- Last Updated: October 31, 2023
- Lande
Memorable 11 Day Itinerary for Top Greek Islands for Families
I’ve compiled a summary of our Greece trip to assist in your planning. Although I’ve covered island-specific info in other posts, this overview will steer your journey. Our family cherished our Greek adventure and can’t wait for the next one! Explore the top Greek islands for families.
Looking back, we observed few children during our trip, possibly due to the extensive walking. Our 3-night stay felt just right. My suggestion: skip a night in Athens and head straight to Santorini. Choose Imerovigli for the view or Oia for a more modern housing. Fira, while not as modern, has plenty of tourist attractions. Cabs charge a pricey fixed rate, so if you stay in Fira, make sure to choose accommodation within walking distance of the main area. Make sure not to miss the must-do sunset tour from Oia! As for the scenic hike along the Imerovigli-Firostefani-Fira caldera route, which takes around 1.5 hours, we almost didn’t do it due to concerns about the kids. However, I’m so glad we decided to go for it. I suggest taking the high-speed ferry to Naxos. It’s just a 1.5-hour ride from Santorini. You don’t have to arrive too early; they open the gates right before departure.
Naxos
After our active adventure in Santorini, Naxos provided the perfect opportunity to relax. We spent 3 nights in Naxos, and I felt it was the right duration. The beachfront restaurants with lounge chairs and palapas were excellent and convenient. A day at the beach only cost around 20-40 euros for two chairs, making it a great deal. We highly recommend visiting Agios Prokopios and Plaka Beach, as well as the stunning Apollo Temple. Cabs can be costly and hard to find, so we suggest using the bus, which is easy to navigate. You can buy tickets at any supermarket. The cozy and spotless beachfront apartment we stayed in was the best accommodation we’ve had. I thoroughly enjoyed staying in Agios Prokopios; it had all the amenities I needed. Plaka Beach also appeared to be an excellent choice. Naxos has a wonderfully chill and local vibe. I highly recommend flying from Naxos to Athens. Many people opt for the ferry from island to island, but taking a local flight is simple. The flight lasted only 30 minutes, and the check-in process was quick, also taking just 30 minutes.
We spent 2 nights in Athens, and it felt sufficient. It’s a bustling city with diverse cuisine options. There were many places we wanted to try but ran out of time. Don’t miss the Acropolis and Pantheon; a tour makes it engaging. Having Naxos as a buffer between Santorini and Athens was a good balance. Santorini is busier than Naxos. Uber is a budget-friendly option in Athens, starting at around 2-3 euros. During the summer heat, it’s probably the most convenient way to get around.
Helpful Tips- Memorable 11 Day Itinerary for Top Greek Islands for Families
On the islands, be sure to arrange transportation from the airport or ferry with your accommodation, as it can get scorching.
Don’t forget to pack a hat and a small, portable fan to stay cool.
Booking hotels with pools is a great way to treat the kids after long walks in the heat.
I contacted the restaurants in all three locations for reservations 1-3 months in advance. They were quick to respond. Unlike some other European cities, I didn’t think that people dined as late here.
Our family didn’t mind the July heat. We enjoy the warmth for pool and beach activities. Athens was the warmest, but having a pool made it manageable.