Amazing Villas in Crete
Perfect weather, laid-back island vibe and more than a handful of stunning sandy beaches make Crete the ideal choice for families in search of warm weather, fun and much deserved rest. Read on to discover our list of recommendations on what do to in Crete with kids.
What to do in Crete with kids
The Island of Endless Beaches
Sfakaki Beach - Rethymno Crete (c) Amazing Villas in Crete
Crete ticks every box when it comes to planning the perfect family-friendly vacation. With its gorgeous sandy beaches and turquoise seas, Crete is home to some of the most stunning beaches in Europe. Many of Crete’s beaches have shallow, safe waters and silky sand, making them perfect for a carefree vacation. The beaches of South Rethymnon are blessed with remarkable natural beauty, many of them remain unspoiled. Here you can sit back, relax and enjoy the magnificent landscapes, while your children build sandcastles or splash in the inviting waters of the Libyan Sea.
Ammoudi Beach - South Rethymno Crete (c) Amazing Villas in Crete
If you are looking for a postcard-perfect beach, Elafonissi Beach with its pink and white sand is guaranteed to awe you. For an ultimate day filled with adventure and out of this world views, venture off to Balos Lagoon with its shallow, turquoise waters, scenic coves and the remains of the Gramvousa castle which was built by the Venetians in 1579.
Elafonissi Beach
Rated as one of 100 best beaches around the world by CNN Travel, Balos Beach makes a perfect day trip for the whole family. Another worthy of the top beaches in the world title is Falassarna Beach, and this long sandy beach is one of the most famous sunset spots on the island.
A land of Myths and Ancient Palaces
Knossos Palace - Heraklion Crete
The history of Crete traces back to Neolithic times (approximately 3000 B.C), one of the first cities in Europe was home to legendary King Minos, a powerful ruler who lived in the Palace of Knossos. A trip to Crete can be described as a history lesson that comes to life. Instead of reading history books in classrooms, children will be introduced to the myths and legends of gods and goddesses face-to-face. Inside this historical palace, kids can learn all about the myth of the Minotaur and how the beautiful Ariadne, daughter of King Minos helped to save Theseus by guiding him out of the labyrinth with her magic twine. Can you think of a better way to learn history?
Visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
For a more detailed introduction to Crete’s inspiring history, take your kids to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. The museum holds one of the most impressive Minoan collections in the world where your little ones can walk among and admire the statues of mighty bulls, ancient warriors and snake goddesses.
WaterPark Fun
There are lots of modern amenities for families to love on Crete. Water parks offer a fun way to cool off in the summer. There are several waterparks available in different regions of Crete. The most popular being the Watercity Waterpark in Anopolis (Hersonissos) approximately an hour and a 30-minute drive from Rethymnon. On the other side of the island in Chania, there’s the Aqua Crete Limnoupolis offering an exiting variety of activities for all ages.
Admire Sea Creatures at the CretAquarium
The CretAquarium is one of Europe’s largest, state-of-the-art aquariums where your kids will be introduced to more than 2,000 marine organisms which reside in one of the 60 tanks. Children can deepen their knowledge of the Mediterranean Sea by following one of the several organized tours available for children of all ages.
Discover the Crete of Today at Agreco Farm
Want to introduce your children to organic farming and the preservation of old farming practices which date back thousands of years? At the Agreco Farm situated in a small village of Adele, Rethymnon you can participate in traditional activities like grape crushing, bread baking, flour milling, making cheese, baking bread, and the pressing of olive oil. There is even a unique program for children called Farmer for a Day where little guests will learn how to prepare some of Crete’s famous recipes.
Master pottery making at Margarites
The charming village of potters, Margarites is one of Crete’s four main pottery centres. Here you can still find six potters who make pithoi, the large storage jars which can be found at Knossos.
At the Keramikos shop run by George Dalamvelas, your children can learn all about the traditional techniques of pottery making and witness the remarkable neolithic styles of pot that are still made and used today.
Explore the Caves of Crete
If you wish to engage in something more of the beaten path, then how about a visit to one of Crete’s famous caves. Crete has somewhere around 3,000 caves — the most notable being Dikteon Cave or Psychro Cave which is where Zeus was born according to the legend. Many myths surround this cave, and excavations found here are older than those of the Ideon Cave.
Want to learn all about how Zeus was apparently the only child who was not eaten by his father Kronos, the mighty Titan, and the divine descendant of Uranus, the sky, and Gaia, the earth? Visit the Ideon Cave, which is the mythological birthplace of Zeus, situated on the highest mountain of Crete, Mt. Ida (Psiloritis).
Learn about the Dinosaurs
Crete does really have it all, dinosaurs included. At the theme park dedicated to Dinosaurs, little guests can learn all about the fascinating creatures while admiring fossil replicas and life-size dinosaur models. Among the attractions is Dino hospital where children can witness egg hatching and care of newborns as well as 5D and &D cinema halls that show 3-dimensional films with special effects.
Crete is one of the top family-friendly islands in Greece. There are plenty of things to do in Crete with kids. Contact us today to book your villa holiday in Crete and gift your family with a memorable trip to Greece!