up quickly.
Quick facts
- Best time: June and September for warm sea without the peak heat; July and August are hot and busy
- Best family bases: the coast east of Heraklion, Chania and its western beaches, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda
- Getting around: a hire car with child seats is the most practical option
- Top attractions: Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, water parks, Knossos for older children, a boat trip to Spinalonga
- Good for: toddlers to teenagers, with plenty for each age
Choosing the right area
No single base suits every family, and changing hotel halfway through a stay is a sensible way to see two parts of the island. Our full comparison of where to stay in Crete goes into more detail, but this is the short version for families.
East of Heraklion: Gouves, Hersonissos and Stalida
This stretch of the north coast has the densest concentration of family hotels and attractions. The aquarium, Dinosauria Park and several water parks are all within a short drive, and Heraklion airport is close, which helps with tired children on arrival day. The trade-off is that parts of Hersonissos are geared to nightlife and can feel built up. Quieter resorts such as Gouves and Analipsi suit families with younger children better.
Chania and the west
Chania has a beautiful old harbour that children enjoy in the evening, and the coast to the west (Agia Marina, Platanias and Kalamaki) has long sandy beaches with gentle entry and many family apartments. The Akrotiri peninsula east of the town has sheltered beaches such as Marathi and Stavros. Day trips to Elafonisi and Balos are possible from here.
Rethymno
Rethymno sits midway along the north coast, with a long sandy beach running east of the old town and a Venetian fortress that children can explore. It makes a good compromise base for families who want to reach both Chania and Heraklion on day trips. The sea here can get choppy when the summer wind blows.
Agios Nikolaos and Elounda
In the east, the Mirabello Bay is more sheltered than much of the north coast. Elounda has many upmarket family resorts, and boats leave from there and from Plaka for Spinalonga island. Agios Nikolaos has a small town beach and a lake in the centre, and Voulisma beach near Istro has soft sand and calm water.
Best beaches for children
Shallow, sheltered water is the priority for small children. Good choices include Marathi and Stavros on the Akrotiri peninsula, the beaches west of Chania, Agia Pelagia west of Heraklion, Bali between Rethymno and Heraklion, and Voulisma near Agios Nikolaos. Elafonisi, with its shallow lagoon, is a favourite with families, although it is a long drive and gets very busy; our Elafonisi beach guide explains how to time a visit. For a full overview by region, see our guide to the best beaches in Crete.
Avoid exposed beaches such as Falassarna on windy days, and steep, rocky spots such as Seitan Limania with young children. On organised beaches, sunbeds and umbrellas make long days much easier, and many have a taverna with toilets close by.
Attractions and activities
Cretaquarium
Cretaquarium, run by the Thalassocosmos marine park at Gournes east of Heraklion, is a large modern aquarium with tanks of sharks, rays, octopus, jellyfish and seahorses. It works well for all ages and is the obvious choice on a cloudy or very hot day.
Dinosauria Park and Planet Crete
Also at Gournes, Dinosauria Park has more than 50 life-size dinosaur models, some of which move and roar, along with a playground and 5D and 7D cinema shows. Next door, Planet Crete is a planetarium with educational shows. They pair easily with the aquarium for a full day.
Water parks
Crete has several large water parks. Acqua Plus near Hersonissos and Water City at Anopolis, just east of Heraklion, both have separate pools and gentler slides for small children alongside bigger rides. In the west, Limnoupolis at Varipetro, a short drive from Chania, is smaller and good for younger families. They usually open from late spring to early autumn, so check the season before you go.
Labyrinth Park and Aquaworld
Near Hersonissos, Labyrinth Park is a Minotaur-themed park with a maze, mini-golf and craft activities. Aquaworld in Hersonissos is a small aquarium with reptiles as well as fish, and suits younger children.
Museums in Heraklion
The Natural History Museum of Crete in Heraklion has a children’s area and an earthquake simulator that most children love. The small Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology displays working reconstructions of ancient inventions and is a hit with curious older children. Our Heraklion travel guide covers the city’s other sights.
Knossos and Spinalonga
History works best with a story attached. Knossos Palace is the setting of the myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth, which gives children a reason to explore, but it is hot and exposed, so go first thing in the morning and keep the visit short. Spinalonga, a small fortified island off Elounda, combines a boat ride with Venetian walls and a powerful story; our guide to visiting Spinalonga explains the options.
Ideas by age
| Age | Good choices |
|---|---|
| Toddlers | Shallow sandy beaches, Aquaworld, the small pools at the water parks |
| 5 to 9 | Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, boat trips, Labyrinth Park |
| 10 to 13 | Natural History Museum, Knossos, Spinalonga, snorkelling in calm coves |
| Teenagers | The bigger water park rides, kayaking, the walk up from Agia Roumeli into the Samaria Gorge |
A sample family week
A relaxed week based on the coast east of Heraklion might look like this. Spend the first day settling in at the beach. On day two, visit Cretaquarium in the morning and Dinosauria Park after lunch. Keep day three for the beach and pool. On day four, head to Knossos early, then cool off at Water City or Acqua Plus in the afternoon. Day five is a drive east to Elounda for a boat to Spinalonga and a swim at Voulisma. Use day six for the Natural History Museum and a stroll through Heraklion, and keep the last day free for whatever the children enjoyed most.
Families based in Chania can build a similar week around the town, a day at Limnoupolis, beach days on the Akrotiri peninsula and one longer trip to Elafonisi or by boat to Balos. With teenagers, the shorter walk up from Agia Roumeli into the lower Samaria Gorge, reached by ferry, makes a memorable adventure without the full 16 km hike.
Getting there with children
Heraklion and Chania both have international airports with direct summer flights from much of Europe, so choose the one closer to your base to cut transfer time. Ferries also run overnight from Piraeus to Heraklion and to Souda, the port of Chania; a cabin turns the crossing into an adventure and saves a night’s accommodation. Pre-book transfers or a car at the airport, as taxis can be in short supply at peak arrival times.
Practical tips
- Car seats: book child seats with your hire car in advance and check them on collection. Our guide to driving in Crete explains road conditions.
- Distances: keep daily drives short; Chania to Heraklion is roughly two hours, and mountain roads are slow.
- Heat: plan sightseeing for mornings and late afternoons in July and August and keep the middle of the day for the pool or shade.
- Food: Greek tavernas are relaxed about children, and simple dishes such as grilled meat, chips, pasta and cheese pies are easy wins.
- Pharmacies: every town and large village has one, and pharmacists can advise on minor problems such as sunburn and stings.
- Water shoes: useful on pebbly beaches and for the occasional sea urchin on rocks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which part of Crete is best for families?
The coast east of Heraklion, around Gouves and Hersonissos, has the most attractions for children. Chania, Rethymno and Elounda are calmer bases with good beaches and more character.
Is Crete good for toddlers?
Yes. Many beaches have shallow, sandy entry, family hotels are common, and flights are direct to Heraklion and Chania. Choose a sheltered beach area and avoid long drives.
Are there water parks in Crete?
Yes. Acqua Plus near Hersonissos, Water City at Anopolis near Heraklion and Limnoupolis near Chania are the best known. They open from late spring to early autumn.
Is Knossos interesting for children?
It can be, especially if they know the story of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Go early in the morning, bring water and hats, and keep the visit to an hour or two.
Do you need a car in Crete with children?
It is strongly recommended. Buses link the main towns, but a car makes beach days, attractions and nap times far easier. Book child seats in advance.
