Fun Things to Do in Crete with Teens

Crete is a fantastic island for summer escape with plenty of family activities. if you’re considering spending your vacation in Crete and wish to create the perfect itinerary that keeps your teens happy and entertained, this article is tailored just for you. As a local mom of teens, I can help you find the best things to do with teens in Crete.

Crete is the largest island in Greece, and as such, it offers hundreds of interesting and engaging family activities. As a mom of two teens, I assure you they will love Crete and never get bored!

Crete offers things to do for teenagers who love the sea and enjoy adventures and sports, as well as mythology enthusiasts, fun devotees, or city explorers. There are endless options to enjoy the summer on the island. Let’s see them all!

Sea Activities

One of the best things to do in Crete with teens is discover its marine life. The island has some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, and teenagers can enjoy swimming and doing dozens of water sports.

SNORKELING & SCUBA DIVING

To start with, consider snorkeling or even scuba diving if the teens’ age allows it. After all, there is no better way to discover all the details of underwater life. Scuba diving centers are located throughout the island.

In the small village of Plakias, on the southern coast of Rethymnon, you will find several scuba diving schools that can offer the right scuba program no matter your teen’s age and skill level.

In Heraklion, this scuba tour offers an entry-level program in Mononaftis, one of the best dive sites in Crete, for its crystal clear water, great visibility, rich sea life, and safe environment for beginners.

In Agia Pelagia (also in the Heraklion region), this “Discover Scuba Diving” program is special for beginners and can be a great way for your teens to approach the sport.

In the region of Chania, near the seaside settlement of Almyrida, there is a well-rated PADI Discover Scuba Diving. All over the island, people of all levels can participate in various snorkeling activities and scuba diving programs; your teens could be one of them and have a great time.

MORE WATER SPORTS

Many beaches in Crete are ideal for other water activities and sports that teens will love, these include paddle surfing or windsurfing.

KAYAKING: There are dozens of sea kayaking experiences available, making it one of the most popular activities. You can find sea kayaking in Elafonisi and along the Rodopou Peninsula. For kids and teens with little experience but eager to learn, there’s sea kayaking for beginners in Kissamos.

SUP (STAND-UP PADDLING): SUP is a popular activity in every region. For example, Beginner SUP lessons, done with special equipment for beginners, can be enjoyed in two SUP stations (Falasarna or Elafonisi, in the Chania region), depending on the wind conditions.

WINDSURFING: This is another favorite sport among older teens, and Elafonisi offers the perfect setting for beginners to learn and for experienced teens to have fun. This particular center offers activities for all levels.

Overall, Elafonisi has many exciting things to do for teens, including sports like jet skiing, kitesurfing, and parasailing.

FUN BY THE SEA

Water sports are not the only option. Your teens can also have unforgettable memories playing rackets, beach volleyball, or any other games on the sand, right by the sea. All while you take fantastic instagrammable sea photos you will gaze at when you are back home. 

There are more than enough beaches in Crete that kids love. Including on the southern coast, like Matala in Heraklion or Souda Beach, near Plakias (Rethymnon).

Matala, in particular, is a safe and fun destination if you’re traveling to Crete with teens who enjoy music festivals, too!

BOAT TRIPS

Teens will also have fun joining a sailing trip with the whole family. It doesn’t matter whether it is a multi-day sailing cruise or just a one-day boat trip. This will allow them to explore Crete’s stunning coastline or even go fishing with Dad!

Teenagers who love exploring will enjoy visiting small islands off Crete’s coast, including Spinalonga, Mochlos Psirra in the Gulf of Mirabello, or the uninhabited Dia island. On the southern coast, a day cruise to Chrissi Island can be the perfect family activity that teens will love as they discover some of the most remote beaches in Europe!

Outdoors and Adventures for Teens

Many kids enjoy sports and adventures in the mountains. With dozens of high peaks and gorges, Crete can surprise adventurous teens interested in hiking and trekking. Traveling to Crete would be a great decision if your teenager likes to spend time practicing sports in the mountains.

HIKING SAMARIA GORGE

Your teen will enjoy spending a day crossing the longest gorge in Europe! Hiking the Samaria Gorge can be an exciting family activity you can all enjoy on the island.

Samaria Gorge is a protected natural park that offers breathtaking views along the 13-km hike. Throughout the route, you can stop and take several memorable photos, discover the local geography and landscape, and marvel at Crete’s stunning flora and fauna.

Besides, after hiking 3 km more to reach the nearest village of Agis Roumeli (at the exit of the Samaria Gorge), your teen will appreciate a long, refreshing dive into the sea at the end of the walk—well, the whole family will!

Suppose you don’t feel like walking Samaria on your own. In that case, I strongly recommend trusting a local guide with the knowledge and experience to make this adventure safe and truly unforgettable. You can check out this organized hike through Samaria Gorge or contact my friend Sofia. This certified mountain guide is extremely good at handling teens!

MORE HIKING IN CRETE FOR TEENS

If your teenagers would rather hike a shorter distance, there’s no need to worry. Samaria Gorge may be the most famous canyon in Crete, but it does not have to be the most beautiful nor the only gorge to explore! 

One of the best gorges to hike in Crete with teens is Imbros. It’s not as long as Samaria, but it offers a truly rewarding experience. If your teens are into adventurous hikes and water activities, head to Kourtaliotiko Gorge in the Rethymnon region.

Over here, your teens will enjoy more than just a hike! With the help of experienced instructors, they can abseil close to Kourtaliotiko’s waterfall into the river. This activity includes hiking and jumping down the river to a beautiful place for a final picnic lunch.   

>> You can read everything about Kourtaliotiko Gorge here.

REMEMBER

• Whatever gorge you decide to visit, always remember that visiting the local gorges is a favorite activity on the island. Therefore, I always suggest starting your tour early to avoid the crowds and the afternoon heat.

• To make the most of the day, be prepared with snacks, comfortable footwear, a hat, and sun cream.

RIDING A BIKE

Biking tours could be a perfect alternative for kids who love outdoor sports. The whole family can rent a bike (or an e-bike) and spend a fun day venturing into the mountains or exploring Crete’s traditional villages. This can be the best way to enjoy Crete’s landscape without missing out on some movement. 

You can plan your adventure or join a scheduled tour. Just head to the nearest center and ask the locals for a place to rent a bicycle.

It won’t be long until you are ready to discover the fantastic natural beauty of Crete. For instance, this guided E-bike tour in Rethymnon takes you to discover the gorgeous Myli Gorge and includes lunch.

Mythology and History 

No matter where you are in Greece, it will always be possible to satisfy your teens’ desire to learn and experience mythology in many ways. And since you are in Crete, you are even more fortunate. Let’s see some activities teens who love history and myth most will enjoy.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

One of the best things you can do with your teenager is to visit the Palace of Knossos. It is an ancient palace and home to the first civilization in Europe. The place allows children to witness many aspects of Crete’s ancient history.

Besides, your teen will be fascinated by the various myths and legends connected to this site, such as the story of Daedalus and his son Icarus, the love story between Theseus and Ariadne, or the tale of King Minos and the Minotaur. 

You can explore Knossos on your own (you can get the ticket in advance here) or visit other sites on the island, including Phaistos, the Minoan Palace of Malia, or the remote Kato Zakros. But that’s not all! There are dozens of smaller yet fascinating archaeological sites in Crete that your teens can visit.

If you want them to explore with an organized tour that gives further insight into the Minoan civilization, I strongly recommend taking a look at these Knossos tours:

• Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket & Private Guided Tour
• Palace of Knossos 3D Virtual Audio Tour by Tablet

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF HERAKLION

The Heraklion Archeological Museum houses artifacts and pottery from the archeological site of Knossos. It is a fascinating museum where you can learn all about the oldest civilization in Europe. 

It features about 20 rooms in chronological order (starting with the Neolithic) that will travel with you and your kids back in time!

Here, teens are fascinated by the advanced lifestyle and skills of the Minoans, enjoy learning about ancient games, crafts, and society, and marvel at the mysterious Phaistos Disc, a Minoan artifact with inscriptions still to be deciphered.

CAVES IN CRETE

Teenagers are fascinated by the number of caves you can explore in Crete! Such a visit will combine your teens’ passion for history and myth with adventure and mystery. For instance, if you’re near the Lasithi Plateau, you can drive to the Psychro village to explore the Dikteon Cave, one of the most spectacular Cretan caves.

Also known as Zeus Cave, this spot in eastern Crete is believed to be, according to mythology, the birthplace of Zeus, the most important god in Greek mythology. 

Fun Things Teens Can Do Crete

There is no way a vacation in Crete can go without fun. When you step on the island, you and your family will have the time of your life. Yet, some activities are ideal for making teens laugh. 

WATER PARKS

First, one of the best things you can do is go to a waterpark. Acqua Plus is the biggest waterpark in Crete, with a great range of slides for all ages; it’s 30 km from Heraklion. Another famous water park you can visit is Water City, in Heraklion. 

If you’re based in the Chania region, Limnoupolis is the water park you want to visit. My teens love to spend a day at this park, enjoying wild water slides or relaxing at the different pools. You can also visit Limnoupolis if you’re staying in Rethymnon since there are activities available that include a transfer to the area, like this one. 

If you want to know everything about the waterparks on the island, check this post with more tips on the best family holidays in Crete.

THEME PARKS

Although one might think that theme parks are more focused on entertaining young kids, some of Crete’s theme parks can also be great for teens. Take Dinosauria Park, for example, near Heraklion. It is an interactive theme park that houses model dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals within a recreation of their environment. Besides, it also features an interesting exhibition of fossils that will fascinate most teenagers!

In the Lasithi area, near Neapolis, Amazonas Park Crete offers the chance to see incredible animals! Your teens will meet colorful and exotic birds such as parrots, cockatoos, toucans, peacocks, and macaws here.

The place also features unique butterflies, lizards, tortoises, lemurs, and monkeys. Curious about the highlight of the visit? For most teens, it will feed the lemurs and monkeys inside their enclosures (always under supervision).

Crete Cities with Teens

Who said one can’t have fun exploring a city? The streets of Heraklion or the alleys in Chania and Rethymno can offer you a great chance to wander around shops, cafes, restaurants, and stunning historical buildings. Moreover, if you take a city walking tour, you and your children can get exciting insights into the Cretan history and local culture. Let’s take a look!

HERAKLION WITH TEENS

Starting with Heraklion, one of the best things you can do here is enjoy the city landscape from the rooftop of the Venetian Fortress in the city’s old port. Known as Koules (Turkish for fortress) and Rocca a Mare (the way the Venetians called the fortress), this impressive fortress dates back to the sixteenth century, when the Republic of Venice ruled over Crete.

In the city center, teens will be fascinated by the oldest areas in Heraklion, home to narrow streets and hidden corners, busy cafés, and little shops. Invite your kids for a local treat at Kirkor’s, an ancient pastry shop that still makes the best bougatsa in town.

They can taste this Cretan staple sweet as they admire the spectacular Morosini Fountain, a Venetian engineering masterpiece!

In town, the Natural History Museum fascinates teens of all ages with a spectacular earthquake simulator where kids experience various strengths of earthquakes. Besides, they will also find dinosaurs, animatronics, and a fascinating reptile section!

Heraklion is a great town to visit with teens, and these are some of the top teen-friendly tours in the area:

• I-Discover Scuba is a scuba diving experience accessible to kids over 10. Kids can try breathing and communicating underwater as they observe marine life in an environment with zero gravity. >> BOOK HERE

• Finikia Horse Riding takes kids riding through Crete’s majestic mountains to places made legendary by ancient Greek mythology. >> BOOK HERE.

• Quad Bike Safari is perfect for exploring the mountains on a guided tour that all the family can enjoy. >> BOOK HERE.

CHANIA WITH TEENS

Diving into the past is a living reality in Chania, where monuments date back to Venetian, Ottoman, and Egyptian times. The Venetian Port in the Old Town of Chania has been one of the most valuable economic headquarters of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

One of the sights teenagers will enjoy the most is the ancient Egyptian lighthouse, built by Venetians and then modified by Egyptians in 1839. This is worth a visit for you and your family. You’ll see the impressive Fortress of Firkas and visit the Maritime Museum, which has fascinating war stories that your teenager will enjoy.

• Snorkeling off the coast of Almyrida to explore stunning marine life in a 3-hour guided boat trip from Chania. >> BOOK HERE

• A Land Rover Safari is one of the best things to do in Crete with teenagers. Besides the obvious thrill of an off-road drive, teens will visit old villages, a winery, and an olive oil mill, swim at a secluded beach, and taste delicious Cretan food. >> BOOK HERE

RETHYMNON WITH TEENS

Rethymno is the third-largest town in Crete. The Old Town’s incredible architectural mix, left over from the Venetian and Turkish occupations, will surely jump out at you. For example, the townhouses, which you will love for their Venetian pastel colors and Turkish wooden balconies. 

A visit to the Venetian Harbor is a must. This charming spot is home to picturesque restaurants and cafés, offering a perfect setting to savor the flavors of Cretan cuisine with your family.

Moreover, together with the 17th-century lighthouse, the Old Harbor is the perfect spot to shoot postcard photos. And if you’re looking for another place to take memorable shots? The Venetian Fortress is a great choice. It offers a stunning view over Rethymnon’s old town and out to sea. 

Last but not least, you can take advantage of walking the cobbled streets of Rethymno stopping by the souvenir shops. The best holiday conclusion for your teens is to find a Cretan keepsake to take home!

These are the best tours in Rethymnon for families with teens:

• A pirate boat might not be what a teen will be waiting for, but the swimming spots are all worth the trip! >> BOOK HERE

• Southern Crete is the best part of the island for kids who love mountain and water activities. With this tour, your teens will enjoy exploring Kourtaliotiko Gorge and swimming at the picturesque Kalypso Beach. >> BOOK HERE

• A self-drive jeep safari can be an exciting adventure for the whole family. Your adventure will take you to the southern coast through impressive canyons until reaching the fantastic Preveli Beach and palm trees. >> BOOK HERE

LASITHI WITH TEENS

Often overlooked, the region of Lasithi can be the best destination for kids who are into adventures, sports, and outdoor experiences. A stay in Agios Nikolaos will allow the family to explore the fantastic Lasithi Plateau, home to the Zeus Cave, one of the best places to visit with teens.

In the same region, you can embark on spectacular road trips to visit remote and solitary beaches, gorges, and forgotten hiking trails, such as the one exploring the Gorge of the Dead, an ancient burial site in the Minoan times.

On Lasithi’s southern coast, teens will love a boat trip to solitary islands, such as the uninhabited Chrissi and Koufounisi, where they can swim, snorkel, and explore untouched landscapes.

These are some of the activities in Lasithi that your kids can enjoy:

• Guided off-road safari through the natural landscapes of the Lasithi Plateau to discover traditional villages and the Psychro Cave, known as the Home of Zeus. >> BOOK HERE

• Wouldn’t taking your teens on a hot air balloon ride be amazing? You can do that in Crete’s Lasithi! This activity combines a sunrise balloon flight with a relaxing sunset catamaran cruise. >> BOOK HERE

So here you are. These are some of the most unmissable things to do in Crete with teens. Book that ticket to Crete and prepare to create family memories that will last a lifetime.

Pin for Later
Cool Things to Do in Crete with Teens

---

---