Crete (Heraklion)
The golden beaches and calm, shallow waters in Crete are perfect for little ones, while older kids and adults will love the boat trips, ancient ruins, waterparks, and lively towns full of history and amazing food.
Average weather in Crete (Heraklion)
Five Reasons to Visit Crete
Crete is one of those destinations that makes family holidays feel effortless. With sunshine almost guaranteed, beautiful beaches, and a lovely laid-back vibe, it’s perfect for families after a mix of chill time and adventure. Whether you’re paddling in shallow waters, exploring ancient ruins, or tucking into fresh local food at a seaside taverna, Crete has something for everyone.
Sunshine From Spring to Autumn
Safe, Sandy Beaches
History and Culture
Boat Trips
Family-Friendly Accommodation
Featured Deals
Family Friendly Activities
RELATED ARTICLES
DIY Deals
FAQs
Chania on the west side of the island is a firm favourite for families. It’s absolutely beautiful, with a charming old town, Venetian harbour, and lovely beaches nearby.
If you’re looking for more of a resort vibe, Elounda or Agios Nikolaos in the east are great options too – think relaxed luxury, calm waters, and gorgeous views.
For a quieter, more authentic experience, inland villages like Archanes offer a real taste of traditional Crete.
Yes! October is still warm in Crete, with daytime temperatures often sitting between 22–26°C. The sea is still warm enough for swimming, and it’s much quieter than the peak summer months, which makes it perfect for families with younger children or anyone looking for a more laid-back vibe.
Crete is mostly hilly and mountainous, especially inland. The coastal areas tend to be flatter, but you’ll definitely notice a few inclines here and there – even in towns. If you’re hiring a car, be ready for some winding roads (with amazing views!), and bring comfy shoes if you’re planning to explore on foot.
May, June, and September are often considered the best months to visit. The weather is warm but not too hot, everything’s open, and the island isn’t as busy as it gets in July and August. If you’re tied to school holidays, late May half-term or early September are both fantastic options for a family trip.
Flights from the UK to Crete take around 4 to 4.5 hours, depending on your departure airport and which part of the island you’re flying to. Just enough time for snacks, a film, and a bit of screen time before landing in the sunshine!
Keep up to date...
If you haven’t tried our discount code yet, you should! It often saves our followers a lot of money.
The link in our linktree is an affiliate link, which means we get a small commission for bookings we generate. We genuinely always want you to get the best price, so do always compare prices. We always book through this site and it’s always fab for us at Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham. We’ve just used it for Gatwick too 👌🏻
#airportparking #thetravelmum #traveldeals
Jul 16
If you haven’t tried our discount code yet, you should! It often saves our followers a lot of money.
The link in our linktree is an affiliate link, which means we get a small commission for bookings we generate. We genuinely always want you to get the best price, so do always compare prices. We always book through this site and it’s always fab for us at Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham. We’ve just used it for Gatwick too 👌🏻
#airportparking #thetravelmum #traveldeals
What do you think of the new hair?! Should I stick to being a scraggy mess? 🙃😅
If my mum could see this she’d laugh, and be glad I’ve sorted my hair out ❤️
#thetravelmum #directcremation #grief
Jul 16
What do you think of the new hair?! Should I stick to being a scraggy mess? 🙃😅
If my mum could see this she’d laugh, and be glad I’ve sorted my hair out ❤️
#thetravelmum #directcremation #grief
ad Don’t miss out on compensation in these situations! Chloe was entitled to a refund PLUS compensation. Most people will just settle for the refund 😮
You can check what you’re owed, even for previous cancellations and flight delays. I’ve put a link in my linktree if you want to check an old delay or comment DELAY and I’ll send you the website! It’s free to check 🫶🏻
If you’re busy like me and know you’ll never get round to chasing it, @airhelp is ideal! They’ve won me two lots of compensation now, both times I’d forgotten all about it 😅
#thetravelmum #flightdelay #travelnightmare #airhelp
Jul 15
ad Don’t miss out on compensation in these situations! Chloe was entitled to a refund PLUS compensation. Most people will just settle for the refund 😮
You can check what you’re owed, even for previous cancellations and flight delays. I’ve put a link in my linktree if you want to check an old delay or comment DELAY and I’ll send you the website! It’s free to check 🫶🏻
If you’re busy like me and know you’ll never get round to chasing it, @airhelp is ideal! They’ve won me two lots of compensation now, both times I’d forgotten all about it 😅
#thetravelmum #flightdelay #travelnightmare #airhelp
Unlock the perfect
Cheap holiday
Build a custom DIY trip in 30 seconds!