If you wish to experience a family active vacation on Crete and Santorini with teenagers, and you wish to combine swimming, outdoor activities, and family fun, here is the best itinerary for an adventurous family trip to Greece!
Santorini & Crete for Active Families with Teens
Experience a unique carefree family vacation on Crete and Santorini with teenagers and create some of the most valuable memories of your lifetime! These are the best destinations in Greece for active families, because they offer an interesting coastline, a variety of outdoor activities and an amazing landscape ideal for family adventures in nature!
In this family trip itinerary on Crete and Santorini with teenagers, the MAMAKITA family travel specialists propose the best destinations for teenage families, as well as the best activities and experiences to enjoy during your Greek island exploration with teens.
Need some help in trip planning by the best family travel agents in Greece? MAMAKITA family travel specialists can customize this family vacation itinerary on Crete and Santorini with teenagers according to your preferences, age of family members, travel pace and budget. Enjoy your family trips in Greece without worrying about accommodation or family-friendly tours and activities by making your request here.
Brief Family Trip Itinerary for Crete & Santorini with Active Teens
- Day 1: Arrival in Athens, free Afternoon in Plaka district
- Day 2: Enjoy Athens by Bike! Acropolis Afternoon Tour
- Day 3: Athens to Chania, free time in Chania
- Day 4: Imbros Gorge Hiking & Boat Trip
- Day 5: SUP & Snorkeling in Marathi, Visit to the Botanical Parks of Crete
- Day 6: Balos and Gramvoussa Day-Cruise
- Day 7: Ferry to Santorini, Sunset Caldera Hike from Fira to Oia
- Day 8: Santorini Sea Kayak or SUP tour
Detailed Family Trip Itinerary for Crete & Santorini with Active Teens
Day 1: Arrival in Athens, free Afternoon in Plaka district
Start your family expedition in Greece with a walk in Plaka, the oldest and the most charming neighborhood of the city, an ideal afternoon stroll. The popular Plaka neighborhood is an Athens must-see, filled with cobbled streets, artisan shops, and family-run taverns. On the way, allow yourself to align with the city that sits under the gaze of the Acropolis and its iconic Parthenon and feel its cultural vibes. When you feel tired, walk to your family-friendly hotel, located in the historic center of the city.
Day 2: Enjoy Athens by Bike! Acropolis Afternoon Tour
Start your day with a bike ride around the best spots of Athens. Peddling through the city, make several stops at Athens’ main attractions including the Ancient Greek Agora. Pass through the National Gardens’ maze, see the Presidential Mansion right across the street, and stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games took place.
After lunch, beat the tourist crowds and explore the Acropolis with an afternoon tour together with a family friendly certified guide. As the city’s most iconic landmark, you’ll discover the once-powerful Ancient Greek civilization that flourished here thousands of years ago and view the hill’s important buildings and monuments. The afternoon sunlight typically offers comfortable temperatures and excellent lighting for Instagramable pics!
Day 3: Athens to Chania, free time in Chania
A charming 14th-century harbor and lighthouse, a Venetian old town, Ottoman and Egyptian influences make Chania one of the most scenic spots on Crete. Discover the beauty of the city by exploring its picturesque streets, historical monuments, its harbor and colorful architecture. Before heading to your comfortable hotel in the ideal location for you and your teenagers, explore the off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods where you will discover more authentic Cretan communities.
Day 4: Imbros Gorge Hiking & Boat Trip
Enjoy a full-day trekking trip through Imbros gorge and swim on the untouched beaches of southern Crete on a boat tour together with a local guide. You will cross the gorge through an easy trail and as you walk, you will see the remnants of the original trail that used to be the only connection between Chania and Chora Sfakion and you will learn about the massive evacuation of thousands of British soldiers during WWII before they escaped to Egypt.
Next, you will embark on a fast boat that will take you to the most beautiful beaches such as Loutro, Glyka Nera and Marmara, where you will have the chance to swim and snorkel and eat a savoring meal with local delicacies.
Day 5: SUP & Snorkeling in Marathi, Visit to the Botanical Parks of Crete
Enjoy a SUP day with your family on two of the best beaches of northern Crete, Marathi and Loutraki. These beaches are close to Chania and create the perfect environment for you to stand on the paddleboard! You will paddle around the crystal clear, turquoise-hued waters and discover the amazing spots that are even unknown to locals, guided by experienced SUP instructors. Explore the caves that lie hidden across the coastline, swim, take pictures, and go snorkeling.
Then, head to the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete to explore the diverse and unique flora of the area. In a unique location, hidden in scenic hills, you will find yourself surrounded by beautiful gardens featuring three different climate zones. As a result of a special micro-climate in this area of Chania, you can view a range of tropical, Mediterranean, and sub-alpine plants, shrubs, and trees.
Day 6: Balos and Gramvoussa Day-Cruise
Discover Crete’s famed beach, Balos, and the red rocky terrain of Gramvoussa with a cruise. In Gramvoussa you can relax on the beach or hike the rocky red trail to the island’s castle. The Venetians built the Gramvoussa Fortress strategically on top of cliffs, giving modern visitors panoramic views of the Cretan Sea. Next, take a short cruise to the breathtaking lagoon of Balos. Enjoy swimming and soaking in the shallow turquoise waters with the signature white and pink sand below your feet. With tall rocks surrounding the lagoon, these natural elements come together to create a blissful landscape.
Day 7: Crete to Santorini, Sunset Caldera Hike from Fira to Oia
After a short ferry ride, you will reach Santorini. Today is your chance to hike Santorini’s and one of Greece’s most impressive trails, along the rim of the island’s famous volcanic caldera with a guided trekking tour. This walk follows the edge of the volcano that once inspired the myth of Atlantis, the legendary civilization that became lost under the sea having fallen out of favor with the gods. As you hike this beautiful route that connects Santorini’s capital city of Fira to the coastal village of Oia, you will pass through iconic villages which feature Cycladic-built homes and chapels and you will have the chance to see amazing views and watch the famous Santorini sunset from the hilltop. Full of beautiful images, head to your comfortable hotel, by the beach.
Day 8: Santorini Sea Kayak or SUP tour
Ditch the tourist crowds and see Santorini from a different perspective and choose between SUP or sea kayaking tour that will take you through the waters of the island’s scenic southern side. Enjoy views of the unique volcanic coastline and red and white sandy beaches. As you paddle along the coast, savor the views of dramatic rock formations, sandy beaches, and picturesque coves. Along the way, you’ll stop to take a break, eat your snacks, and enjoy a refreshing swim. The waters surrounding Santorini’s southern coast are crystal-clear and the perfect temperature for exploring. Grab snorkeling gear from your guides and discover life under the surface.
Need some help in trip planning by the best family travel agents in Greece? MAMAKITA family travel specialists can customize this family vacation itinerary on Crete and Santorini for Teenage Families according to your preferences, age of kids, travel pace and budget. Enjoy your family trips in Greece without worrying about family friendly accommodation or kid-friendly tours and activities by making your request here.
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