Want to go on holiday to Greece with my 3 year old but never been there before where would you recommend?

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Airpole

Almost all hotels have facilities for their young clientele. The two sites given, refer to two hotel and water park facilities integrated. Fabulous for children.

Nic

Who said Greece isn't safe for kids? The Greeks love kids and families...Come to Halkidiki...it's fantastic! Just try and avoid the hottest months. Late May/Early June or Mid to Late September would be fine.
The sea around Halkidiki is crystal clear, shallow in most places and nice and warm. I'm English and live here and love it!
If you want to find out more, take a look at this site http://www.go2halkidiki.net

trinity till i die

hi, please ignore the negative comments as greece is good for kids as the greek people love kids.
yes it does get hot in peak season (july,august) so why not try may or september when the sun is less intense but the weather is still good.
as for the mossies no matter where you go they will be there , a tip for avoiding mossie bites-take vitamin b tablets about 2 weeks before you go & carry on with them through your holiday, for some reason when you sweat something comes out of your skin which repels them.
as for which island , take your pick. skiathos has some of the best beaches i've ever seen ( koukakanaries is great, i think i've spelt that right!). crete has some great family friendly hotels ,lesbos ( which is my favourite) is a more tranquil island , the beaches aren't as good as other islands but other aspects of the island more than make up for it.
as for the food , yes it is different but what is wrong in getting kids to try something new & if they won't try anything new there is always chips,burgers,chicken in nearly all but the most upmarket of restaurants.
however despite all of the above, have you thought of cyprus? there are plenty of things to do for kids(the water park just outside of ayaia napa is great-just avoid july /august as this is when the 18/30 crowd descend).the beaches are good & all the above points apply just as much to cyprus as greece, food ,weather(the sumer season lasts longer in cyprus, it's still nice 70+ in early november) & people etc
enjoy yourselves.

asimenia

I have a 4 yr old - and an 8yr old (I live permanently in Greece) and I have the same worries when I go to UK (I'm from Nottingham). Believe me there's more to keep a 3 yr old occupied here!

Greek people have the same concerns for a three yr old as you do (apart from the crazy ones that come in my shop and ask for bikinis for babies - because they want their children to tan! Crazy!)

Choose a self catering apartment . Choose a place with a sandy beach (shallow waters) or a hotel with a swimming pool - inc a baby pool.
I take my kids to stay in Nidri (Lefkada) to hotels with swimming pools. Nidri is a flat one street with a harbour filled with tavernas .. the beaches are not great there, but they are shallow. ... or we go to Parga (but sometimes there are steep hills to climb)

Why self catering? To make sure your 3 yr old eats something she/he's familiar with. I have to do that in UK as my kids won't eat English processed food (like fish fingers/chicken nuggets/ McDonalds fast food etc) - they've only ever eaten home cooked food - so I have problems in UK restaurants. It really does help when you know your 3 yr old has eaten at least 1 full meal that you've prepared.

Sun - do as the Greeks do breakfast - apply suncream - highest factor- Go to the beach from 9.30 am to 11am make sure the toddler wears a t-shirt over the bathing costume and a hat when playing in the sand, apply lotion continuously - (leave for lunch - which I always make at the apartment) Then we sleep from 3.30 - 5 - back to the beach till 6.30 or 7 - try dragging them away) In fact last year we got into a routine of using the swimming pool in the evening so we just showered there(the kids not me) - dressed - covered in mosquito cream for children (make sure you have the shutters closed and a mosquito machine working)- go out to eat. My 4 yr old is a strange eater so I tend to get the tavernas to give me a small plate of spaghetti (no butter - cheese on the side) at least I know she's eating something!!!!

I don't think there's any need to find a hotel that does activities - it's nice for a three yr old to spend time splashing around in the sea/pool and making sand castles.

Greeks love kids and kids are welcomed anywhere (and everywhere - very unlike UK! - I have nowhere to take my kids when we are there ... I ended up in centreparcs last time)

Read brochures carefully when booking and then look up the places you are interested in on the internet (or ask us).

There are many places to choose from I have just mentioned a couple near to where I live and have experienced with a 3 yr old - I also enjoyed Zakynthos, Corfu and Kos

My absolute favourite is Ammoudia which is between Preveza and Parga - shallow sea - sandy beaches and totally unspoilt - I have spent the last 4 yrs begging the villagers there to let me know if a piece of land comes up for sale! I don't think there are any package holidays there though! It's one of the few places that hasn't got tourists (only Italians in August)

M.C.

Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Gods Promise in Lakithra,,,you will find all info at ,www.holiday rentals.uk.com property nos 72879 A MUST AND A CHILDREN'S PARADISE....Do not stay at a hotel as it can became expensive with a child rather hire a villa like this...were you can cook and make anything anytime you want...

Vergina

I took my daughter there when she was 22 months. We ended up in a quiet place in Halkidiki and we had fun as she was happy and content to play by the sea shore and swim with us.
Knowing what I know now, I would probably be more adventurous and go on a cruise around the Greek islands since children 18 and under are free.
You can book a very reasonable cruise in your country and have a travel agent arrange your trip and places you visit while there.
If I had to choose a place again I would still pick Halkidiki, ormos Panagias.
Have fun!

Zoi ((Î–Ï‰Î®))

Hi,
I TOTALLY agree with Nic and Asimenia. Greece is a very good place for kids, there are a lot of beaches for families, a lot of holiday resorts that are complitely safe. How do I know? We've lived for 4 years in Halkidiki (Kallithea), where my daughter was born.
Halkidiki is a great place for families, better avoid islands because: a.they are too crowdy, b. in case you need a doctor or a hospital or a farmacy (we are talking about a kid, aren't we? you must take every possibility into concideration) it is harder to find one.
If you choose an island, choose a bigger one, Kerkyra, Kefalonia, Syros or Skopelos, it is great for kids! Crete is of course very very very safe for kids.
OTHER ADVICES:
a. DON'T (!!!) let the kid play unter the sun for the hole day and especially between 11-15.
b. Always keep an eye on him, if he shallows sand he may get gastritis.
c. The kid should ALWAYS wear a hat, even a soft one (don't forget).
d. A kid should have it's own cream for sunprotection (try Castallia or Propolen, for older kids Aven 60 is super).Don't forget that too, cream at least once every day before sun exposure.
e. Allow at least an hour after eating before you go to the beach with the kid.
f. ALWAYS have baby wipes with you, everywhere you go.
g. For moskitos get Krilen or something relevand (in your bag).
e.A SELF CATERED HOUSE with washing mashine, DVD, kitchen and AC would be a lot better comparing to a special tourist packet (it's not expensive).
There are a lot of playgrounds for kids in Greece like in other countries, but there is a wonderful weather and beaches as well.
Enjoy your stay.

EDIT:
Corfu, Kefalonia, Crete (in general), Halkidiki. I would also suggest a small island, half an hour from mainland with the sandiest beach I've ever seen,and it is Thasos. You can find a very good and cheap apartement, there, and you can also find honey and traditional swits of the very best quality.

The Mad Greek

I have a 6 yr old and a 4yr old that have been to Greece twice and want to go again this year... they ask to go they even turned down Disney saying that they been there and can go for a few days but they want to spend 2 months in Greece... we spend most of our time in Kefalonia but have travelled to many parts of Greece. They love the beaches and have also picked up the language nicely.

*Angelina Price*

first choice
xl
and all these cheap planes fly over
i know there's on to skiathos which is a pretty cool place for kids.. i mean if she likes swimming and what not many beaches... depends what u looking for.

josephiney88

the best place to go in greece is the greek island zakynthos...i live there but im from coventry i have been to so many greek islands rhodes,kefalonia, crete ect but that one is the best its not to busy but its not dead either the place is beautiful and theres loads to do, everyone is friendly there and it has activities for all age groups give it a try!

MARY C

try all inclusive holidays..try rhodes,in ixia..mind you,,too hot in summer...and the mosquitoes,get repellent for them,,in chemist in britain..its nice there for kids,but the food is ok??breakfast,is served with chips,which,the kids will like...have a nice time..mary.c.

andandjay

no i would go to spain with young child greece is not a great place for kids

LouLou

It can be very hot in the summer, not good for very young children also watch out there's loads of mosquitoes.

Greece would be nice, but what 3 year old will remember that? Kids just want a pool, warm weather, and games (aka Disney World). Go somewhere cheap when kids are young, save the expensive trips for when they get older and will remember.

happy parent

All inclusive holiday through First Choice, sometimes kids go free, as your child is 3 he/she may go for free. There is kiddies entertainment, some of the resorts are relatively cheap. We did it last year, ours were 5 and 6 and loved it. Check it out on their website.

Mike G

Leave him with Grandma and go yourself.

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