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Which Greek island for a family holiday?

(39 Posts)
Newquay Thu 07-Jul-16 20:26:23

We've often gone on holiday to Menorca to enjoy a beach hol with DD1 SIL and children aged now 19,17, 7 and 6.
We'd love to go to a Greek island for a change. DH and I have been to Crete, Rhodes Kafalonia but it wasn't a beach holiday.
Any suggestions?

Ceesnan Thu 07-Jul-16 20:35:53

Corfu! It's beautiful, the beaches are wonderful and the public transport is cheap if you don't want to hire a car. We stayed in Sidari and loved it. We dudn't find it too noisy at night either and there are masses of restaurants/tavernas, most of which will have some form of entertainment in the evenings. Try it, you won't be disappointed.

Ceesnan Thu 07-Jul-16 20:36:31

Didn't

chelseababy Thu 07-Jul-16 20:41:43

Zante has some lovely beaches at Kalamaki and also loggerhead turtles, just avoid Laganas which is for 18-30s.

numberplease Thu 07-Jul-16 20:54:06

If I was to go back to Zante, or Zakynthos as it was when we went, I`d go back to Alikes, or Alikanes, next door, lovely beaches.
The only other Greek island I`ve been to is Kefalonia, we stayed at Mounda beach, near Skala, just beautiful.

Newquay Thu 07-Jul-16 21:05:22

Thank you?

TriciaF Thu 07-Jul-16 21:43:23

We had a wonderful camping holiday once in the Northern Cyclades. I think we stayed the longest on Paros.
At the time Mykonos wasn't suitable for a "family" holiday wink but might have changed. It was a long time ago.
One thing to avoid if possible - it was in early August and there were some rather unpleasant evening winds.
But there's so much choice.

Iam64 Thu 07-Jul-16 21:49:27

Crete is my favourite of the large islands. Skopolos is lovely and would be good for the ages of your part. It's a flight to Skaithos then short ferry to Skopolos. Skaithos is beautiful but attracts a noisier more alcohol fuelled crowd than Skopolos. This is the area where Mama Mia was filmed.

Lillie Thu 07-Jul-16 21:52:34

Rhodes is good for families if you're happy to be among lots of Germans. Our DD and family just had a wonderful week at a Thomas Cook all inclusive hotel, excellent food and clean rooms. Very hot, the little ones could hardly walk on the sand it was so prickly.

NfkDumpling Thu 07-Jul-16 21:54:49

Vasiliki on Lefkas (Lefkada). The longest beach in a lovely town with plenty to do. Ferries to Ithaka, Fiskado etc. Loved it.

Newquay Thu 07-Jul-16 22:10:57

Wow! So much choice?

Gogogran Fri 08-Jul-16 08:15:06

We loved Cephalonia. We stayed in Agia Efimia which is on the east coast and quieter than some of the more touristy areas on the west coast. Around a lovely harbour. Sami was very close by and had a lovely beach. They have the beautiful Myrtos beach which was used for Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Depends on the age of the kids in your family? Do you need a good place for very little ones (no hills - many Greek islands are quite hilly) - or nightlife for older teens?

goose1964 Fri 08-Jul-16 09:46:34

I'll suggest Pefkos on Rhodes, when we went it was in 2 camps young families & older couples, however it is close to Lindos which has nightlife for teenagers.

VictorMthe2nd Fri 08-Jul-16 10:08:46

We flew to Preveza and then by transit coach over the causeway to Leftkada, where a small ferry at Nydri was waiting to take us to beautiful unspoilt Meganisi. We stayed in Villa Myrto, Katomeri near Vathi and loved the island and the people - via Ionian and Aegean Island holidays, superb holiday, hugely recommended.

trisher Fri 08-Jul-16 10:20:56

If you want pure beach Zante is good. If you would like some sightseeing and history Rhodes- probably down near Pefkos- you can still visit Rhodes Town for shopping etc. Crete but go for the less crowded places. Lefkada area is very unspoilt but difficult to get to. If you really want a different experience try Symi. You fly to Rhodes and ferry to Symi. But it isn't a party island, beautiful beaches some only accessible by water taxi,some with just one taverna and empty beach. Symi town is very hilly, lots of steps but the views are fabulous.

Daddima Fri 08-Jul-16 11:31:16

Another vote for Alykanas/Alykes on Zakynthos. Some good info here;

www.shortieweb.com

princesspamma Fri 08-Jul-16 11:33:11

I would recommend Corfu, it is greener than the other Greek islands, with some lovely beaches. The village we stay in is gorgeous, with a really long mostly sandy beach...not going to tell you where, though, as i don't want to encourage you to bring children to such a peaceful place and spoil my peace!!

Craftycat Fri 08-Jul-16 11:41:48

Sitting on gorgeous small beach in Pefkos Rhodes as I write this. Been to a lot of islands & loved them all although Zakinthos too English for us. Lots of small children in resort & sea safe here.
Corfu is lovely but then they all are. Cephalonia probably the most beautiful. We fell in love with Samoa & nearly bought a place there before redundancy put paid to that dream. I have to say we have had the best Greek food here in Rhodes but also very good in Corfu. Children will have a wonderful time but do take note of temperatures in High summer. 37 today & getting hotter. May.June & Sept better & we had very warm weather in Oct too. If course it depends on school holidays too if they are of school age.
Oh well time for a quick swim I think.

Newquay Fri 08-Jul-16 14:57:35

Can't find an emoticon with a green face Crafty cat!
Thank you all for your recommendations.
Good old (!) GN

marmar01 Fri 08-Jul-16 15:36:14

so many to chose from! zante, corfu my favorite is naxos, very very peaceful, or if you have loads of cash Skiathos. All will be roasting in summer holidays tho.oh Kos too.Yes i am Mad on Greek islands lol

lujaha Sat 09-Jul-16 15:15:24

Paros, beaches, tavernas, not too expensive.

Eloethan Sat 09-Jul-16 18:37:37

Menorca is one of my favourite islands too Newquay.

I've only been to Kefalonia and Thassos. Kefalonia is lovely and Thassos is nice too (although we went in late April/early May when the evenings were slightly chilly and some of the amenities were closed).

My son really likes Rhodes, and I've heard good things about Skiathos too.

Newquay Sun 10-Jul-16 09:03:28

While we've all been looking at Greek islands DD1 has been looking too and come up with. . . .peurta pollensa Mallorca!
Honestly you tries your best! Lol! ?

Kateykrunch Sun 10-Jul-16 10:02:09

Well you can but try! Puerto Pollensa is lovely, I just hate Majorca airport as we once had to run through to catch a flight as it was so disorganised at check-in and it seemed like we ran for miles to get to our gate. I needed another holiday after that! (I'm not very fit) (which all my other posts seem to confirm - ie: dolly mixtures and eating anything after surgery lol).

Teetime Sun 10-Jul-16 10:04:44

I have never been to a Greek island but would love to go - is it a good place to go in February or some part of the winter?