Greece’s largest island, Crete, is a haven for household holidaymakers for varied causes. Not solely is the island only a quick flight away from the UK, however Crete can be house to some breathtaking seashores, attention-grabbing historical past, and quite a few sights which can be fitted to the whole household. Particularly once you’re totally ready with this checklist of the most effective issues to do in Crete with toddlers.
Whether or not that is your first household vacation or should you’re skilled within the matter, it’s at all times helpful to have a quick plan in place, so that you’re by no means caught questioning what there’s to do. From seashores and gorge walks to water parks and pirate ship cruises, Crete actually has all of it, and also you’re assured to have an unforgettable vacation that the entire household will love. From vigorous Hersonissos to quieter seashore resorts, there’s something for everybody, even on a wet day.
Issues To Do In Crete With Toddlers: Amazonas Park
The Amazonas Park in northeast Crete is a quaint little zoo that incorporates varied south American animal species. Now, you shouldn’t count on to see elephants, giraffes, and your typical zoo inhabitants at Amazonas as a result of the park is comparatively small, nevertheless, you’ll come up near parrots, monkeys, donkeys, and cockatoos, because the zoo’s principal objective is to breed uncommon and endangered species.
Handle: Approach to kourounes, Eparchiaki odos Kourounon, Neapoli 724 00
Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Centre
A mix of underwater animals and reptiles is a match made in heaven for toddlers, and at Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Centre, your little ones can come into shut contact with the centre’s inhabitants, holding snakes, tortoises, and lizards whereas studying all concerning the animals and their pure habitats.
Handle: Filikis Etirias 7, Chersonisos 700 14
Cretaquarium
One other improbable aquarium on the island of Crete is the Cretaqurium which is extra of a regular aquarium that’s house to all kinds of underwater species, together with stingrays, tiger sharks, sea turtles, octopus, and jellyfish. I discover aquariums are an important exercise with children, particularly on wet or exceptionally sizzling days, as they’re all inside and air-conditioned.
Handle: Heraklion 710 03
Issues To Do In Crete With Toddlers: Dinosauria Park
When you have a dinosaur lover within the household, you possibly can’t not go to Dinosauria Park. The interactive dinosaur-inspired theme park takes you again in time to the Mesozoic period, making you’re feeling such as you’re really strolling amongst dinosaurs.
All through the park, there are interactive screens that train you concerning the dinosaurs and the way they as soon as dominated this earth, and you may as well take part in fossil digging actions, dinosaur egg hatchings, and take care of sick and injured dinos within the park’s dinosaur hospital.
Handle: DEKK, Gournes 715 00
Dikteon Cave
The Dikteon Cave is certainly one of Crete’s most well-known caves, because it’s believed to be the birthplace of Zeus. One factor I’ll say is that the cave isn’t essentially the most accessible exercise on the island, as you received’t have the ability to carry your buggy. Nonetheless, should you pack a bag stuffed with snacks and have toddlers that don’t thoughts strolling, the cave is a superb indoor exercise that allows you to see a distinct aspect to the island.
Handle: Psychro Cave 720 52
Hike Samaria Gorge
Households who take pleasure in a hike will love the stroll by the Greek Nationwide Park of Samaria Gorge. Samaria Gorge is a 16km canyon that cuts by the White Mountains from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli, previous the Unesco Biosphere Reserve, an abundance of distinctive vegetation and breathtaking views.
The hike is pretty lengthy at round 6 hours and of a medium problem, so solely deal with it in case your tots are used to lengthy walks. However, with that being stated, should you do end up getting drained alongside the best way, then there are guides with donkeys who will take you alongside the rest of the route.
Handle: Omalos 730 05
Issues To Do In Crete With Toddlers: Labyrinth Park
There’s no higher place to have an pleasing time out and study Greek mythology than the Labyrinth Park in Hersonissos. The park has a variety of actions that’ll maintain your tots entertained for hours, from mini golf and horse using to a 1300sqm maze and miniature quad bikes. They’ll really have a blast working round, studying, and having fun with all of the park has to supply.
Handle: Hersonissos 700 14
Minoan’s World
For households with barely older youngsters in addition to toddlers, then the 9D cinema expertise at Minoan’s World is a must-do. The 9D expertise takes you again in time and teaches you about Crete’s historical past when you sit and expertise wind, lightning, rain, earthquakes, snow, and fog which can be created by the theatre and particular results.
It’s a really distinctive expertise, and as children of all ages can tune in for the present, it’s a wonderful exercise for households who’re after one thing completely different.
Handle: Ipsilanton 10, Chania 731 35
Pure Historical past Museum In Heraklion
My household loves to go to museums irrespective of the place we go, and the Pure Historical past Museum in Heraklion has your whole common museum reveals, with the added bonus of The Stavros Niarchos Discovery Middle.
The Stavros Niarchos Discovery Middle is an space specifically designed for kids beneath 15 to assist them be taught concerning the pure setting of the japanese Mediterranean.
Handle: Κόλπος Δερματά, Leof. Sofokli Venizelou, Iraklio 712 02
Paddle In Lake Kournas
If you happen to’re after a break from Crete’s seashores, then Lake Kournas is the proper possibility. Lake Kournas is the one freshwater lake on Crete, and with slopping banks into the crystal clear water, solar loungers lining the shores, and a strolling path across the lake, you possibly can spend your day enjoyable, paddling, and absorbing the solar in a peaceable and breathtaking setting.
Handle: Apokoronas municipality of Chania
Sail The Seas On A Pirate Ship In Rethymno
Rethymno is certainly one of Crete’s hottest vacationer locations, and should you’re staying within the space, then it is best to head all the way down to the Venetian harbor and set off crusing on a pirate ship. All through the 5 hour journey, your little ones is not going to solely get to reside out their pirate desires, however they’ll additionally get to discover caves, snorkel within the ocean, and go to the seashores surrounding Rethymno.
Issues To Do In Crete With Toddlers: Splash About In One Of Crete’s Waterparks
There are just a few completely different waterparks on Crete, with the highest three being Acqua Plus Water Park, Limnoupolis, and Watercity Waterpark. Waterparks, in my view, are at all times a spotlight of a vacation, and even you probably have tiny toddlers, they’ll nonetheless have the ability to splash round within the little children’ splash space.
Acqua Plus Water Park
Acqua Plus Water Park is the most important and busiest waterpark of the three. The park is break up into two sections, one for adults with giant thrilling water slides and the opposite for kids with shallower waters, smaller slides, and playgrounds in giant grassed areas. Lifeguards are readily available always, and there are free sunbeds and umbrellas included with each ticket.
Handle: Kastelli Street, Chersonisos 712 00
Limnoupolis
Limnuoupolis is a smaller waterpark, nevertheless it nonetheless options giant slides, a lazy river, and a swimming pool for little ones that’s fitted with smaller slides and splash areas. All through the park, you’ll additionally discover free sunbeds and sunloungers so you possibly can take a break from the water and loosen up within the Cretan solar.
Handle: Βαρύπετρο 731 00
Watercity Waterpark
It will not be the most important waterpark in Crete, however I personally suppose Watercity Waterpark is the most effective waterpark for households with little ones. There are quite a few areas all through the park suited to tots, just like the Kids’s Fortress, Kids’s Zoo, and Kids’s Jungle, and there are additionally rides for the larger children, a lazy river for enjoyable, and playgrounds on the grass.
Handle: Anopolis, Heraklion 700 08
Go to One Of Crete’s Superb Seashores
Visiting Crete’s seashores is among the greatest issues to for households who’re visiting Crete with toddlers as a result of not solely are the seashores free, however they’re additionally really breathtaking and tot-friendly due to their calm water and tender sand. I’ve put collectively a complete article on the most effective seashores in Crete for households, so I counsel you test it out!
