Key Takeaways
- Exploring sites such as the Acropolis in Athens, the Palace of Knossos in Crete, or the ancient theater of Epidaurus can introduce children to fascinating stories and legends from Greek history and mythology.
- Kids can experience hiking trails, visit picturesque islands, enjoy beach time, and explore natural wonders like the Meteora rock formations or the Samaria Gorge.
- Greece offers many family-friendly luxury beach resorts and islands where children can play, and parents can relax.
- Introduce your children to traditional Greek dishes like souvlaki, moussaka, or Greek salad to broaden their culinary horizons.
- The weather in Greece in July and the rest of the summer months is very hot, so you might want to consider the shoulder season for visiting Greece with kids.
Does traveling with kids sound more like a challenge than a Greece family vacation? Are you worried about keeping the young ones entertained so that you can enjoy your hard-earned break? This Greece family vacation guide to Greece is for you!
Here, we will give you tips on where to go and how you and your family can have a wonderful time doing activities that all members love that will result in the happiest of memories.
No matter if you choose the mainland or the Greek islands, you will experience a once-in-a-lifetime Greece family vacation you'll be thinking about for the rest of your lives!
Where to go
To the mainland
Athens
Athens, the Greek capital, is an excellent destination for traveling with kids, as it combines acquaintance with the historicity of the city and getaways to the islands from the port of Piraeus.
It is a safe place with excellent facilities, specialized services, and rich culture that guarantees the most exciting vacation for the whole family.
The city’s accessibility, the wonderful weather throughout the year, and the excellent public transport network make Athens the ultimate paradise for families!
Moreover, Athens offers plenty of options for family-friendly accommodation, unique archeological monuments, wonderful organized beaches, special culture and traditions, as well as special, hospitable people.
The rich mythology of this place will drive children crazy, and the multitude of recreational, educational, and experiential activities on offer will be unforgettable for young travelers.
From the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Benaki Museum of Toys, and the Museum of Greek Children's Art to the Cultural Center Stavros Niarchos Foundation, with its beautiful, hospitable spaces and special events for children, Athens will not let you down!
Nafplio
Nafplio, arguably one of the most romantic cities in Greece, is also an excellent destination for a Greece family vacation!
Wonderful cobbled streets, tourist attractions, such as Akronafplia, Bourtzi, and picturesque cafes will enchant both the parents and the children with their undeniable allure. Everything a family asks for can be found in this city!
Please note that Nafplio is at its best during spring, with the numerous bougainvillea plants making the landscape nothing short of magical!
Halkidiki
Halkidiki is famous among the local Greeks for being a destination of incomparable beauty, and we cannot help but agree. Its fame is so great that the phrase ‘There is nowhere like Halkidi’ has become a catchphrase the Greeks say so often that it has become an internal joke.
There is no denying that Halkinidi provides the opportunity for amazing holidays of any age and every phase of life.
You can also reach it by road, and you can spend time on excursions in the surrounding area or be isolated with the family on a beach on a "foot."
Its most significant family-friendly elements are the shallow seas on the family beaches and the many all-inclusive luxury family hotels the area offers. Halkidiki may not look out to the Aegean sea, but it will be engraved in your hearts.
Euboea
Euboea might be less known than most Greeks destinations, it is, however, just as gorgeous, if not more, than most tourist-beloved Greek spots.
Easy access, unique beaches, rich accommodation options, and scenic streets for cycling make for a kid-friendly destination everyone must experience at least once with their families.
From the several places you can visit on Euboea, our top selections would be Kymi and Kalamos, located in Central Evia, for endless games on the beach and delicious family taverns that will accommodate even the pickiest eaters!
To the Greek islands
Aegina
You cannot travel to Greece and neglect the Greek islands! Due to its proximity to Athens, with the quick ferry (called a ‘flying dolphin’) taking a mere 40 minutes, the Greek island of Aegina is an excellent Greek island for a family vacation.
Especially for families who don’t have many days to spend in Greece but still want to experience the island life.
It is also great for families who want to be close to the security of a capital city and its medical infrastructure without missing out on the famous Greek islands.
Despite its small size, the island of Aegina is rich in history and culture, with the ancient Temple of Afaia and the Church of Agios Nektarios being two of its most significant sights. Once you visit the island, don’t forget to taste the local pistachio, and take as many bags with you as you can back home.
Although pretty much every island on the Saronic Gulf is an excellent family vacation destination, Aegina is our absolute favorite, and a visit to the island will let you know why.
Crete
No family vacation guide in the Greek islands would be complete without the mention of Crete, the beloved Greek island famous for its traditions, culture, and strong local character. It is the best Greek island for history buffs and lovers of nature, and no one can say otherwise!
Crete is a place made for a family holiday, with Greek history playing a leading role, and with ideal places, such as the Palace of Knossos, with easy access for children, and the Cave of Dikteo Cave in Lassithi, the place where Zeus was born and will surely impress them our little friends!
Moreover, Falassarna beach is nothing but dreamy! Crystal clear waters, and sandy beach, ensure countless hours of fun. That is, unless the wind blows and the beach becomes dangerous for small children.
On this huge striking beach, there are no hotels or apartments. However, you can find some a little higher up the hill.
As a rule, excursions in Crete are tricky and long because there are high mountains and ravines.
That being said, a swim trip to Elafonisi with children is worth the effort! If you decide to visit this marvelous beach, however, don’t forget to bring with you everything you and your kids may need, as there is no beach bar in sight.
Naxos
Naxos is located in the heart of the Cyclades and is the largest island in the Aegean sea, while it is in itself a multitude of choices of activities and pleasures for the whole family.
The all-white town of Naxos welcomes the thousands of travelers who arrive on the island. Either for their family holiday or as a stop during their island-hopping adventure.
At the entrance of the port, one can find the islet of the Palaces and the most famous attraction of the island, Portara, the marble gate of an unfinished temple dedicated to Apollo. On this island, the legend says that Theseus abandoned Ariadne.
Chora, the capital of the island, has all the characteristic Cycladic elements. The heart of the city beats in the Old Town, the castle town with the cobbled streets and the houses with Venetian coats of arms and the Venetian castle.
Paros
The beautiful Cycladic island, white as well as its marble - voted for years now as the best Greek island by various international tourism organizations - retains its charm and popularity over time, as it seems to harmoniously combine natural beauty, authentic experiences, gastronomy, activities, archeological sites, even "mountain" villages.
It may be advertised as a 'party island', however, Paros is so much more. It is a perfect opportunity for family travel, and it is one of the best Greek islands for young children!
A typical example of Cycladic aesthetics, Paros welcomes many families every year, as it has some of the most ideal beaches for families with young children.
In Naoussa, visiting the Environmental and Cultural Park of Paros will excite you with the alternative activities it offers.
Other interesting suggestions for families are a bike ride in the alleys, a visit to the Park with the Butterflies, and a walk in the museums on the island. A Greek adventure is waiting for you!
Corfu
Corfu, the famous island of the Phaeacians, always remains a cult-classic destination for all families who want to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea.
Surely the whole family will enjoy their holidays by taking a dip in the great beaches of the island suitable for children, such as Marathias, Prasoudi, and Halikounas.
Vidos Island, an environmental oasis opposite the city, will simply leave you speechless, while another perfect idea for your family vacation would be to visit is the Aqualand Water Park.
Like a vast garden, verdant Corfu is full of olive groves, cypresses, macchia vegetation, impressive anemones and orchids, and an abundance of endemic plants.
Even the large sandy beaches provide a vivid picture of the marine flora: in summer, one observes the deep blue thistle, the sea lily, and the small bushes blooming in all their magnificence.
Be sure to visit the exemplary preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its Venetian, French, and British buildings and excellent examples of magnificent architecture.
The buildings that act as reference points of the old aristocracy are Mon Repo, Achillion, and Paleopolis, among others.
Zakynthos
When hearing the name ‘Zakynthos’, frantic parties and drunken tourists in the bustling Laganas in heart of the Ionian islands may come to mind.
However, Zakynthos, or Fiore of Levante, as the locals call it, which means ‘flower of the East,’ is also a family island with long, shallow sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters.
The island will excite the children with its excellent organization in terms of facilities and interesting inland walks in the afternoons.
In the must-do, note the water park, which will introduce the children to the world of the Caretta Caretta turtle through games and interactive exhibitions, and the Blue Caves, which you will reach by boat from the Scenario.
While apart from the famous Shipwreck Beach that you can access solely by boat, you can spend a fantastic time on the endless beach of Gerakas with the famous turtles, on the sandy beach of Alykes, which offers many opportunities for water sports, and on the emerald waters of Limniona, where the rocks are a magnet for children.
Holidays with children: What to look out for
- The accommodation you will stay in should be clean and comfortable.
- Prepare beforehand a mini pharmacy with all the basics. You can consult your family doctor or a pharmacist regarding what you should include.
- Choose a destination that will be close to a hospital in case of an emergency. ‘Better safe than sorry’ goes a long way during family vacations.
- Prefer non-touristy places and months, especially if you want to rest and not spend your days chasing behind the children.
- Ask around about the most comfortable beaches in the area you choose to visit. You should be looking for something without cliffs or inaccessible places to make the life of your family members easy!
- Do your research regarding the best eateries in the place you want to visit. That way, you will be sure that every preference and dietary restriction will be taken care of.
- In Greece, it is literally impossible to have a bad culinary experience even if you try; however, kids are pickier eaters and may hesitate to try the strong Greek flavors!
Greece family vacations guide tips
Tip 1: Choose Family-Friendly Tours
This is perhaps the golden rule when traveling and choosing tours on your vacation. Your average tour will dish out loads of information that may be interesting but will very often be hard for children to follow.
An hour in, you will likely begin to feel the children getting restless and distracted, which will make the remaining tour a struggle for all family members.
Not at all what you want after spending money and limited time in a city you are longing to explore!
Thus, it is crucial that you choose a tour that is specifically designed to be fascinating for both you as a parent and your children. Here at Greeking.me, the team has acknowledged the need for such tours and has created a number of activities and tours designed just for families.
The content of information on family-friendly tours is adjusted to ensure that it is suitable for all ages.
Furthermore, our tour guides are very experienced with working with children and families (another very important component for a successful tour!).
Our Acropolis for Families Tour is the perfect example of one of our highly entertaining (and best-selling) family Greece tours that you should not miss on your trip to our lovely country!
Tip 2: Choose Interactive Activities
Perhaps the most certain way to keep your kids entertained on any tour or activity is to ensure that it is interactive.
In practice, this means that your kids will have a hands-on experience that will not just fully captivate them at the moment but one that they will likely remember many years later.
We have developed an interactive activity that takes place right in the heart of the Greek capital. Your kids are going to fall in love with our Athens Highlights Evening Tour with Dinner, especially if they are little foodies in the making.
It is a lovely highlights tour, where you will learn about the basics of Greek culture, followed by a delicious dinner!
We also have fun cooking classes in Heraklion, Crete, Paros, Naxos, and Mykonos. These experiences are highly rated and have often been the highlight of many families’ trips when they visit Athens, specifically because the children find it great fun!
Tip 3: Think Outside of the Box for your family vacation
One important thing to keep in mind when planning a vacation for the fam is that children often expect an adventurous experience when they are told they are going on holiday.
Therefore, if their vacation consists of mundane tours and hours of walking around an unfamiliar city, they are likely to be disappointed as they expected something much more exciting.
That being said, we have come up with the perfect city adventure for families which will certainly live up to and exceed the children’s expectations: the Athens Family Treasure Hunt.
This is an enthralling way to learn about Athens and the city’s history while embarking on solving a series of challenges and riddles.
You will be accompanied by an extensively experienced, family-friendly guide who ensures that you learn loads but also have huge amounts of fun while doing so!
You can be certain that this is an experience your kids will not soon forget, and it is definitely a way to ensure that they remember all the history they will learn too.
Tip 4: Embrace Percy Jackson!
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson is a series of books (converted to movies) that have a base on the Greek gods and Greek mythology. If your kids happen to be fans of Percy Jackson, then be sure to take a look at our Percy Jackson Tours.
We have invented these tours specifically to captivate the fans while doing a whole lot of teaching at the same time!
We have one, three, five, and seven-day Percy Jackson-oriented tour options as well as an Acropolis & Acropolis Museum Tour Inspired by Percy Jackson.
Tip 5: Get Out of Athens for a Day (or Two), or go Island hopping
Perhaps one of the best ways to give your kids a sense of adventure on your vacation is to take a day trip out of Athens to one of the many amazing Greek ruins that are for sure on your bucket list.
Delphi, Ancient Corinth, Argolis, or Cape Sounio are all great options for excursions from Athens that can be done in one day, and we arrange for tour guides to be family-friendly and for the content to be child appropriate!
There are no doubt countless tours out there that will take you on the average tour of Athens. We, however, really focus on creating the perfect Athens tours for families.
Our goal is for children who experience our tours and activities to learn as much as possible in a way that will ensure they have loads of fun and retain all of the information as a result!
Final Thoughts
Where you go and what you'll do are considered details when traveling to Greece and marveling at the historical sites, the amazing beaches (maybe even a private beach in the middle of the Aegean Sea?), and the popular islands.
All you have to do to have the best family holiday is visit Greece!
Check out our Greece itineraries, get in touch with our travel specialists, and design the ideal family trip to Greece!
