Outdoor Activities for Families to Enjoy on Crete
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Are you looking for a great place to take your family in Greece? The island of Crete has a lot to offer and the island is incredibly family friendly. Whether you go hiking, enjoy the beach, visit a historical site or museum, or eat some delicious food, there is no shortage of things that families can enjoy together on this island. Here’s a look at some of the top family activities to take part in:
Scuba Diving
It can be fun to explore the island underwater! There are several popular dive locations located on this island, and you don’t need to have experience in order to enjoy it. Many of the dive centers on the island have training programs, equipment rentals, and guided tours. Be sure to call the dive centers in advance to make sure that they have resources for you and your family to enjoy according to your skill levels.
Some of the popular diving locations on the island include the Bay of Afrata in Chania, Hersonissos Cape, Panormous Village in Rethymnon, and the Nikolos Reef in Lasithi. Consider hiring a guide to take you through some of the most common sites. The benefit of this is that the guide can make sure you and your family stay safe.
Hiking
Because there is a mountain range on Crete, there is no shortage of hiking opportunities available. While there are plenty of trails located throughout the island, some are better suited for families than others. One of the most popular hikes on the island is the Samaria Gorge. Although this is a long, often technically difficult hike, this is still a doable experience for families since there are plenty of resources along the way.
People typically begin their experience at the visitor’s center at the top and then end it in the village below where they take a ferry back to Chania. There are water stations located throughout the trail and also opportunities for rescue along the way if you can’t make it. There are usually rangers patrolling the area with donkeys who will take people back to safety and out of the gorge.
Other great hikes families can do on Crete include the Elafonisi Viewpoint, Mili Gorge, Sword Mountain, and the Askyfou Trail. Consider joining a tour group to do some of these hikes because tours have resources at their disposal that will make the experience more enjoyable for you and your while family.
Biking
Hiking isn’t the only way to get around the trails of Crete. This island is also a popular mountain biking destination. Many of the same trails that can be used for hiking can also be biked on. However, this isn’t always the case – you’ll want to check the rules for the trails. Not only that, but bicycles can be ridden through the villages and give you a more expansive overview of the culture. It is also the perfect family activity. There are opportunities to rent bikes throughout the island, but especially in cities like Chania and Heraklion. You can also join a bike tour, which is an especially family friendly choice.
The Greek island of Crete is perfect for families and is a great outdoor destination. You should try some of these activities while here!
Categorized in: About Crete Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
