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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Best Greek Island for family holiday

38 replies

EnglishRose1320 · 18/06/2023 19:30

Think we have finally decided on heading to a Greek island for our holiday this year.

We will be going during the October half term.

However cannot decide which island, hotel, board etc.... so many choices.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a family of 4, two teens. We'd like the hotel to have a few on site activities, pool with a slide/table tennis etc... but it doesn't have to be massive with loads of on site things (won't rule that out either though).

We like doing day trips particularly local history/ancient ruins etc....

Our budget isn't huge, but it's reasonable. Would probably choose to spend more on an apartment/villa than facilities, we don't like to be all in the same room.

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OP posts:
grayhairdontcare · 18/06/2023 19:33

October half term the weather would really dictate that Crete would be best

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 18/06/2023 19:38

Sorry clicked post before I had finished writing. Eldest ds is quite sun sensitive, so we don't mind slightly cooler temps. Not chilly but daily temps between 18-26 range is fine

OP posts:
JeminaSunshine · 18/06/2023 20:41

Greece in October can be really rainy. You need to go to one of the ones that are down in the south really. Even then you need to keep your fingers crossed (Greek dad)

EnglishGirlApproximately · 18/06/2023 20:47

Crete or Rhodes would be best at that time of year. Double check how open your resort is as lots of the resorts that are purely for tourists start closing down and not all hotel facilities will be available. I love Rhodes at that time of year as its not too hot to explore the old town etc, but I'd probably want to stay in a large town.

Cookerhood · 18/06/2023 20:55

We have been to Kefalonia twice in the October half term week. The first time we had torrential rain for the first day, then lovely. The second time we had clear blue skies & warm sunshine the whole week. The evenings were cool though. The sea was lovely & warm.

WonderDays · 18/06/2023 21:57

Crete is good for the days out you are interested in.

Justmemyselfandi999 · 18/06/2023 22:02

Rethymnon area of Crete is beautiful and historic, I think you'd like it there

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 18/06/2023 22:02

Thanks, we don't mind a bit of rain- know its a chance in most places when it comes to October holidays.

So far have found holiday options in Crete, Rhodes, Zante and Kos.

All have pros and cons and I think I may be over thinking it all now.

Might just put the places in a hat and pull one out!

OP posts:
Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 18/06/2023 22:02

Thanks, looks like Crete should be top of my list!

OP posts:
QueefofSheena · 18/06/2023 22:06

We’ve been to Rhodes a lot over October half term. Weather has always been good. The one time we went to Kos it was 50/50.

WonderDays · 18/06/2023 22:06

It could be worth doing some googling and seeing how much will be open as often resorts close down the last week of October and restaurants etc earlier than that. You may get an end of season feel.
Also if you like to swim in swimming pools check you have a heated pool.

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 19/06/2023 07:29

@QueefofSheena that's good to know thanks.

@WonderDays , yes we had to rule one place out because it offered an all inclusive package but the hotel restaurants were actually closed in October, so wasn't sure how you actually got any food!

As long as we can eat and explore the local area, we aren't fussed about things like waterparks/entertainment being open. We quite like the quiet end of season feel.

OP posts:
GayPareeee · 19/06/2023 07:33

Whilst Zakynthos (Zante) is gorgeous I wouldn't really recommend for history as most of it was flattened in an earthquake last century so there's not much compared to say Crete/Rhodes. Also it can be solid rain there then, more likely than not

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 19/06/2023 07:46

@GayPareeee , thanks thats really helpful to know.

OP posts:
gogohmm · 19/06/2023 08:22

Look at ixia on Rhodes. It's near to Rhodes town, bus or short taxi, rent a car for a day to explore. There's a hotel which has 2/3 bedroom apartments within it that I stayed in, forget the name. There's also villas. If you can source flights the villas are £1400 a week

Weesiewoo · 19/06/2023 08:26

Rhodes! So much to do. Far enough south for the weather to be decent . Also a few close islands to explore if you want. Although, there is heaps to do on Rhodes you probably won't need to go anywhere else.

Hobbesmanc · 19/06/2023 09:34

I'd pass on Zante as the Ionians are the wettest islands. And for me personally, Kos is less attractive than the other main Islands. Rhodes Town is amazing with plenty of hotel choice and lots to see. Crete is like a whole country in its own right. Again lots to see and do.

Wilma55 · 19/06/2023 15:03

Definitely avoid Zante in October can be very wet and windy

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 19/06/2023 15:21

Pretty sure we have ruled out Zante now.

Haven't found many deals we like the look of in Crete- awkward flight times etc... so probably ruling that out as well.

So down to Rhodes and Kos. Rhodes looks prettier, but Kos has some hotel packages that look like they still have quite a few on site activities running for the teens.

Eldest Ds is a little anxious about the toilet situation in Greece, having never been anywhere that doesn't flush paper. Do you get use to it? Do your rooms smell? He is very sensory, so hoping I can reassure him.

OP posts:
YukoandHiro · 19/06/2023 15:22

One year we went to Kos in October and the weather was perfect, but as others have said a lot of the restaurants and other amenities were closing. Fewer open at the end of the week than the beginning

Original poster
EnglishRose1320 · 19/06/2023 15:37

The place I've found in Kos the looks promising is all inclusive and they also offer picnic lunches to take on days out. So food wise that sounds promising, will probably also try some local places but less pressure on places being open.

We are a strange family in that we would much prefer a place that was half open and quiet, than having access to all the facilities and days out, but dealing with heat and crowds.

I think as long as some ferry/boat rides are still running. We can visit some ancient ruins and ideally do something active like bike rides/canoeing, then we will be happy.

I just over think and overwhelm myself with choices. Rhodes would probably be my top pick, but it's also top of the budget, which doesn't leave much for days out. So that makes me lean towards Kos, which is a little cheaper, so more money for days out.

OP posts:
WonderDays · 19/06/2023 15:41

Have you tried seeing if you can get the Rhodes holiday cheaper on another website? Also if you’re an out about family half board may suit you better if it’s significantly cheaper, sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t.

PurplePear7 · 19/06/2023 15:41

I’m just back from Crete and loved it! There is a lot of history/culture/sightseeing but also good resort type hotels if you want to chill by the pool.

We stayed in a resort near Hersonisos. Hotel was great but Hersonisos is quite partyish as it’s close to Malia. If I was going back (which I will be!) I’d stay in Koutouloufari, Elounda or Rethymon.

elderberryink · 19/06/2023 16:22

Am incredibly biased as have family in Kos and love the place. In my experience the weather tends to be lovely in October, very similar to Rhodes I would imagine (day trips run from one island to the other although it's a good few hours on the ferry). It's hard to predict this year as the weather has been really weird - we've just got back and there were a few thunderstorms and rainy days which I don't remember ever happening at this time of year. Have heard it has been like this all around the Mediterranean so not specific to Kos.

There are plenty of ruins about the place, Kos Town has a big castle, a partially reconstructed Roman house, the old amphitheater and the massive ruins of the Asklepion a short distance out of the town. Trips up to Zia are lovely (ask about excursions to the Greek night at Fantasia which starts at sunset in an outdoor restaurant in the mountains). You can get a boat to Nissyros which is beautiful (most trips include a coach up to the volcano if you like that sort of thing!). Ah, and there's the tree that Hippocrates taught medicine under (allegedly a descendant, although the tree itself is much younger - it's a nice story though!) Kos isn't as pretty as some of the other islands, but it's incredibly friendly and the food is amazing - people come year after year. Have you thought of staying half board instead of all inclusive? Quite a few people prefer coming in October and a lot of places stay open to the end of that month when the season officially ends so you won't be caught short, and it's much better for the locals! Unless of course it's for budgeting reasons.

There are two waterparks of which Lido is closer to Kos Town, again most travel places in the towns and villages will have trips running.

If you do go for Kos, there's a Facebook group called "Kardamena Group" which is focussed on the village but I see a lot of people from the all inclusives asking questions on there. It's very friendly and helpful.

midsomermurderess · 19/06/2023 16:24

Not an Island, Halkidiki in the north of Greece, flying in to Thessaloniki. It’s still nice and mild in October and has a mixture of great beaches and some ancient sites. Or the Peloponnese. You could fly to Athens or Patra. Marvellous beaches, tons of ancient sites. Kardamyli is a good family destination. These is so much to Greece than just the islands.

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