Traveling with the family, 2 young kids to Greek Islands. So far we have 1 week in Paros and 2 days in Santorini, but having hard time choosing the 3rd destination for the next 3 days. We are debating between Mykonos and Naxos. My concern is whether Naxos would be too similar to Paros and whether it's better to go with Mykonos just for different vibe and experience. Which island has more scenic towns and better beaches?

I'd say Mykonos, based on use of the word "vibe".

Adults might want mykonos, Kids for sure would like Naxos better.... the different "vibe" you feel in Mykonos may be the way your hand shakes as you examine your dinner check.

Mykonos has a scenie port town... its attractive shops have names that ring a bell, like Calvin Klein, Hermes, Cartier, Donna Karan, Boss, etc. Great source for jewelry & designer wear. Naxos has a scenic port town, most of the shop names are greek. .. several stores specialize in only-Naxos products: wine, Olive oil, Raki, cheeses, herbs, honey etc... it's one of the most fertile Isles.

Mykonos is a very dry island, fairly flat, only a few towns aside from port; beaches are lovely, an umbrella/sunbed can cost about €15-20 in Hi Season. What month r u going? -- sometimes the wind can be fierce, but sunbrellas are anchored in concrete & made of thatch so don't tip over.

Naxos has 15 miles of golden sand beaches, sunbrella/sunbed cost €6 -8. Inland (unlike Paros or Mykonos) are dramatic mountain landscapes and traditional villages ... ruins on hilltops & in orchards, marble quarries, medieval towers, herds of goats & sheep, vineyards (there are wine festivals in the fall).

Naxophile "stanbr: pix of countryside, beaches, Naxos Town
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634605629689/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7632110674306/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632094558042/
& his pix of day-excursion to Delos & Mykonos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57637922138466

Stick with Paros and Santorini. Extend Santorini to 3 nights and use the extra time on Paros for daytrips to Antiparos, Naxos and Delos.

You left out some important details: what month you are travelling; and, the age of your young children (toddlers? young teens?). Also, does your "2 days in Santorini" mean 3 nights and 2 full days, or 1 night and 2 part days? I'll try to give my opinion based on what you have written.

Yes, Paros and Naxos are very similar, but Paros has the small island of Antiparos next door, which adds to its attractions. I avoid Mykonos in July and August, but like it in late May or early June. It's also pleasant after the first week of September. Paros and Naxos get very busy in July and August too, but not to the degree of Mykonos and Santorini.

I tend to agree with brotherleelove that you should add more time to Santorini, especially if you meant 1 night and 2 part days in the original post. Paros has much to keep you busy for a week, with beach resorts around the entire perimeter of the island, and you already have a third island with Antiparos.

If you must add another island to your itinerary, pick Mykonos if you like upscale hotels and restaurants, or Naxos if you like more down-to-earth facilities with small family-run hotels and tavernas. Avoid stereotypes: there are a few upscale hotels on Naxos, and its possible to find modest places to eat and sleep on Mykonos.

One last factor: Naxos is on the main ferry route between Paros and Santorini, so you can stop there without adding much to your transport expenses. The Blue Star ferry stops at all three on its daily run from Piraeus. To get from Paros to Mykonos and from Mykonos to Santorini you need to travel by expensive catamarans, which are affected more by high winds, which sometimes occur in summer.

Hi, thank you for your replies! We are traveling the last week of August and the days we are looking to stay on Mykonos or Naxos are first days of September. Are the winds going to be bad late August early September? The kids are 6 and 3, and the youngest still naps. We are planning to spend 2 nights on Santorini, which will make it 1 full day and a bit more than one half day. You would suggest to spend more there? Where would you stay? What about island of Milos? It's a bit off a beaten path, but seems to have really unique beautiful and not so crowded beaches. We will have a car with us, which we will take on all ferry rides.

Hi monanone, thanks for the additional information.

<i>"We will have a car with us, which we will take on all ferry rides."</i>

Is that your own car, or one you are renting? If a rental, check that the agency will allow you to take it on ferries, and that insurance covers you for damage on the ferry itself. It would be cheaper to rent cars on each individual island than to take one on a ferry, especially if you drop it off on a different island. All the more reason to limit yourself to Paros and Santorini.

Forget about Milos—most ferries between there and the other islands on your list are foot passenger only. There are 2 or 3 car ferries per week running at odd hours (middle of the night).

Oh, you asked about winds... August and early September often get strong Meltemi winds, and Mykonos is one of the windiest islands. You just don't know that time of year—some days will be almost calm, and other times the wind will blow fiercely for 2 or 3 days, dropping in the evenings and picking up again the next day.

Don't let that worry you—more people travel to the Cyclades in August than any other month, and they can't all be wrong!

Hi Heimdall, thank you for your tip about ferries and cars. We reserved a car at the airport in Athens and will return it there after the trip is over. If we must rent a new car on each island it would be too tedious with small children and all the stuff we have to carry, easier for us to keep our luggage in the car. If this is the only way we can travel without a car, we probably will have to pass on visiting other islands at this time, probably will have to extend our stay in Paros and stay put.

Easier said than done when you have small children, but it's best to travel light when you go island hopping. The 6 y.o. could carry a small backpack, and you and mom can get away with a medium sized suitcase each. It's not that difficult for families to island hop if they pack sensibly - thousands do it every summer.

Before you go any further with your plan find a rental agency that will allow you to take the car on a ferry. Then go to the Blue Star Ferries website and do dummy bookings to find out what it would cost for passengers + car. Even if you have a car, suggest limiting your island hopping to one or two islands. Most people who bring cars on ferries go to back and forth to one island.

Would definitely not extend time in Santorini with such small children, especially the 3 year old, who will require watching every minute. I have not been to Paros or Naxos, but would probably skip Mykanos with kids in August/early Sept.

Sassafrass, why would you skip Mykonos, can you please tell us the reason, is the entire island completely child unfriendly? I read that there are some family friendly beaches, like Platys Gyalos, which is also fairly close to the main town. We intend to stay around that area or in between. Thank you for your input.

Both Santorini and Mykonos are okay for children, but perhaps not the best island choices for families.

Some hotels on the caldera side of Santorini don't allow children, but they all do on the beach side. That said, Santorini beaches are volcanic grit, and water drops off quickly from shore.

There are family beaches on Mykonos, but it will be insanely crowded at the end of August, while Paros, with a shorter season, is quieter after the third week of the month. You don't have to worry about the famous party scene on Mykonos, as it's easy to avoid if that's not your thing.

You might also consider staying part of the time on Antiparos, which is very child-friendly, and easy to reach from Paros. You <I>can</I> take a car on the 7 minute ferry from Paros to Antiparos.

When we rented cars on the islands, they were delivered to our hotels and we left them at the hotels at the end of the rentals too. No hassels at all.