Crete is one of the favorite holiday destinations of Germans. The best time to travel to Crete is from July to September. We chose mid-October as our travel time, and I can absolutely recommend this timing. We had temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius almost every day, and even in the evenings, you only needed a light sweater at most. Furthermore, you avoid the tourist crowds and can find a beautiful spot to lie down in every bay.
Why we loved Domes Zeen in Crete so much
The Domes Zeen Chania They welcomed us with child-friendly hospitality from the very beginning! A sofa was made up as a bed for Levi, there was a childproof barrier at the room's private pool, and cookies and muffins were available free of charge whenever we wanted. There's also a kids' club, a separate children's menu in the restaurant, and water toys for the pool and beach are always available! With this all-inclusive pampering package, we actually spent 5 out of 7 days just at the hotel. We rented a car for 2 days and explored the island a bit. You should definitely book your rental car online and compare prices. Renting through the hotel would have been twice as expensive!
Day trip 1: Elafonisi Beach and Greek mountain villages
Our first excursion took us from north to south through the high mountain villages of Crete. Mountain villages are, in my opinion, the best thing about Greece. Here you experience the true charm of the country and also get the best food. A little tip: it's best to eat where the menu is only in Greek. Those are the real tavernas. We visited the Tavern Topo and Elia in Topolia selected. After about 1.5 hours from Chania you reach the Elafonisi Beach And it's true: the beach really is pink! I find this phenomenon absolutely beautiful. It's actually tiny particles of red shells that give the sand its pink color. You can also enjoy stand-up paddleboarding in the lagoon.
Day trip 2: Balos Lagoon and Chania city
There are two ways to visit the lagoon: by ferry, or by car followed by a steep, approximately 30-minute walk down into the lagoon. I would recommend the walk to anyone who feels reasonably confident. The views are breathtaking the entire way! The boat takes you directly to the bottom of the lagoon. However, you'll be joined by about 200 other passengers, all of whom seem to be laying down their towels at the same time. The lagoon itself is very shallow, making it ideal for children to splash around in.
Chania by night
An evening in Chania city Of course, a visit to the Venetian harbor is an absolute must. Besides the beautiful Venetian harbor, Chania boasts a truly wonderful old town, with all sorts of shops where, in addition to the usual tourist trinkets (like the obligatory penis-shaped bottle opener), you can also find some really lovely souvenirs. And you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing one of the charming tavernas for dinner. From traditional to modern, and everything in between, there's something for everyone!
Unfortunately, Levi had to go to a Greek hospital.
Unfortunately, for the first time during this holiday we also had a Illness involving Levi. Unfortunately, he had croup, and we had to take him to a Greek doctor. I was more than surprised by the quality of the medical care there. We've never had such a thorough examination in Germany. We only paid €100 for two medical checkups, including inhalation therapy, and were immediately reimbursed by our health insurance company here in Germany.
The Crete with Child Travel Guide
Looking for more tips for the perfect family holiday in Crete? The island's most beautiful beaches, the most child-friendly restaurants, and excursion ideas for children of all ages? Then our Crete with Kids Travel Guide is just what you need! All the tips are clearly marked on a Google Maps list. This saves you hours of research and trip planning!