The island of Crete, in the southern area of the Mediterranean, is a great destination for family holidays. Kids of every age can enjoy the wonderful variety of beaches on the island. Due to Crete’s varied coastal landscape, you’ll be able to find bays that are as calm as lagoons, virtually waveless, and never hit by strong winds or currents. On the beaches of Crete, your kid will be able to create castles of soft sand, discover the submarine wonders with a pair of goggles, or play pirates on their own private islet. Read on to discover Crete’s most kid-friendly shores.
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Let’s Start by Getting Ready for Crete!
RESOURCES TO BOOK YOUR TRIP:
Book your flight: I use Skyscanner to compare prices before booking a plane ticket.
Book your ferry: When ferries are more convenient than air travel, I use Ferryhopper.
Book your accommodation: I’ve tried many different platforms for accommodation, but none of them beats the advantages of Booking.com.
Book your car: The best way to find an affordable car to rent is to use a powerful search engine that compares all the rental companies in the market. I use Discover Cars.
Book your tours: Live unforgettable adventures and cultural experiences with Get Your Guide. For instance, you can Visit Elafonisi, discover Balos Beach, hike Samaria, or explore Knossos.
Don’t forget travel insurance: Things can go wrong at times, but travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend Safety Wing for peace of mind.
A quick guide to the best hotels in Crete
Budget: So Young Hostel in Heraklio, Cocoon City Hostel in Chania, Matthias Hotel Apartments in Rethymnon, and Villa Galini in Agios Nikolaos.
Mid-range: Capsis Astoria Heraklion in Heraklion, Porto Antico in Chania, Archipelagos Hotel in Rethymnon, or Hotel Port 7 in Agios Nikolaos.
Luxury: Galaxy Iraklio Hotel in Heraklion, Hotel OFF in Chania, Avli Lounge in Rethymnon, or Minos Beach Art Hotel in Agios Nikolaos.
Check more: Where to stay in Crete.
Safest Beaches for Children in the Region of Chania
We’ve often discussed on the blog the best beaches in the Chania region, I’ve even dedicated a whole article to unveil over 30 stunning shores on the western coast of the island. But, how many of them are especially safe for children? Let’s take a look at the top kid-friendly beaches of Chania, Crete.
Pink Sand Beach of Elafonisi
Region: Chania (South coast)
Latitude: N 35.269391
Longitude: E 23.531477
Crete’s most popular beach is Elafonisi. Famous for the pink sand shore, the islet of Elafonisi is about 70 km south of Chania, in the west of Crete.
The beach is well organized, the sea shallow and clean. It’s a safe, wide bay, a great place for families with kids. Check this super detailed guide to visit Elafonisi.
Frangokastello Beach
Region: Chania (South coast)
Latitude: N 35.181586
Longitude: E 24.231458
Frangokastello is an organized sandy beach on the southern coast of Chania. Kids love the Venetian castle standing right opposite the beach.
This shore is a favorite among families for its shallow waters and soft sand, however, it’s an open bay which can be windy at times. Frangokastello is great for young adventurers and explorers, both on land and under the sea.
Stavros Beach
Region: Chania (Cape Akrotiri)
Latitude: N 35.591
Longitude: E 24.0957
A shallow sea and fine golden sand combine on the beach of Stavros, making it a great place for family holidays.
The beach is very well organized, and there are no waves or currents, which make it the best beach in the area when the weather is windy. It’s a laid-back village and resort, ideal for families.
You can also read about Stavros beach in the article about the best beaches in Akrotiri and the best beaches in West Crete.
Visit the beaches in West Crete and stay in the capital of the region
>> Check these rental homes in Chania Old Town <<
Georgioupolis Beach
Region: Chania (near Apokoronas)
Latitude: N 35.361922
Longitude: E 24.261377
The small, laid-back resort of Georgioupolis has every ingredient to make it to the list of kid-friendly beaches in Crete.
There’s a well-organized beach with shallow waters and soft sand. In the village, it’s possible to find several tavernas and cafes around the main square and along the coast.
Georgioupolis attracts many visitors from all over Europe during the Summer, especially families with small children. The village is also conveniently close to the city of Chania.
Best Beaches for Kids in the Region of Rethymnon
There are some great beaches for the whole family in Rethymnon, especially the southern coast of Rethymnon features some of the nicest kid-friendly beaches in Crete.
Triopetra Beach
Region: Rethymnon (South coast)
Latitude: N 35.119377
Longitude: E 24.547915
This wide, tranquil beach is about 52 km south of the city of Rethymnon. Triopetra is a beautiful beach with small pebbles, fully organized and with ample spaces that usually make it look empty even in the high season.
On this beach, the children will love to explore the three imposing rocks that stand right next to the sea.
There are a few tavernas on the beach serving cold drinks and meals. It’s possible to rent sunbeds and umbrellas too.
Bali Beach
Region: Rethymnon (North coast)
Latitude: N 35.414032
Longitude: E 24.782996
The bays of Bali are a popular beach choice on the island of Crete so it’s not odd to find it crowded. Some of Bali’s bays are narrow and well protected from the northern winds, a feature that makes it stand out from the rest of the beaches on the north of Rethymnon, that usually have a quite rough sea.
The organization, the fine sand, and the pristine waters, plus good tourist facilities make Bali another good place for family-friendly holidays in Crete.
Agia Galini
Region: Rethymnon (South coast)
Latitude: N 35.090157
Longitude: E 24.69644
Agia Galini is a nice coastal town on the southern coast of Rethymnon extremely popular among tourists from all over Europe. There are a lot of hotels and other facilities that make it a great place for family holidays.
There are several kid-friendly beaches in the area, as well as many other beaches to check nearby, such as Kalamaki, Damnoni, and Plakias. Agia Galini is a great starting point to visit the southern beaches of Crete.
>> Are you looking for a place to stay in Rethymnon? Check the best Airbnbs in Rethymnon <<
Best Kid-Friendly Beaches in Heraklion
Although the beaches in Heraklion can be noisy and crowded, there are a few places that can be family-friendly, take a look!
Ligaria Beach
Region: Heraklion (North coast)
Latitude: N 35.399204
Longitude: E 24.026512
Ligaria or Lygaria is a beach located on the northern coast of Heraklion, 21 km west of the city, and very close to the beach of Agia Pelagia. The bay is wide and the sea very clean, although it can be wavy at times due to the northern winds. In this case, seek refuge on the western side of the bay.
Although the beach is quite shallow for the first meters, the sea deepens suddenly, as for instance on the coast of Matala. It’s always better for kids to enter the sea with an adult so as to understand how safe it is according to their swimming skills.
Hersonissos Beach
Region: Heraklion (North coast)
Latitude: N 35.307837
Longitude: E 25.37114
Not all the coast of Hersonissos is among my favorite beaches for kids on Crete, however the area known as Sarandari Coves can be a tranquil spot for families, with its shallow shore and crystal clear waters.
The seaside resort also offers all kinds of entertainment for children, a good reason to include this beach in any list of kid-friendly beaches of Crete.
>> In this link you will find rental homes to experience Heraklion like a local <<
Stalida Beach
Region: Heraklion (North coast)
Latitude: N 35.292725
Longitude: E 25.432898
The quiet and safe cost of Stalida (also Stalis) is favorite among families spending their holidays in Crete. The resort is half-way between Hersonissos and Malia, less than 20 km from Heraklion.
The beach is sandy and organized and there’s a good choice of places to eat and stay along the coastal road of Stalida.
>>Include these beaches in a 3-week itinerary<<
Malia Beach
Region: Heraklion (North coast)
Latitude: N 35.298014
Longitude: E 25.494903
Although a bit noisy and chaotic, Malia remains one of the most popular resorts and beaches in Crete as it’s just 35 km east of the island’s capital, Heraklion.
The wide beach continues until the also friendly resort of Stalis (or Stalida), a much better choice for family-friendly holidays in Crete.
Family-Friendly Beaches in Lasithi
If you’re traveling east, then check these super gorgeous and safe beaches for families in the Lasithi region…
Almyros Beach
Region: Lasithi (North coast)
Latitude: N 35.19106
Longitude: E 25.71524
Almyros is a fantastic child-friendly beach in the region of Lasithi (and one of my personal favorites).
The bay is long and wide, safe for children, and the sea clear, calm, and shallow. A key feature of the beach is the small stream that flows to the sea, a place that kids usually love to explore. When we visited the area, we stayed here.
Voulisma Beach
Region: Lasithi (North coast)
Latitude: N 35.125594
Longitude: E 25.746135
One of Crete’s preferred beaches, Voulisma lies on the northern coast of Lasithi, facing the beautiful Gulf of Mirabello, just a few minutes from Agios Nikolaos.
The long bay is well organized, it has white sand and the waters are crystal and shallow, and it’s absolutely beautiful when there’s no wind.
The place is usually busy in summer, but it can be perfect for those traveling in more tranquil months (at the beginning or at the end of the season).
Vai Beach
Region: Lasithi (East coast)
Latitude: N 35.254528
Longitude: E 26.265406
Although it’s usually crowded as it’s one of Crete’s most popular beaches, Vai is located on a wide bay on the eastern area of the island.
The beach is very wide and has soft golden sand as well as a huge palm tree forest, one of the biggest in Europe.
The bay is calm and the sea clean and shallow. The beach is, in fact, ideal for family-friendly holidays, especially if you visit in early June and early September.
Myrtos Beach
Region: Lasithi (South coast)
Latitude: N 35.004495
Longitude: E 25.585051
Located in the region of Lasithi, Myrtos is a village with a fantastic beach in a well-protected bay. The area is peaceful and laid-back although the small village has every facility you might need for a family holiday in the south of Crete.
The sea is calm and not particularly hit by strong winds. The sand is dark and mixed with small pebbles. The beach is organized, and it’s possible to rent an umbrella, eat in any of the beach tavernas, and enjoy a lifeguard service.
Please, help us protect the beaches in Crete. Respect the environment and don’t leave any trash on the beach.
Which one is your favorite kid-friendly beach?
Let me know in the comments below!
Read more:
Explore the Fantastic Unspoiled Beaches in South Crete
Missing Travel? Eleven Fun Crete Travel-Related Activities to Do at Home!
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Rethymnon, Crete
The Most Beautiful Beaches in West Crete
Best Beaches on Akrotiri Peninsula, Crete
Don’t Leave without Pining! Pin This Guide to What Beaches to Visit in Crete with Kids!
About the author of this blog:
Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. On the island, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in summer, translating, and freelance writing.
She’s written for Greek Reporter, published several travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person would be able to handle.
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