Greece is a summer holiday icon, full stop. So when Visit Greece highly recommend three particular destinations for family summer holidays, you have to be a little curious to know more. Especially as they’re probably not the first names that spring to mind. They’re all extraordinary, all very different, and all remarkably easy to get to from the UK. Ready for the big reveal? Have a look at Kavala, Thasos Island and Samothrace.
© Kavala
Kavala has earned a lot of flattering nicknames over its 27 centuries, but the one that sticks is ‘Blue City’, a nod to the fact that the Aegean is particularly dazzling here and virtually surrounds the city on all sides. 2700 years means there’s no shortage of history to dig into and Kavala old town is considered one of the prettiest in this part of Greece. Over a dozen beautiful beaches, several with Blue Flags, are no distance at all from the city centre. And if you want an impressive intro to archaeology for kids, the stunning Acropolis of Philippi is the one with World Heritage monuments and fabulously thrilling stories to go with them.
© Kavala
Direct flights from London to Thessaloniki take three hours, five minutes.
Kavala is one hour, 30 minutes drive east of Thessaloniki Airport.
© Thasos
Thasos is known as the Emerald Island. It’s the most northerly in the Aegean and much loved by Greek families for beaches and great food, traditional villages, outstanding cultural events like the annual Summer Festival, not to mention superb local olives, wine and honey. Understandably kids might be more interested in the freedom of cycling super-safe island roads, snorkelling in clearest of clear seas or mountain biking forest trails. And if they’ve a bit of room left, quite a few of the island’s many beaches are up and ready for a whole range of wildly good fun water sports.
© Thasos Alikes
Direct flights from London to Thessaloniki take three hours, five minutes.
Kavala is one hour, 30 minutes drive east of Thessaloniki Airport and daily ferry crossing from Kavala to Thasos Island take just over an hour.
© Samothraki
Right at the heart of Samothrace stands Mount Saos, the highest mountain in the Aegean where, according to legend, Poseidon stood to watch the Battle of Troy. If you’re getting the sense that this is a very mystical and special place, you’re absolutely on the right track. The island is drenched in myths, piled high with history and engulfed in nature at its most spellbinding. It’s a perfect choice for adventurous kids – the amazing waterfalls and natural pools could fill an entire holiday all by themselves. Young archaeologists will be mesmerised by the 50km² site of Palaiopolis and the Nike Monument – original site of the world famous Winged Victory of Samothrace statue, currently in The Louvre. And if you like a spot of trekking, now is the time to discover the Old Routes of Samothrace which are in the process of being restored across the island.
Direct flights from Athens to Alexandroupoli take one hour.
The ferry crossing from Alexandroupoli to Samothrace takes between two and three hours during summer months.