Greek Islands · Greece · Mistakes to avoid
5 mistakes families make in the Greek islands
The five most common family mistakes in the Greek islands are visiting only Santorini, travelling in peak August, island-hopping too fast, skipping bigger and flatter islands like Naxos and Paros, and not booking a rental car early. Choose two islands, aim for May, June or September, and reserve car and ferries ahead of the summer rush.
The mistakes, and what to do instead
- 1
Only doing Santorini
Santorini has the famous caldera views and white-and-blue villages, but it is steep, crowded and expensive, and its black-sand beaches are less suited to young swimmers. Many families end up with one big view and very little else. Pair it with a calmer island that has an easy sandy beach, flatter walking and family restaurants. If you do go, stay a couple of nights, visit Oia or Fira at the start or end of the day, and avoid cruise-ship crowds in the middle of the day by checking the schedule.
- 2
Visiting in peak August
August is the hottest and busiest month, with many Greeks on holiday too. Ferries and rooms fill early, beaches are crowded and prices climb. Heat can make sightseeing hard with children. May, June and September have warm sea, long days and calmer places, and many hotels still offer family rooms at lower prices. If school dates force you into July or August, choose islands with breezes and plan for early mornings and long siestas, with sightseeing outside the middle of the day.
- 3
Island-hopping too fast
It is easy to plan five islands in ten days, then spend half of the trip on ferries and in ports. Each move needs packing, transfer to the port and waiting, and ferries can be delayed by wind, particularly in the Cyclades in summer. Choose two islands, or a base and day trips. Allow at least three or four nights in each place, and avoid same-day connections to flights. Check ferry timetables on a booking site, and book in advance in high season, especially with a car.
- 4
Skipping the bigger islands
Naxos and Paros in the Cyclades are larger and flatter than Santorini or Mykonos, with long sandy beaches, shallow water and easy town centres, which is ideal for families. Naxos has the best beaches and a big old town, and Paros has pretty villages and good ferry links. Crete is larger still, with its own airport and diverse beaches. Larger islands also give more choice of apartments with kitchens, and more space to move away from the crowds, with more restaurants that locals use.
- 5
Not pre-booking a car
Public buses on the islands are infrequent, and taxis are limited and costly in summer. Many beaches, villages and ruins are easiest to reach by car, and families carry a lot of gear. Rental cars, particularly automatics and larger vehicles, sell out in July and August, so reserve at the same time as your flights and ferries. Check the insurance terms and the car seat policy, and choose a small car for narrow village roads. On islands such as Naxos, driving is relatively easy.
Plan it
- Best time
- May, June and September give warm sea, long days and fewer crowds. July and August are the hottest and busiest, with strong winds in the Cyclades. April and October are quieter but cooler, and some businesses are closed.
- How long
- Ten days to two weeks suits two islands, with at least four nights on each. A week works best on a single island.
- Getting around
- Ferries connect the islands, and flights link some of them via Athens. On each island, a rental car is the easiest way to reach beaches and villages. Book ferries early in summer, particularly when you are carrying a car.
Good to know
- Book accommodation with a kitchen and air conditioning. They help with children and with the heat.
- Check ferry operators and timetables a few days before sailing. Strong winds can cause delays.
- Choose beaches with shallow, sandy entry rather than rocky coves for young swimmers.
Frequently asked
Which Greek islands are best for families? +
Naxos, Paros, Crete and Corfu are good choices, with sandy beaches, shallow water, plenty of apartments and easy roads. Santorini and Mykonos are more crowded and steeper, better as short add-ons than as the main base.
When is the best time to visit the Greek islands with kids? +
May, June and September. The sea is warm, the weather is hot but not extreme, and there are fewer crowds than in August. Ferries and hotels are also easier to book.
How many Greek islands should you visit on one trip? +
Two is plenty for ten days to two weeks. Each move costs half a day, so fewer islands mean more time on the beach and less time with luggage in ports.
Do you need a car in the Greek islands? +
Usually yes if you want to reach beaches and villages with children. Buses are limited. Book early for summer, and choose a small car for narrow roads, with child seats arranged in advance.
