Athens is one of the best European cities for family vacations with kids. The fascinating history, dramatic stories, and interesting mythology of the Greeks are sure to excite the kids and get them hooked to learn more. As they walk through the ancient Greek monuments, they will be able to see the tales and mythology come to life. It will be a truly enriching family trip for the little ones.
What’s more? There are plenty of things to do in Athens with kids, so you’ll always have something to look forward to. This makes it perfect for long family vacations, especially for families who love the outdoors. Here are the top five kid-friendly activities in Athens to help you plan your upcoming trip:
Visiting the Acropolis with Kids
The Acropolis is one of the most famous ancient sites in the city and makes the perfect first stop on your family vacation to Athens. It is a massive ancient fortress that sits right above the city of Athens, along with various important historical and architectural ruins. The Acropolis is like a living history class, and a trip to Athens is incomplete without a visit here. This iconic monuments is surely one of the most memorable buildings – but you’ll want to make sure your little ones appreciate it just as much as you do!
Here you will find various iconic Greek monuments, including the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Theater of Dionysus. We highly recommend joining a family-friendly tour of this historic monument to learn all about the history and mythology dating back to the ancient Greeks. This way, you also don’t need to worry about buying the right ticket.
If you decide to visit the monument by yourself, make sure to book your tickets well in advance, so you don’t waste time standing in lines to purchase your tickets. Check the official website for updated timings and ticket prices.
Keep in mind that if you’re visiting during the warmer months of the year, you should aim to start early to avoid the midday heat since these sites are outdoors. Also, remember that this archeological site is on a hill; we also recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying plenty of water and snacks while exploring the area.
While traveling with little ones, make sure to plan some breaks to avoid temper tantrums.
Get inspired at the Ancient Agora
The Ancient Agora is located by the Acropolis and was one of the most renowned trade centers of the ancient world. This monument is said to be as old as the city of Athens itself. Here you can explore The Temple of Hephaestus, Plato’s Academy & Aristotle’s Lyceum. If your kids are into philosophy, you absolutely should sign up for a tour so their little minds can soak it all in as they walk in the footsteps of Socrates (quite literally.) For all you know, this visit to Athens is all they need to spark their interest in philosophy.
We recommend setting aside at least two to three hours to explore the Agora museum and the area around it.
Stop by the Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium is a horseshoe-shaped stadium that was built on the site of an ancient race course. The Modern Olympics were revived here back in 1896. It is the only stadium in the entire world that is made solely of marble.
When traveling with kids, the Panathenaic Stadium is an absolute must! There are plenty of family-friendly tours that tell you all about the history and the Olympic flame, and the ceremonies. What’s more? Your little ones can also pretend to be Olympic athletes for the day and race with each other in the stadium! It will surely be an exciting and entertaining experience for the kids.
Plan a day at the museums.
There are plenty of family-friendly museums in the city of Athens for the kids to explore and learn. A day at the museums could literally be where their love for history and mythology is cultivated!
To learn all about Greek history and mythology, make sure to visit the National Archaeological Museum. Additionally, you could also consider visiting the Natural History Museum or some of the smaller museums in the city. Whatever you decide to do, make sure to book your tickets online, so you skip the lines at the ticket offices.
A fun day at the museums may just be the perfect way to escape the summer heat or stay sheltered on a rainy day!
Go stargazing at the Planetarium.
Another activity that will surely become your child’s favorite is a trip to Athen’s digital Planetarium. This Planetarium has a large dome screen and state-of-the-art 3D animation graphics that will engage their senses. Here they can learn all about the constellations, planets, and secrets of the night sky! This experience will surely be one for the books!
Sign up for the great Athens treasure hunt.
If your kids love escape rooms, they are bound to love this experience in Athens! It is a fun way to explore and learn all about the city and the ancient Greeks. This experience takes three hours, and you and your kids get to work together as a team to solve puzzles and win a prize! The treasure hunt takes you through Syntagma, Plaka, Mitropoli Church area, Roman Agora – Areopagus hill, Apostolou Pavlou street, and Thisio area.
Other unique experiences in Athens for kids
- Athens food and culture walk
- Pottery and ceramics experience
- Create your myth, comic class
- Athens cooking masterclass