Are you wondering if your Greece family vacation will be a blast for your kids? Look no further! Here’s your comprehensive family travel guide to an unforgettable adventure in Greece with kids. Written by a local mom who calls the Aegean Sea home, who will prove yes, the whole family will love Greece—even the older children.
This guide explores the wonders of this enchanting country with a focus on family-friendly experiences. Choose from the Aegean or Ionian Sea for beautiful beaches that have shallow water and watersports that dot the coastline. We’ll dive into the world of water parks and activities for younger children and teens and discover the best family-friendly beaches.
When moms start doing research when it’s time to plan the next family holiday and come across titles like ours, the first thing they may be wondering is why they should take their children to Greece.
Well, as an attempt to give you an answer, it’s only fair that the first thing you should know is that Greece is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world. Really! It is! As a matter of fact, there are few countries as perfect for a family holiday than Greece. Other favorites of ours are Croatia and Slovenia)
Visit The Acropolis In Athens
Is there anything more awe-inspiring than visiting the Acropolis in Athens? There is oh so much to see and do in the city, but without a doubt, the Acropolis is the premier activity. It’s definitely family-friendly, and kids will be transported back in time to around the 5th century BC. If you’re traveling with kids to the Acropolis, get there as early as possible to beat the heat and the crowds.
Enjoy The Thrill Of Sea Kayaking
A very popular thing to do in Greece, no matter which coastal location you’re in, is sea kayaking. This is very family-friendly, and you’ll find lots of companies that offer these types of tours. It’s a great way to explore the area, and you can use a double kayak if you have small children.
Head up Mount Zas
Mount Zas is said to be the birthplace of the legendary Zeus, and you can hike up the mountain pretty easily. This is totally doable with kids, and it takes around two hours. There is amazing scenery along the way, and kids will love the views from the top. It’s a real adventure you can take as a family.
Greek Island Hopping
You’ll find countless boat trips that hop around the different island groups, and failing that, there are scheduled ferries. Kids will love being able to tell the differences between other islands and, of course, the beaches.
Eat Your Way Around Greece
No matter where you are in Greece, you’ll find food tours, and walking ones are a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. You’ll all be able to try different types of street food and lots of sweet treats along the way.
You could even take a cookery tour, and kids will love learning how to make different Greek dishes!
The country combines many key features that attract families from all over the world year after year, coming to Greece to enjoy a relaxing and pleasant family vacation in Greece that’s also fun and entertaining for every family member—a trip where both kids and parents can enjoy something, especially for each of them.
Greece features excellent weather conditions, mild temperatures, and sunny days for a very long period during the year. The holiday season in some of the Greek Islands can last five months, from May until October.
Add to that the unique beaches of the country. Stunning shores with clean and crystal clear waters are suitable for any taste since they can be sandy beaches or beaches with small pebbles and unique submarine landscapes that small snorkelers love to explore.
Moreover, and for mom’s joy, kids will be able to indulge in one of the world’s healthiest diets, the Mediterranean diet. Loads of fresh fruit, seasonal vegetables, fish, meat, delicious cheeses, plenty of cereals, and super-healthy extra virgin olive oil. Don’t forget to add these popular Greek dishes to your family’s must-try list!
But that’s not everything! Greece has an incredible history and culture, too. There are museums, interactive experiences, and archaeological sites on every step you take. Some of these spots have special activities for kids to learn and have a good time. Proving that history doesn’t have to be boring at all!
When it comes to outdoor activities, it’s not only just about going to the beach. The country features a huge mountainous landscape, perfect for outdoor excursions, hiking, trekking, and more. Horseback riding, canoeing, and kayaking are just some things you can experience on family holidays to Greece.
As well as other sports and open-air activities. Being in close contact with nature can be something kids will enjoy and treasure as an after-holiday memory for a very long time.
There you go; these are some of the most surprising reasons why Greece is a perfect holiday destination for families. Now, let’s dive into some of Greece’s best things for families with small and not-so-small children. We’ll talk about everything, from the best places to visit in Greece with kids to fun activities for families.
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Family Trip To Greece With Kids Guide
Several regions in Greece are nothing but the ideal destination for a superb family holiday. Places that offer activities specifically for children. Here, you will find some of the top family destinations in Greece. Feel free to leave your comment below if there’s something we’re missing!
The Capital, Athens
Athens is one of those capitals that families love. Kids are enthusiastic about getting to know the places where the Greek Gods of their favorite myths dwelled and lived the most unique adventures.
Kids in Greece will love climbing the rock of the Acropolis to pay a look at the Parthenon and so many other temples. If you manage to book a tour, especially for children, which also tells them the history of Greece through legend and mythology, children will undoubtedly have the time of their lives.
One more thing you could do to make your holiday perfect in the capital is to book a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum. They not only propose dedicated activities for kids but also host a fantastic Lego reproduction of the Acropolis that children adore exploring.
Not enough? Take a short walk with your kids to Syntagma Square. Here, kids can enjoy the solemn moment of the guards’ change in the Greek parliament and discover the fantastic uniforms of the evzones (the presidential guard soldiers) and their remarkable skills marching with weighty shoes! Kids love to wait in line for their turn to take a picture next to the soldiers; don’t miss it!
Finally, one fantastic place for families to visit is hidden in the capital’s center; among the forgotten alleys of the quarter of Psirri lies one of the most incredible tea houses ever, The Little Kook.
The Little Kook is a fantastic place where fantasy is keen—decorated like a pretty fairy tale in the middle of town, where Alice in Wonderland can even be at the door to welcome you. Inside this small café, kids can taste the most delicious cakes, pastries, and crepes, surrounded by a unique wonderland atmosphere hard to find anywhere else.
All of this makes Athens one of the best places to visit in Greece with family.
Cyclades Islands – Spectacular Views
Who said that the whitewashed landscape of Mykonos and Santorini was only for those on a romantic holiday or honeymoon? That’s not true at all!
The Cycladic Islands are arguably the best place to go in Greece with kids. Some of them have amazing beaches; others have unique landscapes; others have idyllic views that kids can enjoy and explore.
If you’re looking for great beaches and beautiful sights, Mykonos can be a fantastic place for kids. The island has gorgeous shores for children, some safe and quiet. In Mykonos, kids can also explore the windmills or visit the museums of the Chora, the old town.
From Mykonos, families can take a day trip to the archaeological site of Delos. No kid overlooks that they are visiting an archaeological site the size of an island!
Kids interested in volcanoes will find their piece of cake in Santorini. Home to some spectacular volcanic beaches, with black sand or red sand, kids in Santorini love to explore the archaeological site of Akrotiri, where they can observe how the ancient civilization that lived and prospered in the Aegean would live thousands of years ago.
Naxos and Paros are two magnificent islands to visit, definitely among the best Greek islands for families. They boast immaculate and safe beaches, where it’s also possible to play different water sports.
There are mountain villages to explore with kids, and delicious Greek dishes kids will love. Moreover, Paros is home to a unique butterfly park where kids can enjoy a day in the open, surrounded by spectacular nature and thousands of individual, colorful butterflies.
Crete – Largest Island In Greece
The island of Crete is one of the perfect destinations for family holidays; it’s so big that it has it all for kids to enjoy! On Crete, kids can explore fantastic historical sites, such as the Minoan Palace of Knossos, where the legend tells us that the mythical Minotaur lived inside a Labyrinth. You can visit the place alone or discover one of the many tours geared primarily toward children.
Click here to get the family Knossos Palace tour & Minoan cooking class!
Kids can also enjoy other archaeological sites, such as Faistos or Zakros, but also more modern historic buildings, such as the different Venetian fortresses scattered along the island’s main cities.
On Crete, kids can also enjoy unique museums, theme parks, aqua parks, a unique aquarium, and endless outdoor activities, including hiking gorges, climbing mountains, and kayaking in stunning streams. Besides, some of Greece’s most fantastic beaches can be found on this paradisiac island… which also serves remarkable tasty food. So, if you’re looking for the best beach in Greece for family holidays, chances are you’ll find your perfect sandy hangout in Crete!
Mainland Greece: The North
There are great places for a family holiday in mainland Greece. For instance, if you head north, all the family will be able to discover the impressive and essential centers where the ancient Greek civilization flourished hundreds of years ago.
Book a tour to discover the Sanctuary of Delphi, or even a train ride and visit the unique monasteries of Meteora, which seem to be standing in the central air on top of unique rock formations.
The Castles Of The Peloponnese
The region of the Peloponnese has loads of interesting sights for everyone in the family. It was the most important center of the Mycenaean civilization, but there are also unique Byzantine and Venetian castles and walled cities. They are all in unusual locations, some with spectacular sea views.
Besides, the Peloponnese beaches are pristine and beautiful, ideal for small kids and their families.
The area offers hikes, bike tours, and exploration excursions for children longing for close contact with nature. Besides, the Peloponnese also excels with its agrotourism offer, so why not book a stay on a farm to learn more about the local traditions?
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Activities For Kids In Greece
Outdoor Sports And Activities
Kids can enjoy a fantastic time on the beaches of Greece. There are special activities for kids to practice water sports on many of them. These include immersions, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and boat trips. But the list goes on! You can partake in fun water sports like water skiing, surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing on the best family Greek islands we mentioned above.
But, as we mentioned before, not everything is going to the beach. Those who love mountain landscapes will find their piece of cake in the mountains of Greece. But also, the valleys offer unique hiking experiences and bike rides.
Food And Crafts
There are several family activities that don’t have to be related to history or sports. In Greece, kids can also participate in cooking lessons, pottery classes, and different workshops.
Archaeological Sites And Museums
When a visit to these sites is done the right way, not only kids enjoy it, but all the family as well. Special tours and activities are thought to provide engaging experiences that allow kids to learn and have fun.
Wrap Up On Taking Kids To Greece
Greece is a perfect destination for families, offering so much variety of things to do and see. Explore ancient ruins steeped in Greek mythology and visit the top attractions like the Temple of Athena Nike and the New Acropolis Museum in Athens. Enjoy fun things for all ages, from play areas to amusement parks.
Discover the best beaches, olive groves, and hot springs. With easy access through Athens Airport and the myriad of ferry ports, you can explore larger islands like the Dodecanese and Ionian Islands—book family hotel rooms to have lots of space and make unforgettable memories in Greece.
Thank you for the info on Greece! One comment: please could you be more gender neutral. It is not only mom’s but also dad’s who plan family vacations and who think healthy food is important :) Thanks!
If that is your only complaint in life, you are winning. Move on.
Hi there, thanks for the great post! we are traveling with kids, hopefully in June. If we only had 7-10 days, would you say flying into Athens and staying for 4-5 days and then booking another stay in Santorini for 3-4 days within that 7-10 day itinerary be ok then return to Athens for 1 night before we fly back? What’s the distance between Mykonos and Santorini? Can we do a
Day trip to mykonos from santorini? Thanks!!!
Sounds great, you can do a (long) day trip between the two islands, we have all of the information here https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/how-to-get-from-mykonos-to-santorini-to-mykonos/. You prob would also enjoy this post about what to see and do in Santorini with kids https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/things-to-do-in-santorini-with-kids-and-families/ Have a great vacation.
Do you have suggestions for Corfu? Our granddaughter is 11.
Yes, sure, we have this whole post – https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/accommodation-corfu-with-kids-families-guide/
Hi there. Thanks for the information! We will be visiting Athens, the Pelopponese and Naxos with kids aged 13 and 11. I am wondering if we should squeeze in Delphi or if it will just be too much history and ruins for the kids. Are the historical sites of Athens and the Pelopponese enough? You advice would be much appreciated!