Crete is one of the best and safest destinations for families who wish to experience a variety of fun activities and a carefree vacation. Discover the spectacular nature, lovely beaches, dramatic mountains, rich cultural heritage and top-rated tourist services this island has to offer. One thing is for sure: your kids will love Crete and they will want to return again and again!

1. Sea sports

When you are in Crete, you will want to spend most of your time at the beach swimming, relaxing and building sand castles. However, at some point, you will seek the excitement of small adrenaline doses! Fortunately, in Crete, you will find numerous opportunities for sea sports compatible with your preferences and age of your children. Explore the coast with a canoe or pedalo available for rent in most organized beaches. Enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving and discover an exciting underwater world with your family. Ride the waves by windsurfing, parasailing and water skiing. Finally, “go bananas” with the banana boat, the most entertaining activity for the entire family!
In Alexander Beach Hotel & Village you will find a great variety of a la carte water sports and much more!

2. A visit to Cretaquarium

Cretaquarium is one of the largest and modern-equipped aquariums of Europe and a must-see during your stay in Crete! Enjoy a unique display of the Mediterranean sea world and learn about local marine fauna in a playful way. Cretaquarium is operated by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research and is designed to offer an engaging educational experience for your kids. Cretaquarium is easily accessible by car or bus from Heraklion and the region of Hersonissos and Malia (about 15 minutes drive).

Explore the Mediterranean sea world at Cretaquarium

3. A day in water parks

Dedicate at least one day to escape the beach and the heat and head to the pools! Water parks offer thrilling (but safe!) rides on a variety of water slides for endless fun and excitement for the whole family. There are at least three large water parks in the wider area of Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia that feature safe toys for children, restaurants, playgrounds and fully trained lifeguards. The premises of Alexander beach also include a well-designed kids-club, perfect for children from 4 to 11 years, with a kids-pool, animation programs, water slides and fountains so you can enjoy water-fun every single day of your vacation!

The highlight of the Alexander Kids Club is the fun kids-pool with water slides and fountains

4. Trekking & hiking

Crete is an ideal destination for families for another important reason: there are countless easy hiking paths for children in spectacular landscapes! Don’t miss the opportunity for trekking or biking to the beautiful Lassithi Plateau and explore the hiking trails of Mirabello, over the bay of Elounda, to discover traditional villages and magnificent monasteries. Plan a day trip to the remarkable gorges of Crete, but remember to be realistic: Samaria gorge might be the most famous of Cretan gorges but it might not be a good option for those traveling with very young children. However, there are numerous gorges that can be easily crossed in a couple of hours, so you can enjoy a walk in Cretan nature with your children – and without nagging! The nearby gorge of Imbros would be an easier alternative in Chania, the gorge of Kritsa near Agios Nikolaos, and check out the gorges of Miloi and Agios Antonios in Rethymnon, which also has a great tavern at the entrance, with a small zoo and an outdoor playground by the river!

5. Make your own history & archaeology treasure hunt!

A trip to Crete is a great opportunity for “hands-on” learning in the numerous archaeological sites, historical monuments and museums of the island. Discover the wondrous Minoan Civilization by visiting the Palace of Knossos or the Palace of Mallia, and combine it with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion to witness amazing samples of Minoan art (don’t miss the mysterious disk of Phaistos and the elaborate murals on the second floor)! Learn about the great stories of Cretan mythology, such as the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, Ariadne’s thread and the unfortunate flight of Icarus and Daedalus. Visit Diktaion Andron in Lassithi Plateau and read about the eventful birth of Zeus, while enjoying a walk in Cretan nature. Apart from the popular sites and museums, there are so many monuments all over Crete that we can guarantee you can find plenty of opportunities for history and archaeology discoveries anywhere you are!