With kids · Santorini · Greece
Santorini with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Santorini can work for families, especially those based on the east-coast beaches, but cliff-edge villages with endless steps and few railings are hard with toddlers and strollers. Children usually enjoy the volcano boat trip, black-sand beaches and Akrotiri's buried town. Top picks: Volcano and hot springs boat trip, Perissa Beach and Akrotiri archaeological site. Families usually base themselves in Kamari.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 5
- Best area for families
- Kamari
- Rainy-day options
- 1
- Busiest months
- June–September
Best things to do with kids
Island · Nea Kameni
1.Volcano and hot springs boat trip
Boats from the Old Port below Fira cross the caldera to Nea Kameni, a young volcanic island where a path climbs over black lava to steaming craters. Most trips continue to Palea Kameni, where you swim to warm, iron-rich springs in a cove.
Wear old swimwear for the hot springs; the reddish water can stain fabric.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
Beach · Perissa and Perivolos
2.Perissa Beach
A long black-sand beach backed by the cliff of Mesa Vouno, with sunbeds, tavernas and water sports. It continues south as Perivolos and Agios Georgios, so there is space even in summer.
Wear sandals: the dark sand gets extremely hot by midday.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Historic site · Akrotiri
3.Akrotiri archaeological site
A Bronze Age town buried by the eruption about 3,600 years ago, preserved with two- and three-storey houses, paved streets, storage jars and drainage systems. Walkways under a protective roof let you look into the streets, and no human remains were found, suggesting residents had fled.
Hire a guide at the entrance or read up first; the site makes much more sense with context. Combine it with Red Beach and the lighthouse.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Waterfront · Fira
4.Fira Old Port and cable car
Fira's old harbour sits at the foot of the cliff, connected to the town by a cable car and a zig-zag path of almost 600 steps. Volcano and caldera boat trips leave from here.
Use the cable car or walk the steps; animal-welfare groups ask visitors not to ride the donkeys. Queues for the cable car back up can be long when cruise ships are in.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Museum · Fira
5.Museum of Prehistoric Thera
This museum in Fira displays the finest finds from Akrotiri, including colourful wall paintings, painted pottery and a small gold ibex figurine. It is compact, air-conditioned and the best preparation for a visit to the site.
Visit during the hottest part of the day, then walk the caldera promenade in the evening.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Rainy-day ideas
- Akrotiri archaeological site — Hire a guide at the entrance or read up first; the site makes much more sense with context. Combine it with Red Beach and the lighthouse.
Where families should stay
$$ · Best for families, beach and budget
Kamari
Kamari stretches along a long beach of dark sand and pebbles below the mountain of Ancient Thera. Its car-free promenade is lined with tavernas and bars, and its open-air cinema shows films on summer nights. Buses reach Fira in about 20 minutes and the airport is close by.
- Good
- Beach on the doorstep; Good value hotels with pools; Flat and easy with children
- Watch out
- No caldera views; Aircraft noise in some parts
- Nearby
- Ancient Thera, Airport, Monolithos Beach
Family travel tips
- Stay in Kamari or Perissa for flat promenades, beaches and hotels with pools.
- Skip strollers; caldera villages are mostly steps. Use a baby carrier instead.
- Bring beach shoes: black sand gets hot enough to burn feet by midday.
- Choose cave rooms carefully; many caldera hotels are unsuitable for small children because of steep stairs and pool edges.
- Plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and evenings, and rest at midday when the sun is strongest.
When to go with children
The best months overall are May–June and September–October. June–September are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Santorini good for kids?
Santorini can work for families, especially those based on the east-coast beaches, but cliff-edge villages with endless steps and few railings are hard with toddlers and strollers. Children usually enjoy the volcano boat trip, black-sand beaches and Akrotiri's buried town.
+What can kids do in Santorini?
Volcano and hot springs boat trip, Perissa Beach, Akrotiri archaeological site, Fira Old Port and cable car and Museum of Prehistoric Thera.
+Where should families stay in Santorini?
Kamari: Black-sand beach resort on the east coast with a seafront promenade.