puggymomma

Which Greek Island would be best, mid June, with two kids, ages 8 & 11....Crete, Santorini, or Corfu? Realize they are all very different but just wanting opinions from the seasoned islanders out there...Thank you

jamikins

I would look at Naxos. The beaches there are very kid friendly and the island is lovely. You can see my pics here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57627668851905

Heimdall

You've named three of about 200 inhabited Greek islands. If you tell us what attracted you to those three, we may be able to help you choose. ;-)

puggymomma

I have never been. I am purely going off recommendations from friends, who have maybe been to one island (and of course loved it but nothing to compare to), pictures (who wouldn't fall in love) and just reading guide books. I want something that isn't completely remote and untouched, and while I want some Greek culture and historical sites, this leg is mostly about relaxing with the family in a beautiful part of the world and making memories....Does that help?

travelerjan

You don't say where you are from... since another post says "vacation" instead of "holiday" I would guess u are Canadian or American -- but then I think, UK, since you mention friends going to only ONE island. That seems to be more a Brit thing, choosing one island based on a package-holiday price, and going to a "resort" (i.e., purpose-built area) for 1-2 weeks, surrounded by your countrymen, just in a nicer climate. Is that your wish? Plenty of UK "holiday-makers" do that in areas of Corfu or Crete. If you wish to avoid that ambience, then you need to read up, and choose accordingly.

For family, Naxos is widely-known now as family-friendly, also budget-friendly in June with moderate rates for places on/near good beaches -- apartments or 1-br units (br + main room w 2 daybeds & kitchenette). A big savings element is u can do without a car rental, good bus network.
Another island with good beaches & bus network = Sifnos. Platy Gialos beach is a favorite of families.

Altho you don't mention it here (why?) your other post says you have 2 weeks -- that could enable you to do TWO islands, plus 2 days in Athens at the end. You could do Naxos for 7-9 days -- and also during that time do a day-trip -- http://visit-cyclades.com/day-cruises/naxos-cruises -- on a sailboat or motor vessel. Then do 2-3 days on a 2nd nearby island (Antiparos?), then to Athens for your final 3 days, for sightseeing.

Heimdall

<i>" I want something that isn't completely remote and untouched, and while I want some Greek culture and historical sites, this leg is mostly about relaxing with the family in a beautiful part of the world and making memories....Does that help?"</i>

That helps a little. Most of us who write on this board go to the Cyclades island group, which includes Santorini, Naxos, and Antiparos. The island group is easy to reach from Athens, and has good ferry connections, so it's possible to string together a 2 or 3 island trip if you have enough time.

The only significant historic sites in the Cyclades are Akrotiri and Ancient Thera on Santorini, and Delos, and uninhabited island near Mykonos. Other islands have minor historic sites. An ongoing archaeological project is excavations at Despotiko, and uninhabited island reached from Antiparos. In a few years time it will become an open museum, but in the meantime you can visit on your own. There will probably be archeologists on the site in June, so that would be a great opportunity to watch them at work.

Naxos gets lots of hype (for good reason), but my favourite island is Antiparos, which is perfect for relaxing in a friendly atmosphere. I usually don't recommend it for first-timers because there is limited sightseeing opportunities, but the larger island of Paros is only a few minutes away by frequent ferry (every 30 minutes). You could stay on Paros and take a day trip to Antiparos, or even go on one of the island boat trips to visit the sea caves and swim at deserted beaches.

Island boat trips:
http://captainbenantiparos.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2b8nzBEWKo (17 min video)

nickjonases

Crete has the most of the options.

crazyh

Sifnos would be a good choice. Just about the right combination for a family. And not quite as crowded or touristy as Santorini, let alone less expensive.

Crete is a large island which can offer almost anything a traveler could want. It has world class archeological sites, museums, mountains, beaches, villages, etc., but it deserves a lot of time to really see it all.

As many have stated Naxos is a beautiful island, bigger than Sifnos but not so large that you can't see it all in your time frame. Offers a great combination of Old & New World Greece. I would recommend staying in St. George Beach just a short walk from the waterfront and Old Town.

Lots of other islands to see, some known and others less known. If you want a more traditional Greek Experience then the lesser known islands would be a good choice.