Don't miss the organized day trip to the good beaches of Antipaxos.

I wouldn't use Airbnb for rooms on Antiparos. It's better to find the contact info for a hotel and email them direct. Antiparos has been getting more expensive over the years, so you may have to up your budget from that of 10 years ago.
A good website to look for rooms is Hans Huisman's http://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/antiparoshotels.html . I met him while staying at Mike's Place, so trust his recommendations. He also has pages on other islands, including Paros.

Machosod, I advise a bit of research -- yes, Crete's a huge thing to tackle, especially with a short visit AND with a baby! Hydra isn't a good choice eithere .... you'd have to return to Pireaus by ship and then take another ferry to Hydra. PLUS, I think you're like so many, get allured by highly-promoted places, seeing photos, not learning about drawbacks. Hydra doesn't allow cars, you hae to use donkeys to leave port... and VERY inconvenient for those with an INFant!

Your much better choice would be to take a ferry to a nearby island that is closer to the mainland and which would hve good beaches (Santorini has NO good beaches) --- I would suggest NAXOS or -- if you can find a place to stay, the best one of all, ANTIPAROS. The ferry would go to NAXOS, then next stop is PAROS.... and at the port of Paros you take a v. small ferry for a few minutes to ANTI-PAROS. It is LOW-Key, levely walks & pathways, you could push a cheap "cane Stroller" (a MUST for you to take along) to a lovelly beach. 3 days on Antiparos would give you a relaxed, enjoyable time, do-able with a baby. I myself traveled to an island with a 9 month-old and whiile I sincerely hop everything will go perfeclty for you, you have NO idea what a challenge it can be to trael with one that young -- their internal schedules are all topsy-turvey, and even calm happy babies can turn into screamers and need a lot of down-time.. Your strategy will be to get as near to a nice beach as possible, and have a nice balcony (or patio if possible) so you can be outside during the frequent naptimes. Believe me on this.

There are TWO ferries per day I recommend that take this route. The 3:30 pm one is HUGE... BLUE STAR -- 1400- 1800 passengers. Plent yof room & economy is cheaper, and you can sit outside... but so many people and a hassle to get on & off for young parents with GEAR. Instead I recommend the 10:45 LARGE FAST-FERRY -- Called either CHAMPIONJET 1 or 2. Large, stable, reserve seats (so no dash to get a seat) and has a small outdoor rear deck to stand on for the Caldera view of Santorini upon departure. Then when you get to Naxos or Paros, your luggage is rightd by the exit & you'll be helped with getting it off.

NOTE #1: A CHAMPION JET ferry holds at least 450 people BUT y ou're going in HIGH SEASON so it would be wise to book in advance. NOT from N America - that's a hassle. When you get to Athens, just buy your tickets an any agency near your hotel, so you'll have them in your possession. If you are going to Antiparos, when you get off the CHAMPION at paros, you just buy the "little ferry" ticket right at the pier

NOTE #2 - RETURN to MAINLAND - FERRY. a BLUE STAR takes abou 4 hours from Paros to Pireaus... there's one that goes at 7 pm, so you could just carry sleeping baby aboard, get "economy reserved" seats which are LARGE leanback footrest seats... as for location on window compartments not center - much quieter. On arrival get nto TAXI line to get ot Hotel.
NOTE #3 - RETURN To MAINLAND - PLANE -- MUCH Better, easier. If y ou book HOTEL AVRA (about 25 mins from Airport, In RAFINA), and request their shuttle service AT THE TIME OF BOOKING... they'll pick u up at airport and also take you back there, no matter how early in the AM. A great choice for burdened young family.

FINAL NOTE ---- Get on Computer TONIGHT!!!!! You need to book a HOTEL (preferabley in Antiparos) AND you need to book PLANE from PAROS airpot to ATHENS. Then book hotel Avra. All thse things are going to cost you more than you hoped. but it's becauseyou're going in High Season, and have waited so long to make arrangement. I do wish you all the luck, and hope you'll have a dterrific visit to greece.

Hi Jan, thanks for the tips and recommendations. Those apartments on Antiparos all look great.
I've been coming across a few articles saying Antiparos town and Paros have great nightlife, and I've seen on Maps they have a few all-night clubs. I'm not taking my family to party islands am I? That's the last thing I want...

Ooh thanks for this! Would not have known that Sifnos is perhaps a better (larger/more varied) choice than Folegandros, and I definitely like the sound of hiking and mountain top monasteries and churches.

Just one night on any island is, relatively speaking, too much time on a ferry and too little time actually having a look at the island you're visiting.

Great tip. Although I guess it's possible to do some smaller islands as day trips from nearby ones fairly easily? EG Antiparos as a wee day trip from Paros.

Thanks! :)

I would suggest Going to NAXOS for 5 (or 6) days, and staying at Ag. Giorgios beach directly adjacent to the Port town... an easy 15 minute stroll to all the cafes, tavernas, shops & nightlife there, but on the beach very serene at night. Ag. Giorgios gets very crowded at High Season, but in Mid-june, still just pleasantly populated. It's a shallow beach (you wade out about 100 yards to swim), but a big bonus is that in early June, it's a favorite with Scandinavians, and for me, one of the big treats is lying on a sunlounger watching blonde toddlers staggering around with sandpails. I would suggest GOing to Booking.com and putting in June 11 - 15 and CLICKING "MAP VIEW" on top RH corner of page. This shows EXACTLY where available rooms are (alas, sometimes hotels say "near beach" when they are faaar away). I would recommend only rooms that are 1st floor (our 2nd floor) or higher... not "ground level". Several modest hotels on/near the sand that have balconies iwth sea view include PANORMOS on a small pathway 30 feet from the sands, plus a new one a bit upscale (or one that's changed its name)PRESTIGE On the Beach. Both of these are smaller lodgings with minimal lobbies, but also have kitchenettes. If you want uniformed staff & big lobbies & a pool there's still a room at Naxos Resort Beach hotel... back from the beach about 100 yards, but its own landscaped lawn & path leading there. You should take a 1-day "round island" bus tour -- Several good companies do this, with a 90 minute "swim break" at Appollon... you could rent a car, but this gives you a guide, and no driving worries. You'll also enjy a day exploring Naxos fasinating Old Town, and then take a bus to an outer beach.

After 4-5 days, i would then suggest hopping a 1-hour ferry at 9:45 AM and going to PAROS... When you get off, you get on another very small ferry and go to ANTIPAROS, which is very visible right from the DOCK. This is the PERFECT place for Those Who do Not Like to RUSH... yet it's not boring. On Booking.com put in JUNE 15 & 16. Again, use "MAP VIEW" to pinpoint locations I recommend THALASEA available on those dates. Just 150 feet from a divine sandy beach, and also very close to the central winding "market street" AGORA of Antiparos which is Pure Magic at night. My 2nd choice would be KASTRO ANTIPAROS, also available, with a pool, & great view, also a 5 minute walk to that wonderful beach. You can spend a day enjoying Antiparos... then the next day, take a 10 minute ferry and explore PARIKIA, the fascinating port town of PAROS. Best of Both worlds.

EXIT STRATEGY -- Since you 'll be leaving for US I think on June 18, you need to get back to athens for the night of June 17. You can either FLY from PAROS, or take the 11 AM BLUE STAR Ferry (arr 3 pm) -- if you do the latter, you should opt for reserved economy (€4 more than basic) for inside seating in comfy leanback upholstereed seats. You are still free to sit on deck whereve there's a chair, but can use reserved seat for a lunch snack & drowsing. Ask for a SIDE COMPARTMENT seat ... quieter, smaller. Where you stay on night of June 17 depends on how early your homebound flight is, on June 18. If you must be in line before 10 AM, I would suggest staying somewhere near airport, otherwise central Athens & take a taxi or x95 bus to Airport (1 hr. Since you have not shared this important detail , I won't suggest something that may not be relevant. (A lesson: include ALL details, everything matters!).

Antiparos is a good possibility, especially if you're comfortable using a moped so you can take yourself to some of the less-central beaches. Sikinos would also work if you don't mind hiking a bit to the beaches there.

Hi! I will recommend you go another small and wild island instead of Santorini. There are a lot of magical places out of tourist routes!!
Here my list of the best islands in Cyclades:
1. Despotiko
2. Koufonisia
3. Folegandros
4. Antiparos
5. Schoinoussa

When you ask for suggestions for where to go it's best if you also include your maximum daily room budget if you want recommendations for your acomodations. That said, try the filter system at www.booking.com and www.vrbo.com and search for the island Antiparos. It's a great place to relax with your familly.