Last Updated on July 10, 2023
For the last three COVID summers, we have chosen Greece as our summer vacation destination with our little family. Greece has been a longtime favorite of ours since we got engaged in Kardamyli. After having our daughter, Isabella, it was the first vacation we took as a new family when Isabella was only 3 months old. And we loved it so much, we even returned a second time when she was 4 months old. Last summer, we spent three weeks on the island of Crete, and Isabella even took her first steps on Greek soil. This summer, we spent two weeks on the island of Rhodes for a ‘work-cation’, taking advantage of the evenings and weekends to explore the island and feast on delicious Greek seafood. Needless to say, we are a bit obsessed with Greece. Read below for all the reasons why Greece is the perfect family summer vacation destination.
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Why is Greece the Perfect Family Summer Vacation Destination?
Greece Has Amazing Food that Will Satisfy Anyone
We LOVE Greek food, especially the steamed mussels, the fried mussels in Agia Triada and seafood pasta. JC especially loves his dorado (sea bream or branzino). Greece has so many options for any type of eater, whether you love seafood like us, or if you are vegetarian or vegan there are so many options, such as baked eggplant, hummus, tzatziki, vegetarian moussaka, and so many more. Isabella loves seafood pasta, so we always share with her. However, for pickier eaters, you can usually find even a pizza or hamburger on a menu if you want it. Greece really has food options to satisfy the entire family.
Greece is Very Economical
Greece is incredibly inexpensive, especially if you look for more economical accommodation on Airbnb or more boutique hotels. While we have gone to Greece in July the last two years, you can also save money by not going during peak holiday times. Last summer in Crete, we paid 61€ per night for our apartment style accommodation we booked via Airbnb. This summer in Rhodes, we paid around 42€ per night for an apartment we booked via Booking. We paid 45€ a day to rent a car in Rhodes and 40€ a day to rent a car in Crete, both times with full insurance and second drivers. Regarding food, in Crete, we paid on average between 30-40€ for a meal for two with seafood dishes and house wine. In Rhodes, we paid a bit more, around 45-60€ for a seafood meal for two. Meals in Agia Triada and Néa Kallikráteia, outside of Thessaloniki, cost around 30-40€ for two people. If you plan it right, you will not break the bank traveling with your family in Greece.
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Greece Has the Most Gorgeous Beaches that are also Kid Friendly
Greece has some of the most gorgeous beaches we have ever seen. Balos in Crete is absolutely magical. It is like something out of this world, the water is so crystal clear and turquoise. Elafonisi in Crete was perfect for our daughter who was 14 months at the time, because the water is so shallow. This summer, in Rhodes, our favorite beach with our now two year old was Tsambika beach. Tsambika is a large sand beach with shallow water that is perfect for young children. They also have water sports and a water park for older children to play, plus sun beds, chairs, shops and restaurants.
The Greek People Are Very Friendly and Love Children
When traveling with our young daughter, I find that we are even more sensitive to the treatment of us by locals. Sometimes she cries, or makes a mess, or even breaks something when we are out. This can be an uncomfortable situation. However, in Greece, they love kids. Our daughter is always welcome in restaurants in Greece. If anything, she is given an even warmer welcome than us. At one restaurant in Kissamos, the waitress carried Isabella around almost the entire evening, and didn’t want to give her back 🙂 The vibe in Greece is pretty casual, which also makes it easier to bring children into shops and restaurants.
Greece Has So Many Places to View Animals
My daughter is obsessed with animals, therefore, anytime she can see live animals up close is a welcome distraction. In Greece, there are cats EVERYWHERE. In every restaurant, Isabella could be entertained the entire meal chasing and petting the cats. There are also, of course, farms you can visit. In Crete, we visited Taverna Drimos, which had ducks, chickens and even miniature ponies. In Rhodes we also paid a visit to the Butterfly Valley, though I think Isabella finds cats and ponies more interesting than butterflies 🙂
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And these are the reasons why we think Greece is the perfect family summer vacation and why we keep coming back year after year. What are your favorite spots in Greece? Let us know where we should travel to next in this beautiful country!
