Greece help needed!

[LawksaMercyMissus]

I've visited more than thirty times but have always avoided Crete and Corfu.

I'm now much more restricted by flights because of where I live but know nothing about either of these.

I loved Parga, Paxos, Stoupa, Skopelos..... any suggestions for somewhere similar on Crete or Corfu? Travelling alone, like a good selection of tavernas and bars, little winding streets. No high rise buildings!

Didn't realise it was such a niche question

Northeast Corfu is gorgeous - but is lots of weeny villages like Ag Stefanos NE, Agni, Kalami, Kouloura etc, so best to have transport.

Crete is lovely. There's more to it than the big resorts but a hire car helps make the most of the island. The east has lots of smaller villages with pretty sights and beaches, Agios Nikolas, Elounda, Vai beach. Chania town is set around a harbour with winding back streets. In the far SW, there is Elafonisi beach, Matala has interesting beach caves, hiking the Samari gorge is beautiful. Rerhimno is another historic town, yes its touristy but the old town is beautiful. Crete cuisine is delicious too!

I would second Chania in Crete, but there are a number of smaller and "Greek" towns that would fit the bill - and Crete is very easy to travel around whether by hire car or public transport.

Thanks everyone, I shall start Googling. I've had an awful couple of years and just the thought of being back there helps!

Definitely look at Chania. So much to see and do.

paleokastritsa in north west Corfu is stunningly beautiful. Kassiopi in the north east would probably fit your requirements for little streets and tavernas. It’s really pretty but beaches are pebble.

st George’s south in the south west is also nice, with a good selection of tavernas and really friendly locals. But might not be traditional enough for you. It is right by lake korission though where there are often wild flamingos later in the summer.

I’ve never seen a high rise hotel in Corfu. Even the bigger AI hotels don’t seem to be more than about 4 stories.

Have you looked at lindos in Rhodes?

South west Crete perhaps, Chora Sfakion, Loutro etc. They are a bit remote so a car would be useful.

I'd go back to Paxos in a heartbeat, such lovely people. And amazing Antipaxos ..

Having said that, you can only reach Loutro by boat, or hiking.

Loved Paxos too

We adored Crete and Corfu and went many times before we had our children. They're still very little and we've travelled lots with them but never returned to Greece.

In Crete, we adore Piskopiano and Koutouloufari. They're fairly uphill but you can walk down to Hersonissos which is nice. Would highly recommend Creta Blue Suites.

In Corfu, we love Kassiopi. A lovely little harbour village and very quaint.

We also visited Pekfos in Rhodes on the recommendation from a work colleague and hated it. But loved Lindos!

I have Greece envy! I'd love to return soon but I feel it's generally very suited to adults instead.

We loved Parga and Paxos too - we visited Paxos from Parga and were blown away by the beauty!

Lindos came to my mind when I read the OP too!

No high-rises at all in Lindos - the entire village is under an historic preservation order, so they couldn't build them if they wanted to, and the village itself hasn't changed for hundreds of years.

It's lots of little sugar cube white houses, tumbling down towards a couple of beautiful bays, topped with an ancient acropolis. The only vehicles allowed in the village are donkeys.

Old Rhodes Town is also lovely and a short drive away.

"I have Greece envy! I'd love to return soon but I feel it's generally very suited to adults instead"

It is quite adult-oriented isn't it? I'm "saving" Lindos for when my DC are teens, as I think they'll enjoy it more - it's small and safe enough that they can just roam around independently.

@MadameSzyszkoBohusz

Greeks seem great with children. But realistically Greece isn't for us with the little ones until they're bigger.

I love the idea of 'saving' Lindos until your DC can appreciate it a bit more. I think we will certainly do the same. It's so beautiful!

I'd definitely recommend Chania too. Lots of little side streets where all the good tavernas are. The main harbour area is a bit touristy but it's a great place to people watch.

After a couple of days there you can catch the bus down to Paleochora on the south-west coast. It's a very low-key type of place and quite relaxed. For even more relaxation you can catch the boat which leaves from Paleochora and calls into various villages along the south coast. Agia Roumeli and Sougia are very chilled. Loutro is touristy and more expensive but very pretty. The last stop is Chora Sfakion where you can get the bus back to Chania.

Obviously you can also do the trip in reverse. You don't have to stop at each place, you can pick and choose as you go along.

Thanks everyone, sometimes it's hard having a lot of choice!

Talking of children, I took mine there almost every year from when they were a few months old. They still love it now and never felt they missed out on more child oriented holidays. The big treat for them was dressing up and eating out in the evenings.

Love Corfu.

I’d second what someone up thread said about Paleokastritsa and Kassiopi. I’ve only stayed in North Corfu though, there’s a very active Facebook group if you have social media.

I have Greece envy! I'd love to return soon but I feel it's generally very suited to adults instead.

We‘ve taken our little ones to Corfu lots. Sand, sea, swimming pool, boats, and a water park. Our experience is that everywhere and everyone is super child friendly.

paleokastritsa in north west Corfu is stunningly beautiful. Kassiopi in the north east would probably fit your requirements for little streets and tavernas.

I second Paleo! So stunning.
Kassiopi is lovely too but Paleokastritsa is just amazing. Angel's pool apartments are fantastic.