Crete with small children is a good choice, as it turns out. Our decision to visit Crete was entirely coincidental. With all the challenges posed by Covid, testing, vaccinations, and quarantine requirements, we wanted more than just beach relaxation, and a direct flight was also a priority.
It wasn’t an easy decision to make. In reality, we had already purchased tickets to Israel, but Israel remained (or was remaining) closed, and two weeks before our departure, we stopped hoping that it would reopen. At the last minute, we decided on Crete, which, as it turned out, was a pretty good choice.
Crete with Small Children – Table of Contents
Exploring by Car
Crete – Where to Stay
Vacation in Crete with Small Children – 10-Day Itinerary
Towns and Landmarks
Rethymno
Chania
Arkadi Monastery
Triada Monastery
Trekking and Road Trips in Crete
Crete – Most Beautiful Beaches
Where to Eat and What to Eat
Crete with Small Children – Exploring by Car
Traditionally, ever since we had children, we have been renting a car for our vacations. It’s not the cheapest option, but with kids, we prioritize comfort and making our lives easier. For us, vacations also involve a lot of sightseeing and moving around, so public transportation would make it quite challenging with two little ones.
Driving Culture
Driving a car in Crete is completely normal. The traffic flows on the right-hand side, and speed limits are well marked. In cities, there’s a bit of chaos, and you need to watch out for scooters and even pedestrians walking on the road. Occasionally, a car might cut in front of you or block the road. However, at normal speeds, you can easily navigate here without the risk of a collision.
Parking
In most places, you can park wherever you like. In larger cities like Chania or Rethymno, we found parking spots using Google Maps. The parking was always free, and if we arrived before noon, there was usually no problem finding a spot.
Child Car Seats
We rented child car seats from the rental agency. They were comfortable, and our kids enjoyed riding in them. However, they were old, no-name brands, and I doubt they ever underwent safety testing. Given the limited number of trips and lower speeds, we decided to rent on the spot instead of bringing our own car seats. At home, we have two really large and heavy car seats, and it would have been quite a burden to carry them. Back when we had only one child, we always brought our own car seat. Even the large Axkid Minikid traveled with us to South Africa.
Crete with Small Children – Where to Stay
Here, it largely depends on how active you prefer your holidays, whether your children tolerate longer drives, and how many days you plan to stay.
We were there for 10 days, and our kids can tolerate a car ride for a maximum of 2 hours at a time, but we wanted to see a lot. So, we divided our stay into two parts.
Family apartment in a hotel near Balos
First, we stayed at a hotel near Balos in the western part, near Kissamos and the village of Kaliviani, on the way to Balos Lagoon.
In this part of the island, it’s a great place to stay if you plan to mainly relax on the beach. Balos, Falasarna, and Elafonisi are places where you can easily spend a whole day, and the kids won’t get tired from long drives. You can also easily drive to Chania for sightseeing; it’s less than an hour away. Additionally, you can visit the Samaria and Therisios Gorges without any problems
Balos Hotel – we highly recommend it. There’s a kiddie pool, it’s peaceful, and the spacious apartments come with a kitchenette. All rooms offer a sea view
I was worried about pool parties going on until late at night, but it’s a place more suited for families and people who prefer peace and quiet – the poolside bar closes at 9:00 PM. We were fortunate to get a corner room, which offered a beautiful view not only of the sea but also of the road leading to Balos.
We had very comfortable conditions here, and I can wholeheartedly recommend this hotel. The only downside is the food outside of breakfast – the buffet cost is quite high, and the selection is so-so. We decided to try it only once; typically, we ate at different places while exploring. However, the breakfasts were very good.
We didn’t like Kissamos itself at all, and I’m really glad I didn’t choose to stay overnight there.
The waterfront promenade only had a few modest taverns, and along the main street, there were a few cafes and shops. It was, in short, an unattractive and chaotic town. Neither touristy nor charming. However, we made the most of the moment and took some nice photos for the family album – so it can serve as a photo opportunity.
Crete with Small Children – Ideal Accommodation – Villa with a Pool by Lake Kournas
For the second part of our stay, we planned something unconventional – by Lake Kournas. We were looking for a villa or cottage with a pool and were lured by the beautiful views. We couldn’t find anything near the sea. After a few nights in a hotel, we also wanted something different for comparison. Additionally, we considered it a good base for further exploration.
We stayed in a small cottage on a hill overlooking the lake, and I was absolutely enchanted. It was picturesque and heavenly. The kids were thrilled with the jacuzzi – they treated it like a pool.
Crete with Small Children – Where Else to Stay
Rethymno – if you want a central location, staying around Rethymno could be an interesting option. It offers similar travel times to both the west and east sides of the island. The town itself is smaller and quieter than Chania.
Chania – alternatively, you could choose the Chania area for your entire stay. However, this means longer trips to the Elafonisi and Falasarna beaches, which are reportedly much better than those near Chania. We can’t really judge because we’re not that into beaches, and we didn’t visit the Chania area beaches, so we can’t make a comparison.
If you’re traveling to Crete with children and booking accommodation in Chania, check its location. The town is known for its nightlife, and it can be challenging to get a peaceful night’s sleep. Unless, of course, you opt for a hotel by the beach on the outskirts.
Agios Nikolaos – if you’re aiming for more extensive exploration of the eastern part of the island, many people recommend the town of Agios Nikolaos. We didn’t manage to visit there for sightseeing because the distance was too far with the children.
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The links to the places where we stayed are affiliate links. This means that if you book through them, we will receive a small commission. The price for you remains the same – you don’t pay more.
Crete with Small Children – Is It Worth It? Absolutely, it’s worth it, but you need to plan it well. There are indeed quite a few drives involved if you want to see more than just the hotel pool and the local beach. Below, I’m sharing our plan for spending almost two weeks on the island quite actively.
Crete with Small Children – 10-Day Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Chania, drive to the Kaliviani area in the late evening, around 10:00 PM
We left the airport fairly quickly, but unfortunately, we had to wait a long time for the rented car. By the time we got our vehicle, it was already dark, and our children had fallen asleep during the drive. We transferred them to their beds at the hotel, and they slept until morning.
DAY 2: Morning at the hotel, afternoon drive through Topolia Gorge
Since we had arrived late the previous evening, we spent the morning leisurely by the hotel pool. After a nap for Nikos (who was 1.5 years old at the time), we headed to Elafonisi Beach. On the way to the beach, we drove through Topolia Gorge and returned through the mountains, passing through the villages of Kefali and Sfinari.
DAY 3: Falasarna Beach
We spent most of the day at Falasarna Beach. Our little one took a nap on a sunbed in the shade, and we had an excellent lunch at Taverna Spilios. In the afternoon and evening, we relaxed by the hotel pools to escape the heat.
DAY 4: Theriso Gorge in the morning, afternoon in Kissamos (lunch on the promenade)
In the morning, we took a trip to Theriso Gorge, which was a pleasant outing mainly because of the trees and shade. However, we couldn’t find a restaurant for lunch in the village of Theriso at the end of the gorge, so we had lunch in Kissamos. We had planned to spend more time in Kissamos, but it was rather deserted, and besides a few restaurants on a small promenade, there wasn’t much to see.
DAY 5: Morning at Balos, a short visit to Kaliviani, and afternoon in Chania
We left for Balos Lagoon before 8:00 AM. After returning, we had breakfast in the charming village of Kavallos, and in the afternoon and evening, we explored Chania.
DAY 6: Hotel and dinner in Kaliviani
A day without long car drives and filled with sightseeing due to the kids. We splashed around in the pool, had lunch at a nearby village, and spent the afternoon alternating between watching cartoons and the pool. Sometimes you need that.
DAY 7: Changing accommodation, Seitan Limania Beach, Triada Monastery, Lake Kournas
On this day, we changed our accommodation for the rest of our stay. In the morning, we left the Balos hotel and went to see Seitan Limania Beach near the airport in Chania. Afterward, we visited the Triada Monastery. In the afternoon, we reached Lake Kournas, where we had rented a cottage. We left our luggage and spent the late afternoon on the lake, swimming on water bicycles and enjoying the warm water.
DAY 8: Arkadi Monastery, Rethymno
In the morning, we visited the Arkadi Monastery. Taking advantage of the kids’ afternoon nap, we went to Rethymno. It was scorching hot, and although we liked the town, we mostly sought shade to escape the heat.
DAY 9: Preveli Beach, Kourtaliotiko Gorge, evening at Episkopi Beach
Early in the morning, we went to see Preveli Beach. On the way, we drove through Kourtaliotiko Gorge. We didn’t go down to the beach itself because it was over 40 degrees Celsius, and it would have been exhausting for the kids. So, we explored the surrounding areas while the children napped in the car. We stopped for lunch at a charming tavern we spotted along the way. In the evening, we relaxed at Episkopi Beach, where each restaurant has a playground (in the evening, in the shade!).
DAY 10: Breakfast at Episkopi Beach, Imbros Gorge
It was a fairly lazy day because the heat was really taking a toll on us. We had a lazy breakfast on the beach in one of the restaurants with a playground. The kids played on the grass and with the toys. Then, taking advantage of the kids’ nap in the car, we drove through Imbros Gorge.
DAY 11: Morning at home, afternoon in Rethymno
We spent the last two days lazily, enjoying the jacuzzi in our cottage. We made a short farewell visit to Rethymno. The heat was getting to us.
DAY 12: Episkopi Beach in the morning, Gerani Beach
In the morning, we had breakfast at one of the beachfront restaurants at Episkopi Beach. We sat in the shade, and the kids played on the playground. For a change of scenery, we drove to Gerani Beach, on the way to Rethymno.
DAY 13: Return home, early morning departure from Chania
Crete with Small Children – Charming Towns and Landmarks Worth Visiting Chania
We didn’t stay in Chania; we only visited for a full day of wandering through the streets, dining, and shopping for souvenirs. We really enjoyed it, and it’s definitely worth a visit, even a couple of times.
We parked by the city walls; there’s a large free parking area there. Then, it’s a pleasant walk along the waterfront to reach the old town.
Charming streets to stroll through, nice little restaurants. It’s mostly flat, so you can easily get around with a stroller – although we didn’t take ours out of the car.
Although we were with 1.5-year-old Nikos, he actually enjoys walking on his own (unlike his older sister).
By the waterfront, there are cool floating souvenir stalls. For children, carriage rides along the water are popular.
There are plenty of restaurants, so you can choose based on your taste and preferences – whether it’s for the aesthetics, the taste, or simply the coolness.
As is our tradition, we typically finish our sightseeing around 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and we have about an hour’s drive back to the hotel.
On such trips, we usually return from our explorations in the evening so that the kids can fall asleep in their car seats, and then we transfer them straight to their beds. Before the journey, we just do a little ‘clean-up’ with wet wipes and water from a bottle. Often, we change them into fresh shirts, and exhausted, they fall asleep within 5 minutes of the drive.
Rethymno
Less known (I think), but no less touristy. There’s no airport here, and I think that’s why more people stay in Chania.
On the other hand, we actually liked Rethymno more. Plenty of charming restaurants, souvenir shops, and delightful streets to wander through.
I have the feeling that there are even more of these streets here than in Chania. Just when we thought we’d seen everything, more would appear.
A fantastic waterfront promenade with restaurants – if it weren’t for the kids, we’d gladly spend the whole afternoon in such a place. However, with little ones like ours, it’s not easy to sit down, especially with our 1.5-year-old Nikos, who needs to be watched closely because he likes to explore everything, especially cables and plugs.
When traveling with such little ones like us, I recommend looking for a restaurant with toys. Unfortunately, I didn’t note down the name, but I think there was only one.
A good portion of the toys was broken, but what remained was enough to keep our little ones occupied for 1.5 hours (with breaks). Finally, we managed to sit down for a bit without constantly chasing after the younger one.
Crete with Small Children – Landmarks
Arkadi Monastery
If you have a car, a visit to this place is a must. It’s best to go there and arrive at the monastery before 10:00 AM, when the heat isn’t too intense, and tour buses haven’t arrived yet.
On the other hand, we arrived a bit later (because with children, things rarely go as planned), and it wasn’t too bad either. A tour bus arrived about half an hour after us and quickly moved on. In the meantime, we enjoyed a coffee at a café.
Actually, on the other side of the parking lot, there’s a restaurant. We recommend spending a few moments here with cold coffee and freshly squeezed juice. For those in need, there’s also a playground at the back of the café, although it’s sun-exposed. Our kids played there for 15 minutes before the tour, and then it was easier to manage them in the monastery.
The monastery itself is incredibly picturesque. It’s the perfect setting for photos and also for relaxation and taking a break – there are shaded spots to sit and do nothing.
I can’t help but mention the beautiful approach road. It winds through the mountains, with winding serpentine roads and canyons, passing through villages with narrow streets. We definitely recommend such a trip as a break from beach lounging.
Triada Monastery
A charming place for a leisurely visit, to find shade, and take some picturesque photos. The monastery is small, and you can spend about 2 hours exploring. There’s an admission fee, and although I can’t recall the exact amount, it was a small sum.
The monastery is located on a peninsula near Chania and the airport. We highly recommend it as a break from beach lounging or as part of a trip from Chania or a visit to Seitan Limania Beach.
Crete with Small Children – Road Trips Instead of Hiking
Topolia Gorge
When heading to Elafonisi Beach, you can drive through the Topolia Gorge. Over a distance of about 2 kilometers, the road winds between the rocks and passes through several tunnels. However, it’s not an extremely impressive route
Elafonisi – Kissamos Route
On our way back from Elafonisi Beach, we drove through Kefali and Sfinari, where the views seemed much more beautiful to us. Unfortunately, we spent the last hour driving in the dark, so we could only imagine how scenic the road along the coast was.
Given the choice, I would opt for this stretch of road instead of the one through the Topolia Gorge.
Theriso Gorge
You pass through the gorge when heading to the village of the same name, Theriso. At the beginning, after turning off the main road, it doesn’t seem very promising. We even thought we might have taken the wrong road. But then it became truly beautiful.
The gorge is quite long, and the road inside it is wide enough that you can park on the side and take photos. The trees and shade were exactly what we needed in the heat, so we spent quite a bit of time strolling along the road.
Of course, the best attraction was the friendly goats. And then, a kind Greek lady in an off-road vehicle stopped and treated us to a local delicacy – pita with cheese inside and drizzled with honey on top. Incredibly sweet, but so delicious!
From the gorge, we drove to the village of Theriso. The village is tiny, just a few houses along one street.
We wanted to have lunch there, but it seemed to be too early, as the tavernas only served drinks and light snacks like bread and olives. We stocked up on souvenirs (or rather, the kids did) at the souvenir shops, and then we drove to Kissamos for lunch and dinner.
Kourtaliotiko Gorge
This gorge is on the way from the northern coast to Preveli Beach. It doesn’t make as spectacular an impression because it’s wide, but it’s worth stopping at the viewpoints.
You can also hike down to the waterfall and the river at the bottom for a swim.
I recommend visiting in the late afternoon or early morning to avoid melting in the sun. A fantastic convenience – at the top of the stairs, there’s a water hose for drinking. Those coming back up from the bottom eagerly use it not only for drinking but also for cooling down – I can’t blame them, given these temperatures; I wouldn’t want to leave the water either.
On the route, there’s also a viewpoint with a coffee shop – plenty of cold drinks to choose from and goats.
Crete with small children – the most beautiful beaches
First of all, an explanation – all these most popular beaches that everyone writes about and recommends are touristy beaches, equipped with restaurants, equipment rental, and prepared to host hundreds of tourists. So don’t imagine long walks on a solitary beach or romantic moments for two. On the other hand, you can go there blindly, and everything you need will be available on-site: sunbeds with parasols, drinks, and food delivered to the beach, so all you have to do is lie down and sunbathe.
Balos Lagoon
A lagoon that can be reached by a dirt road or by boat. Rental agencies say you can’t go there with a regular car, but everyone does. We went as well.
There are two options to get to the lagoon – by driving on a dirt road or taking a boat.
One of the most famous beaches in Crete – Balos, requires quite a bit of effort to reach.
It is located in the western part of the island, near the village of Kavallos. It was very convenient that we stayed in the last hotel at the entrance to the dirt road. Thanks to this, we could start our trip at 7:00 in the morning, rather than at 5:00 like many people who come from Chania and other places.
The drive from the moment you enter the dirt road is about 7 kilometers and takes 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. Then, you need to descend on a rocky path to the lagoon from the car, which also takes about 20 minutes downhill.
The return trip will take longer uphill, depending on how hot it is. The path is not difficult; you could even manage it in flip-flops, but it’s better to wear sneakers. Even young children can make the descent, or you can carry the little ones in your arms because it’s not very steep.
I understand your decision. The heat can be quite challenging, especially with young children. Exploring the viewpoint and taking some photos sounds like a sensible choice in those conditions. Safety and comfort for your little ones should always be a priority when traveling. If you ever visit again without the kids or when they’re a bit older, you might consider making the full descent to the lagoon. Balos Beach is indeed a stunning place to explore.
Your advice about arriving early and being prepared is valuable for anyone planning to visit Balos Beach. Parking can indeed be a challenge, and the walk from the parking area to the lagoon can be quite long, especially in the summer heat. Carrying a small backpack with essentials like water, sunscreen, snacks, and possibly an umbrella or shade can make the experience much more enjoyable. Thank you for sharing these practical tips to help others have a smoother visit to this beautiful destination.
Taking a boat trip to Balos Beach is indeed a convenient option, especially for families with small children or those who prefer a quicker and less physically demanding journey. However, as you mentioned, it’s important to be aware that boat tours can attract many visitors, and the beach may become crowded when multiple boats arrive. Nevertheless, it’s a great way to experience the beauty of Balos Beach from the water and get a close-up view of the stunning lagoon. Thank you for sharing this alternative approach to visiting Balos Beach!
Crete – Falasarna Beach
We went to this beach because I vaguely remembered that it’s a nice beach for kids. There was supposed to be a gentle slope into the water, but I guess that wasn’t the case. In any case, with small children, it’s not the best choice.
At the water’s edge, there’s a steep drop-off right away, along with large waves. There’s no way for a small child to splash around safely. I wouldn’t even recommend playing in the sand right by the shore. The waves are so strong that they could easily carry a child away.
Nikoś didn’t even want to get close, and Nella only went in with me. I didn’t feel very confident either.
The beach is large and wide. You can easily rent sunbeds and umbrellas. The staff also brings food and drinks from the restaurant to the sunbeds. Of course, you can also eat at the bar. However, you have to walk through hot sand first.
Showers and toilets are free, and parking is free as well. Renting sunbeds for the whole day (with an umbrella) costs 30 euros in the first row by the beach and 10 euros in the further rows.
The beach is very wide, and it takes some time to walk from the car park – especially with children, it can be tiring in the hot sun. It’s best to take all your belongings from the car at once to avoid having to go back in the heat.
Nearby, we highly recommend the Skiros Taverna. It has a nicely arranged interior, it’s cool thanks to fans, the food is delicious, and the service is efficient. There’s a small playground for children and caves to explore.
Crete – Elafonisi Beach
This beach is known for its pink sand and is located on the southwestern coast. It’s a great place for children to splash around in the water. The entry into the water is quite gentle, and the waves are small. You can easily rent sunbeds and umbrellas. There is a fee for the toilets, but the showers are free. There are places to eat, but it’s not particularly cheap or exceptionally tasty.
Renting sunbeds costs 10 euros, and you took one in the second row. While you didn’t inquire about the price in the first row, I assume, based on your experience at Falasarna Beach, that it would cost 30 euros for the whole day.
On the way to Elafonisi, it’s worth driving through the Topolia Gorge and returning along the coastal route. The Topolia section is very short, and you can drive to the end, turn around, and go back to enjoy the views. However, to be honest, the coastal route offers much more picturesque views.
There are many taverns with high ratings on Google along the way to Elafonisi. We stayed at Fish Tavern Kosmos and recommend it. The food was good and served quickly. However, there are many others with lovely views in the vicinity.
Matala Beach
As for Matala Beach, we didn’t manage to visit it due to the long drive with little ones in the car.
Preveli Beach
Regarding Preveli Beach, it’s indeed a bit challenging to return in the scorching sun without any shade, making it a trip for the determined.
Preveli Beach is known for the river that flows into the sea, where salty water mixes with fresh water. You can choose whether to swim in the sea or in the river. Additionally, there’s an enticing palm forest walk.
You can reach the beach in three ways. From the village of Preveli, there are boats that will take you. Alternatively, you can drive by car to the parking area and then walk down a beautiful but steep path, which is from the western side. The viewpoint is quite close to the parking area, so if someone doesn’t plan to go to the beach and descend (like us), they can just go to the viewpoint.
On the day we arrived there, it was 43 degrees Celsius… Our little Niko had just fallen asleep in the car, so we didn’t want to wake him up, Nella said she was playing and didn’t want to get out, and Fryderyk doesn’t like the sun, heat, and beaches at all. It ended with me going alone to take some photos.
You can also reach the beach by a gentler path on the other side of the river. In that case, you need to drive back to the bridge (Google Maps will guide you). Then, you’ll drive along a beautiful winding mountain road. Access to Preveli Beach from this side is flatter, but you won’t have the same beautiful view from above.
Beautiful Views Even if you don’t plan to spend time on the beach, it’s worth coming here to drive along the coastline and enjoy the beautiful views of the sea.
From the viewpoint at Preveli, instead of returning, we followed the coast for a while and drove a short distance to take some photos. Of course, you can continue driving further, but our kids had already had long naps, and we had to be prepared for them to wake up soon.
Just before the bridge, there’s a nice tavern where we planned to make a longer stop for lunch and wake up the kids.
From what we saw, there were tourist groups doing a water trek along the river. They started somewhere earlier and ended here at the tavern and the bridge. The water in the river is pleasantly refreshing. Nella didn’t want to leave it at all.
We highly recommend this place for a relaxing time in the shade, lunch, and letting the kids run around.
Crete – Seitan Limania Beach
This beach looks stunning from above, but supposedly, it makes a less impressive impression down below.
The beach is located near the Chania airport. To reach it, you have to drive along a very steep and winding road that leads to a parking area. Unfortunately, from the parking area, you still have to walk down a steep path among the rocks to reach the beach.
The path to Seitan Limania Beach may not be suitable for families with young children due to its steep and challenging nature.
At the bottom, there were already crowds, so if you dream of a solitary swim, you need to go at 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning.
We met a lot of people who gave up going down because the path was too steep. So if you’re with small children, don’t even plan to go down, just have a photo session at the top. Sneakers are a must.
Crete Elafonisi Beach
Elafonisi beach was our salvation. We spent a lot of time there, thanks to the numerous restaurants, each of which had a playground. A very popular place among the locals.
The food wasn’t the best, but you could sit in the shade and the kids had fun. Each restaurant had a nice collection of toys on the lawn – climbing houses, trampolines, bicycles, rockers, swings and even swimming pools for children…
Crete with small children – Where to eat and what
We try to always give our children local food so that they can try different flavors. If they consistently refuse, there is no drama in Crete, because there is always some pasta or toast on the menu. Additionally, every pub has chairs for children. At the lake you could even choose between playrooms.
Local food that we liked was Chicken Souvlaki – grilled chicken and Cheese Saganaki – breaded cheese, probably grilled, but I think we sometimes added fried cheese. Our Nella also ate bread with olive oil.
Balos – Kaliavni Taverna Gramboussa in Kaliviani
Kaliviani, a small village on the way to Balos Lagoon, is very photogenic. We passed through this village several times until we finally stopped at Taverna Gramboussa for lunch.
Beautiful interior, or rather a garden. Sea view and interesting menu. For dessert, you can choose a jar of fruit from the fruit bar. In general, Kaliviani is very picturesque, even though there are several pubs, but I recommend stopping after leaving Balos.
Falasarna – Taverna Spilios
A very nicely decorated place, but also with tasty food. After paying the bill, you get a dessert in a glass – cookies with yogurt and sweet orange peel. Pride!
There is also a mini playground with a slide and swings, and to top it all off there is a cave that kids love to explore (a real cave, one in the rock).
The food is really good, the service is efficient, the Saganaki is delicious (which is not so obvious, because it’s often bad).
Episkopi Beach – Taverna Kosmos Fish
Very tasty food. We ordered mussels (there were two ways to choose from), Greek salad, halloumi cheese, freshly squeezed juices, and cold coffee. The service was nice and efficient, the food was fresh and tasty. Loud, crowded and hot – that’s how it’s supposed to be in Greece.
Kraniotakis Canyon on the way to Preveli – Taverna Gefyra
Taverna Gefyra – fantastic location by the river, it’s impossible not to notice it. Don’t let a bus scare you off, many tours stop for photos and then move on. Taverna with tables in the shade, under the trees.
Tasty Gefyra salad with figs and Rosemary Chicken. I do not recommend Cheese Saganaki. Be sure to go to the river under the bridge to soak your feet. There are also two swings in the shade on the way to the toilet. I didn’t show them to our children because we would never get out of there.
Lake Kournas
Taverna
A beautiful view – but that’s probably from every Tavera here. Good Moussaka and saganaki cheese. There are nice restaurants right next to Lake Kournas because they have playgrounds. We recommend Forest fruit and Tropical.
Crete with children – is it worth it?
To sum up our trip – it was ok, but definitely not exotic. You can relax a bit in Crete, because many places are very well adapted to children. However, the heat is exhausting – going there in August is a mistake and I do not recommend it.
Moreover, Crete is very touristy, so it is a typical family holiday. Not exotic enough for us. However, these were pandemic times and the choice of holiday destinations was limited. Half a year later, we managed to go to – in our opinion – a more interesting place – Jordan.
