On the right shore you can observe turtles and through the clear water you can also see fishes. You can also relax on the wonderful beach of Agia Roumeli after crossing the gorge. Serious beach habit. Address: Apokoronas municipality of Chania. If youre looking for outdoor activities for kids in Crete, take a look here Family outdoor activities in Crete. The simplest activities can keep a baby busy! From sailing and wind-surfing, through to mountain bike riding and river walks, theres something for everyone. The roads are quite stony but it is easy to drive just omit big wholes and stones , Enjoy your stay- if need more info you can e-mail to me : [emailprotected]. Firstly, learn all about Cretes history at this interactive cinema and museum. What about a Private family guided tour of Knossos and pottery workshop?! There are many different beautiful plants and flowers. Along the way, the hike takes you through Samaria National Park, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, which is home to unique flora and fauna as well as the eye-catching scenery. If your kids dont fancy a pirate boat, or youre staying elsewhere on Crete, there are a string of other boat trips to choose from again, youll be spoiled for choice. A good way to spend an hour or two, if the day is cloudy or you want to escape the heat. Published June . The park is split into two sections, one for adults with large thrilling water slides and the other for children with shallower waters, smaller slides, and playgrounds in large grassed areas. Working with afliated partners allows us to earn a small commission on any purchases or bookings you may make at no extra cost to you. Crete is a fantastic destination with great outdoor activities for families, combining stunning scenery, ancient history, a wonderfully warm climate and plenty of beautiful beaches. Do you hate spam? Which area would be best to stay in. Kids will love this entertainment whilst learning about Crete. Things to Do in Crete with Kids in 2023. The Palace of Knossos is one of Cretes most famous ancient landmarks and a must-visit for visitors of all ages. We came from Platanias by bus. If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support Flying With A Baby, 1. I think that the sand is more white colour than pink, only small quantity of pink grains of sand is on the shore. There are tickets including transfers and lunch available if you dont want to drive or take a taxi. Do take water and any snacks with you as there are limited (and pricy) facilities on the island, plus limited information if you dont have a guide realistically, this isnt a great one with younger kids. Wander the Alleys of the Old Town The old Venetian Harbor of Chania. Zoraidas Horse Riding is conveniently located between the popular tourist resorts of Chania and Rethymno with guided pony treks for children. If you're looking for outdoor activities for kids in Crete, take a look here - Family outdoor activities in Crete. This half-day tour is guaranteed to be a hit with kids. Some of the activities on offer include horse riding, snorkelling, kayaking, trekking and canoeing. You can walk across to Elafonisi from the mainland. It is fairly remote, so if you book a coach trip or a hire car, be prepared with a bag stuffed full snacks and water for the kids. We have picked up plenty of tips for travelling through the baby, toddler, pre-schooler stages and beyond! Almirida Visit the beaches of Almirida for calm, warm, shallow waters and golden sand. Another fun thing in Crete for children is to visit the Cretaquarium, one of the largest and most modern aquariums in Europe. Your email address will not be published. Agoras, Chania 731 32, Greece, Opening Hours:Mon, Weds& Sat 8am-2pm. Located in East Crete this is where, according to legend, Zeus was born and raised by the goat Amaltheia. Considering we are in unusual times, I felt safe, COVID measures adhered to making our, With a family tickets of 4 cost 10 euro, you can enjoy the best view you can ever catch of the whole, The factory is a lovely building in the mountains and. 15 of the best things to do in Crete - Lonely Planet more. Join us for travel tips, family friendly accommodation, attraction and days out recommendations at home and around the world. My family loves to visit museums no matter where we go, and the Natural History Museum in Heraklion has all of your usual museum exhibits, with the added bonus of The Stavros Niarchos Discovery Center. Currently one of the most modern aquariums in Europe, the centre is home to over 2,000 sea creatures across 60 tanks so its easy to while away a few hours. Join ourFamily Travel Forum: TRAVEL WITH KIDS WORLDWIDE Facebook Group herewhich includes lots of ideas & tips for things to do, places to visit around the globe and more with input from members who live or visit these places regularly. globetotting.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, anafliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Your email address will not be published. Its the first of its kind in the Balkan region located5 km from Hersonissos and only 30 km from Heraklion city. If you dont have your own car, there are day trips to Lake Kournas and Chania as well as tours to local villages and Lake Kournas too. Its a beautiful place. Our local experts are always on hand to answer questions, and we also create bespoke itineraries so that you have the most memorable vacation in Crete imaginable! Wondering how to entertain your little one? Crete also offers plenty of surfing opportunities wind surfing, paddle surfing and kite surfing in locations including Elafonisi, Falassarna, Agia Marina, Plakias, Amoudara and Ierapetra. The artifacts are amazing. Other than this, it was a fantastic day out and thank you to all of the team there. Aptera is located around 8 miles from Chania and theres a small fee of 2 to enter the archaeological site. 4. If visiting with young children, be aware that the dinosaurs move and make noise! Address: Filikis Etirias 7, Chersonisos 700 14. The area is wild with mountains dropping into the sea, islands creating a bay and a shallow lagoon to enjoy it all. Best Things To Do In Crete With Toddlers - Flying With A Baby Visiting Cretes beaches is one of the best things to for families who are visiting Crete with toddlers because not only are the beaches free, but theyre also truly breathtaking and tot-friendly thanks to their calm water and soft sand. Samaria Gorge is a 16km canyon that cuts through the White Mountains from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli, past the Unesco Biosphere Reserve, an abundance of unique vegetation and breathtaking views. There are so many things to do in Crete with families its no surprise that the country is often voted as one of the most popular destinations for a family holiday. When youre exhausted from all that watery fun, have a snack, meal or drink in the restaurants and bars of the park. Now, you shouldnt expect to see elephants, giraffes, and your typical zoo inhabitants at Amazonas because the park is relatively small, however, you will come up close to parrots, monkeys, donkeys, and cockatoos, as the zoos main purpose is to reproduce rare and endangered species. A combination of underwater animals and reptiles is a match made in heaven for toddlers, and at Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Centre, your little ones can come into close contact with the centres inhabitants, holding snakes, tortoises, and lizards while learning all about the animals and their natural habitats. For more information on how we collect, store, and use your information, please read our privacy policy. If youre trying to pick a Greek island for a family holiday, you cant overlook the biggest of the bunch not least because there are so many things to do in Crete with kids. We also went to Elafonissi Beach. A great place for young and old. This means you can visit here on the way to seeing the amazing Matala Caves. The towns harbor has boats, cafes and restaurants which are ideal for families. I honestly did not know much at all about Minoan civilization before this trip and you will learn a ton at this museum. Lake Kournas is worth it, its a light and a dark blue colour looks like an eye from the top view. Weve been making some enquiries for you well be in touch shortly! Most water parks in Crete are only open for the summer season between May and October so make sure to check opening dates before your visit. It was established as part of Thalakssokosmos,the largest complex for marine research in the Mediterranean area. It sounds like there is a lot to see and do, to be honest mine are happy with a pool and a beach but we still like a few days out exploring and a trip to a water park x. Its fantastic for kids I think the main tip for Crete is to choose your base wisely, as its a big island, so if youre staying a way away from the attractions/places you want to visit, itll mean a lot of driving. Either join one of the scheduled bicycle tours in Crete orplan your own tour along with your family. It does get busy at the weekend in particular so time your visit well. An amazing range of sealife and reptiles, very interactive and informative, and a lovely team of people. Not only is the island just a short flight away from the UK, but Crete is also home to some breathtaking beaches, interesting history, and numerous attractions that are suited for the entire family. } This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Stroll around the small museum before entering the movie theatre, where an epic film (narrated in English or Greek) tells a short history of Crete and Greek mythology. You will find everything here from fruit and veg to kids clothing and toys for example. As one of Europes largest aquariums, Cretaquarium offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the magnificent Mediterranean Sea world.During the summer months the aquarium is open from 9.30am until 9pm daily and under 4s are free. Comfortable sunbeds for 15 . Most of the animals were rescued or injured and now have a loving home at Aquaworld. On one hand, little ones will love the stories of the fortress protecting inhabitants from pirate invaders. Throughout the 5 hour journey, your little ones will not only get to live out their pirate dreams, but theyll also get to explore caves, snorkel in the ocean, and visit the beaches surrounding Rethymno. Most of the animals are rescued or were injured and now have a new sanctuary at Aquaworld. With 27 galleries across two floors, its collection covers 5,500 years, from the Neolithic age to Greco-Roman times, including the worlds best collection of Minoan treasures easily the best museum to visit in Crete with kids. Elafonisi beach, southwestern Crete This stunning beach has a small sand island you can paddle or wade out to. The Best Things To Do In Crete; Best Restaurants On Crete; How To Get To Crete; The Best Time To Visit Crete; Where To Stay In Crete; How Long Should You Spend On Crete; The Best Beaches . It has beautiful beaches, quaint villages and lots of interesting attractions for children of all ages. With just a few things from around the house you can make a baby play station your baby will love. 1 Comment From all the things to do in Crete, these are the most popular tours and excursions you will find on the island. Crete is very well equipped with things to do for kids, due to its popularity as a tourist destination and it's wealth of amazing history. The sea is shallow and warm making it perfect paddling ground for young children. One of the more popular things to do in Crete with toddlers in particular is to visit Aquaworld. The large cave is not only ecologically impressive with its many stalagmites and stalactites, but according to legend, its also the birthplace of Zeus, the chief Greek God. Founded in 1980, it constantly renews the exhibits and collections so as to attract the interest of young and older visitors. Attractions. } You will find loads to do in Crete which babies and toddlers will love. The staff were friendly and welcoming, the displays were spacious and well presented, and the food was nice. Your children would love taking some time visiting The Stavros Niarchos Discovery Center within the museum too. The owners are so lovely, food is great and of course Raki ;)- local alcohol- kind of sharp taste Its a great way to educate both children and adults about the species and ecosystems of the Mediterranean. Crete has a huge number of beaches to choose from, most of them with calm, shallow waters that are perfect for little ones. Address:Mount Dicte range in East Crete,Crete 720 52,Greece. the kids will love it! Swim in crystal clear waters, take a boat trip to discover rock coves, hire a car and explore the stunning scenery and so much more. Required fields are marked *. From sailing and wind-surfing, through to mountain bike riding and river walks, there's something for everyone. Points of Interest & Landmarks Religious Sites. Located on the west coast of Crete, this popular beach is made up of several strips of sandy beach bordered by beautiful turquoise waters. On the other hand, adults can admire the beautiful views and the ancient church inside the grounds. We visited Creteaquairum and Dinosauria Park. The palace of Knossos is so famous, it doesnt really need much of an introduction. Another great way to spend a day in Crete with kids is by visiting one of the islands best aquariums to learn about the local aquatic life. In the early 1900s, the island became a leper colony and was nicknamed the island of the living dead: at its peak, it had around 400 residents. You can turn this phase fun with our list of ten things to do with a newborn baby. A nice place to stroll. Hi! 1. A place worth visiting. Popular scuba diving locations in Crete are the Bay of Afrata in Chania, Panormos Village in Rethymnon, Hersonissos Cape in Heraklion and Nikolos Reef in Lasithi. Check out Marias Island by the same author, with the story told by one of the child characters from The Island, perfect for kids to learn more about Crete and Spinalonga. Kids can explore the extensive ancient ruins, from the Roman cisterns to the large amphitheatre and hilltop Ottoman fort, plus theres plenty of space to run around as you get a taste of the islands fascinating history. Hello Zareen, Many thanks for your comment. For further information, we recommend Auto-Kappa car and bicycle hire. Explore the CretAquarium Crete is home to some 3,000 mountainous caves. Sofokli Venizelou, Iraklio 712 02. This type of shared experience is one everyone will remember, as they see parts of the island otherwise inaccessible, enjoy diving off the boat, and generally having a good time! This beach is a 2 hour bus ride from Chania (leaves Chania about 9am and leaves Elafonisi at 4pm), or a 2 hour boat ride from Paleochora, but this means it is not overcrowded. Acqua Plus Water Park is the biggest and busiest waterpark of the three. Things To Do In Crete With Toddlers: Amazonas Park; Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Centre; Cretaquarium; Things To Do In Crete With Toddlers: Dinosauria Park; Dikteon Cave; Hike Samaria Gorge; Things To Do In Crete With Toddlers: Labyrinth Park; Minoan's World; Natural History Museum In Heraklion; Paddle In Lake Kournas Copyright 2023 Flying With A Baby - Family Travel | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Tips to make travel with your child easy and stress-free, TRAVEL GEAR REVIEWS + KIDS TRAVEL ACCESSORIES, Welcome To Flying With A Baby Family Travel With Kids Tips, Latest Posts on Flying With A Baby Family Travel, Road Trip With Kids: How To Survive A Long Car Journey With Kids, Car Seats Abroad: Tips & Information On Taking A Car Seat On Holiday/ Vacation, BEST KIDS CAMPING CHAIRS FOR BABIES, TODDLERS & OLDER KIDS, Family Glamping With Kids UK 26 of the Best Family Glamping Sites with play areas & more, Coleman Valdes 6 Person Inflatable Tent Review, Campingaz Party Grill 400 CV|Camping Stove with Grill, LuxuryFamily Camping in Europe | Yelloh Village. Before You Buy or Sell a Home, Do These Things to Prevent Smart Devices window.mc4wp = { The best things to do in Crete with kids - MUMMYTRAVELS Its approximately 75km from Chania. Thank you for your comments and for your tips, we will look into them as they sound like a lot of fun for families. It would take weeks - maybe months - to do all of Crete's essential experiences. Knossos is probably the most accessible historical site for families on the Greek islands where you can visit and learn about this ancient world. The important archaeological site is home to the ruins of a Bronze Age palace that was the ceremonial and political centre of Minoan civilization. For active families who enjoy getting out in nature, you cant miss hiking Samari Gorge. For island hopping fun, read this post on Mykonos with kids. Cretaquarium is a Mediterranean-themed aquarium close to Heraklion in central Crete. The park has a cafe, gift shop, and large childrens play area too. Knossos is connected with great legends such as the story of Daedalus and Icarus, the fearsome Minotaur, and the love story of Theseus and Ariadne. You can buy tickets in advance from sites like Get Your Guide, Tiqets and Viator but unfortunately if youre coming from the UK and travelling with kids, theres not currently option to get the reduced child rate on these sites so youll need to book direct children who are EU citizens get in free. Positioned between the towns of Rethymnon and Heraklion on the central north coast of Crete is Bali Beach. For more information about your prehistoric adventure visit the Dinosauria Parksofficial website. Discover our blog full of ideas, insights about Greek destinations, reviews for kid friendly activities, hotels, beaches, museums and so much more! For families with slightly older children as well as toddlers, then the 9D cinema experience at Minoans World is a must-do. If youd like to trek the gorge with a guide then Get Your Guide offer a full-day trip that ends with a swim in the sea and lunch at a taverna (minimum age 5-years-old). The whole family is clearly bound to be entertained by the stories of Zeus and Icarus who flew too close to the sun. . Crete has a very different approach to catering for kids than other countries do. Whatever you choose, its well worth booking tickets in advance and getting there early (or waiting until later in the afternoon) to avoid the queues and the heat during summer. Today, this golden beach is popular with families. Bus looks different than those local buses. 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Even though it was a hot day, it wasn't a problem because most of the route goes through the shade of trees. The beaches are stunning and many are sheltered and calm. Taste local produce, pick up souvenirs and enjoy some friendly bartering with the stall holders. If youd rather explore Crete with children from above the water then the south coast offers plenty of sea kayaking options. Remember have water, sun cream and hats as sun was very strong. Its a truly unique experience, and as kids of all ages can tune in for the show, its an excellent activity for families who are after something different. Positioned 58km southeast of Agios Nikolaos is the small town of Makrigialos. For more ideas of the best things to do in Heraklion with kids, check out my top picks. Youll find lots of museums with interesting exhibits for kids, aquariums, hotel kids clubs and some stunning natural scenery to explore. Bring a lightweight baby carrier if you decide to do these walks. With a focus on folk traditions and culutre, you can explore a shepherds shelter and little windmill, as well as seeing old wine and olive presses and wandering through a herb garden. By entering your email address you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from BabyBreaks about news, offers and partner promotions. A fantastic chance for the whole family to learn something new, or practise an old skill, this is sure to win smiles all round! Discover over 2,000 species of marine life at this award winning aquarium, which is one of Cretes best things to do with kids indoors. These sites (as well as historic monasteries and other sites of interest) are marked with brown road signs in both English and Greek. This is a good option if youre visitingSamaria Gorge with kids. If your kids can ride you could also hire bicycles and cycle along the coastline. })(); About Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact us, Costa Dorada (The Coastline Around Barcelona). Visit a fish spa or take a cooking class are some of the things to do in Crete with kids. You can buy joint tickets, although as with the palace of Knossos, you only seem to be able to get child tickets if you book direct. Its worth hiring a car for your stay on Crete, as there are so many beaches to discoverall over the island Paleochora and Vai beaches are both worth a visit. If youre thinking about exploring Athens and beyond on the mainland, then take a look at this post. Explore more of Cretes stunning coastline with some family-friendly fun on the water, including plenty of water sports from scuba diving to sea kayaking. The 4 of us Traveled with Uncharted Escapes in an off road Land Rover to Balos Lagoon from Chania. You can wander through recreated period rooms, looking at frescoes and sculptures, as well as other artefacts along the way, including everything from artworks to household items. But, with that being said, if you do find yourself getting tired along the way, then there are guides with donkeys who will take you along the remainder of the route. Our final suggestion of things to do in Crete for families is to take a sailing trip. Dinosauria Park isan outdoor sculpture park home to a huge number of model dinosaurs as well as a number of otherprehistoric animals. Full of history and with a real cosmopolitan and European cafe culture atmosphere. Other water sports such as sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, and jet skis, can be found at beach resorts all over the island. Especially when youre fully prepared with this list of the best things to do in Crete with toddlers. The Koules fortress or the Venetian fortress in the. Youll find cafes, bars, sun umbrellas for hire, water sports, showers and all other beachfront paraphernalia. Youll find plenty of diving schools offering lessons for kids around the Bay of Afrata. Im Cathy, anaward-winning travel-obsessed writerwhos never knowingly underpacked. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops. But to help narrow them down, Ive listed a few of my favourites by area. Travel suggestions and tips, new hot spots for your family to explore, and of course, a taste of Greece because we want your whole family to come to visit Greece SOON!
