Tips for family vacations in Greece

This year, it’s decided: you’re going to introduce your children to Greece! What could be better than a vacation in the sun, alternating between swimming, hiking and cultural discoveries? But which destination should you choose, and what precautions should you take to ensure your stay is unforgettable? Discover all our travel tips for family vacations in Greece!

Is it a good idea to take a family vacation in Greece?

A vacation in Greece with children is guaranteed to please the whole family! Between the sun, sea and mountains, sports activities and child-friendly museums, young and old won’t be bored!

Greece is a safe and particularly family-friendly country. Greeks love children: you can be sure that they’ll be warmly welcomed in hotels, campsites, cafés and tavernas. In Greece, children are very free, and it’s not unusual to see them playing on the beach or in the squares until late at night!

All types of travel in Greece are possible with children: road trips by car, camping or all-inclusive hotel vacations. It all depends on the age of your little ones and your desires at the time!

Where to go in Greece with children?

Greece is an ideal destination for traveling with children! Everything’s possible: sports and nature getaways, city breaks, holidays by the sea or on a farm, and even winter sports vacations!

The most important thing is to choose where to travel within the country: around Athens, in mainland Greece or on the Greek islands. And here again, you’re spoilt for choice!

To help you, we’ve put together a summary of our blog articles and a series of travel guides for young and old. All you have to do is plan the perfect holiday in Greece for your family!

What to do in Athens with children

Vibrant, creative, chaotic and endearing, Athens is a city in perpetual turmoil! To make the most of its incomparable cultural wealth with your children, here are a few must-do activities for the whole family!

1. Visit the Acropolis and its famous Parthenon, of course! Play in family with this scavenger hunt and tour around the ancient sites of Athens! Don’t miss the Acropolis Museum, with its many models and its Lego reproduction of the Acropolis, which will delight the whole family.
2. Visit the museums of Athens. They are often perfectly suited to children. We particularly recommend the Kotsana Museum (discover the high-tech inventions of the ancient Greeks), the Athens Archaeological Museum and the fantastic Museum of Illusions!
3. Enjoy the green spaces and nature of Athens. If you love outdoor activities, the Greek capital has a number of verdant settings for you and your family to discover. We particularly recommend the National Garden, the Attica Zoological Park and the splendid Stavros Niarchos Park. Take a stroll through the different districts of Athens and, why not, treat yourself to a guided family tour!

What tour can you do in mainland Greece with children?

To visit mainland Greece is to travel to the land of the mythological gods and to step back in time. From north to south, spectacular landscapes alternate between sea, mountains, gorges and forests. The cradle of ancient Greece and the scene of bloody conflicts, they are home to some of the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites!

The best way to discover mainland Greece with your family is to rent a car and take one of our favorite itineraries:

• Follow our one-week tour of the Peloponnese. The route takes in Epidaurus, Mycenae, Mystras, Monemvasia and Olympia. You’ll discover the splendid Mani peninsula, the unspoilt nature of Messinia and the mountain ranges of the central Peloponnese.
• Beam around the mythical sites of Delphi and Meteora for a plunge into the history and breathtaking landscapes of central Greece.
• Explore the Thessaloniki region and the unspoilt Pelion peninsula in Northern Greece.
• Get some height and fresh air! Take a family hike to Mount Olympus, Mount Parnassus or the Zagories.

Continental Greece offers a wide variety of landscapes and activities. Don’t hesitate to read our many articles on this beautiful region to make your choice!

Which Greek island to choose for a family vacation?

Would you like to take your family to a remote paradise in Greece? It’s a great idea! Between the pleasures of the beach, water sports, nature hikes and seaside terraces, the Greek islands offer pleasures for all ages!

But how do you choose between the Cyclades, the Sporades, the Dodecanese and the Ionian islands? Here are our favourite destinations for family vacations in island Greece!

• Looking for white and blue villages, superb beaches and coastal walks? Which Greek island to choose for your vacation?
• Are you looking for an island steeped in history where you can enjoy lush natural surroundings? Choose an Ionian island like Corfu, Kefalonia or Kythera!
• Do you needa quiet beach away from the tourists? Here are 18 non-touristy Greek islands where you and your children can enjoy a quiet vacation!
• Would you like to spend 10 or 15 days visiting a Greek island with your family ? Discover Crete and search for the Minotaur’s labyrinth!

And if you’re looking for that rare gem, check out our top tips on Greek islands off the beaten track:

• Our top lesser-known Greek islands to visit in 2024
• 7 little-known Greek islands a must-see
• 18 authentic and little-known Greek islands
• Find an island just 2 hours from Athens

When is the best time to take a family vacation in Greece?

If you’re planning a family trip to the Peloponnese or Cyclades, spring and autumn are by far the best seasons. Tourists are fewer, prices are lower, and above all, it’s cooler! Central Peloponnese and Northern Greece are more mountainous, so the climate is a little milder.

The most festive period in Greece is Orthodox Easter : the perfect time to introduce your children to Greek traditions.

And don’t forget: Greece is also a wonderful winter travel destination!

What precautions should you take when travelling to Greece with children?

Greece is a very touristy country, and infrastructure is generally good. That said, depending on the destination, nature can be very wild and facilities quite rudimentary.

A few precautions are therefore useful:

• Outside tourist resorts, restaurants do not generally offer children’s menus. But don’t worry! Greek cuisine is incredibly varied and tasty, so you’ll always find something to delight your children in Greece!
• Tap water is not drinkable everywhere, especially on the islands. Ask for information when you arrive, and always carry bottles of mineral water.
• If you go on vacation to Greece with your family in summer, it can get really hot! Don’t go out in the middle of a heatwave with young children, and always bring hats. Give priority to early-morning outings, then adopt the Greek rhythm and go home for a nap at the hottest times of the day.
• Take along a first-aid kit with disinfectant, bandages, mosquito repellent and basic medicines. Prevention is better than cure!
• And we can’t stress this enough: don’t skimp on maximum sun protection for the whole family!

If your children are still too young to walk for long, consider using a baby carrier. In many Greek villages, the stairs and cobbled streets make using a baby carriage, shall we say… rather tedious!

How do you prepare your children for a trip to Greece?

To make your family vacation in Greece a real adventure, stimulate your children’s curiosity before you leave! The best way to prepare them is to familiarize them with the country’s history and culture.

In our experience, we have some solutions for families who want to visit the Acropolis in a fun way with children:

• a family mythology tour with Alternative Athens. Come chase Gods and heroes!
• Private Acropolis Tour for families, a 2-hour guided tour with a family-friendly licensed guide
• Play in family with this scavenger hunt and tour around the ancient sites of Athens
• an electric bike tour for a mix of modern and ancient sights of Athens (children over 1m40 could ride their own e-bike. Otherwise, they will be on back seat or copilot.
• a segway tour through ancient Athens, Agora and Keramikos. Your teenager will love it! From 10 years old and 45kg.
• a Athens Highlights tour by Electric Trikke Bike to see the must-see sites of Athens. Children from 7-12 years ride with the tour guide.
• or this private sightseeing tour by electrik Tuk Tuk

Fortunately, Greek mythology fascinates children and teenagers alike.

We wish you and your family a wonderful vacation in Greece!

Sandra B.