The world comes to Greece to bask a little in its luminescent ancient glory. The rich history of centuries-old civilization shines ever-present under the picture-perfect scenery of the Greek islands.
That civilization gave us democracy and taught us to love creation itself through arts and literature.
But when you plan to visit there, it is almost impossible to pick and choose between the 6000 odd islands of Greece. Especially, when you have teenagers traveling with you.
That is why we have found 6 of the best Greek islands that even your teenager will love.
There is history, there is romance, and a whole lot of fun in these places, so let’s seek them out without much ado.
P.S: If Vegas is next on your to-visit list and you want to explore teen-friendly hotel options in Vegas, check out our guide here.
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01. Crete
- Island Group: Cyclades
- From Athens by ferry: 10-15 hours
- Main attractions: ancient history, beaches, beautiful towns, and family-friendly atmosphere
In Crete, Greece, you find one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world–the Elafonisi, with its pink and golden sand, and clear turquoise waters. But there are other wonders to explore here.
A subterranean cavern, with its entrance about 100 meters below ground, the Diktean Cave is littered with stalactites and stalagmites. Supposedly, this is where Zeus’ mother hid him from his murderous father. Moving on from myths, Crete is also important in history.
The remnants of the oldest known civilization in Europe, the Minoans, are seen in the Palace of Knossos in Crete. The labyrinth there was supposedly built for trapping the mythical monster, the Minotaur.
Arkadi Monastery is the best site in Crete associated with religious history. A symbol of Greek National Independence in the present time, it was founded in the 5th century in Venetian Baroque style Architecture. It is quite idyllic, situated amidst olive trees and vineyards.
Other places include Koules Fortress (from the 13th century), Heraklion Archaeological Museum, St. Minas Cathedral, and if your teens are into literature, the burial site of Nikos Kazantzakis, who wrote The Last Temptation.
The Asterousia Mountains and Samaria National Park are two of the best hiking sites in Crete. The Park, especially, is an awesome place, with its 18 kilometers long Samaria Gorge, a natural hotspot. If you are lucky, you will get a glimpse of the kri-kri goats, or the Cretan badgers.
02. Naxos
- Island Group: Cyclades
- From Athens by ferry: 4-8 hours
- Main Attraction: lots and lots of beaches
The Plaka beach is a popular destination in Naxos, Greece, with pedalo trips, horse-riding, and windsurfing to keep your teens happy. While beaches constitute the essence of Naxos for families, there is more if you want.
The island is also blessed with varieties of natural products, and visiting the former capital at Halki will give you the best taste that the Cyclades can provide.
The City of Chora/Hora is home to the legendary Portara (the Door), a temple dedicated to Apollo and built in marble in the 6th century B.C.
The villages of Filoti and Apiranthos have marble-paved alleys and beautiful, scenic roads, with small, historical museums littered here and there. Filoti especially has the typical architecture that we have come to expect from Greece, built-in white marble.
Mount Zas, the highest point in the Cyclades, starts from the hiking trail in Filoti. Apparently, this mount is where Zeus was born. From Filoti to Aria Spring and the Cave of Zeus, and finally arriving at the summit, you are treated to a panoramic view of the island.
03. Rhodes
- Island Group: Dodecanese
- From Athens by ferry: 10-18 hours
- Main Attraction: historical places
The epitome of culture, and not only Greek culture, is showcased in the many palaces, religious places, museums, and well-maintained squares in the Medieval City/Old Town in Rhodes island.
It is a UNESCO world heritage site with Greek, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Italian influences.
From the Archaeological Museum in the Old Town, through the Street of Knights to the Palace of the Grand Master, the vibe will be that you are in Game of Thrones. There is even a medieval clock tower, and if you climb up, you can see the island all around you.
Suleymaniye Mosque, Lady of the Castle Cathedral, the Byzantine and Jewish Museums, etc are some other important historical places. The Temple of Aphrodite in the Old Town is as old as the 3rd century B.C.
Though there are beautiful places like the Square of Jewish Martyrs or the Hippocrates’ Square, you would not find hiking trails and mountains on Rhodes island. But this island is ideal if you have older teens who are into culture, architecture, and history.
04. Paros
- Island Group: Cyclades
- From Athens by ferry: 3-4 hours
- Main Attraction: traditional Cycladic architecture
In Paros, Greece, you will get to see The Church with the 100 Doors (Ekatonthapilian Church), the Venetian Castle, the temple of Goddess Athena, and the Archaeological Museum of Paros.
The entire island is scenic, but more so when you reach the fishing village of Naoussa. This village is famous for its nightlife and pretty beaches.
Although the big names include the Golden Beach and Punda, there is also the tiny beach of Kolymbithres, with its unique rock formations. These beaches make Paros one of the best islands near Athens for families.
At the village of Lefkes, the 3-km long Byzantine Hiking Path begins.
You must not miss the Valley of Butterflies if you are visiting Paros in peak summer. This is near the Monastery of Jesus of Woods, adjacent to the island capital, Parikia.
05. Santorini
- Island Group: Cyclades
- From Athens by ferry: 5-8 hours
- Main Attraction: picture-perfect scenery
Santorini’s volcanic crater makes it an island of the cliffs, with white infrastructure and black beaches of volcanic sand. This island is usually considered a honeymooning destination, but teenagers with an affinity for water will love it.
Caldera is an especially scenic village in Santorini, but for teenage holidays with parents, head to the quieter Kamari or Perissa.
Akrotiri, a Minoan settlement known as the Greek Pompeii, was once covered and preserved under volcanic ash. It is now open to the public and makes the Santorini experience quite surreal.
06. Milos
- Island Group: Cyclades
- From Athens by ferry: 3-6.5 hours
- Main Attractions: picture-perfect scenery
From the breathtaking Kleftiko cliffs to the ethereal Sarakiniko beach, Milos has one of the most underexplored and idyllic geographies in the Grecian group of islands.
It was here on this island that Venus de Milo, now at Louvre Museum in Paris, was found. A copy cast of this famous Greek statue is exhibited at the Archaeological museum in Milos.
There is also a mining museum showcasing various artifacts as old as the Neolithic period, excavated from the island. A prehistoric set of obsidian tools, various rocks of sulfur, gypsum, alum, bentonite, etc are also exhibited.
The most intriguing site in Milos, perhaps, would be the Catacombs, near Trypiti. It is an early Christian burial site, with wall inscriptions as old as 2000 years.
Hewn from the hill near the Catacombs, and facing the natural harbor, is the Ancient Theatre of Milos, from the 3rd century BC.
Littered with such natural and manmade wonders, Milos is as yet not the most popular Greek destinations, but ideal for the best family holidays in Greece.
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Wrap Up
Any list providing the best Greek islands for any age group can never be comprehensive, but we chose these 6 islands for their cultural and geographical richness. Let us end with a few reminders to make your holidays the best experience.
Firstly, keep in mind that while there is ferrying between islands of the same group, like the Cyclades, there isn’t a regular ferry between different island groups in Greece. You should visit the Greek islands sometime between May and September, and hire a tour guide if possible.
Secondly, if possible, do a food tour. The islands are rich in their unique agricultural produce, and the cuisine is to die for.
Thirdly, make pre-bookings of hotels because you are traveling with your family. Peak seasons can be difficult, and you don’t want to waste time searching for good accommodation.
That leads to our final advice: visit the islands with plenty of time to spare. And enjoy!
