Athens first then which Greek islands?

[SleighBellsRing]

Hi,

We are planning our summer holiday and plan to fly to Athens for 2/3 nights then head to one or two islands for the remaining 7/8 nights. Any tips on which ones are best for an active family? We are a family of 4 with a 16 year old & a 12 year old. Thinking swimming, culture, hikes, a bit of time on the beach. Thanks

Santorini and Mykonos for me.

Many years ago we had a family holiday in Hydra after staying a few days in Athens. It is a very small island with no cars, so might be a bit quiet.

Hydra is lovely, but have to take a boat to get to the beaches, otherwise it's concrete platforms and rocks to swim from.

I really love Paros. History, hiking, swimming etc all available, plus the ferry to anti-Paros where you can hire a bike and cycle to beaches, both islands very beautiful and quintessentially Greek. It’s near Mykonos but smaller , less trendy and less expensive.

Would fly into Heraklion.
Stop a couple of nights in Heraklion, visit the museum's, restaurants, Knossos.
Then go to the west of the island for some quieter beach time.
Then onto Chania town for a day or two
Fly home from Chania airport

Naxos then onto Santorini.

Thassos is beautiful!

Mykonos is very expensive and wouldn't be my first choice for a family holiday. Similarly Santorini is super touristy and beaches aren't great.

I would much rather go to Paros, Naxos or IOS.

Milos is stunning, barely discovered and unspoilt. If you want a few museums and sights, stunning scenery and empty gorgeous beaches it's perfect.

Kefalonia

How about:

Naxos & one of the Little Cyclades (Iraklia is good for walks, the others have better beaches)
Santorini & Naxos
Santorini & Paros
Paros & Antiparos
Naxos & Milos
Naxos/Paros & Amorgos (Amorgos v good for walks and is quiet)

(Santorini is very very busy and expensive but stunning so maybe a night or two only)

These are all well linked by ferry so shouldn’t be too difficult but do check the ferry timetables carefully, especially to the less frequented ones like Milos and Little Cyclades.

Thanks for all those ideas. I will look into them all.