Greece and its beautiful collection of breathtaking islands is the perfect destination for a luxury yacht charter with a family. Out at sea, the waters are calm and crystal clear, ashore the beaches are pure white sand, the towns filled with history and stunning ancient architecture and what's more, the activities for children are numerous and will keep the whole family entertained at any point during a vacation. What are you waiting for? The east Mediterranean is waiting to be discovered.
Rhodes (Rhódos)
Where: In the Aegean Sea, part of the Dodecanese island group.
Why: One of the most visited Greek islands, steeped in history and with numerous sandy beaches most of which awarded Blue Flags thanks to their excellent water quality, environmental management and safety.
Must visit: The beautiful medieval city of Rhodes, the ancient town of Líndos, the castles near Monólithos and Kritinía, the other Dorian city-states of Kameiros and Ialyssos, and Prassoníssin which happens to be one of the best windsurfing spots in Europe.
Join in: Music, cinema, art and dance festivals and the medieval festival held in September.
Tip for kids: Visit the Aquarium and Butterfly Valley.
Corfu (Kérkyra)
Where: In the Ionian Sea, part of the Ionian group of islands.
Why: Affectionately known as the “Garden Isle”, Corfu is full of olive groves, cypresses, bushes, anemones, orchids and a number of native flowers. During the summer, electric blue thistles, sea squill and flowering shrubs bloom, no to mention the beauty of the sandy beaches.
Must visit: The beautifully preserved Old Town of Corfu is a UNESCO world heritage site, with Venetian, French and British monuments and remarkable works of architecture. The sites that were particularly favoured by the aristoracy were Mon Repos, Achilleion Palaces and Paleópolis.
Join in: The International Corfu Festival is dedicated to promoting the musical heritage of the island. Concerts are held in Duomo, Achilleion Palace, the Fortress as well as in several museums and art cafés.
Tip for kids: Enjoy your favourite cartoon movies at the open-air summer cinemas in the city.
Halkidiki
Where: Halkidiki isn’t actually an island. It’s a peninsula on the mainland of Greece, part of Central Macedonia, jutting out into the sea.
Why: Halkidikí is home to countless superb beaches, almost all of them blue flag winners, lush green forests and a rich gastronomic and cultural heritage.
Must visit: Mount Athos (unfortunately, no women allowed), the cave of Petrálona, one of the most important caves in Europe, Stágeira, the home land of Aristotle.
Join in: Open-air festivals that feature world-class jazz, classical, ethnic and folk music.
Tip for kids: Enjoy pool games and water polo in pools specially designed for you
Crete is home to Europe’s earliest civilisation, glorious beaches, remote hinterlands and hospitable people
Crete
Where: In the southern part of the Aegean Sea, separating the Aegean from the Mediterranean Sea
Why: Crete is home to Europe’s earliest civilisation. Glorious beaches, remote hinterlands and hospitable people. By far the longest summer in Greece.
Must visit: The Archaeological Museum in Iráklion, the Minoan sites (Knossos, Mália, Phaestos, Zakros), Lassíthi Plateau, the Diktean Cave,Chania and Rethymno old towns, Samaria Gorge, the islet of Spinalonga.
Join in: Countryside festivals (paniyíria), wine festivals, religious celebrations held in the cities and in rural churches, traditional Cretan weddings and Renaissance festivals.
Tip for kids: Definitely visit Cretaquarium in Heraklion (Iráklion) and the water park in Chania with Disneyland games and giant waterslides!
Zante (Zákynthos)
Where: In the Ionian Sea, the southernmost of the six main Ionian islands
Why: Lush vegetation, white-pebble Blue Flag winning beaches with azure waters, impressive Venetian works of architecture surrounded by olive and fruit groves, numerous family tavérnas with panoramic views over the sea.
Must visit: San Marco Square, the Kástro (Venetian fort), the Church of Áyios Dionýsios, the Solomos Museum, the Blue Caves at Cape Skinári, To Naváyio (Shipwreck Bay), the Cape Kerí caves and the Anafonítria monastery.
Join in: Day-trips to tiny cliff-top hamlets to catch the sunset; religious festivals, countryside festivals (paniyíria).
Tip for kids: Learn how to protect the loggerhead sea turtle and explore the island’s fascinating underwater world at the Marine Park!
Alonissos
Where: In the Aegean Sea, the third member of the Northern Sporades
Why: A very peaceful part of the world that is more rugged than its neighbours and has a strong expat presence in the form of British and Italian second-home owners. There are spring waters, olive groves, orchards, arbutus (a native flowering plant), heather with resident herbalists and a homeopathic academy. It is also home to some of the cleanest water you will find in the whole of Greece, if not Europe.
Must visit: Hóra (Paleá Alónnissos), Stení Vála, Roussoúm Yialós, Marpoúnda Bay.
Join in: Art exhibits, various religious festivals, countryside festivals (paniyíria).
Tip for kids: Find out how to adopt a newly-born monk seal at the Marine Park.
To start putting together ideas for your yachting holiday to Greece, contact your preferred yacht charter broker.
Get inspired by browsing all the yachts currently available for a Greece luxury yacht charter.
