Heraklion with Kids: Things to Do, Kid-Friendly Activities & Tips to Plan the Trip

Everything you need to know about visiting Heraklion with kids by a local mom! The best things to see in Heraklion with kids, the best hotels, and travel tips for visiting Heraklion with children. 

Are you looking for the best things to do in Heraklion with children? Do you want to know if it is a great place to visit with the family? Here, I tell you everything you need to know if you plan to visit Heraklion with children. The capital of Crete is a super family-friendly destination. It’s one of those places where you should spend a few days discovering the island… Heraklion must be part of your Crete itinerary!

Even more so if you’re traveling with kids!

There is much to do in Heraklion for children, including fascinating archaeological sites, educational activities, fantastic theme parks, and countless adventurous activities.

These are the best answers if you’re wondering what to do in Heraklion with kids. In no particular order, as usual, where to go in Heraklion for kids to have fun!

Explore the Palace of Knossos with the Kids

The Palace of Knossos fascinates kids and adults alike. It is a marvelous journey into the past of the island and the whole Western civilization that will ignite your child’s curiosity.

I always recommend that parents explain what they are about to see to their kids. You can let them learn more with a special book or schedule a visit to the Labyrinth Theme Park, about 25 minutes from the city center.

It is also a good idea to book a tour for families so kids feel involved, have fun, and take advantage of an educational experience. In this post, I share more details to prepare for a family trip to Knossos; it also features a downloadable scavenger hunt for kids to have fun during the visit.

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Marvel at the Submarine World in CretAquarium

One more interesting place to visit in Heraklion is CretAquarium, the only aquarium on the island, which you can explore in about one hour. Sometimes, the aquarium programs special activities for children, so it’s always a good idea to check out their website for more details before the visit.

CretAquarium is a 15-minute drive east of Heraklion, and this post offers plenty of information about what to expect.

>> It’s always a good idea to purchase the entrance tickets in advance.

The Best Museums in Heraklion with the Kids

One of the places we’ve visited more than once in Heraklion is the Archaeological Museum. It has an important exhibition covering over 5500 years of Crete’s history, from the Neolithic period (7000 BC) to the Roman times (200 AD). It features many objects belonging to the Minoan era.

Many other museums in Heraklion are perfect for a family visit; my kids especially like Heraklio’s Museum of Natural History, which has dedicated areas for kids and activities that provide entertainment and learning opportunities. Children can learn about dinosaurs, caves, boats, and Mediterranean wildlife. It also has an earthquake simulator, which is fun and educational for the whole family.

Heraklio’s Street Art with Children

Kids love to visit off-the-beaten-track areas. Lakkos is one such place in Heraklion: It’s an ancient district with colorful homes and alleys, close to the city center, and easy to reach on foot. This quiet neighborhood is a great place for a walk where kids can marvel at the incredible street art and graffiti.

The whole neighborhood has undergone a renewal project called the Lakkos Project. This cultural work saw local artists and the Heraklion Municipality work together to upgrade this old Heraklion district, aiming to bring this fascinating historical area back to life.

Lakkos is in the center of Heraklion’s old city, close to the city’s new Cultural Center. Many narrow streets feature beautiful murals, and you can stop for a snack in a traditional kafenio or a tavern.

This is a safe and super interesting neighborhood to visit with the family. The project is explained in more detail here.

Have Fun in Heraklio’s Theme Parks

There are several theme parks very close to the city of Heraklion that your kids will certainly enjoy. These are a few of the ones I recommend:

DINOSAURIA THEME PARK
This theme park features dinosaur replicas and animatronics, a fossil museum, interactive games, and even a 5D cinema. I’ve reviewed our visit here.

The place is near the CretAquarium (both sites are no more than 5 minutes apart by car) so you can see both parks in one day.

LABYRINTH THEME PARK
This is another great theme park where children can learn more about the Minoan civilization and Crete culture while engaging in fantastic activities, visiting a farm, having fun at a laser maze, taking archery or pottery lessons, playing golf at a mini-golf course, and trying escaping the Minoan labyrinth by following clues and accomplishing goals.

You can learn more about our experience at the Labyrinth in this post.

MERMAID DREAMS HERSONISSOS
Located inside Hersonissos’ Star Beach Water Park, this attraction is perfect for small kids. The first Mermaid and Merboy school in Crete offers your children the chance to try on a mermaid tail, be introduced to mermaid swimming by a “professional mermaid,” have a mermaid photo session, and even get a magical mermaid tail! 

The Mermaid School opens every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at Star Beach Water Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sail on the Black Rose Pirate Boat

Experiencing the coast of Crete on a boat can be a fun idea, the Black Rose Pirate Boat is one of the boat rides that kids will enjoy the most as it combines a nuance of adventure with a relaxing sea activity.

This activity takes you from Hersonissos to Sissi and back, including onboard activities and games, a stop to swim and snorkel, and a kid-friendly BBQ meal.

>> BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO THE BLACK ROSE PIRATE BOAT HERE

Watersports at the Beach

Heraklio’s northern coast is great for your kids to try water sports. If you have small kids, it is better to head to small and protected bays, such as Ligaria or Agia Pelagia. In Agia Pelagia, the small cove of Psaromoura offers different water-related activities perfect for kids of all ages.

The family can take advantage of boat rides and water activities, including SUP, kayaking, and canoeing. Children can also snorkel or scuba dive.

Rocca a Mare (Koules) Fortress

Back in Heraklion, children will love to spend time in the imposing Koules, a Venetian Fortress in the old port. The visit allows the whole family to explore the castle’s different chambers, check out different remains and ammunition, and climb the fortress’s roof for impressive views of the city landscape.

Take a Break at Heraklio’s Waterparks

When it’s too windy to spend a day at the beach, but the temperatures are still high, it’s a good idea to head to a water park to cool off and have fun. After all, kids of all ages enjoy pools and slides. Heraklion has a few water parks for the whole family. These are some of them:

WATER CITY WATER PARK
(Anopolis, 15 Km from Heraklion)
My kid’s favorite near Heraklion features over 30 water games, slides, and pools for all ages. You can read my full review here.

AQUAPLUS WATER PARK
(Malia)
The most popular water park on the island offers over 50 slides, a hydromassage pool, and a lazy river. Depending on the ticket you choose, you can also get hotel pick-up and round-trip transport. Read more on the official website.

BRAVO WATER PARK
(Only steps from Amoudara Beach, in Gazi, Heraklion)
Located west of Heraklion, a few minutes from Agia Pelagia, this is a small but well-equipped water park perfect for the whole family. Read more on the official website.

STAR BEACH WATER PARK
(Hersonissos, about 20 km from Heraklion)
The hotel, with a fantastic water park, offers activities for parents and children, including water slides, sports, and karting. Read more here.

Matala Beach with the Children

I might be biased, but I love Matala! It is one of our favorite summer places on the island. It’s a child-friendly village and one of the nicest seaside resorts for those visiting Heraklion with children.

We’ve been to Matala several times and it has always proved to be a fantastic destination for single parents. Kids will have fun on the colorful streets, exploring the market and the ancient caves, and playing at the beach.

In the nearby area, the imposing Archaeological Site of Phaistos is a great place to visit for kids interested in Crete’s Minoan past. You can also visit the Archaeological Site of Gortyn, which is smaller and easier to explore than Phaistos.

Last summer, we also hiked to Red Beach, a wonderful shore that is only accessible on foot. It was an exciting experience and the kids loved the adventurous trail and the pristine sandy beach with clear waters, much more kid-friendly than the shore in Matala!

Also, during June, Matala hosts one of the most important summer music festivals in Greece; this post includes information about that and many other fun festivals in the Heraklion region. Take a look at the post because many festivals offer excellent entertainment when you have no idea what else to do with kids in Heraklion.

Relax at an Isolated Beach

The beautiful beaches in southern Crete offer plenty of opportunities to leave the chaotic northern coast behind, and they are great for relaxing and playing games.

Not far from Matala, the beautiful beach of Kamilari village is a great place to stay. It is close to Kalamaki, a great child-friendly beach I always recommend for visitors to explore while staying in Matala.

Live the Minoan Experience!

Finally, the Minoan Theater is another place to visit. It is located in an Equestrian Club in the village of Karteros, a few minutes from Karteros Beach and Anissos Beach.

The area features cultural activities, including a Minoan Theater, where you can get a close-up look at some of the few unveiled mysteries of this enigmatic civilization. If you want to have some extra fun with your children, this is a great place for learning and entertainment. 

On the premises, you can also learn about the authentic traditions of the local diet or gather more information about the horseback riding academy. On their website, there is information regarding entrance fees and opening hours.

Video courtesy of Minoan Theater – Minoiki Avli, The Minoan Experience.

Where to Stay in Heraklion with Kids

These town hotels feature a pool. I always suggest picking a hotel with a pool because the city does not have a beach, and those near Heraklion town are not the best for kids and tend to be overcrowded. These hotels also feature other child-friendly facilities.

• Sofia Hotel
  >> BOOK HERE

• Capsis Astoria
  >> BOOK HERE

• Galaxy Iraklio Hotel
  >> BOOK HERE or CHECK OUR REVIEW

(Note that in some cases, certain services for children might have an extra charge).

Numerous fascinating and entertaining activities are suitable for children of all ages in the region of Heraklion, offering both fun and educational experiences for all the family. What specific activity caught your interest the most for a day out in Heraklion with children?

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Things to Do in Heraklion with Children

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