Epic Things to Do in Greece With Kids

From fantastic weather and endless outdoor activities to mythological ruins and delicious cuisine, a trip to Greece with kids is epic. Few nations prove more family-friendly. Not only will you and your kids fall in love with Greece, but you’ll enjoy a warm and vibrant culture that celebrates children.

Of course, some parts of the country are more suitable for families, featuring a wealth of activities that’ll captivate your children’s imaginations. After all, Greece is the land of fabulous tales and legends that have been retold and celebrated for millennia. Some of these stories may sound familiar because of widely popular works like Rick Riordan’s fantastic Percy Jackson series.

But that’s just the beginning when it comes to things to do in Greece with kids. Keep reading to learn more about what to do on a Greek family vacation.

Steep Yourself in Legendary History and Greek Culture in Athens

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There’s no better place to launch a family vacation than Athens, home to some of Greece’s most iconic landmarks. At the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, head back 2,000 years to the height of Classical Hellenic Civilization. Explore the Ancient Agora and gain greater knowledge of the world’s first democracy, the city-state of Athens, where historical figures once roamed the marketplace, from the philosopher Socrates to the playwright Sophocles.

Don’t forget a visit to Syntagma Square below the Hellenic Parliament to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every Sunday at 11 am, the Evzone, an elite light infantry unit that acts as a presidential guard, march from their barracks to the Parliament Building along Vasilissis Sofia Avenue in traditional ceremonial garb. Here’s what it takes to become an Evzone and why they wear such distinctive costumes.

Besides visiting the Acropolis and scoping out the Changing of the Guard, your family will enjoy a wide range of potential activities in Athens. They include sailing tours, cycling, and visits to local farms. Other sights worth seeing in Athens include the Tower of the Winds, located in the Roman Agora.

This Pentelic marble clocktower functioned as an ancient timepiece and is also considered the first meteorological station in the world. Another intriguing spot is the Kerameikos, the site of the city’s ancient cemetery. In use through the 9th century B.C., this marks the final resting place of many ancient Athenians, distinguished by elaborately carved stele. Keep your eyes open for large, adorable tortoises lazily wandering the grounds.

There’s no better way to commemorate your exploration of Athens than by booking a fun family photoshoot with a professional through flytographer. Here’s everything you need to know about hiring a flytographer for your Greece family vacation.

Discover Ancient Delphi

Located on the steep slopes of Mount Parnassus towering above the Gulf of Corinth, you’ll find one of the most renowned sites in ancient Greece, the townsite of Delphi. In ancient times people traveled from all over the Greek world to the sanctuary of Apollo above the city for a message from the Oracle at Delphi. The site is breathtaking and well worth a visit.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delphi is on a par with the Acropolis and ranks as one of the top tourist attractions in the nation. Dating to the Classical period, the site has yielded a treasure trove of artifacts demonstrating the wealth and sophistication of the area millennia ago. The site sees regular bus service and sits 112 miles northwest of Athens, making it long, but possible, day trip. That said, true history buffs may wish to spend a night in the region as there are enough attractions in Delphi to warrant a longer look.

A visit to Delphi starts with a walk up The Sacred Way, the main route through the Sanctuary of Apollo. This elegantly columned walkway leads to the Temple of Apollo and was lined with treasuries and votives in ancient times. Each of these displays reflected the great diversity of the Greek city-states. Although the treasuries and votives have long since disappeared, the bases survive, equidistant pillars against a rugged mountainous backdrop.

The Temple of Apollo was the most important building at Delphi, and it’s where a woman famously sat, obediently speaking the words of the Oracle. These words were believed to be direct transmissions from Apollo and required the interpretation of priests because of their riddle-like nature. Behind the temple, you’ll find a 6th-century-B.C. Polygonal Wall, which acts as a containment wall for the platform holding the Temple of Apollo. In the strange polygonal-shaped stones, you and your kids will have fun checking out ancient inscriptions.

Hang Out in Kid-Friendly Greece’s Hydra

A visit to Greece can leave you strapped for time. After all, there are so many sites to see on the mainland, Peloponnese, and isles, that it’s hard to know where to start. If you want to visit an island without devoting too much of your trip to water travel, consider a zippy water taxi across the Saronic Gulf to the car-free island of Hydra.

Although the island lacks the sandy beaches other islands are known for, it’s an easy spot to reach. And the automobile-less nature of the island lets you and your kids enjoy things at a more leisurely pace. You’ll enjoy touring the quaint waterfront, and your kids will get a fun kick out of watching donkeys wander by carrying their loads. A picturesque island, you’ll find many snap-worthy family memories.

Experience Island Living

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A visit to the Mediterranean wouldn’t be complete without experiencing Greek isle living firsthand. A few of our favorites?

Crete

You’ll find everything that makes a Greek family vacation so special during a trip to Crete, from spectacular beaches to rustic landscapes and historical sites steeped in Greek mythology. The most popular cities on the island include Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, and Lasithi. While they all have their unique charms, Heraklion is an ideal spot for families to make the most of their time.

In Heraklion, visit the Palace of Knossos for a deep dive into the ancient Greek past. Learn about the Minotaur and King Minos along the way. You’ll also enjoy a trip to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion boasting countless artifacts from ancient Crete, including jewelry, weapons, and pottery. Heraklion is also known for many incredible fortresses, and the Morosini Fountain in Lion Square, which is breathtaking in the evening.

Other places worth visiting in Heraklion include the Palace of Phaistos built by the Minoans in 2000 B.C. And the Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is an impressive aquarium that houses more then 2,500 fish and other marine animals. The Natural History Museum of Crete is located on the coast and contains many fun and interactive exhibits, including earthquake and tsunami simulators.

Naxos

Naxos is one of the largest Greek islands and provides incredible opportunities to relax on the beach, wander through quaint villages, and explore ancient ruins. When it comes to picking the best beach to visit in Naxos, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one choice.

For example, Agios Prokopios boasts clear, shallow waters and invites families to relax. The golden sands of Agia Anna attract large crowds, but the well-organized sun umbrellas and beach chairs prevent overcrowding. One of the most visited beaches in Naxos is Palak, where parents can reserve beach chairs and enjoy full service from local snack bars and restaurants.

Besides beaches, Naxos has many other incredible attractions your family will enjoy. These include the Temple of Apollo, a 15-minute hike from Naxos Town. Visiting the site affords incredible views, especially of the iconic Portara (great door) one of the last standing remainders of the ancient building. Seeing it at sunset is especially breathtaking.

In Eggares, explore the Olive Museum, where you’ll check out one of the oldest remaining olive mills on the island. Or give a marble sculpting workshop a try. Near Apeiranthos, explore the island’s marble quarries and learn how this material is mined and processed. Once your family has gained an appreciation for this art, explore how the village has incorporated the material into its marble-paved alleys and stone-hewn houses. Last but not least, don’t miss out on a trip to the ruins of the Temple of Demeter. dating to the 6th century B.C.

Santorini

Another of our favorite places to do this? The iconic island of Santorini with its crystal-clear water, gorgeous beaches, whitewashed houses, and blue-domed churches. Family-friendly activities prove plentiful, and they include beach days savoring the sun, sand, and surf. But the fun doesn’t stop with sandcastles.

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the island while learning about the super volcano that many researchers believe inspired the myth of Atlantis. Check out the archaeological sites of Akrotiri located in the southwestern part of Thira, the capital of Santorini. One of the most important ancient sites in the Cyclades islands, your family will marvel at ruins dating back 4000 BC to the mythic Minoan Civilization.

Digs at Akrotiri have revealed a culturally vibrant and affluent city, which reached its height between 1550 and 1500 BC. Artifacts from diverse civilizations also attest to Akrotiri’s role as a trade center. A volcanic explosion both destroyed and preserved the city beneath a thick layer of ash in 1627 BC. Did the demise of Akrotiri inspire Plato’s tale of the lost city of Atlantis? You and your kids can solve this mystery while exploring what remains of the dwellings, walls, paved streets, and sophisticated artifacts left behind.

Explore the Peloponnese

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A trip that encompasses Greece’s Peloponnese offers countless activities and attractions for the entire family. At the ancient theater of Epidaurus, learn about Greek drama and the incredible engineering skills of Greek theater builders. The acoustics at the site take advantage of the area’s natural amphitheater. This means you can drop a pin at center stage and hear it in the uppermost seats of the theater. All told, this marvel was capable of accommodating 40,000 spectators (via the Library of Congress)!

If you’re after ancient ruins, nothing beats Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to one of the world’s most fascinating pre-Classical Greek civilizations. When Heinrich Schliemann, the famed 19th-century archaeologist, discovered the city, he declared it the home of King Agamemnon, the legendary figure from Homer’s epic, The Iliad. It was Agamemnon’s sister-in-law, Helen of Troy, whose face “launched a thousand ships” leading to the Trojan War. Among the most impressive sites at Mycenae are the iconic lion gates, incredible stonework walls built from veritable megaliths, and shaft tombs.

In the Venetian city of Napflio, fall in loves with quaint pedestrian streets overgrown with stunning fuchsia flowers. Napflio’s strategic location meant it required the protection of several castles and fortresses. Visitors still climb the 999 steps to the Palamidi Fortress overlooking the city since 1714.

There are countless small villages crisscrossing the Peloponnese where you can experience Greek daily life firsthand without the feel of a tourist trap. And no trip to the region would be complete without checking out Olympia, the site of the first Olympics. Visit the site where ancient chariots raced at a breakneck pace and tour ancient houses, temples, vineyards, and more. The museum at Olympia ties what you’ll see together with fascinating exhibits.

Greece With Kids

Greece is a Mediterranean paradise your family will love. Whether you’re after an ancient history adventure in Delphi, exploring the castles and fortresses of sunny Nafplio, interactions with warm and hospitable locals, or learning about the rich Hellenic culture, Greece has you covered.

Are you ready to start crafting your family-friendly vacation itinerary to Greece with kids? We can help. We’ve got the travel expertise, local connections, and inside knowledge to weave the best family experiences at the sights above and beyond.

Let’s chat!