1/10 Corona Borealis, Naxos
Location: Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades, has it all: medieval towers, ancient ruins, a Venetian castle, and powdery sand beaches that go on for miles.
Accommodation: On a terraced hillside overlooking the sea and sunset, this seven-suite hotel is blissfully peaceful. There’s a small pebble cove exclusively for guests, but kids can’t get enough of the large pool – magical at dusk or for a moonlit dinner. Stylish interiors with mottled marble bathrooms, eclectic art, and elegant antiques are comfortable and full of character. The effortlessly charming manager, Anita Papantoniou makes sure you experience Naxos as an insider.
Price: From €180 a night for a two-storey suite, sleeps 4.
More info: www.coronaborealis.gr
2/10 Onar, Andros
Location: 45-minutes down a treacherous dirt track, overlooking a crystal-clear bay that’s straight out of Castaway, Onar redefines getting away from it all.
Accommodation: Nine stone cottages with rustic chic interiors are scattered around a lush valley teeming with partridges, hares and turtles. A river runs through the nature reserve, with waterfalls and swimming holes for skinny-dipping. Delicious Greek food picked from the organic gardens is served at communal tables shaded by ancient plane trees. Let the kids run riot in the wilderness, while you kick back in your hammock.
Price: From €300 a night (including breakfast) for a cottage that sleeps 5.
More info: www.onar-andros.gr
3/10 Ammos Hotel, Crete
Location: It’s a 10-minute drive to the lively restaurants, bars, markets and museums of Chania.
Accommodation: This small, seaside resort is both super-stylish and incredibly baby-friendly. Colour-block walls and clashing fabrics liven up breezy studios and suites, with sea or garden views.
The set-up is perfect for babies and toddlers: a shallow, sandy beach, small pool, Kids Club, babysitters on demand, and cheerful staff unfazed by babies grappling with spaghetti.
Cretan comfort food in the waterfront restaurant is great value and the amazing breakfast spread is free for under-2s.
Price: From €170 a night for a garden view suites (sleeps 4).
More info: Nearest airport /port: Chania (15km)
4/10 Red Tractor Farm, Kea
Location: The island of Kea is an intriguing mix of wild landscapes, deep-rooted traditions, and sophisticated restaurants. On a farm hidden behind the port, Kostis Maroulis and his Californian wife, Marcie, produce organic wines, preserves, and acorn cookies – a big hit with kids, who can help out on baking days.
Accommodation: Cosy cottages and studios with sleeping platforms and private terraces are scattered among the vineyards and olive groves. There’s a beach at the bottom of the drive and bicycles for rent nearby. But the best way to explore the island is on Kostis’ traditional wooden boat, Soultana.
Price: From €150 per night for a cottage that sleeps 4, without breakfast.
More info: www.redtractorfarm.com
5/10 Idilli Villas, Lefkada
Location: With its white-sand beaches and forested peaks, Lefkada is like the Caribbean and the Alps rolled into one. Camouflaged among pine and cypress groves, these seven villas connected by stone footpaths are completely private and great value.
Accommodation: The bright, breezy houses have barn roofs, brand-new bathrooms, and well-stocked kitchens (washing machines and dishwashers are a blessing for big families). It’s a 10-minute stroll through the woods to the pretty beach of Agios Nikitas; but if you splash out an Exclusive or Superior villa you get your own private pool.
Price: From €140 a night for a 2 double-bed villa with a swimming pool.
More info: www.idillivillas.com
6/10 Keros Surf Club, Limnos
Location: Limnos is a well-kept secret among windsurfers and kite surfers. On a safe, sandy beach, Keros Surf Club is ideal for kids to learn how to surf. Just over the rolling dunes is aglampsite and restaurant with hammocks and cushions for chilling.
Accommodation: Luxury safari tents are equipped with wooden floors, shower cabins, and espresso machines. Sporty parents can ride the waves while 4-12 year olds make puppets or herbariums at the multilingual Kids Club.
The camp is in a nature reserve and migrating flamingos often touch down in the surrounding wetlands and salt lakes.
Price: Glamping from €80 a night in a 5-person safari tent, €10 a night in your own tent.
More info: camp.surfclubkeros.gr
7/10 Beach House, Antiparos
Location: Small, flat, and scalloped with shallow, sandy bays, Antiparos is the perfect island for small children. If you’ve got teenagers in tow, make straight for Beach House, a hip beach bar and restaurant with six rooms overlooking sheltered Apandima beach.
Accommodation: Sea-view suites for families are contemporary Cycladic in style, with marble bathrooms, brushed concrete floors, and Martino Gamper stools. There’s plenty to keep the whole family happy: water-sports, boat hire, a kids club, yoga and pilates classes, an award-winning chef, and a concept store showcasing Greek design.
Price: Family suites from €180 per night, including breakfast.
More info: www.beachhouseantiparos.com
8/10 Skiathos Holidays, Skiathos
Location: On the unspoiled Kalamaki peninsula, these sweet villas and apartments are just steps from sandy Vromolimnos beach. Set in gardens brimming with bougainvillea, with a cabana bar for breakfast and sundowners, this family-run complex is popular with Greeks.
Accommodation: It’s not luxurious, but you’ll feel instantly at home. There are options for families of all sizes, with cots, sofa beds, and high chairs provided free of charge. Kids can range free in the grounds and there’s a babysitting service if you fancy a night out (manager Christos knows all the hot spots on cosmopolitan Skiathos). It fills up quickly, so book well ahead for July or August.
Price: From €55 per night for a Superior Studio that sleeps 4.
More info: i-escape.com/skiathos-holidays/overview
9/10 Lychnaftia Beach House, Tinos
Location: Hipaway has a lovely collection of private homes on some of Greece’s most untouched islands.
Accommodation: This 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom beach house on Tinos is a bohemian holiday dream: divans scattered with kilim cushions, ethnic textiles, driftwood sculptures, and three plant-filled patios with hammocks shaded by bamboo pergolas.
Stone steps lead down to Lychnaftia beach on the island’s tranquil southeast coast. The only sounds are cicadas and the sea. Kids will love the outdoor shower and projector for movie screenings.
Price: From €3900 per week, sleeps 6.
More info: hipawayvillas.com
10/10 Gitonia Tis Eirinis, Koufonissi
Location: Koufonissi is one of the small Cyclades, an archipelago of tiny islands with translucent turquoise waters and only a few hundred inhabitants.
Accommodation: Built and run by a local artist, Antonis Mavros, this cluster of 15 whitewashed cottages is the essence of simple Greek island life. Every house has sea views from a private terrace thatched with bamboo and swathed in geraniums and bougainvillea. Blue and white interiors are traditionally spartan, with bamboo ceilings, thick stone walls and windows on all sides providing natural ventilation.
You can walk into town (there’s only one) or along the coast to a string of idyllic beaches.
Price: From €75 per night for a family house, sleeps 4.
More info: gitoniatisirinis-koufonisi.gr