Crete
Travel Guide

View of Chania harbour

Crete with kids: A complete family travel guide

I’d been to Crete as a child but Chania was new to me, and it wasn’t what I expected.

I’d pictured the white buildings you see all over Greece, but Chania is different – sandier, more terracotta, with a harbour that’s genuinely beautiful and an Old Town lined with boutique shops and tavernas that I could have wandered for days. The Turkish influence on the architecture gives it a character that feels distinct from the rest of Greece.

We went in June 2025, a group of seven including my four year old daughter and a very pregnant me. We based ourselves in the Nea Chora area and stayed in a villa with a pool, which with that many people and a toddler was absolutely the right call. We walked everywhere and never felt like Chania was anything other than completely manageable.

This guide covers everything we did, ate and explored during our time there, with individual posts on beaches, restaurants, the Old Town, the waterpark and where we stayed.

Chania postcard with harbour view

Crete travel essentials at a glance

🗣️ Language: Greek (English widely spoken)
💶 Currency: Euro (€)
🕐 Time zone: Eastern European Time (EET)
🔌 Plug type: Type C & F (standard European two pin plug)
💳 Cash or card: Card widely accepted, but carry some cash for smaller stores
📅 Best time to visit: May-June and September. July-August hottest and busiest
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family friendly: Very, the locals adore children
✈️ How to get there: Direct flights from many UK airports to Chania (west Crete) or Heraklion (central/east)
🚅 Public transport: Limited, buses connect major towns. Car hire recommended to explore
🍴 Cuisine: Mediterranean – gyros, souvlaki, seafood, salads and child friendly options

Plan your trip

If you’re planning a trip to Crete, these guides cover everything we did during our week in Chania – with practical advice on where to stay, what to do and how to make the most of the island with kids.

Chania harbour

Is Chania worth visiting?

Is Chania worth visiting? After exploring its beaches, Old Town and family friendly atmosphere with our four year old, here’s our honest take.

Is Chania worth visiting?
Limnoupolis waterpar, Chania Crete

Limnoupolis waterpark Chania

Thinking of visiting Limnoupolis Waterpark in Crete? Here’s our honest review after a family day out near Chania.

Limnoupolis waterpark Chania
View of Chania harbour

Best restaurants in Chania

Looking for the best restaurants in Chania? Here are our favourite spots for breakfast, lunch and relaxed family dinners.

Best restaurants in Chania
Golden beach, Chania

Chania beaches guide

Looking for the best beaches in Chania? Here are our favourite family friendly spots, from soft sand to crystal clear water.

Chania beaches guide
Chania Old Town wall art

Chania Old Town

Planning to explore Chania Old Town? Here’s what to expect, from colourful harbour views to cobbled streets and family friendly finds.

Chania Old Town
Villa Giota, Chania, Crete

Villa Giota review

Considering Villa Giota in Chania? Here’s our honest review after staying at this family friendly Crete villa.

Villa Giota review

How to use this Crete travel guide

Start with the “Is Chania worth visiting?” post if you’re still deciding, then work through the beaches, restaurants and Old Town guides to build your itinerary. The villa review is worth reading if you’re considering self catering with a group or family.

This guide will keep growing as we explore more of Crete – all based on real trips, with practical advice for families and first time visitors.

Crete FAQs

Yes, without hesitation. The harbour is beautiful, the Old Town is full of good food and interesting shops, and it’s relaxed enough to enjoy at a slow pace with kids. We came expecting a typical Greek resort and left genuinely impressed by how much character the place has.

Really good. Greeks are warm with children in a way that makes eating out and getting around feel easy. The beaches around Chania are calm and well suited to young children, and there’s enough to keep everyone entertained without needing a packed itinerary.

We went in June and it was warm, busy enough to feel lively but not overwhelming. May and September are often recommended for slightly cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. July and August are peak season – hotter and busier, though the sea will be at its warmest.

We based ourselves in the Nea Chora area of Chania and it worked really well – close to the beach, walkable to the Old Town, and relaxed enough to feel like a proper holiday rather than a resort. If you want culture, history and good food alongside your beach time, Chania is hard to beat. Other parts of the island suit different things but Chania is where our experience is.

We spent a week and felt like we covered everything comfortably without rushing. A long weekend would give you a taste, but a week lets you mix beach days with exploring the Old Town, a day trip or two, and still have time to just sit by the pool and do nothing.

We found it very reasonable – noticeably cheaper than eating and drinking at home. Tavernas offer generous portions at prices that won’t hurt, and most of the best things to do are either free or low cost.

Yes, we felt completely comfortable throughout, including with a four year old and being pregnant. It’s a well visited, family friendly destination and we never had any concerns.

My Crete travel guides

Have a question about travelling to Crete with a little one? I’m always happy to chat! Drop me a comment or message me on Instagram @tinytoesbigtrails