Greece has come a long way from the handful of simple beach hotels that existed decades ago. These days, you’ll find everything from massive all-inclusive complexes with water parks to intimate boutique resorts carved into cliffsides. The catch? With so many islands and coastal areas to choose from, figuring out where to stay can feel overwhelming.

This guide breaks down the main types of resorts in Greece and where to find them, so you can match your travel style with the right place.

All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece

All-inclusive used to mean basic buffets and watered-down drinks, but Greece has seriously upped its game. Modern all-inclusive resorts typically include buffet meals, drinks like beer, wine, and cocktails, beach access, pools, and complimentary extras like sun loungers and entertainment.

The higher-end ones go further: à la carte restaurants designed by Michelin-starred chefs, premium wines, 24/7 room service, kids’ clubs, and even complimentary activities like tennis and water sports. Some resorts even throw in unusual perks like local cultural experiences or complimentary car hire for exploring.

Top Destinations for All-Inclusive Resorts:

Crete
Crete has some of the most popular all-inclusive resorts, clustered around areas like Hersonissos and Elounda. The island’s huge, so you get variety: from party-focused spots near Malia to quieter luxury resorts on the east coast. Grecotel Creta Palace and LUXME White are popular choices, with saltwater pools, infinity pools, and excellent sea views.

Halkidiki

Halkidiki, located on a peninsula reaching into the Aegean Sea, has over 500 kilometers of coastline and is one of the top destinations for all-inclusive holidays. It’s popular with package tour operators, so you’ll find good deals here. The area splits into three “fingers”: Kassandra is livelier, Sithonia is quieter, and Mount Athos is more spiritual (and actually off-limits to women due to the monasteries).

Rhodes

Rhodes combines medieval streets in Rhodes Town with modern all-inclusive resorts along the eastern coastline. The east coast is protected from wind, making it ideal for beach days. Stay near Faliraki or Lindos for easy access to both beaches and cultural sites.

Corfu

Corfu’s emerald mountains meet sapphire seas, with all-inclusive resorts lining the northeast coast. The island has a distinctly different vibe from the Cyclades: greener, more Venetian-influenced, with pebble beaches and dramatic landscapes. Good for families who want variety beyond just beaches.

Kos

Kos offers beaches and 5,000 years of history, making it ideal for combining relaxation with cultural exploration. The 5-star Mitsis Blue Domes is a popular all-inclusive option. The island’s flat and easy to navigate by bike, which is a nice change from hillier islands.

Zakynthos (Zante)

Famous for Shipwreck Beach and sea caves, Zante balances natural wonders with all-inclusive resorts in areas like Laganas and Tsilivi. Some resorts are located in a Natura-protected turtle sanctuary with adults-only areas and beachfront dining. Just know that Laganas has a reputation as a party zone, so pick your location carefully.

Is it Worth it to stay at All-Inclusive Resorts?

If you’re traveling with kids, hate planning, or just want to switch your brain off completely, absolutely. You know exactly what you’re spending upfront, kids are entertained, and you’re not doing mental math every time you order a drink.
The downside? You might miss out on authentic local tavernas and experiences if you never leave the resort. The best approach is to go all-inclusive but still venture out a few times to explore the real island.

Family Resorts in Greece

Greek family resorts have become seriously sophisticated. Expect kids’ clubs for different age groups (often 4-11 years), teens’ clubs, baby amenities, children’s menus, interconnecting rooms, private pools in family suites, and organized activities.

The standout feature at many family resorts? Water parks! Some resorts have the largest resort water parks in Greece with multiple slides, splash zones, and attractions for all ages. Parents can actually relax while kids are supervised and entertained, which is the whole point of a family resort.

Top destinations for Family Resorts:

Crete

Crete has the best concentration of family resorts in Greece. Domes Zeen Chania offers comprehensive family experiences with TOPI Kids Club (pottery, drawing, dancing, theater), baby amenities, spacious play areas, and family cinema. Creta Maris features the resort’s own water park with five slides, kids and teens clubs, separate children’s pools, and Blue Flag beach access.

Blue Palace Elounda offers private beach, infinity pools, kids club, tennis courts, spa, water sports center, and endless kids activities. The location near Elounda is gorgeous and more upscale than the party areas.

Corfu

Ikos Odisia opened in 2023 with ultra all-inclusive packages including Michelin-starred chef meals, 24/7 room service, kids club, and complimentary car hire. The design is modern and stunning, merged beautifully with the natural landscape.

Rhodes

Rhodes combines historic richness of Rhodes Old Town with family-friendly beaches and resorts. The medieval town is genuinely interesting for older kids, and you’re close to beaches and water sports.

Halkidiki

Porto Sani Resort on the Kassandra peninsula features extensive childcare facilities, kids’ clubs, spacious family suites, and teen activities like archery, tennis, and water sports. The Sani Marina area is beautiful and feels more upscale than typical package resort areas.

Skiathos

Princess Resort, part of the Santikos Collection, offers family-friendly accommodation on the island’s best beach with complimentary kids’ club, cooking lessons, guided hikes, and water sports.

What Makes Family Resorts Different from Regular Resorts?

Staff are certified and trained specifically for childcare, ages accepted can be as young as 4 months with parental supervision, and activities are structured throughout the day. Many resorts provide highchairs, plastic cutlery for babies, early dining room service, baby food, interconnecting rooms, and villas with private pools.

The better resorts also have age-appropriate activities – toddlers aren’t stuck doing the same stuff as 12-year-olds. And crucially, some offer babysitting services (sometimes complimentary, sometimes paid) so parents can have actual adult time.

Why Santorini and Mykonos aren’t ideal for Families?

While both islands are stunning, they don’t offer the same quantity or quality of family-focused all-inclusive resorts as places like Crete, Rhodes, or Corfu. They’re more geared toward couples, luxury travelers, and Instagram content. Not impossible with kids, just not optimized for it.

Beach Resorts by Island

If your main criteria is “I want to be on a gorgeous beach,” here’s where to look:

Mykonos

Saint John Hotel Villas offers beach club vibes and epic sunset views on Agios Ioannis Beach. Platys Gialos is one of the best beaches on Mykonos, with a fun mellow vibe during the day that becomes romantic and trendy at night, backed by hotels and restaurants.

Mykonos beaches are genuinely beautiful – white sand, clear water, that classic Greek island look. Just expect to pay significantly more than other islands, and know that many beaches have a party/club atmosphere if that’s not your scene.

Santorini

Katikies Santorini in Oia is one of the most imposing hotels on the island, perched on cliffs about 100 meters above the sea with whitewashed suites and endless Aegean views.

However, Santorini doesn’t have white sand beaches. Visitors come for clifftop cave houses and sunset views, not beach time. The beaches that exist are volcanic black or red sand/pebble, which is cool to see but gets scorching hot and isn’t the Caribbean-style beach experience some people expect.

Crete

Elafonisi Beach on the south coast is considered the best beach in Greece, with pink sand and turquoise water. Blue Palace Elounda is an opulent 5-star resort on a 143-acre area with private beach club, infinity pools, water sports, tennis courts, and views of Spinalonga island.

Crete’s massive size means you get incredible variety – party beaches near Hersonissos, secluded coves on the south coast, organized beaches with facilities, wild beaches with nothing. Pick your area carefully based on what you want.

Rhodes

The east coast of Rhodes (where St. Paul’s Bay is located) is protected from wind and has great beaches including Faliraki and Lindos, while anything west of Rhodes Town will be very windy. Rodos Palladium on Kallithea Beach features island-style outdoor pool, indoor pool, wellness spa, fitness center, tennis courts, and is close to the second-largest water park in Europe.

Naxos

Naxos is loaded with great beaches: St. George Beach is walking distance from Naxos Town, while Agia Anna, Agios Prokopios, Mikri Vigla, Pyrgaki, and Plaka Beach stretch along the southwest coast. Agios Georgios Beach is particularly wonderful for kids with shallow water extending well out and calm protected conditions.

Naxos is also underrated – less touristy than Mykonos or Santorini, more affordable, with genuinely excellent beaches and a charming main town. Great middle-ground option.

Milos

Artemis Seaside Resort features eye-catching Cycladic architecture, sea-view accommodations, and is located on this beautiful volcanic island. Milos has some of the most unique and stunning beaches in Greece with dramatic rock formations, multiple colors of sand, and crystal-clear water.

Corfu

Pretty coves with pebble beaches are common, though there are some golden sand beaches, and the west coasts feature dramatic limestone cliff beaches. Kontokali Bay Resort and Spa sits on a wooded peninsula with two sandy beaches and outdoor seawater swimming pool.

Ios

Calilo is a unique boutique resort on Papas Beach, located on a quiet side of the island despite Ios being known for partying and nightlife. If you want to avoid the party scene but stay on Ios, this is your move.

Zakynthos

Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) with crystal-clear turquoise water and the iconic shipwreck is a must-visit, accessible by boat tour from the east coast. Gerakas Beach is a protected nesting ground for loggerhead turtles with golden sand and calm shallow waters.

Practical Beach Resort Tips:

Beach resorts in Greece fill up fast during summer, especially on Mykonos and Santorini so make sure to book 3-6 months ahead to secure better deals.

Not all “beach resorts” are directly on the beach. Some are a 5-10 minute walk, others provide shuttle buses, and a few require taxis. Check the exact location before booking if beach access matters to you.

Also, Greek beaches vary significantly – some are organized with sunbeds and facilities, others are wild and undeveloped. Figure out which you prefer before choosing your resort area.

How to Choose the Resort to Stay at

Go all-inclusive if:

• You’re traveling with (older) kids and want zero planning stress
• You’re on a tight budget and want predictable costs
• You prefer having everything in one place
• You’re visiting an expensive island and want to control spending

Choose a family resort if:

• You have kids under 12 who need entertainment and supervision
• You want facilities like water parks, kids’ clubs, and family suites
• You value child-focused amenities and trained staff
• You actually want to relax on your family vacation

Pick a beach resort if:

• Your ideal day involves mostly being on or near the beach
• You want direct beach access from your accommodation
• You prefer smaller, more intimate properties
• You plan to spend time exploring the island beyond the resort

The best move? Consider visiting in shoulder seasons (mid-May to early June or September) when weather is pleasant but not too hot, with fewer crowds and better room availability. You’ll get the same beaches and sunshine, just without peak summer prices and the overwhelming tourist crowds.

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