Entertainment in Crete for children – list, prices 2021, photo, description, map

What to see in Crete with children on their own is of interest to parents. Teenagers soon get tired of the monotonous beach holiday: how to make a trip to the island and for them an unforgettable experience? But in this paradise there are places where the child will not only feel organic, but also receive additional information on topics that interest him. It is only important to take into account the preferences and hobbies of a small family member and choose those excursions that will be remembered for a long time.

Lake Kournas

This unique lake of volcanic origin is unique not only in Crete, but also in Greece. It feeds exclusively on underground springs, so it becomes shallow in hot weather. In July-August, one of them is shown on the surface: it will be interesting for children to see how Kournas is filled with water. And the river Almyros flows out of the lake. The water is clean and always cold. Kournas is a visual aid to the surrounding world or physical geography: children will see how the water level is regulated in it. There is a beach on one side of the reservoir.

Here you can rent a catamaran and swim across the lake. But mooring on a wild coast, one should be careful: the bottom of the coastal zone is covered with bottom silt, which sucks in objects that fall on it. Moreover, the quagmire looks like white sand. Children who are fond of biology will like the protected coast: here you can watch rare birds, bicolor turtles and lizards; see Red Book plants.

dinosaur park

Great place to relax from the sea and the sun. Coming here, children will see an imitation of the skeletons of ancient pangolins. The models are made in natural size. Then the guys go to the hall, where they get acquainted with interactive models of reptiles. Animals open and close their mouths, growl and move their paws.

And if you are tired of looking at the monsters, you can:

1. Ride on a steam train. This activity is especially popular with kids.
2. Watch a movie about reptiles (interesting for older children)
3. Visit the dinosaur hospital. It shows how people treat sick lizards and how baby dinosaurs are born.

You don't need to leave the interactive park to have a bite to eat: there are several cafes with national and European cuisine on the territory. And for memory you can buy souvenirs in a small shop.

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Lake Voulismeni

The miracle of nature will not leave anyone indifferent: there are many stories around it, both fictional and real. A trip to the pond will appeal to children of all ages: from toddlers to teenagers. Voulismeni is located right in the center of the resort of Agios Nikolaos. It is slightly oval, and the water in it is very dark.

The guides will tell several stories about the reservoir at once:

1. Voulismeni has no bottom. This is a magical reservoir, from the depths of which demons rise to destroy innocent souls. Such a legend will appeal to mystically minded teenagers.
2. The lake has existed for so long that it remembers how the goddesses of Greece bathed in it, who wanted to preserve youth and beauty forever. This invention will be appreciated by romantic girls.
3. The water in Voulismeni is heterogeneous: at the top it is salty, and at the bottom it is fresh. This feature was explored by Jacques Yves Cousteau, who dived into the lake with scuba gear. The story will appeal to those who are passionate about the natural sciences.
4. After the liberation of Crete, local residents dumped equipment and ammunition abandoned by the Nazis in Voulismeni: this is how they eradicated the memory of the difficult occupation. By the way, the same Jacques Yves Cousteau found unexploded shells at the bottom. This will be of interest to historians.

In general, Voulismeni is just a beautiful place of Agios Nikolaos. There are many cafes and restaurants around it, where it is pleasant to sit in the evening and watch the lights of lanterns reflected in the black water.

Aquapark Limnoupolis

Children sometimes get bored with the sea and the sun, but never with water activities. And the Limnoupolis park is proof of this. The recreation center is located in Chania and operates exclusively in summer. But the park offers entertainment for every taste and age:

1. Kids will have a great time splashing in a special pool and rolling down gentle slides there. And tired of swimming, they will move to the playground.
2. Teenagers will appreciate the Crazy River, Tarzanka or Kamikaze Hill.
3. The guys who can not swim at all will go down the Lazy River in circles.

The advantage of Limnoupolis is the ability to feed hungry children without leaving its territory. The center offers to visit a cafe serving dishes of national and European cuisines. Even capricious people will choose something from the menu to their liking. And parents can visit the bar while their kids are having fun. There is a medical center on the territory, where they will provide first aid in case of injuries. And if suddenly beach accessories are forgotten, then in a small stall you can buy everything you need for outdoor activities.

Watercity amusement park

Even children who are not surprised by water entertainment will like the Watercity recreation center. It is located just 15 km from the capital of Crete, Heraklion, and covers an area of ​​8 hectares.

Watercity in the period May-October offers:

1. Water slides from the simplest and most gentle for kids to steep ones for desperate teenagers. Here you can slide down the Kamikaze or Sidewinder-Boomerango (a hemisphere with twists and turns).
3. And the kids will love the shallow pool with real sea waves or a gentle waterfall. An interesting descent on inflatable rafts along the Lazy River.

For those who are tired of playing on the water, there are children's towns. Here you can climb the ladders or make a cake in the clean sand. And parents will sit nearby under shady canopies. The center offers a snack in the Food Court. There are 6 bars and several cafes that offer dishes of European and Mediterranean cuisines. Food outlets and children's menus. And you can buy souvenirs in small shops in the park.

But it is important to remember: it is the responsibility of parents to monitor the safety of children. It is required to comply with age restrictions and not let kids on dangerous rides.

Acqua Plus Water Park

This is the first water park built on the island. In terms of area, it is inferior to Watercity, but in terms of the entertainment offered, it is hardly. The center is located in the hills near Hersonissos (only 5 km). The peculiarity of the relief is the advantage of the complex. Here, from any point, a beautiful panorama opens up. Visitors can appreciate this already at the entrance. The seen landscapes do not leave indifferent even the children experienced in water entertainments.

Another advantage of the center is the collection of Mediterranean plants. Conifers and palm trees are planted throughout the territory, so the park is immersed in greenery, and the air is filled with the aromas of lavender and rosemary. Such an environment will especially appeal to sissies. The center is conventionally divided into areas for children and adults. But that doesn't mean that the rides for toddlers aren't suitable for their older siblings: everyone will love going down the Lazy River together.

The crazy river will delight lovers of indulgence: here you can push with inflatable circles during the descent. And for teenagers who can't live a day without a smartphone, free WI-Fi is available. Cafes on the territory of the center offer delicious dishes of local and European cuisines.

Seawater aquarium

The life of the inhabitants of the sea is hidden from the eyes of people, so the exposition of the aquarium in Crete will be interesting for children of all ages. Guests are welcome here throughout the year, but opening hours vary: from October to April, the center closes at 5 pm. It is cool inside the aquarium, in the halls there are containers with the inhabitants of the seas. But to learn more about underwater inhabitants, you should rent an audio guide.

The device will not only name the resident of interest, but also tell where he lives, what he eats, how he reproduces. Teenagers will love the interactive stands where they can see how the animal captures and swallows prey. Parents, while the child is studying underwater inhabitants, can sit on cozy benches and take a break from the bustle of the resort.

It is allowed to take pictures in the center, however, without a flash. But the guys like to take selfies against the backdrop of unusual inhabitants of the ocean. It is also comfortable to travel around the complex with small children: there are several toilets here, so you don’t have to stop exploring and run to find the cherished room. For a snack, the aquarium offers to visit a cafe, but the prices for dishes are slightly higher than on the coast. But the stall with souvenirs is always crowded: here you can choose something interesting for yourself and your friends.

Knossos palace

This place is interesting for children who are interested in history, archeology and literature: after all, here you can see the ancient ruins that are described in the legends and myths of ancient Greece. The palace was built by the king of Crete, Minos, to hide the sin of his wife from people and protect his subjects from the monster Minotaur. And so that the creature would not break out, it was placed in a labyrinth.

Some historians claim that the palace is a labyrinth, since there is a Labros sign on its walls. But the monster demanded sacrifices: every few years, 7 beautiful boys and 7 beautiful girls were thrown into the labyrinth, who were collected from all over Greece. But one day, Theseus was among the victims, who, with the help of Ariadne, the daughter of the king of Crete, managed to defeat the monster. These legends are known to any teenager who studies history and literature.

But you can see the place where the tragic events unfolded by visiting the Palace of Knossos. And if a child is passionate about archeology, he will be interested to get acquainted with the works of the talented architect and archaeologist Arthur Evans, who excavated the palace. Moreover, the scientist carried out the work at the expense of his family. Knossos Palace is an interesting place for children interested in art. Evans managed to restore the unique frescoes that adorn the walls of the ancient building.

Dicteian cave

The cave will interest not only history buffs, but also teenagers who are fond of natural attractions: after all, the place where the baby Zeus was hidden is very beautiful. But to overcome the whole path, you need to prepare: the cave is located high in the mountains, you will have to climb hot mountain slopes, sometimes quite steep, so you should wear comfortable shoes, protect your head from the sun and take a bottle of water. And in the cave, on the contrary, it is cool, so it is recommended to take warm clothes.

The cave itself, where Rhea hid the newborn Zeus from his father Kronos, consists of 2 communicating rooms. You have to move in the semi-darkness along a metal staircase. On the sides, in the rays of multi-colored light bulbs, you can see stalagtites, stalagmites and stalagnates. At the bottom of one of the chambers is an underground lake. At the exit of the cave there is an observation deck, from where a stunning panorama of the Lassithi Plateau and its surroundings opens. In a small shop you can buy souvenirs as a gift and as a keepsake.

Sfendoni Cave

This natural attraction will be interesting, first of all, for children interested in natural sciences. This beautiful place is a manual on geology. But the name of the cave was named after the legendary rebel (Sfendonis), who hid here from enemies during the Greek struggle for independence. However, the version raises doubts among historians. But it is still worth visiting the attraction: it is very beautiful here.

Unfortunately, not all 11 halls can be viewed: 5 are available to tourists. But along the path with a rope railing, stalagtites hang from the ceiling, stalagmites grow from below, and in some places these formations merge into stalagnates. The path is illuminated with colored lights. The temperature underground is stable: +12 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is quite high. Such a microclimate is useful for people suffering from asthma, so walking underground is not only pleasant, but also useful.

Lychnostatis Open Air Museum

It will be interesting for children of any age here: after all, Lychnostasis is an ethnographic museum. All the exhibits can be touched and their role in the life of the Cretans can be appreciated. The island is still an agricultural region, so the main part of the exposition is devoted to agriculture.

Lychnostasis presents:

1. Gardens where vegetables grow. Nearby are the tools with which the land is cultivated.
2. Vineyards, and nearby – wineries with presses for squeezing juice from berries.
3. Craftsmen's workshops: forges, pottery and weaving workshops. Children are interested in spinning a potter's wheel or trying themselves as a weaver.

The territory is well-groomed, benches are placed everywhere where you can relax. In Lychnostasis, a harvest festival is held every year. During the event, visitors are offered a tasting of vegetables and fruits grown on the island, cheeses, and young wine.

Park “Labyrinth”

Well, what is Crete without the Labyrinth! The center welcomes children of all ages and their parents. Here everyone will find something to their liking:

1. Those who like to look for a way out of any (even the most hopeless) situation will go wandering through the labyrinth, imagining themselves as Theseus, who went in search of the Minotaur.
2. Guys who love cars will ride a quad bike. This attraction is suitable for children 4-11 years old.
3. Children can play minigolf. A special platform is equipped for it.
4. And the other guys will try their hand at archery.
5. Botanists will find a lot of interesting things in the organic garden, and zoologists in a mini farm.
6. Those who like to do something with their own hands make pots in a pottery workshop.
7. And brave girls and boys will take a horseback ride.

While the children are having fun, parents can spend in a cafe. It serves Mediterranean and European cuisine. It is worth adding that the Labyrinth is located on the picturesque hills near Hersonissos.

Natural History Museum of Crete

This exposition is a great way to raise the educational level of the child without undue emotional stress: after all, the exhibition is controlled by the University of Crete.

Tourists are offered:

The center has interactive stands, with the help of which the children will receive information about the subjects of interest to them. And all this will be much more interesting than at school.

Zoo Amazonas

A very interesting place for young zoologists: the center contains animals that are difficult to meet in ordinary nature. And the complex began its history with several parrots, which the owners could no longer keep. Today Amazonas, in addition to birds, has lemurs, monkeys, felines, turtles, lizards, llamas and wild goats. The children can watch the inhabitants of the center, or they can feed them. To do this, the cafe sells special food for animals: it is forbidden to feed the inhabitants with food bought in other places.

The territory is shady, very well-groomed, there are benches for resting tired visitors. While children are learning about the life of animals, parents can sit quietly. And for those who are hungry, there is a cafe where you can have a quick bite to eat. It's nice that in addition to demonstrating the inhabitants, Amazonas provides assistance to animals in trouble. For this, a part of the income is allocated and donations are collected.

Fortress Fortezza

Fortezza will appeal to young historians. This fortress was built by the Byzantines, and then captured by the Ottomans. During the Turkish rule, the Orthodox Church (the Cathedral of St. Nicholas) was destroyed, and a mosque was erected instead. The rest of the buildings were not damaged and retained their purpose. But after the expulsion of the Ottomans, everything that the invaders used was destroyed.

Only the fortress walls remained intact. A few years ago, Fortezza was reconstructed, betraying its original (Venetian) style. Today there are permanent and thematic exhibitions. And an open area is provided to musicians for concerts. By the way, it offers an amazing panorama of the surroundings of Rethymnon, where the attraction is located.

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

The exposition will delight young historians: here is the richest collection of artifacts of the Minoan civilization. No center in the world can boast of such items. And the building itself was erected on the ruins of a Catholic cathedral, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1856. But the remains of the walls and fragments of the foundation have been preserved: they can be seen. The new building was built taking into account the seismic activity of the region: the building was thoroughly strengthened.

But during the Nazi occupation it was destroyed. The restoration was delayed until 1952, and in 1964 the center received additional space. And the museum acquired its modern look only in 2014. The center has the most impressive collection of Minoan artifacts: vessels for storing oil and wine, decorations, frescoes. There is no such collection in any museum in the world. The exposition occupies 20 halls and is equipped with interactive stands and screens. Viewing the collection will bring pleasure to both children and adults.

Elafonisi beach

Children who love outdoor activities and nature will enjoy spending time on this beach. The purest Elafonisi has been declared a nature reserve: rare birds nest here, turtles come here to lay their eggs. Red Book herbs grow on the shore. And all these miracles can be seen with your own eyes. Elafonisi is a place with pure white sand and clear warm water.

Sometimes the water seems pink: according to legend, this is the blood of civilians slaughtered by the bloodthirsty Ottomans. But biologists explain the unusual color by the presence of small pink crustaceans. On Elafonisi you can learn to surf or swim on your own, scuba dive. The winds blow here, so it is interesting to go kiting. And if the child is tired of outdoor activities, then it’s good to just lie down on a sun lounger under a canopy.

Devil's Harbor Beach

Boys and girls who read about the adventures of pirates will love this remote place. You will have to walk to it through the gorge, so you should wear comfortable shoes. But the beach is the robber Tortuga. Sharp rocks hang right over the bay, so the ships did not come here and do not come. But at the same time, the rocks protect the beach area from the winds: the sea here is warmer than on other beaches, and almost always calm.

The sand in the Devil's harbor is fine, white. The entry into the sea is quite steep, but for those who know how to swim, swimming is pleasant. There is no infrastructure on the coast, so for a long vacation, you should stock up on water and food. And you can stand here for several days with a tent: so the child will completely immerse himself in the everyday life of the pirate Tortuga.

Aradena Gorge

Not everyone is able to overcome the gorge: the more interesting it will be for the guys to try their hand. Aradena will submit only to the brave and brave. This place is difficult to access, but the more interesting it is to follow this route. The route starts from the abandoned village of Aradena. The trail goes up and down, sometimes quite steeply. The surface of the path is littered in places with small pebbles that slide underfoot.

Mountain goats gallop along the slopes, throwing stones, causing scree. But if you prepare well, you can enjoy the magnificent landscapes of untrodden places. By the way, you should take a small amount of water with you: approximately in the middle of the route there is a source with cool drinking water. The end point of the path is Marmara beach. It is strewn with small pebbles, and the sea here is clean and warm. There is a small cafe nearby where you can have a bite to eat. And it is recommended to return by boat, renting it from the locals.

Argyroupoli village

It will be interesting here for children who are interested in ethnography. A small village is located on a mountain slope. It is surrounded by forest, and drinking water flows down from the mountains, forming 2 small streams. Argiupoli is clean and beautiful, there are many souvenir shops and cafes with national cuisine. It is worth coming here to see the unhurried way of life of the locals, which has not changed for centuries.

Interesting places in Crete for children on the map