Français (FR) 
Italiano (IT) 
German (DE) 
Greek (EL) 
Polski (PL) 06/05/2021
Traveling with kids? Like any parents, we want our kids to also have a great time during our summer getaway but it’s always difficult to find an accommodation that ticks all the boxes. Here, we have listed a few of our favorite children-friendly resorts near Heraklion that both have the facilities for you and your kids. So, you can unwind while the kids are kept busy during your stay. We have you all sorted out for a blissful holiday like no other.
1. Cretan Malia Park
Malia, Crete 700 07, Greece
https://cretanmaliapark.gr/
Cretan Malia Park is a sustainably minded family resort housing three restaurants, poolside cocktail bars, and a recreational club for children. It has direct access to a private beach that has been certified with a Blue Flag. This family-run coastal resort is surrounded by lush greeneries and is recently renovated with a chic tropical theme. What we love about this resort is its dedication to sustainability. Some of their efforts include the use of eco-friendly bath products, water is recycled to be used for the gardens, and solar power to provide 80% of its electricity. They also have a program that supports resort staff who work as farmers in low seasons. The aim of the program is to educate staff about organic farming methods and sustainable land use. The produce from these local organic farms are then used in the resort’s kitchen to serve its guests only the highest quality produce.
The resort provides a strong family spirit with activities and spaces for all ages. They have a separate space for both young children and teenagers. For children ages 3-10, a little explorer club that offers various activities that allows kids to be creative and inventive, from cooking and baking activities, performance area for dance and theatre, and an outdoor space with its own organic small garden with a nearby playground. There is also an outdoor designated area for teenagers with a water tub, hammocks, table tennis, billiards, and even a cinema screening at night. The resort also hosts various activities every summer season for the little ones that will surely keep them busy all throughout your holiday. It doesn’t stop there, Cretan Malia Park has plenty of activities for you to enjoy from sports both in land and water, biking, fitness, reading or simply relaxing, this resort has most facilities you could probably think of. They are also known for their Retreats that also put your soul into vacation and let you embrace your personal wellness by offering activities such as yoga, meditation, pilates and calisthenics in a stylish Mediterranean setting.
2. Amirandes Grecotel Boutique Resort
Palea EO Irakliou Agiou Nikolaou 12, Gournes 711 10, Greece
https://www.amirandes.com/
Built around an extensive lagoon with classic Grecian style in mind, this resort is a palatial family-friendly paradise. It has easy access to Heraklion airport (17km) and archaeological site, Palace of Knossos. Suites are accompanied with a sea view and an Olympic-sized seawater pool with overwater gazebos is what make this resort stand out. They also have a few restaurants to choose from and one of which houses the owner’s private Picasso collection.
Amirandes is a great destination for kids of all ages with its Grecoland kids’ club, paddling pool, toddler-friendly lawn near the beach, gardens and various activities that will definitely be a great childhood memory. The Grecoland offers an indoor space for kids to explore their creativity and imagination. They also offer a Grecoland Kid Program that divides kids into age groups and lets them participate in both fun, active, and educational activities, while they learn to socially interact. If your kids are in their teenage years, there are also activities laid out for their age group such as golf, beach volleyball, football, Greek dancing and parties. As an extra, kids aged 3-14 years old eat for free as often as they like from 11:00 to 17:00. A mini buffet is always set out for them to indulge. As for you, a spacious Elixir aromatherapy spa is available with a heated indoor pool, sauna, nail salon, and Ayurveda massage by a Keralan specialist, that is rare to find in Crete. You can also enjoy indoor and outdoor sports, and a few high-end boutiques, and of course a private beach with plenty of sunbeds. So, you can surely unwind while the kids are at play.
3. Nana Princess Resort
Old National Road (El. Venizelou), Drapanos, Chersonissos, Crete 700 14, Greece
https://www.nanaprincess.gr/
If you’re looking for a luxurious stay, then Nana Princess could be your best bet. This exquisitely designed modern resort has three restaurants, a sheltered private beach with a beach bar, two medium-sized pools, spa, fitness facility, sport facilities, and a full service hair salon. The spa offers a unique experience which can be done in pairs, and offers a vast variety of treatments. Not to mention, the spa facility has a steam room, a Finnish sauna, high-tech Nuvola treatment beds, aromatherapy showers and even solariums. There is also a heated indoor pool exclusively for adults. The resort has 112 suites and villas in 10 categories, plus some rooms even have private pools. Guests could choose from a variety of suites to choose from such as Harmony suites with gyms and heated whirlpool baths instead of pools or the Executive Fitness suite with a private pool and well-equipped gym.
Yes, this resort does sound like a haven for adults but it’s not exactly the case. Nana Princess is also family-friendly. Children have their own mini-club at the neighboring hotel Nana Beach Hotel where an experienced team makes sure your kids are kept busy to allow you to fully relax during your summer vacation. The mini club offers a number of fun activities including an open-air amphitheater that screens animation programs, and also an indoor and outdoor playground. Children’s menu is also accessible at the restaurants and snack bars. There is also an availability of baby/children accessories for your convenience from bottle warmer to baby bath. The resort is also open to any special request that you could possibly need during your stay, even helicopter services if you wish.
4. Ikaros Beach Resort & Spa
Malia, Crete 700 07, Greece
https://www.ikarosvillage.gr/
Located in Malia and 35km from Heraklion, experience the feeling of home away from home in Ikaros Beach Resort. This family resort is like a labyrinthine Cretan village but done in a tasteful way boasting with rich culture. Although not the most luxurious, the atmosphere is cozy and friendly. The resort is a perfect size and has many beautiful pathways covered in flowers and trees. These pathways lead to pools, beaches, bars and restaurants all located on the resort. There are also many relaxing places to sit throughout the many nooks and crannies of the resort. Stone-walled villas and alleys, meticulously planned gardens, and well-maintained lawn perfect for toddlers are what you can expect from this sanctuary. There are seven restaurants and five of them are accompanied with an impeccable view of the Cretan sea. Options are also pretty good when it comes to the food offerings as they serve Mediterranean, Asian, Greek, American and Italian cuisine. Several pools are present in the facility all with sweet water including two pools for children. The Aura spa is your key to revitalization and relaxation. There is an indoor swimming pool and a fully-equipped gym, plus a sauna and steam room with a view of Crete. There is a sizable amount of treatments you can do at the spa including a special Cretan massage that will surely take all your worries away while the kids are preoccupied. Not only that, they also offer yoga and pilates classes that completes your wellness package.
As for your little ones, there is a mini club where they can explore, play and learn while they are in a supervised and air-conditioned environment. The kid’s pool also has added entertainment elements such as mini slides and water spouts. The private beach is also perfect for kids and you can pay to do various water sports like parasailing and other water activities.
5. Mitsis Rinela Resort & Spa
Kokkini Hani Heraklion, 715 00, Greece
https://www.mitsishotels.com/en/hotels/rinela-beach
Set on Kokkini Hani Beach just 10km from Heraklion Airport, Rinela is an all-inclusive recently renovated family resort. Rinela makes the list for its renovated and Blue Flag awarded sandy beach with new wooden sunbeds and umbrellas. The place demonstrates Greek with a modern flair; blue and white color schemes bringing the outside in. The hotel has 417 rooms in total including 86 new Superior rooms constructed in 2020 and 106 new Superior rooms, suites and villas in 2021. It features several restaurants serving Greek, Italian, Pan-asian, a steakhouse, a BBQ corner and a sushi bar, all for your convenience. The Zeen Spa offers a variety of massages and exclusive face and body treatment available at an additional charge. There is also a fitness center with a gym, indoor pool, and wellness classes. Rinela also offers in-house live entertainments such as music bands performances, DJ sets, acrobat shows, and so much more.
Rinela has two sea water pools, a freshwater pool, and two water slides for children. There are also other sports facilities including two tennis courts and beach volleyball. At the beach, there are countless recreational water activities that you and your kids can enjoy. Are you not convinced yet? There are also kids clubs for children of different ages where they can experience fun activities, games, handicrafts, sports, lessons, and movie screenings. The main restaurant maintains a children corner, which is a special buffet for kids. Additionally, while your kids dine, they are also entertained with a recreation program and children disco every evening.
