Parents often wonder what to see in Crete with children on their own. Teenagers soon tire of monotonous beach holidays: how to make the trip to the island unforgettable for them? This paradise has places where children will not only feel comfortable but also gain additional information on topics of interest to them. It’s important to consider the preferences and hobbies of the young family member and choose tours that will be memorable.
Lake Kournas
This unique volcanic lake has no equal not only in Crete but also in Greece. It is fed exclusively by underground springs and therefore dries up in hot weather. In July-August, one of these springs surfaces: children will be fascinated to see how Kournas fills with water.
A river, Almyros, flows out of the lake. The water there is clean and always cold. Kournas is a practical lesson in the natural world or physical geography: children can see how the water level is regulated. One shore of the lake has a beach where you can rent a pedal boat and cross the lake. However, be cautious when docking on the wild shore: the bottom is covered with silt that can suck in objects. The silt looks like white sand. For children interested in biology, the protected shore is a treat: you can observe rare birds, bicolored turtles, and lizards; and see plants listed in the Red Book.
Dinosaur Park
A great place to take a break from the sea and sun. Here, children will see imitations of ancient dinosaur skeletons. The models are life-sized. Then the children move to a hall where they interact with reptile models. The animals open and close their mouths, roar, and move their limbs.
If the scary creatures get boring, you can:
- Ride on a train, especially popular with young children.
- Watch a film about reptiles, interesting for older children.
- Visit the dinosaur hospital, where you can see how people treat sick dinosaurs and how baby dinosaurs are born.
You don’t need to leave the interactive park to grab a bite: there are several cafes on-site offering national and European cuisine. You can also buy souvenirs from a small shop.
Lake Voulismeni
This natural wonder will leave no one indifferent: many stories, both fictional and real, surround it. A trip to the lake will appeal to children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Voulismeni is located in the center of the resort town of Agios Nikolaos. It is slightly oval, and the water is very dark.
Guides will tell several stories about the lake:
- Voulismeni has no bottom. It’s a magical lake from which demons rise to destroy innocent souls—a story that will appeal to mystically inclined teenagers.
- The lake has been around for so long that it remembers when Greek goddesses bathed in it to retain their youth and beauty forever—a tale that romantic girls will appreciate.
- The water in Voulismeni is heterogeneous: salty at the top and fresh at the bottom. Jacques Yves Cousteau, who dived into the lake with scuba gear, studied this feature—a story that will interest those passionate about natural sciences.
- Local residents threw abandoned fascist equipment and ammunition into Voulismeni after Crete’s liberation to eradicate memories of the harsh occupation. Jacques Yves Cousteau discovered unexploded ordnance at the bottom. This will be interesting to historians.
Overall, Voulismeni is simply a beautiful place in Agios Nikolaos. There are many cafes and restaurants around where you can sit in the evening and watch the lights reflect in the black water.
Limnoupolis Water Park
Children sometimes tire of the sea and sun, but never of water activities, and Limnoupolis water park proves this. The leisure center is located in Chania and is open only in the summer. The park offers entertainment for all tastes and ages:
- Toddlers will enjoy splashing in a special pool and sliding down gentle slopes. Tired of swimming, they can move to the playground.
- Teenagers will appreciate the Crazy River, Tarzan rope, or Kamikaze slide.
- Children who can’t swim can float down the Lazy River on inner tubes.
An advantage of Limnoupolis is the ability to feed hungry children without leaving its territory. The center offers cafes serving national and European cuisine. Even the pickiest eaters will find something they like. Parents can visit the bar while their children have fun.
There is a first aid station on-site to provide help in case of injury. If you forget beach accessories, you can buy everything necessary for active rest at a small kiosk.
Watercity Water Park
Even children who aren’t easily impressed by water entertainment will enjoy Watercity. It is located just 15 km from Heraklion, Crete’s capital, and covers an area of 8 hectares.
From May to October, Watercity offers:
- Water slides ranging from the simplest and gentlest for toddlers to steep ones for daring teenagers. You can slide down the Kamikaze or Sidewinder-Boomerango (a semi-sphere with curves and turns). Teenagers who aren’t too confident in their abilities will enjoy the Body Slide Cyclone, which first sends you through a tube and then into a funnel where the speed slows down a bit. The Black & Red Tube consists of two parts: red and black tubes with unexpected twists and turns. You can slide down alone or with a friend, racing against the clock.
- Toddlers will enjoy the shallow pool with real sea waves or a gentle waterfall. Floating down the Lazy River on inflatable rafts is also fun.
For those tired of water games, there are children’s towns where you can climb ladders or build sandcastles. Parents can sit nearby under shade canopies. The center offers food at the food court. There are six bars and several cafes serving European and Mediterranean cuisine. The eateries also have a children’s menu. You can buy souvenirs at small shops within the park.
However, it’s important to remember that ensuring children’s safety is the parents’ responsibility. Follow age restrictions and don’t let toddlers on dangerous rides.
Acqua Plus Water Park
This was the first water park built on the island. It covers a smaller area than Watercity but offers just as many attractions. The center is located on hills near Hersonissos (just 5 km away). The terrain is a unique advantage of the complex. From any point, you have a beautiful view. Visitors can appreciate the landscapes as soon as they enter. The views impress even those experienced in water entertainment.
Another advantage of the center is its collection of Mediterranean plants. Pines and palms are planted throughout the territory, so the park is lush with greenery, and the air is filled with the scents of lavender and rosemary. This atmosphere will especially appeal to sensitive individuals. The center is divided into areas for children and adults. However, this doesn’t mean that attractions for toddlers aren’t suitable for their older siblings: everyone will enjoy a joint descent down the Lazy River.
The Crazy River will delight those who like to play: you can bump into each other with inflatable rings while descending. Teenagers who can’t live a day without their smartphones will appreciate the free Wi-Fi. Cafes within the center offer delicious dishes from local and European cuisines.
Cretaquarium
The life of sea creatures is hidden from human eyes, so the Cretaquarium’s exhibition will be fascinating for children of all ages. The aquarium is open year-round, but the hours change: from October to April, it closes at 5 PM. The aquarium is cool inside, with tanks of marine inhabitants in the halls.
To learn more about the underwater residents, you should rent an audio guide. The device will not only name the creature but also tell you where it lives, what it eats, and how it reproduces. Teenagers will enjoy the interactive stands, where they can see how animals capture and swallow their prey.
Parents can rest on cozy benches and take a break from the resort hustle while their children study the underwater creatures. Photography is allowed in the center, but without flash. Children love taking selfies with the unusual ocean residents. It’s also comfortable to explore the complex with small children: there are several restrooms, so you won’t have to interrupt your visit to find one.
The aquarium offers a cafe for a snack, but prices are slightly higher than on the coast. The souvenir kiosk is always crowded: you can find interesting items for yourself and your friends.
Knossos Palace
This place is fascinating for children interested in history, archaeology, and literature: here, you can see ancient ruins described in the “Legends and Myths of Ancient Greece.” The palace was built by King Minos of Crete to hide his wife’s sin and protect his subjects from the Minotaur. To prevent the creature from escaping, it was placed in a labyrinth.
Some historians claim that the palace itself is the labyrinth, as it has the Labrys symbol on its walls. But the monster demanded sacrifices: every few years, seven handsome young men and seven beautiful maidens from all over Greece were thrown into the labyrinth. But one day, Theseus, one of the victims, managed to defeat the monster with the help of Ariadne, King Minos’ daughter. These legends are well-known to any teenager studying history and literature.
You can see the place where these tragic events unfolded by visiting Knossos Palace. If your child is interested in archaeology, they will enjoy learning about the works of the talented architect and archaeologist Arthur Evans, who excavated the palace. Evans conducted his work with his family’s funds. Knossos Palace is also interesting for children interested in art. Evans managed to restore unique frescoes that adorn the ancient structure’s walls.
Diktaean Cave
The cave will interest not only history lovers but also teenagers fascinated by natural landmarks: the place where baby Zeus was hidden is very beautiful. However, to complete the journey, you need to be prepared: the cave is high in the mountains, and you’ll have to climb hot mountain slopes, sometimes quite steep. Wear comfortable shoes, protect your head from the sun, and bring a bottle of water.
In the cave, it is cool, so it’s recommended to bring warm clothes. The cave where Rhea hid newborn Zeus from his father Cronus consists of two connected chambers. You move in semi-darkness along a metal staircase. On the sides, you can see stalactites, stalagmites, and stalagnates illuminated by colorful lights.
At the bottom of one chamber is an underground lake. At the cave’s exit is an observation deck with a stunning view of the Lassithi Plateau and surroundings. You can buy souvenirs as gifts or keepsakes at a small shop.
Sfendoni Cave
This natural landmark is primarily interesting for children fascinated by natural sciences. This beautiful place is a geology lesson. The cave is named after the legendary rebel (Sfendonis) who hid here from enemies during Greece’s struggle for independence. However, historians doubt this version. Nonetheless, the cave is worth visiting: it is very beautiful.
Unfortunately, not all 11 halls are accessible: tourists can only explore five. Along the path with rope railings, stalactites hang from the ceiling, stalagmites grow from the floor, and sometimes these formations merge into stalagnates. The path is illuminated with colored lights. The underground temperature is stable: +12 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is quite high. This microclimate is beneficial for people with asthma, making underground walks both pleasant and healthy.
Lychnostatis Open-Air Museum
This place will be interesting for children of all ages: Lychnostatis is an ethnographic museum. All exhibits can be touched and assessed for their role in the daily life of Cretans. The island is still an agricultural region today, so the main part of the exhibition is dedicated to agriculture.
Lychnostatis features:
- Small gardens with vegetables and nearby tools used for soil cultivation.
- Vineyards and winemaking facilities with presses for squeezing juice from grapes.
- Craft workshops: blacksmiths, potters, and weavers. Children will enjoy turning the potter’s wheel or trying their hand at weaving.
The territory is well-maintained, with benches for resting. Every year, Lychnostatis hosts a harvest festival. During the festival, visitors can taste the island’s vegetables and fruits, cheeses, and young wine.
Labyrinth Park
What is Crete without a labyrinth? The center invites children of all ages and their parents. Here, everyone will find something to their liking:
- Those who love solving puzzles will wander through the labyrinth, imagining themselves as Theseus searching for the Minotaur.
- Children who love vehicles can ride quad bikes. This attraction is for children aged 4-11.
- Children can play mini-golf on a specially equipped course. Others can try archery.
- Botanists will find many interesting things in the organic garden, and zoologists will enjoy the mini farm.
- Those who love crafts can make pots in the pottery workshop.
- Brave girls and boys can go horseback riding.
While the children are having fun, parents can relax in the cafe, which serves Mediterranean and European cuisine. The labyrinth is located on picturesque hills near Hersonissos.
Natural History Museum of Crete
This exhibition is an excellent way to enhance a child’s education without excessive emotional strain: the Cretan University oversees the exhibition. Tourists can:
- Learn more about earthquakes and the physical and chemical processes during disasters.
- Study Crete’s inhabitants, flora, and fauna.
- Discover which animals lived on the island millions of years ago.
- Visit the optical illusions and hologram zone.
- Learn more about Niarchos’ discoveries.
The center has interactive stands that provide information on topics of interest. It will be much more engaging than school.
Amazonas Zoo
A fascinating place for young zoologists: the center houses animals rarely found in nature. The complex started with a few parrots that their owners could no longer keep. Today, Amazonas has lemurs, monkeys, cats, turtles, lizards, llamas, and wild goats.
Children can observe the animals and even feed them. Special food for animals is sold at the cafe: feeding them with food bought elsewhere is prohibited.
The territory is shady and well-maintained, with benches for tired visitors to rest. While the children study the animals, parents can relax. The cafe offers quick snacks for the hungry. Besides showcasing the animals, Amazonas helps animals in need, allocating part of the income and collecting donations for this purpose.
Fortezza Fortress
Fortezza will appeal to young historians. The Byzantines built this fortress, later captured by the Ottomans. During Turkish rule, the Orthodox Church (St. Nicholas Cathedral) was destroyed and replaced with a mosque. The other structures remained intact and retained their purpose. However, after the Ottomans were expelled, everything used by the invaders was destroyed.
Only the fortress walls were left untouched. A few years ago, Fortezza was reconstructed in its original (Venetian) style. Today, it hosts permanent and thematic exhibitions. The open-air venue is used for concerts by musicians. The venue offers a stunning view of the surroundings of Rethymno, where the landmark is located.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
The exhibition will delight young historians: it has the richest collection of Minoan civilization artifacts. No other center in the world can boast such items. The building was constructed on the ruins of a Catholic cathedral destroyed by an earthquake in 1856. The remnants of the walls and foundation have been preserved and can be seen. The new building was constructed with the region’s seismic activity in mind: it was thoroughly reinforced.
However, during the Nazi occupation, it was destroyed. The restoration took until 1952, and in 1964, the center received additional space. The museum acquired its modern look only in 2014. The center has the most impressive collection of Minoan culture artifacts: oil and wine storage vessels, jewelry, frescoes. No other museum in the world has such a collection. The exhibition occupies 20 halls, equipped with interactive stands and screens. Exploring the collection will be enjoyable for both children and adults.
Elafonisi Beach
Children who love active rest and nature will enjoy this beach. Pristine Elafonisi is a nature reserve: rare birds nest here, and turtles come to lay eggs. Red-listed grasses grow on the shore. All these wonders can be seen up close. Elafonisi has the cleanest white sand and clear, warm water.
Sometimes the water appears pink: according to legend, it is the blood of peaceful residents slaughtered by bloodthirsty Ottomans. Biologists explain the unusual color by the presence of tiny pink shrimp. At Elafonisi, you can learn to surf or swim on your own, diving with a scuba tank. The winds here make it interesting for kitesurfing. If the child is tired of active rest, they can relax on a sun lounger under a canopy.
“Devil’s Harbor” Beach
Boys and girls who have read about pirate adventures will love this hard-to-reach place. You have to walk through a gorge to get there, so wear comfortable shoes. The beach is a pirate Tortuga. Sharp cliffs hang directly over the bay, so ships didn’t and don’t enter here. However, the cliffs protect the beach from the winds: the sea is warmer here than on other beaches and almost always calm.
The sand in “Devil’s Harbor” is fine and white. The sea entry is quite steep, but those who can swim will enjoy bathing. The shore lacks infrastructure, so bring water and food for a long stay. You can camp here for a few days: the child will fully immerse in the pirate Tortuga’s daily life.
Aradena Gorge
Not everyone can conquer the gorge: this makes it more interesting for children to test their strength. Aradena will yield only to the brave and daring. This place is hard to reach, making the route even more intriguing. The route starts from the abandoned village of Aradena. The trail rises and falls, sometimes quite steeply. The path is sometimes covered with small stones that slide underfoot.
Mountain goats leap along the slopes, causing rockfalls. However, with good preparation, you can enjoy the magnificent untouched landscapes. By the way, bring a small amount of water: about halfway through, there is a spring with cool drinking water.
The final destination is Marmara Beach. It is covered with small pebbles, and the sea is clean and warm. There is a small cafe nearby for a snack. It is recommended to return by boat, renting it from the locals.
Argyroupoli Village
This village will interest children fascinated by ethnography. The small village is located on a mountainside. It is surrounded by forest, and drinking water flows down from the mountains, forming two small streams. Argyroupoli is clean and beautiful, with many souvenir shops and cafes offering national cuisine. Visit to see the unhurried lifestyle of the locals, which has remained unchanged for centuries.