Seeking recommendations for the best sandy beaches in Greece for a family holiday

greece-travelsandy-beachesfamily-vacationisland-hopping

Hristo_Plovdiv

Joined:
29.08.2023
Posts: 1396

Topic Starter

23.01.2025 08:07

My partner and I are planning a trip to Greece next September, and we are specifically looking for locations with soft, sandy beaches rather than pebbles. We have two young children who love playing in the sand, so shallow and calm water is a huge priority for us. We’ve been looking into Naxos and Elafonisi in Crete, but we aren't sure which islands offer the best overall experience for families. If you have any personal reviews or hidden gems that fit this description, we would love to hear them. Any advice on nearby amenities or the best time of day to visit would also be greatly appreciated!

13 replies in this topic

Yulia_M

Joined:
24.12.2024
Posts: 1473

29.01.2025 11:02

Naxos is definitely your best bet. St. George Beach (Agios Georgios) is literally right next to the main town and the water stays ankle-deep for ages, which is perfect for toddlers.

agata_k

Joined:
04.09.2022
Posts: 705

12.02.2025 17:13

I've been to both and Naxos feels much more 'family-friendly' in terms of logistics than Elafonisi, which is a bit of a trek to get to.

otgovor_BG

Joined:
20.08.2020
Posts: 1680

25.03.2025 20:33

In reply to a previous post

Totally agree about St. George beach. We took our 3-year-old there last year and it was so stress-free because you don't have to worry about waves at all.

SamoPitam

Joined:
02.05.2020
Posts: 957

17.05.2025 18:17

Have you considered the Peloponnese? The area around Pylos has some incredible sandy stretches like Voidokilia that are very quiet in September.

Znaesht

Joined:
30.07.2020
Posts: 1339

26.06.2025 05:05

Elafonisi is breathtaking, but honestly, the drive there with young kids can be a nightmare. It's a lot of winding mountain roads from Chania.

nov_tuk

Joined:
26.02.2023
Posts: 2491

05.07.2025 12:47

In reply to a previous post

That's a good point about the drive. If you do go to Crete, maybe look at Georgioupoli instead? It's got a very long sandy beach and is much easier to access.

SivaMishka

Joined:
09.09.2021
Posts: 2197

14.08.2025 14:31

September is the perfect time! The 'Meltemi' winds usually die down by then, so the sea in the Cyclades is much calmer than in July or August.

kamilo

Joined:
27.02.2021
Posts: 1352

06.10.2025 13:33

Check out Alyko beach in Naxos if you want something a bit more 'hidden'. It's surrounded by a cedar forest and the sand is super soft, plus it's protected from the wind.

Leon_M

Joined:
14.02.2024
Posts: 1717

29.11.2025 06:43

Skiathos is another one to look at. Koukounaries beach is basically a giant sandbox with pine trees for natural shade, which is great for the kids.

vulk_samotnik

Joined:
19.09.2022
Posts: 1840

26.12.2025 04:38

In reply to a previous post

I found Koukounaries way too crowded even in late season. If you want peace and shallow water, I'd stick with the Naxos suggestion.

jacek_bg

Joined:
17.11.2025
Posts: 2378

03.02.2026 05:31

For shallow water, you really can't beat Vourvourou in Halkidiki. It's like a giant swimming pool and the sand is pristine.

kris_1982

Joined:
05.11.2021
Posts: 819

25.02.2026 19:20

In reply to a previous post

Just a heads up, some parts of Plaka in Naxos get deep quite quickly, so stay towards the northern end with the little ones where it's shallower.

Goshko_Bolo

Joined:
18.04.2021
Posts: 45

01.03.2026 16:36

Enjoy your trip! Greece in September is absolute magic and the water is at its warmest then.

Seeking recommendations for the best sandy beaches in Greece for a family holiday

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