A family friendly travel guide to Greece

The inclusive club board dining arrangement on a Neilson beachclub holiday welcomes you to enjoy a tempting array of local, regional and international dishes at breakfast and lunch every day, plus on four evenings.  If you’re travelling with children, you can rest assured that even the most ‘selective’ of your young diners will find plenty of familiar foods on the buffets – from freshly made pancakes and omelettes, to fresh fruits, cereals and yoghurts at breakfast, through to grilled meats, salads, pasta and fries at lunch or dinner.  If your children are ready to test their Mediterranean taste buds, they can enjoy sampling a range of distinctly Greek (but possibly familiar) dishes such as hummus, olives, tzatziki and moussaka. 

On non-inclusive evenings, we thoroughly recommend you head to one of the delightful tavernas or restaurants in the villages or town nearest your beachclub.  Many of the restaurants will present varied menus that’ll tick the box for families looking for both traditional Greek meze and more familiar dishes such as pizzas or grilled meats and fries.  If you’re travelling with babies or young toddlers, it’s well worth taking a portable booster seat with you though as it seems highchairs in local restaurants are a rare find.  It’s also worth taking a bucket and spade along with you too!  Many of the local eateries boast beachfront locations so whilst you’re enjoying the alfresco dining with a sea view, your little ones can enjoy playing in the sand.

Whilst each of the Neilson beachclubs in Greece has plenty of activities to keep both children and grown ups busy, there are an abundance of historical, cultural and natural highlights you can enjoy as a family whilst you’re on holiday. Here are our recommendations for places to visit, within easy reach of each of our Greek beachclubs..

Take a stroll out of the beachclub up to the church on the hill to enjoy the spectacular views across the island.  En route, the kids will enjoy paying a visit to feed the turtles from the bridge near the Aeolian Village Beachclub.  If you’re keen to hire a car and explore a little further afield, it’s well worth heading to the town of Molyvos.  This coastal town is situated on a small mountain which is topped by the Castle of Mithymna.  Together with a trip up the castle itself, be sure to check out the lively working fishing harbour.

Myrina, the island’s capital and main port, is just a 20min stroll or short taxi ride away from Portomyrina Palace Beachclub. Explore the imposing Venetian castle with views along the coast and the numerous souvenir shops scattered along picturesque alleyways.  Hire a car for a day (preferably a 4x4) and discover the fun to be had with the kids on the sand dunes, Call at Sardes village up in the hills or Gomati beach en route. 

Take a trip to the historical town of Parga from the Retreat Beachclub.  Wander up through the charming old town into the castle grounds.  The kids will love exploring the ruins and the café at the top provides the perfect spot to take a rest and enjoy the well-earned views across Parga!  Head back down to sea level where the lively harbour front offers a great range of places to eat and there are often family friendly entertainers in the main square. 

The Polylimnio gorge, created by the river of Cadis is an amazing spot full of small lakes, waterfalls and greenery.  And it’s just a short taxi trip away from Messini Beachclub.  You can stroll through this natural paradise and take the plunge into one of the clear, refreshing pools beneath the waterfalls!

Treat yourself and the family and explore this idyllic part of the south Ionian on one of the Neilson yachts moored up at Vounaki Beachclub.  A skipper is part of the package so no sailing experience is required!

If you fancy a day off the water, the island of Lefkada is an easy place to explore if you hire a car. Journey between the secluded white sand beaches and sheer cliffs of the west coast and the beautifully traditional villages of the island's mountainous interior. Or, take an evening out to the vibrant town of Levkas – the perfect place for the kids to pick up locally produced souvenirs.  

The transfer times from the airports to each of the Neilson Beachclubs do of course vary, from as little as 20 mins for Messini Beachclub to around 2 hours and 15 minutes for Aeolian Village Beachclub.  Our coaches don’t have child seats but you are welcome to bring your own or you can opt to book a private taxi transfer.

The beachclubs in Greece all offer accessible routes for pushchairs but some may require a little more pushing power than others if they are situated on slopes or hillsides!  Likewise, the terrain around the beachclubs may involve a few hills or unpaved pathways but you are more than welcome to borrow the all terrain buggies from the beachclub if you are strolling into the nearby villages. 

Public transport is rather limited in the areas around our beachclubs so if you’re keen to explore a little further afield, we’d recommend chatting to one of the reception team about hiring a car for a day or two.

Currency:  Euro

Local time:  GMT/BST+2

Flight time from UK:  3hrs 25mins – 3hrs 55mins (subject to departure and arrival airport)

Visa info:  Visa is not required for UK passport holders

Car hire: Note that the law requires drivers to carry personal ID, licence and car documents while on the road.
 
Can you drink the water in Greece?
In Athens and other large towns, the tap water is drinkable but on most islands and some mainland towns/villages, we’d recommend bottled water.  Bottled water is readily available in all beachclubs and local supermarkets.

Is there somewhere to purchase nappies and other baby essentials?
You’ll find a small shop stocking all holiday essentials – including nappies, wipes and sunscreen – at each of the Neilson Beachclubs in Greece.  Local supermarkets will also stock plenty of baby essentials but if you prefer to use particular brands, we’d recommend you saving space in your luggage to bring these items with you.

Will there be baby changing facilities available in resort / local restaurants?
There are baby rooms, together with changing facilities, at every Neilson beachclub.   Facilities in local restaurants will of course vary so it’s always worth taking one of those roll-up/fold up changing mats with you when you head out, in case you need to improvise. 

What is there for teens to do in and around the beachclubs?
Teens will certainly not be short of things to do on a Beachclub holiday with a huge range of activities to dive into – whether they choose to get involved with the inclusive clubs (Wave Riders for 13-14 year olds or TAG for 15-17 year olds) or join you for any of the adult tuition sessions.

Are there lifeguards on the beach?
Whilst there may be lifeguards on some of the ‘organised’ beaches (which may charge an entry fee), you should always take a ‘swim at your own risk’ approach to swimming off the beaches in Greece – especially if you are with children.  

Is Greece safe for families to travel too?
We rely on the UK government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for their official ‘Travel Advice’ to the areas in which we operate.
 
We recommend that you check this advice before you book and monitor it before you travel, to ensure you are fully aware of the advice being offered to travellers. Go to the FCO website for travel advice.