Best All Inclusive Family Resorts | Europe
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Jenna Carr
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
Star Beach Village & Waterpark
Hersonissos
- Waterpark entry included
- Beachfront Location
- Kids Club & Playground
Gouves Waterpark Holiday Resort
Gouves
- Onsite Waterpark
- Close to the Beach
- 6 Outdoor Pools
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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!
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We absolutely love the Algarve in Portugal, not only because my husband is from there, but it is a fantastic spot for a family holiday 😍
Comment ALGARVE and I’ll send you a list of fab family hotels there plus some recommendations for what to do while there (including my favourite family restaurant!)
#thetravelmum #algarvecoast #familytravel #travelideas
Apr 27
We absolutely love the Algarve in Portugal, not only because my husband is from there, but it is a fantastic spot for a family holiday 😍
Comment ALGARVE and I’ll send you a list of fab family hotels there plus some recommendations for what to do while there (including my favourite family restaurant!)
#thetravelmum #algarvecoast #familytravel #travelideas
The last time I posted about this, there were so many comments from people saying you shouldn`t drink around children. Which I find mad as a child of the 90`s who grew up in working class England when pub culture was at its peak.
Kids entertaining themselves, a glass of wine with friends... If someone wants to open a soft play bar, I`ll be your first customer 🫡
#spain #softplay #thetravelmum #mumsofinsta
Apr 27
The last time I posted about this, there were so many comments from people saying you shouldn`t drink around children. Which I find mad as a child of the 90`s who grew up in working class England when pub culture was at its peak.
Kids entertaining themselves, a glass of wine with friends... If someone wants to open a soft play bar, I`ll be your first customer 🫡
#spain #softplay #thetravelmum #mumsofinsta
Menorca is a fab shout for a family holiday 🍹
Short transfers ✔️
Calm, shallow beaches ✔️
No chaos, just a relaxed vibe ✔️
It’s one of the easiest places we’ve travelled with kids. Safe, simple, and really stress free. Think beach days, ice creams, and slow evenings without the hectic scenes you can often get on Mallorca and Ibiza. We decided we wanted to live there on the first day of our holiday 😝
We went in August which was a little too hot for us and very busy on some of the most popular beaches. The next time we go we will try May/June or September/October.
Comment MENORCA and I’ll send you a link to our favourite Menorca hotels with splash parks plus a video I made about a cheap boat trip we did 💛
#thetravelmum #familytravel #menorca #travelideas
Apr 26
Menorca is a fab shout for a family holiday 🍹
Short transfers ✔️
Calm, shallow beaches ✔️
No chaos, just a relaxed vibe ✔️
It’s one of the easiest places we’ve travelled with kids. Safe, simple, and really stress free. Think beach days, ice creams, and slow evenings without the hectic scenes you can often get on Mallorca and Ibiza. We decided we wanted to live there on the first day of our holiday 😝
We went in August which was a little too hot for us and very busy on some of the most popular beaches. The next time we go we will try May/June or September/October.
Comment MENORCA and I’ll send you a link to our favourite Menorca hotels with splash parks plus a video I made about a cheap boat trip we did 💛
#thetravelmum #familytravel #menorca #travelideas
We visited Billund having no idea what to expect, all we knew was that it is the birthplace of LEGO (which was enough in itself to make us want to visit!) We visited LEGOLAND, LEGO House, Lalandia and Wow Park. It’s a very walkable city and really great for families.
Annoyingly Ryanair dropped a lot of routes there, so you can only fly directly from London and Edinburgh. A great alternative is flying to Copenhagen and getting the train. Some people even drive there!
If you go to our blog and search Billund, we have a couple of posts on there about the attractions we visited.
#legohouse #legolandbillund #thetravelmum #familytravel
Apr 26
We visited Billund having no idea what to expect, all we knew was that it is the birthplace of LEGO (which was enough in itself to make us want to visit!) We visited LEGOLAND, LEGO House, Lalandia and Wow Park. It’s a very walkable city and really great for families.
Annoyingly Ryanair dropped a lot of routes there, so you can only fly directly from London and Edinburgh. A great alternative is flying to Copenhagen and getting the train. Some people even drive there!
If you go to our blog and search Billund, we have a couple of posts on there about the attractions we visited.
#legohouse #legolandbillund #thetravelmum #familytravel
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