Family holidays are a travel category in themselves. They usually require a little more planning, a lot more luggage, and often hide pitfalls that you gradually learn to avoid when you’re a parent.
So, a list of “kid-friendly” things to do and places to go is always helpful if you want to save unnecessary hassle and stress. Beaches are a great place to start for those who love the sea and plan to keep their little ones busy by the waves from early in the morning until sunset, when the sea is at its hottest and no one really wants to go back home. The main factor being shallow, sheltered from the wind, waters where even really young swimmers can be safe.
From northern Greece to the unspeakably beautiful landscapes of Crete, there’s a perfect beach everywhere, ideal for families seeking the friendly, easy side of Greek holidays. We’ve chosen 10 beaches, perfect for carefree swims and endless splashing around in friendly, calm waters.
Harakas, Attica
In the homonymous settlement, just a stone’s throw from Sounion, a wonderful beach in Attica that used to be a hidden secret just for the few in the know. However, gradually, the small bay of Harakas with its soft sand and very shallow waters evolved into a favourite destination, not only for the southern suburbs residents but also for regulars from the entire city.
Crystal-clear sea and an almost tropical setting that’s hard to believe it is located just 50 minutes away from the centre of the capital. Families with small children love this beach, while right next to it there is a canteen where you can buy the essentials. On weekends, Harakas gets very crowded, but on weekdays (even in the afternoons) you will find here a calm paradise to play with your little ones in the sheltered, calm waters.
Megalo Kavouri, Attica
Just 16km from the centre of Athens, Kavouri is, without doubt, one of the most popular beaches in Attica. Just before the famous Vouliagmeni beach, you will see a small, calm peninsula with clear and shallow waters, perfect for summer excursions with your kids.
The beach is easily accessible by public transport, via the metro to Elliniko and then a bus that stops right in front of Kavouri. Right next to Megalo Kavouri, you’ll find its “little brother”, Mikro Kavouri, another ideal destination for family swimming trips near the city, but with slightly deeper waters.
Monastiri, Paros
In the northern part of Paros, a beach that perfectly combines calm family moments with the island’s cosmopolitan air.
Monastiri is located just after the famous Kolimbithres beach and stands out for its wide, sandy shore which will become your ideal refuge for carefree moments until the sun sets. A calm bay with waters sheltered from the strong winds of the Cyclades, so shallow that you’ll have to cover a great distance if you want to swim in the true sense of the word.
So, Monastiri may not be the best beach for freestyle swimming, but it is the perfect choice if you want to let your kids splash around for hours in safe waters, build sand castles or ride a paddle boat. There’s a beach bar on the beach that also serves food from midday onwards, where you can get anything you need.
Useful tip: If you arrive at the beach before 11 a.m., you’ll find immense tranquillity that can’t be described with words.
Sani, Halkidiki
On the first leg of Halkidiki, Sani manages to combine the glamour of the large hotels that have associated their name with that of the beautiful beach with the calm mood of a truly peaceful paradise.
In Sani, near Nea Fokea, you’ll find crystal-clear blue waters next to a beautiful wetland where young children can learn and explore, along with a unique view of the Olympus mountain range. In addition, there’s a prehistoric settlement located on a hill next to the lakes of Ambares, which is also the home of many rare bird species that offer a special spectacle to visitors.
For those who want to see the more intense side of Sani, it goes without saying that nearby there are beach bars with sunbeds, umbrellas, nice cocktails and lots of music.
Kalogria, Achaia
In a region of Greece that is experiencing unprecedented tourist development, in the Peloponnese with its beautiful coastline and unique nature, Kalogria beach in Achaia is located about 40 min away from Patras and is a favourite summer destination for the residents of the surrounding area.
Kalogria is mostly serviced, however, there are still large sections where you can get some privacy and seclusion and relax alone with your friends. The coastline stretches for a total length of 9 k, and its clear waters gradually deepen, offering safety even for the youngest children.
A wild, natural landscape stretches behind the now famous coastline, making the long beach of Kalogria a wonderful opportunity to discover one of the most special places in Greece.
Balos, Crete
There’s probably no travel magazine or website in the world that hasn’t featured, at least once, this stunning, almost unreal, beach in northern Crete, which tourists, even after several visits, find hard to believe exists.
The Balos lagoon, however, apart from being a place of incredible natural beauty, is also a wonderful location for endless swimming, games and walks with young children, who get easily bored and are always looking for something new to discover.
Its only disadvantage is the enormous crowds that swarm the beach in the summer. However, if you find yourself in Chania in June or in September, you’ll see the other face of Balos, a more relaxed, more discreet, more welcoming, and totally tropical face that will make you dream of this breath-taking place throughout the winter.
Elafonisi, Crete
Perhaps there’s no other place in all of Greece with calmer, warmer, and shallower waters than those of the exotic Elafonisi in Chania.
A famous beach that has been featured in the world’s biggest travel magazines and is considered –rightly so– one of the most beautiful in Greece, is instantly recognizable thanks to the pink sand that covers it from end to end and the turquoise waters that seem fake.
The sea in Elafonisi almost never deepens and will, at most, get up to your knees. Here you explore an outstanding place, walking on an unforgettable trail that crosses the sea and leads to an almost tropical island, covered in white sandy hills. In Elafonisi, whether you find yourself alone or with your children, the only thing you can be sure of is that you won’t get bored, not even for a minute.
Avithos, Kefalonia
On the south-eastern side of beautiful, lush Kefalonia, there’s a beach with shallow, quiet, unruffled waters, with gold sand stretching everywhere under your feet.
Avithos is serviced, with a canteen on the beach, sunbeds, umbrellas, and several restaurants nearby, making it a great choice for people with children. In fact, the sea in Avithos is so shallow, that many parents teach their little ones swimming here.
Arillas, Thesprotia
In the enchanting Sivota, very close to the traditional settlement of Perdika, the beach of Arillas is one of the most sheltered and shallow beaches in the whole of Thesprotia. It has very fine sand and crystal-clear waters, while in the nearby canteen you will find everything from coffee and snacks to slushies and ice creams.
Families consistently choose it for its quiet vibes and for the fact that it really close to Perdika where you can find many rooms to let and several restaurants with good food. If an old-fashioned, family holiday is your goal then Arillas is a must.
Stupa, Messenia
A beach that needs no special introduction, especially for those who have visited Messenia before, the emblematic Stoupa, near Kalamata, is one of the most famous beaches in the region, with many beach bars, a dreamy, immense sandy beach and shallow waters that never get too deep.
If you can’t stand the bustle and the crowds, the strong family vibes in Stoupa, especially in July and August, will probably not appeal to you. If, on the other hand, you want a place where you can feel comfortable to let your children run around and play, then at about three quarters of a mile from Kalamata you’ll find the perfect spot.
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