There’s just one actual downside to visiting the Greek islands with children. Deciding which island to decide on! My daughter has already been to 6, I’ve been to not less than half a dozen extra and we’ve nonetheless barely scratched the floor of the 227 inhabited islands.
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That’s not even contemplating the remainder of the 6,000 uninhabited Greek islands – though they make for some very tempting day journeys, whether or not that’s a return go to to historic Delos, simply off Mykonos, or crusing to secluded coves for a swim and loosen up on the seaside.
For equally indecisive island-lovers, the answer is – after all – a Greek island hop. I took ferries across the Cyclades and Crete with my finest buddy after college, a slightly swankier cruise with my husband which stopped at Mykonos and Chios a decade in the past, and a mini island hop between Kos and Symi with my then four-year-old.
However the dream must be having your personal boat and selecting your personal route. As I can’t sail in any respect, which means a crewed yacht constitution in Greece is my best choice (and a really indulgent one) with another person to do the work as I take pleasure in exploring.
As a result of with greater than 9,000 miles of shoreline to discover round Greece, it’s massively tempting to go off to the Ionian or Aegean sea and sail from island to island.
With extras like watersports gear and bikes typically included in charters, and somebody to assist prepare your food and drinks provisions earlier than you set sail, these may also be a improbable luxurious choice for larger households or teams who need to discover collectively too.
Having taken a full-day boat journey from Skiathos to Skopelos on a earlier vacation, we obtained a quick style of what life aboard could be like – cruising gently throughout the deep blue of the Aegean to little bays accessible solely by boat, the clear water gleaming turquoise within the solar.
Take a look at my full information to Greece with children right here
Lounging within the solar with a e-book was damaged up by swimming to the seaside and venturing into sea caves to snorkel, plus scrumptious Greek mezze and fish, washed down with ice chilly white wine.
For an extended journey, we may voyage additional, stopping at a few of the brightly picturesque harbours of islands massive and small, discovering extra tiny islets the place solely the wild rabbits would watch us swim, or little seashores which one way or the other all appear to have a taverna with seafood feasts costing surprisingly little.
Plus another person could be doing all of the work of crusing (though maybe I may choose up just a few ideas alongside the way in which too), so all I’d want to consider was what enjoyable was deliberate subsequent.
Which brings me again to my authentic quandary… the place to decide on? I’ve picked out a few of the Greek islands I’d most love to go to on my fantasy crusing vacation, with two family-friendly concepts for itineraries.
Greek islands with children: The Ionian Islands
With mild winds, calm seas and a few wonderful sunshine, the Ionian islands could be good with youthful children – to not point out direct flights with low-cost airways into Corfu.
We spent just a few days exploring Corfu throughout our go to in 2018 however I’d like to see the wilder north coast of the island, together with the forests and the countless olive groves – maybe even spot a few of the filming places from the TV present The Durrells.
Then sail on to Paxos and Antipaxos. The latter is the smallest of the Ionian islands, simply two miles sq. with fewer than 100 inhabitants – and a few spectacularly clear water, together with its most well-known, Emerald Bay, and fairly Voutoumi seaside.
Paxos is larger, though nonetheless removed from big. In Greek mythology it was right here that Poseidon spirited away Amphitrite, after the god of the ocean broke the land off from Corfu along with his trident.
Far much less drama there lately, with extra olive groves, peaceable seaside ports together with Gaios and Lakka, and little coves, particularly the white sand Vrika seaside.
With two weeks to spare, we may even enterprise right down to Lefkas (or Lefkada). A busier distinction to quieter Paxos and Antipaxos, there are eating places galore within the outdated city at Lefkas City and a fort, restored by the Venetians to wander round.
Porto Katsiki is probably the most well-known seaside – and arriving by boat would imply we may skip the 99 steps down (and extra importantly again up) – however the thought of a dip on the Dimossari Waterfalls close to Nidri is tempting too.
The island can also be identified for its wines, and the Lefkaditiki vineyard is barely round 5 miles from Nidri as properly.
Or maybe, I may head again to Kefalonia – beginning in Lefkas as a substitute of Corfu and heading into the South Ionian islands.
Stopping off at mountainous Kalamos, identified for its sunsets, and the empty seashores of unspoiled Kastos alongside the way in which, we may moor at fairly Fiskardo and wander the streets of the fishing village earlier than heading to the east coast, and the standard Greek city of Sami with a return to Melissani Lake and an opportunity to loosen up on probably the greatest seashores in Kefalonia with children.
There would even be time to cease off at Ithaca island as properly or Meganisi, not removed from Kalamos, with a tavern in nearly each bay. Or a day journey to the mainland and the traditional Greek ruins close to Palairos.
Greek islands with children: The Cyclades
These islands are a few of the hottest in Greece for a motive – and it’s not simply glamorous Santorini and Mykonos that tempts individuals.
With increased temperatures in summer season, but additionally stronger winds (the meltemi), it’s one to go to at Might half-term with children, and likewise place to benefit from having a skippered constitution, except you’re an skilled sailor.
Most individuals begin in Mykonos or Paros (except you sail from Lavrion on the mainland, about half an hour from Athens airport), so I may retrace my footsteps from earlier journeys.
However with 24 inhabited islands within the group, I’d wish to enterprise someplace new. I’ve nonetheless by no means seen the sundown from Santorini – and it’s extra child-friendly than you may count on, notably with older children.
One island which caught my eye is Folegandros – it could be small, nevertheless it packs in every little thing you dream about if you consider a household vacation in Greece.
White and blue buildings with splashes of bougainvillea? Yep. Extremely clear sea lined with little coves. A lot of it. A standard lifestyle and laid-back environment – in spades. What number of locations are you able to see octopus hanging out to dry within the solar, in spite of everything?
Heading additional west, there’s Milos, which has the most important variety of seashores within the Cyclades (you’ll be able to by no means have too many) with dramatic rock formations and towering cliffs on this volcanic island.
Because the centre is a significant website for mining, a ship journey across the coast – and a cease on the Roman Theatre, the place the Venus de Milo was discovered- would high my checklist over a protracted keep.
Or maybe ending up at Sifnos, identified for its stunning ceramics (I’ve a weak point for these as souvenirs) and its meals. As I’ve barely had a meal I didn’t love in Greece, that sounds distinctly tempting.
Thankfully, it additionally has a fame as being nice for strolling, with almost 100km of marked trails – together with (fortunately) quick walks. But when I have to stroll off all that fabulous Greek delicacies, a wander between villages and outdated monasteries sounds preferrred.
And that’s earlier than I sit down with my trusty Lonely Planet information to the Greek Islands and begin eyeing up the Dodecanese, the Saronic islands, the Sporades… So many concepts for journeys to Greek islands with children, so few faculty holidays!
Take a look at my full information to Greece with children right here
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Disclosure: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own together with the idea which you could by no means get uninterested in the Greek Islands.
Woman on boat/Corfu picture copyright Mummytravels, all others courtesy Depositphotos
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