Greece with kids: where and when to go, month by month (2026–2027)
Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Halkidiki or the Peloponnese? A sea and heat table for each month, what suits Hanukkah, Passover and summer, and what matters with toddlers and teens.
- Easiest with kids: Crete and Rhodes, with short direct flights and a Chabad house.
- Most comfortable months: June and September. In April the sea is still cold; July–August is very hot.
- Hanukkah (5–12.12.2026) suits Athens; Passover (13–28.4.2027) suits spring trips.
With young children, pick an island with a direct flight and one hotel for the whole holiday. If you travel in the school holidays, book early: those are the busiest and most expensive dates.
Where to go in Greece with kids: the short answer
- Easiest with young children: Crete and Rhodes. They have the most direct summer flights from Israel, many family hotels, and a Chabad house each.
- Green and varied: Corfu and Kos, both with direct summer flights.
- Wide, shallow beaches, by car: Halkidiki, about one to two hours' drive from Thessaloniki.
- Quiet and upmarket: the Peloponnese, via Kalamata or after a few days in Athens.
- A city with kids: Athens works in every season. See Athens with kids: 13 places and activities.
When is best? Greece with kids month by month
The figures are long-term averages (daily maximum / sea temperature), from Climates to Travel, as on our Greece weather by month pages.
| Month | Athens | Crete (Heraklion) | Rhodes | Good for swimming? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 20° / sea 16° | 20° / sea 17° | 20° / sea 18° | Usually not, the sea is cold |
| May | 25° / sea 18° | 24° / sea 19° | 24° / sea 20° | For brave kids |
| June | 30° / sea 22° | 28° / sea 22° | 28° / sea 23° | Yes |
| July | 33° / sea 24° | 29° / sea 24° | 30° / sea 25° | Yes, but very hot |
| August | 33° / sea 25° | 29° / sea 25° | 30° / sea 26° | Yes, but very hot |
| September | 29° / sea 24° | 27° / sea 24° | 28° / sea 25° | Yes, the most comfortable month |
| October | 24° / sea 22° | 24° / sea 23° | 25° / sea 23° | Yes, mainly early in the month |
Bottom line: June and September are the easiest months with children: warm sea, fewer crowds and less extreme heat. July and August are the most popular but very hot at midday.
Greece during Israeli school holidays (2026–27)
| Holiday | Dates | What suits |
|---|---|---|
| Hanukkah | 5–12 December 2026 | Athens and Thessaloniki: city breaks, museums and candle lighting at Chabad. Not swimming season. See Hanukkah in Greece and Greece in winter |
| Passover | 13–28 April 2027 | Green spring and walks. The sea is still cold. Kosher-for-Passover hotels, see Passover in Greece |
| End of the school year | From 21 June 2027 for middle and high schools, from 1 July for kindergartens and primary schools | All the islands |
| Sukkot 2027 | Starts the evening of 15 October 2027 | Crete and Rhodes are still warm. See Sukkot in Greece |
Holiday dates follow the Israeli Ministry of Education calendar for 2026–27. Next year's Sukkot school break dates will be published later.
Toddlers or teenagers? What suits each age
Toddlers and children up to 6:
- A short direct flight (Rhodes and Crete: about 1.5–2 hours).
- A hotel with a children's pool and a shallow beach nearby, so you don't drive every day.
- Don't move around too much. Long ferry rides tire small children.
Children 7–12:
- Mix beach, a short boat trip and one attraction a day (water park, a small ancient site, a nature walk).
- The big islands have enough variety for a full week.
Teenagers:
- Islands with more action: water sports, boat trips, jeep tours and lively towns in the evening.
- Combine a few days in Athens with an island, by ferry.
All-inclusive hotel or an apartment?
- All-inclusive: very easy with young children, no need to look for food, and there is a kids' club. The downside: you see less of the island.
- Apartment or villa: more space, a kitchen (handy if you keep kosher), and often cheaper for a big family. You need a car.
- If you keep kosher: check in advance what each island has. Crete, Rhodes and Athens have a Chabad house, and kosher food can be delivered. See Kosher food in Greece and Chabad in Greece.
Heat, sun and safety with children
- In July and August avoid open sites and shadeless beaches between 12:00 and 16:00. During heatwaves some ancient sites close at midday.
- Sunscreen, a hat and water every time you go out.
- Water shoes: rocky beaches sometimes have sea urchins.
- Lifeguards: not every beach has one. Prefer organised beaches.
- The Meltemi wind (mainly July–August in the Aegean) brings waves and sometimes cancels boat trips. Check the forecast before a boat day.
- Travel insurance for the whole family. See Travel insurance for Greece.
Getting there
Most family islands have direct summer flights from Israel. The updated list: Greek islands with direct flights from Israel. Current fares from Tel Aviv: Cheap flights to Greece.
FAQ
What is the best Greek island for families with children? Crete and Rhodes are the easiest choice: short direct flights, many family hotels and a Chabad house. Corfu and Kos are good too.
Can you swim in Greece in April or May with kids? In April the sea is around 16–18°C, cold for most children. In May it is around 18–20°C. June is more pleasant.
Is Greece with kids in August a good idea? Yes, but it is very hot: up to 33°C on average in Athens. Plan the beach in the morning and evening and rest at midday. It is also the busiest and most expensive month.
Where can you find kosher food for children on the islands? Crete and Rhodes have a Chabad house with kosher food, and Athens has kosher restaurants. For other islands you can order kosher meal deliveries in advance.
