Getting around: ferries and sea views

We used ferries to travel between the islands, which became part of the adventure rather than just a way of getting from A to B.

The journeys between Santorini and Naxos were around two hours each. The ferries were large, spacious and comfortable, with lots of seating areas, cafés and bars. The children loved wandering around, choosing snacks and looking out of the big windows. The views were amazing from every angle, even from the toilets!

There is some waiting time at the ports, so it helps to be patient and prepared. Once the ferry arrives, the turnaround is very quick and you have to move fast with the queues. We found it best to be organised, stand in the right place, and keep our luggage close so we were ready to board as soon as the ramp went down.

Kamari, Santorini: relaxed seaside start (2 nights)

Our first stop was Kamari, on Santorini’s coast, and it quickly became our daughter’s favourite place of the whole trip.

Kamari has:

• Black sand beaches that feel exciting and different for children.
• A walkable promenade lined with pretty shops and friendly tavernas.
• Beach extras like henna tattoos and massages, which add a fun, holiday feel.

The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, exactly what we needed to ease into our holiday. The children loved jumping over the small waves, splashing in the water and racing back to roll in the warm black sand. Our accommodation provided loungers and service on the beach, so we could slow right down, linger by the sea and still have everything we needed close to hand. In the evenings we wandered along the promenade to family friendly restaurants and colourful ice cream parlours, pausing to peek into little souvenir shops.

We only had two nights here, but we could happily have stayed longer. If you are travelling with younger children, Kamari makes a comfortable and convenient base by the sea.

Naxos: golden beaches and gentle adventures (5 nights)

After Kamari, we took the ferry to Naxos for the main part of our holiday. Naxos felt softer and more spacious, with long beaches, shallow water and a very relaxed rhythm that suited our family perfectly.

Along the coast we found:

• Yellow sand beaches that are perfect for sandcastles and digging.
• Shallow turquoise waters where even small children can paddle and splash with confidence.
• Family run tavernas along Agia Anna beach, serving simple, delicious Greek food with a warm welcome.
• Pedalos for a gentler outing on the sea and speedboat inflatables for an adrenalin rush!
• Fantastic beach clubs on Plaka Beach, where you can rent sunbeds, enjoy music and soak up the relaxed island vibe.

One evening we headed into Naxos Town and walked up to the Temple of Apollo for sunset. The sky turned shades of pink and orange, and the view over the harbour was beautiful. Afterwards, we wandered through the narrow alleyways of Naxos Town, spotting sleepy cats on doorsteps and walls as we walked. It is a magical and captivating place for an evening stroll.

We also spent a day exploring the mountainous interior of the island by car. Highlights included:

• The Temple of Demeter, surrounded by peaceful countryside.
• The traditional village of Chalki, with pretty streets and a calm, local feel.
• A final stop at Alyko Beach, a quieter spot with a wild, natural beauty.

Our accommodation on Naxos really helped make the trip. It was beautiful and peaceful, with a small heated pool that the children absolutely loved. In May, when the sea can still feel a little cool, having a warm pool makes a big difference: it became our cosy base between outings, where the kids could splash and play while we relaxed nearby and enjoyed some gentle downtime.

Oia, Santorini: postcard views with little ones (2 nights)

To finish our trip, we returned to Santorini and stayed in Oia for two nights. Oia perches high in the hills with dramatic views over the caldera and the deep blue sea. It is the classic Santorini you see in photos: whitewashed buildings, blue domes and breathtaking sunsets.

From Oia we:

• Walked up to the Castle of Oia and looked down over Ammoudi Bay.
• Wandered past boutique shops and high end restaurants, which give the village a very stylish feel.

It was truly beautiful, and I am glad I experienced it. However, with small children we found there was not a great deal to do. The streets can be busy and the paths quite steep, so we ended up spending a lot of time at our hotel pool, cooling down and enjoying the view.

It was also noticeably hotter here, with very little breeze, which made it less comfortable for the children compared with being by the sea in Kamari or Naxos.

With hindsight, I would reduce Oia to one night just to enjoy the view and sunset, and add an extra night in Kamari, which was better suited to families.

A well balanced family island hopping holiday

Looking back, the mix of our three bases worked very well. Together they created a lovely variety of experiences: beach time, history, mountain scenery, pretty towns and unforgettable sunsets.

For our family, this trip proved that Greek island hopping can work brilliantly if you choose the right mix of destinations and travel at a gentler time of year. We’ll definitely be looking for more Greek island adventures in the future!