Crete with kids:
A complete family travel guide
I’d been to Crete as a child; in fact, it was my first trip abroad. 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. It’s sandier and more terracotta, with a beautiful harbour and an Old Town lined with boutique shops and tavernas. The Turkish influence on the architecture gives it a character distinct from that of the rest of Greece.
We went in June 2025 as a group of seven, including my four year old daughter and a very pregnant me. We stayed in the Nea Chora area, in a villa with a pool, which was perfect for a big group of us. We walked everywhere within Chania and never needed a car. We found it manageable on foot, with the odd taxi here and there.
This guide is based entirely on our time in Chania and west Crete. If you’re planning travel to Crete more broadly and looking for Heraklion, Rethymnon or the east coast, our experience is Chania-specific, so that’s what you’ll find here.
This guide covers everything we did, ate and explored during our week, with individual posts on beaches, restaurants, the Old Town, the waterpark and where we stayed.
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
Getting to Chania
Chania has its own airport with direct flights from several UK airports, which is what we flew into. It took just 20 minutes to get from Chania Airport to Nea Chora. If you’re planning to explore further into the island – Heraklion, Rethymnon or the east coast – Heraklion airport is the better base, since travel times across Crete add up on a large island. We stuck to Chania and west Crete for our whole trip and never needed to travel further, so that’s the experience reflected in this guide.
Plan your trip
If you’re planning travel to Crete, or specifically to Chania and the west of the island, these guides cover everything we did during our week – with practical advice on where to stay, what to do and how to make the most of this part of the island with kids.
Explore
Is Chania worth visiting?
Eat
Best restaurants in Chania
Beach
Chania beaches family guide
Old Town
What it’s like to visit
Water
park
Limnoupolis waterpark review
Stay
Full review from our stay at Villa Giota
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. Think of this as a Chania visitor guide within the wider island, with everything here being from real, first-hand experience rather than general advice.
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.
Our daughter and my partner admiring the view of the Chania lighthouse