In a nutshell
- Crete is a popular destination for families with kids – no matter how old the little ones are. We’ll show you the 14 best activities and day trips for Crete with kids.
- Our top three picks for Crete with kids: the Agia Marina Donkey Rescue, a day at Elafonisi or Balos Beach, and a Jeep Safari Tour.
- Traveling with toddlers? We especially recommend the Labyrinth Park, the kids’ areas at the water parks, and the one-of-a-kind Mermaid School.
- The best indoor activity with kids in Crete is the CretAquarium — a seriously great outing for a rainy day.
Also read our other articles about Crete:
Agia Marina Donkey Rescue
- Perfect for: All kids who love animals
- Where: In southern Crete, near Malia (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: about 1–2 hours
- Cost: free
A truly special experience and one of our absolute hidden gems in Crete is the Agia Marina Donkey Rescue near Matala. Kids will have an absolute blast here.
The donkeys roam freely around the grounds and can be petted and groomed. You can also take hilarious photos with the donkeys.
So if you’re in Crete with kids, you absolutely must take a trip to see these adorable donkeys. There are also a few chickens and goats wandering around the property.
Our tip: The Agia Marina Donkey Rescue is funded entirely by donations. Feel free to bring along some carrots or apples — the donkeys get them at feeding time.
The Best Beaches with Kids in Crete
- Perfect for: All ages
- How much time to plan: 4–8 hours
- Cost: Free on your own
Of course, playing at the beach and swimming will be one of the main activities during your family vacation in Crete with kids.
In addition to family-friendly resorts with beachfront hotels in Crete, there are also some truly stunning dream beaches in Crete that are absolutely worth a day trip.
For a perfect beach day in Crete, the beaches and bays in the north and northwest and in the west and southwest of Crete are generally the best.
Really lovely resort towns that we recommend for staying overnight in Crete and that have great beaches for kids include:
#1 Adelianos and Bali, east of Rethymnon: This is the most popular area for a family vacation in Crete with kids. There are long sandy beaches and pretty little coves with shallow entry, calm water, and good tourist infrastructure.
Grecotel Marine Palace & Aqua Park
#2 Agia Marina or Platanias, west of Chania: For us, this is the most beautiful resort area in Crete. The beaches are gorgeous, there are plenty of sun loungers with umbrellas, the water is usually calm, and the tourist infrastructure is solid too.
Euphoria Resort
#3 Paleochora in southern Crete: Perfect if you’re looking for a quieter, less touristy spot. The beach is large, the entry is shallow, and the water is even calmer than in the north.
For a beach day trip in Crete with kids, we recommend Elafonisi Beach or the Balos Lagoon. Both are among the most beautiful beaches in Crete and you’re sure to love them.
Elafonisi Beach in Crete with Kids
Elafonisi Beach in western Crete is our personal favorite — the sand is pink. How cool is that! Here you can experience one of the most beautiful sights in Crete and enjoy a fantastic beach day with the kids.
Elafonisi is perfect if you want a relaxed day trip with kids in Crete. You can easily drive there in your rental car.
On-site there are plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas. The water is super calm because it’s sheltered by many sandbars. The entry is very shallow and perfect for kids.
Just before the parking lot there are even two restaurants. We recommend the Kalomirakis Taverna — the view from here is really beautiful and the food tastes great too.
The Balos Lagoon in Crete with Kids
Up for a little adventure and want to discover a truly stunning corner of Crete with kids? Then you have to visit the Balos Lagoon.
The Balos Lagoon is a small, breathtakingly beautiful bay. The water is turquoise and the beach is white. You’ll get a little taste of the Caribbean here.
The adventure of this day trip is getting there — you have two options: drive there in your rental car or take a boat from Kissamos.
If you drive yourself, you’ll need to navigate about 5 miles of gravel road just before the parking lot. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk down to the bay.
But the boat ride is also a great experience for things to do in Crete with children. The easiest approach is to drive to Kissamos in your rental car and board one of the boats there.
Both beaches are also unforgettable day trips in Crete with toddlers. If you’d rather not drive yourself and want to sit back and relax, you can book a guided tour to either beach.
Private day trip to the Balos Lagoon
Our tip: Make sure to bring a beach tent to every beach. You can buy one at any larger resort town. There is really very little shade at the beaches in Crete. While there are often plenty of sun loungers with umbrellas, especially during the best time to visit Crete, they can all be taken.
Cool Water Parks for a Day Trip with Kids in Crete
- Perfect for: Kids of all ages
- How much time to plan: 4–8 hours
Water parks are always a hit and are a popular family activity in Crete. The island has several water parks, so you probably won’t have to drive far from your resort.
There isn’t a huge difference between the parks. We simply recommend heading to the one that’s closest to your hotel.
All the water parks offer plenty of fun during your Crete family vacation. They all also have great options if you’re in Crete with toddlers.
All the water parks have a restaurant where you can get classics like fries and gyros. Honestly, we can’t really recommend the food at any of the three parks — it’s not great and way overpriced. But it’s fine for a quick snack with the kids.
Our tip: We strongly recommend buying tickets for all three parks online in advance — not at the park or from your hotel. Prices on-site can be significantly higher.
#1 Water City Water Park near Heraklion
- Exact location: In Anopolis, 20 minutes from Heraklion (Google Maps)
- Cost: €29.50 for adults, €19.50 for children
Near Heraklion you’ll find Water City water park. Here you have a wide selection of different slides set among palm trees and olive trees. Some slides, however, are only open to kids aged seven and up.
A standout here — especially for younger visitors — are the many colorful water playgrounds with no deep pools. So it’s perfect if you’re in Crete with toddlers.
Tickets for Water City Water Park near Heraklion
#2 Aqua Creta Limnoupolis near Chania
- Exact location: In Varipetro, 15 minutes from Chania (Google Maps)
- Cost: Adults €25, children ages 4–12 €18, children under 3 free
Aqua Creta is a great pick if your accommodation is in western Crete. There are six cool slides that all kids over 3 feet 11 inches tall can use.
What we also really love about this park is the long lazy river where you can float along and enjoy the music. Overall, a great destination for things to do in Crete with children.
Tickets for Aqua Creta Limnoupolis Water Park near Chania
#3 Acqua Plus Water Park near Malia
- Exact location: In Chersonisos, 15 minutes from Malia (Google Maps)
- Cost: Adults €29, children ages 5–12 €20, children under 4 free
The third water park is perfect for everyone staying in eastern Crete. We’ll be honest — the largest water park in Crete is showing its age a bit. That said, you’ll still have a great time.
There are more than 10 so-called extreme slides that are a ton of fun but aren’t suitable for every age. There’s also a huge kids’ area — great if you’re in Crete with toddlers.
Tickets for Acqua Plus Water Park near Malia (optional with transfer)
Note: The water parks in Crete are only open from May to October. The Aqua Creta Limnoupolis water park even closes in September.
Labyrinth Park
- Perfect for: Kids up to about 14 years old
- Where: In northern Crete, near Malia (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: 3–5 hours
- Cost: Adults and children 11 and up €12, ages 4–10 €10, under 4 free. Extra activities €3 per person each.
The Labyrinth Park is a kind of small, laid-back theme park built around Greek mythology — and a really fun day-trip destination for a Crete family vacation.
Included in the admission price is an adventurous labyrinth that even adults will love. What’s really cool: if you make it through, the whole family gets a free round of mini golf — with 18 fun holes.
All other activities in the park cost extra. For €3 each, kids can try archery, ride mini quads, go donkey riding, play in a laser labyrinth, and more.
The park also has a small petting zoo, though the conditions the animals are kept in aren’t necessarily what you might be used to back home. Even so, the park is a solid outing in Crete with kids.
Elementary school-age kids and toddlers in particular will have a great time here. Teenagers might get a bit bored. There’s also a good restaurant on-site.
Dinosauria Park
- Perfect for: Toddlers, possibly elementary school-age kids too
- Where: In northern Crete, near Heraklion (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: 1–3 hours
- Cost: from €10
Admittedly, the Dinosauria Park in Crete can’t be compared to the grand theme parks of the Jurassic Park movies, but there are still some cool dinos here.
During your vacation in Crete with toddlers, the Dinosaur Park makes for a fun change of pace. Unlike older kids, the little ones probably won’t notice that the dinos look pretty fake and everything is fairly simple.
That said, they can really let loose here. In addition to the dino figures, there’s a small, somewhat dated adventure playground, a train that’s free for kids up to age eight, and a dig site.
There are different ticket options. The cheapest ticket is enough — the upgrades aren’t worth the extra cost. We’d only recommend this park if the kids are seriously into dinosaurs. Otherwise it’s a bit pricey.
Day Trip with Kids to Matala
- Perfect for: All ages
- How much time to plan: 5–6 hours
- Cost: €4 for the caves
Matala is, for us, one of the most beautiful places in Crete, no question. It’s one of the few places in Crete you can visit with kids without the little ones getting bored quickly.
The small town in the south used to be a real hippie village and is still wonderfully colorful today. Around every corner, the kids can discover something new.
An absolute must for Crete with kids are the caves in Matala, which you can explore together as a family. They’re super interesting for adults too. The kids should be a bit older though — otherwise it can quickly become dangerous.
Matala is also perfect because of the sandy beach right next to the caves and the small main street. There are also tons of family-friendly restaurants here.
Our tip: You can easily combine Matala and the Agia Marina Donkey Rescue into a full day trip with the kids, since both are close to each other. That way you only need to make one trip to that part of the island during your vacation. We’d suggest heading to the donkeys first and then winding down the day at a relaxed pace in Matala.
A Boat Tour with Kids in Crete
- Perfect for: Various options for kids of all ages
- How much time to plan: 1–5 hours
- Cost: €27–€140
When it comes to family activities in Crete, we have one more really cool idea: a boat tour! Depending on how old the kids are and what they enjoy, there are different tours to choose from.
Boat tours in Crete with kids vary quite a bit in price and are especially popular during peak season. It’s best to book online in advance to secure your spot.
These are the 4 boat tours in Crete with kids that we think are especially cool:
#1 Glass-Bottom Boat Tour from Chania
- Perfect for: Kids of all ages
- How much time to plan: 3.5 hours
- Cost: €27 for adults and children ages 4 and up, toddlers up to age 3 are free
The highlight of this boat tour is of course the glass bottom. Through it, kids can watch colorful marine life. The tour also makes two stops on two islands.
The first stop is on the island of Thodorou, where the little ones can spot the Kri Kri goats. The second island is Lazarette — a great spot for swimming. Food isn’t included on this tour, just one drink.
Tickets for the glass-bottom boat tour from Chania
#2 Sailing Trip with Food and All-Inclusive Drinks from Heraklion
- Perfect for: Kids ages 4 and up
- How much time to plan: 4.5 hours
- Price: €80 for adults and children
A sailing trip is also an absolute highlight during your Crete family vacation. The tour heads to the uninhabited Greek island of Dia.
A meal and all drinks are included. There’s music on board and the boat stops at beautiful bays for snorkeling. This outing will be a real adventure for the whole family.
Tickets for the sailing trip from Heraklion
#3 Catamaran Trip with Food and All-Inclusive Drinks from Agios Nikolaos
- Perfect for: Kids of all ages
- How much time to plan: 5 hours
- Price: €140 for adults and children ages 5 and up, €75 for children under 4
If you’d rather explore eastern Crete by boat, we recommend a catamaran trip. You won’t have to worry about a thing — it’s a seriously relaxed outing with kids.
During the trip around the beautiful island of Spinalonga, the boat makes regular stops. You can swim, snorkel, fish, or go stand-up paddleboarding.
Tickets for the catamaran trip from Agios Nikolaos
#4 Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling from Hersonissos
- Perfect for: Kids ages 5 and up
- How much time to plan: 1 hour
- Price: €45 for adults, €25 for children under 10
If you want a family activity in Crete with a bit more action, try a jet boat tour. You’ll race across the Mediterranean at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.
Along the way, the boat stops at the beautiful Saint George’s Bay — a seriously great spot for snorkeling with kids. Food and drinks are not included on this boat tour.
Tickets for the jet boat tour with snorkeling from Hersonissos
Nothing quite right for you? In a dedicated article we show you a total of 12 cool boat tours in Crete.
Surfing with Kids in Crete
- Perfect for: Kids ages 8 and up
- Where: In northwestern Crete, near Kissamos (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Cost: 3 hours for €60
On the water, there are also other great activities for things to do in Crete with children. How about a surf lesson, for example?
You obviously can’t compare Crete to surf hotspots like Bali or Fuerteventura, but especially for beginners and kids, the smaller, calmer waves are perfect.
We strongly recommend booking a surf lesson for the kids in Crete. You shouldn’t head into the water on your own — it’s far too dangerous.
Instead of big surfboards, you can also buy or rent a bodyboard during your Crete family vacation with toddlers. You obviously don’t need a lesson for that.
You can book a surf lesson with Kalo Surf, for example. A group lesson of about 3 hours for €60 is a really good deal.
Mermaid School for Kids
- Perfect for: Kids between 4 and 14 years old
- Where: In northeastern Crete, at the Star Beach Water Park (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: 20 minutes
- Cost: €20 for 20 minutes
A really cool activity in Crete with toddlers — and of course older kids too — is the Mermaid School. Yes, you read that right: a school for mermaids and, of course, mermen too.
More specifically, the little ones learn how to move like a mermaid. For little Ariel fans, this will probably be the highlight of the whole trip.
A class at the Mermaid School lasts 20 minutes, and the kids get a tail provided for them. You can also buy a complete outfit right there if you want.
You’ll find this one-of-a-kind activity at the pirate ship at the Star Beach Water Park, a 10-minute drive from Malia. Admission to the park is free.
According to the organizer, classes take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday between 11 AM and 2 PM, from late May through early September. Kids do not need to register in advance.
Jeep Safari Tours with Kids in Crete
- Perfect for: Kids ages 5 and up
- How much time to plan: 8 hours
- Cost: €55 to €95
If you’re looking for an activity in Crete with plenty of action, a jeep safari tour is the answer. You’ll get to discover many sides of Crete away from the tourist crowds.
We strongly recommend the self-drive tour. As the name suggests, you get to drive the jeep yourself — a great way to really explore Crete with kids.
The jeep safari is super varied and even younger kids definitely won’t get bored. The tour includes tons of cool stops.
An absolute highlight will be meeting a farmer and his mountain goats — the kids can even feed them. How cool is that!
Other stops include a summit with a panoramic view over Crete, the Greek village of Mochlos, and a swim stop at the secluded bay of Tholos. Seriously one of the coolest experiences in Crete with kids.
If you’d rather not drive yourself, you can of course also book a similar tour with a driver. On that tour you’ll visit, among other places, the Cave of Zeus.
Jeep Safari Self-Drive Tour with Lunch
Land Rover Safari to the Cave of Zeus with Driver and Lunch
Hiking with Kids in Crete
- Perfect for: Kids ages 5 and up
- Where: In southwestern Crete (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: 3–4 hours
- Cost: free
Crete is home to the longest gorge in Europe: the Samaria Gorge. You’ve probably already wondered whether you can hike it with your kids.
We have good news and bad news. The good news: yes, you can go hiking in Crete with kids. The bad news: we don’t recommend the Samaria Gorge, which is 16 kilometers long in total.
The trail is too long for kids, there are no restaurants or facilities along the way, and young children will get bored very quickly.
But don’t worry if you’re big hiking fans — you can still explore Crete on foot with kids. We recommend the Kourtaliotiko Gorge instead. One way is 3 kilometers long.
Admittedly, the first short stretch is a bit dull, but before long you reach the deepest point of the gorge, with lots of water. Perfect for cooling off. There are also plenty of rocks for the kids to scramble around on.
If you decide to go gorge hiking in Crete with kids, you should know that even in the Kourtaliotiko Gorge there are no restaurants or similar facilities along the way. You won’t find that in any gorge.
We therefore recommend bringing enough water and some snacks. If the kids are having fun, they definitely won’t get bored on the 6-kilometer round trip.
Horseback Riding
- Perfect for: Kids ages 8 and up
- Where: 20 minutes south of Heraklion (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: 2 hours
- Cost: from €60
If the kids love horses, a horseback riding excursion is probably one of the coolest outings in Crete with kids. On horseback, the little ones can discover Crete from a completely different angle.
This is a great activity even if they’re complete beginners. You’ll ride through the beautiful mountain landscape of Crete, past breathtaking vistas, with a short break along the way.
The tour we recommend here is organized by a horse farm where the animals are very well cared for. During your vacation in Crete, the kids will quickly fall in love with the sweet horses.
Our tip: It’s best to steer clear of riding offers on the beach. You never know how the animals are kept or whether they’re being well looked after.
2-hour horseback ride in the Cretan mountains from €60
CretAquarium
- Perfect for: All ages
- Where: In northern Crete near Heraklion (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: 1–2 hours
- Cost: Adults €12, ages 5–17 €6, up to age 4 free
Animals are pretty much always a hit with kids. That’s why the CretAquarium is also a really cool indoor activity with kids in Crete.
The rather compact aquarium features mainly sea creatures from the Mediterranean that kids can observe at their leisure. The absolute highlights, though, will probably be the shark and the sea turtle.
We recommend taking your time as you walk through. You can’t compare the CretAquarium to a large SeaLife center — if you rush through, you’ll be done pretty quickly.
The aquarium in Crete is also a great option with kids when it rains. And it’s a wonderful destination with toddlers too.
Ticket for the CretAquarium
Minoans World 9D Cinema
- Perfect for: Kids between 3 and 15 years old
- Where: In northwestern Crete in Chania (Google Maps)
- How much time to plan: 45 minutes
- Cost: Adults €18, children ages 3–12 €12, under 2 free, family ticket €42
If you’re wondering what you can do with kids in Crete when it rains, we have one last tip: the Minoans World 9D Cinema.
It’s a cinema with several short films and cool 9D effects. Don’t expect a Hollywood blockbuster, but you’ll learn something about Cretan culture through simple, entertaining stories.
The real highlight is the 9D effects: you feel the rain, the wind, lightning, and more. And the movie seats move in every direction. The kids will love it.
After the films you can also check out the small 3D museum. All in all: a really solid activity in Crete on a rainy day with kids — even if we think it’s a bit pricey.
Family Hotels in Crete
In Crete you’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a great family hotel for your vacation with kids in Crete. The island has an incredible number of family-friendly hotels.
That’s why we’ve written a dedicated article about it. In it we show you the 12 coolest family hotels in Crete.
Frequently Asked Questions and Practical Tips for a Vacation in Crete with Kids
Which classic sights in Crete are great with kids?
Theoretically, you can visit all the sights in Crete with kids. That said, we do think little ones might get bored pretty quickly at some places.
For us, the best and most popular highlights in Crete with kids are Elafonisi Beach and the charming village of Matala. For hiking with kids, we recommend the Kourtaliotiko Gorge.
Another really cool spot is the Zeus Cave. Kids find caves genuinely exciting — and you can combine it with a jeep safari tour for a full day of adventure.
Which attractions in Crete are not suitable for children?
Some of the most popular points of interest in Crete aren’t really doable with young children. With teenagers, though, you can pretty much do everything.
- Knossos: The ancient site is one of the best attractions in Greece and a true highlight in Crete. But younger children won’t understand the history, and of course they’re not allowed to climb on the stones. They’ll likely get bored quickly.
- Samaria Gorge: The longest gorge in Europe, with its 16-kilometer hiking trail, is definitely too long for young children.
- Eastern Crete: This relatively untouristy area is a great local favorite in Crete. But if your accommodation is in the west or center of Crete, the drive is super long. The east is generally quite quiet, so there isn’t much action for kids here.
What rental car should you book in Crete with kids?
We strongly recommend renting a car when visiting Crete with kids. It really makes everything so much easier.
Our tips for renting a car in Crete with kids:
- Make sure to book your rental car online in advance. It makes arriving so much more relaxed.
- Book at least a mid-size car. Between all the suitcases and a possible stroller, you’ll need a lot of trunk space. The back seat needs to stay free for the kids.
- Your best bet is to go with a provider located directly at the airport. Especially in popular vacation destinations like Greece, there are tons of providers whose offices are just outside the airport and will shuttle you there. They may be cheaper, but everything takes a lot longer. If the rental counter is right at the airport, one parent can get in line while the other waits for the luggage.
How do you get the right child seat for your rental car in Crete?
We recommend adding a car seat from home to your packing list for kids rather than booking one through the rental car company.
Please read our article Our 4 best travel car seats. There we show you which travel car seats we use on the road.
Renting one can sometimes be really expensive, and the hygienic condition of rental car seats isn’t always great either.
With your own car seat, you know that your child feels comfortable and can also sit in it properly.
With most airlines, you’re allowed to check a car seat free of charge in addition to your luggage. This applies to infant carriers, toddler seats, and booster seats as well.
If you’re not sure whether this applies to your airline, it’s best to ask ahead of time.
Once you arrive at your destination, you just need to carry your car seat from the baggage carousel to the car. Totally manageable.
If you don’t have a car seat yet and are wondering which one is best for your child, you should check out the ADAC car seat test.
Can you get around Crete easily with a buggy or stroller?
Crete has quite a few mountainous landscapes, which means only parts of the island are easily navigable with a travel stroller or a regular stroller.
We’ve put together a list of the most important highlights in Crete and whether they’re suitable for a stroller or not.
Highlights in Crete that are suitable for a travel stroller:
- All towns and cities
- Spinalonga Island
- Knossos (though it can get a bit bumpy in places)
Highlights in Crete that are not suitable for a travel stroller:
- Zeus Cave
- Gorge hikes
- The beaches (there are sometimes boardwalks, but we wouldn’t recommend taking a stroller on the sand)
When is the best time to visit Crete with kids?
The best time to visit Crete with kids is in spring between April, May, and June and in fall, in September and October.
Especially with children, the temperatures during these months are the most comfortable — particularly if you want to do many of the activities and excursions with the kids.
We know, of course, that summer vacation usually falls in July or August. In that case, you should definitely book a hotel with a pool.
