Whether your family includes kids or teenagers buckle up, because we have prepared a list with the 10 most fun and unique activities you will find in Crete…
Crete is a fantastic destination for family holidays! You may be surprised to find out that Crete in fact offers so many exciting activities for the old and the young, that you will have to return a few times in order to be able to see it all. For the youngest in the family of course there will be lots of opportunities for fun in Crete’s stunning beaches and parks, while they can explore and learn the exciting history of Crete with visits to museums and historical venues. However, that’s not all Crete has to offer. The variety of theme parks you will find in Crete is impressive.
Keep reading to find out some of the best activities you can do as a family and click on the names to get more details about location, open hours and prices from each venue’s website.
1) Water Parks
Water slides, pool dives and lots of laughs under Crete’s summer sun. We believe it can’t get better than that! With options for children of all ages, Crete’s water parks have become a popular spot both for locals and travelers. AquaPlus Waterpark and Water city in Heraklion and Aqua Creta Limnoupolis in Chania, all promise plenty of activities for the family to enjoy.
2) Meeting the Animals
Together with your family you will have the chance to spend some time with local animals such as the friendly donkeys and perhaps for the first time, meet animals from all over the world, like the suricates of South America.
Visit CRETAquarium in Heraklion, Amazonas Park in Neapoli, Reptisland in Melidoni Village & Donkey sanctuary in Agia Marina for a once in a life time experience, both for adults and children.
3) Caves
Combine your visit to Reptisland in Melidoni Village with a visit to Melidoni Cave, one of Crete’s many caves that will amaze you with its natural beauty.
4) Theme Parks
For our little explorers, Crete’s theme park Dinosauria is an excellent choice, while the Labyrinth Park reveals Crete’s myths and stories in the most playful way.
5) Exploring History in Heraklion
If you want to combine play with education, Crete’s museums, such as the Archaeological Museum and the Natural History Museum in Heraklion have a lot to offer, especially to families with kids in middle childhood that will be able to follow and appreciate the stories behind the island. We would not forget to mention here Knossos Palace, which travels you back in time to the Minoan Civilization for an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Make sure to visti Minoan’s World 3D Museum & 9D Cinema in Chania, for a lively experience your children will not forget!
6) Horse & Pony Riding
For the animal lovers, Rethymno’s Horse Park offers horse and pony riding for all ages and levels with the help of experienced riders and coaches. Go to their website to find out more about the plenty activities they offer, such as horse riding by the beach at sunset.
7) Gardens
Crete’s beautiful gardens can be found in all its cities from Rethymno’s Municipal Garden to the Botanical Garden in Chania and are definitely worth a visit with your family for a refreshing experience.
8) Little Train Tour in Rethymno
Starting from Rethymno’s town and making stops for sightseeing outside Rethymno, the 90 minute ride with the Little Train is a fun and easy way to explore the gems of this city, avoiding the heat and crowds in high-season.
9) Day trip in Lake Kournas
A must-visit during your stay in Rethymno is Lake Kournas. This picture speaks for itself and we promise you, you will love the scenery while having the opportunity to do fun water activities with you family, such as swimming, paddle boarding and hiring pedal boats. This place is beautiful during all hours of the day and that is why we suggest going in the morning and having your lunch / dinner in the nice taverns by the lake, soaking up the serene view.
When it comes to swimming, we thought we should mention beaches we consider ideal for families, for their shallow waters, accessibility to snacks & drinks and similar audience. Some of these are: Rethymno Beach, Georgioupoli, Baya Beach Club (with pool), Bali, Preveli, Elafonisi & Balos. If your children are of middle age and you like adventures, makes sure to explore Crete’s wonderful gorges as well, such as Samaria Gorge, that will leave you refreshed and energised.
10) Scuba Diving, Boat Trip, Safari and more
Last but not least, vist our very own section with services we offer for the whole family, such as scuba diving, cooking classes and more: Muses Travel Services. Let us know what excites you and we will make sure to arrange it according to your schedule!
Wishing you a lovely vacation with your family,
Muses Travel Team