A Family Day In Mikri Vigla, What To Do With Kids

Mikri Vigla is known for wind, which is great news for kitesurfers and a fair question mark for parents wondering if the area suits younger kids. The short answer is yes, but it helps to know where to go and when. This guide walks through a realistic family day in the area, built around what is actually nearby.

The Wind Question, Answered

Mikri Vigla’s main beach faces the meltemi, which is exactly what makes it a top windsurfing and kitesurfing spot. For families with small kids, the good news is that the area is not one dimensional. Right next to Mikri Vigla is Sahara Beach, which is sheltered from the wind and described as an excellent choice for family holidays. This is the beach most families end up gravitating toward on breezier days, while still being close enough to walk or drive to in minutes.

A Simple Family Day Plan

Morning. Start with breakfast at your accommodation rather than heading straight out. If you are staying in a room with a kitchenette, this alone saves time and money with kids, no need to find a table for four at a busy cafe before 9am. Then head to Sahara Beach for the calmer water while the day is still cool.

Midday. Come back for lunch, or walk the short distance to Kontos Souvlaki Corner for something quick that kids will actually eat. It sits close to the property, so there is no need for a long car trip in the midday heat.

Afternoon. If the wind has picked up, this is a good window to watch the kitesurfers from the shore, kids tend to find it more entertaining than expected, or to explore the cedar forest that covers the cape of Mikri Vigla, a rare landscape feature for the region according to the about Mikri Vigla page. If a parent wants to try the water sports themselves while the other watches the kids, our guide on planning a kitesurf trip to Mikri Vigla covers what that side of the stay looks like.

Evening. Kontos Restaurant, around 300 meters from the property, serves local specialties by the sea and is an easy walk back to the room afterward, no need to plan around a rental car or taxi at the end of a long day.

Choosing A Room That Works For Families

Space matters more with kids than the room description usually lets on. The Family Apartment is built for this: 48m2, an open plan kitchen, and two bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with two single beds, for up to 4 guests. A baby cot is also listed among the in room amenities on the facilities page, which is worth confirming directly if you are traveling with an infant.

If you need a bit less space but still want a separate area from the kids at bedtime, the Deluxe One Bedroom Apartment has a separate bedroom and living area with a fully equipped kitchen. For a broader comparison of how far to stay from the beach itself with a family in tow, see how close should you stay to Mikri Vigla beach.

Practical Things That Matter With Kids

• Kitchen access. Being able to make a simple breakfast or reheat food matters more with young children than most travelers expect.
• Short walking distances. Everything close to Kontos Studios, the beach, restaurants, and the water sports area, sits within a few hundred meters, according to the location page, which cuts down on car time with tired kids.
• A safe. Useful for keeping passports and valuables out of reach while still accessible to parents.

Packing For A Family Stay

Since most rooms include a kitchenette or full kitchen, it is worth packing a few basics for young kids, snacks they already like, a favorite mug or bottle, rather than assuming everything will be available locally. The Family Apartment includes an electric stovetop, an oven, and a refrigerator, according to the facilities page, which covers most simple meal prep for younger children who are picky eaters on holiday.

Managing Nap Times And Slower Days

With small kids, not every day needs to be a full beach day. Having a private veranda attached to the room means a nap time back at the apartment does not mean the whole family loses the afternoon, one parent can stay back while the other explores nearby, or everyone can simply slow down for a few hours before an early dinner. This flexibility is one of the practical advantages of a self contained apartment over a hotel room without cooking facilities.

If a self catering kitchen matters more to your family than a big room, our guide on Mikri Vigla stays with kitchen, veranda and sea view covers that option too.

Beyond Mikri Vigla

If you have a day for a bigger outing, Naxos Town is 10 kilometers away and reachable by public transport in summer. It is worth a full day rather than a rushed half day, since there is a lot to see beyond the beach itself. Our wider article on family accommodation options across the island, family accommodation in Naxos, is a useful next read if you are still deciding on a base.

Traveling With Older Kids

Teenagers and older children get more out of Mikri Vigla than younger siblings might, especially if they are curious about windsurfing or kitesurfing lessons available in the area, according to the about Mikri Vigla page. A family with a mix of ages often ends up splitting the day, younger kids at Sahara Beach with one parent, older kids trying a lesson or watching the kitesurfers at the main beach with the other, then reconvening for dinner.

Keeping The Trip Low Stress

The main advantage of basing a family holiday in Mikri Vigla rather than a busier resort area is how little needs to be planned in advance. Everything from the beach to food to the water sports center sits within a short walk, according to the location page, which means fewer car journeys, less time spent deciding where to go, and more time actually spent on the trip itself.

For more on choosing a room for your family, the accommodation page lists all sizes and layouts, and our blog has further guides on the area.

FAQ

By the team at Studios Kontos, Mikri Vigla, Naxos. We write about what we live every day on the island.