Mythology Trip to Crete & the Greek Islands With Kids

If you wish to experience a family vacation focusing on Greek mythology and local life on Crete and the Greek islands with kids, here is the best family vacation itinerary for families with school age kids designed and operated by the MAMAKITA family travel specialists! This customizable family trip itinerary includes Athens, Crete, Santorini and Naxos and combines mythology tours, history and local culture with leisure on the beach, family fun, and healthy food based on authentic Greek products and original Mediterranean recipes.

Explore the myth of the labyrinth and Minotaur in the Minoan mythology, the Cycladic ancient civilization, enjoy the genuine and warm hospitality of Cretans, soak up the Aegean sun on the colorful beaches of Santorini and Naxos, the Mediterranean scrumptious cuisine and flavors in farm-to-table meals, and discover how the combination of all these elements form the essence of Greece! 

In this mythology trip in Crete and the Greek Islands with kids, MAMAKITA family travel specialists have traced the best spots on Crete and the Greek Islands of the Cyclades for families, tried and selected the best activities and experiences to enjoy during your Greek island exploration with kids and put together this 12-day family island-hopping itinerary for you to explore Athens, Heraklion, Santorini and the kid-friendliest Naxos.  

Need some help in trip planning by the best family travel agents in Greece? MAMAKITA family travel specialists can customize this Mythology Trip in Crete and the Greek Islands with kids 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. 

In Brief

• Day 1: Arrival to Athens, Free afternoon stroll in Plaka neighborhood
• Day 2: Private Mythology Tour for Families in Athens: “Athena & Poseidon” 
• Day 3: Travel to Crete, Mythology Tour around Knossos for Families: The “Minotaur” 
• Day 4: Free Beach Day and Family Fun, Scavenger Hunt in Heraklion 
• Day 5: Day trip to Idaion Cave and Anogeia: “Amalthea & Zeus” 
• Day 6: Crete Olive Oil & Soap Making Workshop, Authentic dinner in Archanes 
• Day 7: Travel to Santorini, Private Tour on Santorini for Families and the “Lost Atlantis” 
• Day 8: Santorini Fishing Day-Trip 
• Day 9: Travel to Naxos, Free Beach Day On Naxos 
• Day 10: Naxos Private Mythology Tour: “Demeter & Farming” 
• Day 11: Explore Naxos Villages & Cooking Class 
• Day 12: Departure

Detailed Mythology Trip in Crete and the Greek Islands with kids

Day 1: Arrival to Athens, Free afternoon stroll in Plaka neighborhood

Arrive in Athens and enjoy an afternoon walk in Plaka in the form of a “treasure hunt”, the oldest and the most charming neighborhood of the city, to get acquainted with the city of 3,000 years of history. The popular Plaka neighborhood is an Athens must-see, filled with cobbled streets, artisan shops, and family-run taverns. Before walking back to your family friendly hotel, don’t miss visiting a themed patisserie in the picturesque neighborhood of Psirri, decorated like a fairy-tale according to the season, that your kids will love.

Day 2: Private Mythology Tour for Families in Athens: “Athena & Poseidon” 

Discover the highlights of Athens’ titanic ancient history with a privately guided walking tour geared especially towards families. On this adventure, you will get to see the best of two of the city’s finest sights, the famous hilltop Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, finding out all about fascinating Greek mythology as well as the country’s actual history, which is equally exciting! Kids and adults alike will enjoy discovering the truth behind the enthralling legends of Athens’ gods and heroes. Along the way, you will get to see the greatest views of Athens and the little ones can take advantage of the kid-friendly activities on offer. As it starts to get warmer, visit the Acropolis Museum and enjoy your meal of coffee with a view of the imposing Sacred Hill.

Day 3: Travel to Crete, Mythology Tour around Knossos for Families: The “Minotaur” 

Crete’s capital, Heraklion, is a city of colossal historical significance, as attested to by the hugely impressive archaeological museum that is second-richest in all Greece, and city landmarks.  

Today, explore the Minoan myths related to the Minoan Civilization and Knossos Palace. Discover the ancient scenery and myths of Minos, Ariadne, Theseus, the Minotaur, and the Labyrinth in a family-friendly educational experience together with an archaeologist guide. Get to know the roots of the Minoan civilization with the help of interactive games and activities designed by experienced educators! Your family will travel back in time 4,000 years and you will “live” in one of the most interesting periods of time: Minoan Crete! After an adventurous day, drive to your ideal-for-families hotel. 

Day 4: Free Beach Day and Family Fun, Scavenger Hunt in Heraklion 

Explore the family-friendliest beaches close to Heraklion and have fun with your kids in the Aquarium and waterparks along Crete’s northern coastline. Then, enjoy a “scavenger hunt” in the center of Heraklion town. While you search for sites, monuments, buildings, and answers to questions, you will discover the fascinating history and fortification of the city. Enjoy games, clues, and visits to popular sites with an experienced local guide.

Day 5: Day trip to Idaion Cave and Anogeia: “Amalthea & Zeus” 

Embark on a full-day tour in the world of shepherds and in the most significant livestock zone of Crete, and learn more about the myth of “Amalthea“, the goat that fed infant-God Zeus. Have a close encounter with one of the most famous livestock products of the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean, through a unique tour together with a shepherd and an experienced guide. Walk on easy paths that pass-through pastures where livestock is practiced nowadays and enjoy a full tasting experience based on dairy products. A light lunch in nature and an early dinner are also included, to make this day a complete gastronomic experience. If you are more adventurous, you can also opt for a visit to Nida and the Cave of Zeus.  

Day 6: Crete Olive Oil & Soap Making Workshop, Authentic dinner in Archanes 

Familiarize yourself with a Cretan household staple on a tour and tasting at an organic olive oil mill and then an interactive soap making workshop ideal for families. On this tour, you will learn amongst other things, about harvesting olives and the importance of timing throughout the process, how to extract the oil from the plant, how the seed becomes edible and how to craft your own soap with Crete’s olive oil.  

After this great hands-on experience, enjoy an authentic Cretan dinner in Archanes and taste local recipes in a traditional creative restaurant. Relish the Cretan culinary heritage and passion to share innovative creations using the island’s magnificent culinary treasures.

 Day 7: Travel to Santorini, Private Tour on Santorini for Families and the “Lost Atlantis” 

Santorini is the most famous Greek island and can be challenging to visit with young children, but with this family-friendly tour, you will have the chance to take in the stunning panoramas, explore the island’s best spots and cherish some downtime at the beach in the family-friendliest way.

Get to visit Akrotiri together with a kid-friendly certified guide, and the interactive museum of “Lost Atlantis”. After your educational tour of the day, your lunch will be at a local farm where you will get acquainted with authentic products and local culinary traditions. Learn about the characteristic flavor that Santorini’s volcanic soil gives its produce. In the afternoon, enjoy some leisure time on the beach or head towards Oia to admire its beautiful white houses, blue dome churches, and one-of-a-kind view. After a full first day, seek your comfort at your family-friendly hotel with excellent facilities. 

Day 8: Santorini Fishing Day-Trip 

Experience Santorini’s famed seafood aboard a traditional fishing boat while eating the catch-of-the-day for dinner with a boat tour that kids love! As you head to one of the deepest and most diverse spots in the Aegean Sea, your boat will release nets and creels in hopes of catching shrimp and octopus. After fishing, you’ll dock at a gentle harbor where the crew will prepare your local seafood dinner. While you wait, enjoy swimming or snorkeling in the sea. If you haven’t snorkeled before, your guide will be happy to help you learn some diving and breathing techniques. After dinner, you’ll return to the open sea and watch a famous Santorini sunset. Enjoy views of the caldera as the sun melts into the sea!

Day 9: Travel to Naxos, Free Beach Day On Naxos 

Featuring smaller crowds than its Cycladic neighbors, Naxos makes it easy to find your own slice of paradise on its famed beaches. Whether you’re looking for privacy, rustic beauty, or a lively scene, you can find it on Naxos. You really are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the perfect beach on the island. After a fun day swimming and soaking up the sun, head to your beachfront family-friendly hotel to relax. 

Day 10: Naxos Private Mythology Tour: “Demeter & Farming” 

Naxos is an iconic Cycladic Island that can bring Greek mythology to life and this kid-friendly private tour provides the golden combination of an experience of inland rural Naxos with the opportunity of a hands-on understanding of Greek mythology. Not only you will visit four ancient locations dedicated to some of the major gods of ancient Greece, but you will also discover the rest of them in the surrounding natural environment! Through storytelling and visuals, you will delve into the timeless stories of the ancient past connecting them evenly with the present.

Day 11: Explore Naxos Villages & Cooking Class

Find out all about the Greek way of life with your taste buds during a hands-on cooking class! There is no better way to immerse yourself in the local traditions and cuisine than through food, as you will find out today when you experience a sensory day-in-the-life of a local family, helping them to prepare and then eat a typical meal. Take this wonderful opportunity to swap stories with the family and ask them more about the recipes, ingredients, and Naxian cuisine.  After the meal, explore the charming and historic villages of Naxos, Filoti, Apiranthos and Halki! Zip through the island’s peaceful nature and admire the stone houses, medieval towers, Byzantine churches, folk museums and shaded squares. 

Need some help in trip planning by the best family travel agents in Greece? MAMAKITA family travel specialists can customize this Mythology Trip in Crete and the Greek Islands with kids 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.