Traveling to Athens with kids
So you have booked your family holiday in Greece. Nice one! Chances are you will start or end your trip in Athens. But what do you do in Athens with little kids?
Greece is a fascinating family holiday destination. There’s so much to see and do. The seaside, the delicious food, the quaint streets. What’s first on most people’s bucket list though? Exploring the ancient sites, obviously.
And you would, of course – I mean you’re in Greece. You can’t go back home without the obligatory Parthenon and Temple of Poseidon selfies. You know who doesn’t love the idea of staring at ruins in the heat though? Five year olds!
If you’re traveling with young kids, sight seeing might fail to be as captivating for 2 days in a row. Long waiting lines, crowds and prolonged sun exposure can be a challenge for anyone, let alone little kids prone to overstimulation and meltdowns. In order to keep the wee ones happy and entertained, mix things up a little.
Athens beyond the antiquities
If you’ re heading to Athens with kids and you need some ancient-free activity ideas, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I have put together the best family friendly activities and attractions in Athens, Greece. Enjoy your family holiday and keep your little ones entertained, steering clear of any ancient ruins.
(Save this post for when your littles are bored to death, are asking for your iPad to watch Bluey and you really need a break from sight-seeing.)
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you).
1. Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is a contemporary iconic landmark designed by the architectural firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop. The SNFCC is a donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation to the Greek State.
It houses the new National Library of Greece and the Greek National Opera. Naturally this makes it a place offering inspiring cultural experiences for young visitors – but it does so much more than that.
The SNFCC features an artificial canal and waterside bistro, gardens and play area, outdoor yoga space, picnic spots, cycle paths and a terrace and café with panoramic views of Athens.
A whole lot of family-friendly events, both regular and one-off take place at the SNFCC: outdoor festivals and movie screenings, theatre performances, interactive workshops, seasonal attractions and activities like kayaking and ice skating.
It is really a must for free outdoor family activities in Athens. So if you’re planning to be in Athens with kids, check their website and socials and see if you can catch something while there!
Best ways to get to the SNFCC:
Shuttle bus
Transportation by shuttle bus is available daily to visitors, free of charge. A minibus bearing the SNFCC logo departs from Syntagma, makes a stop at Syggrou – Fix Metro station and arrives at the south side of the SNFCC Canal (and vice versa).
Car
The SNFCC is a straight-forward 14 min car (or taxi) ride from the historical centre (Syntagma). Affordable 24/7 car park and EV charging station on site.
2. Attica Zoological Park
Located in the suburb of Spata, north-east of the capital, (not too far from the airport) Attica Park is a must-visit for animal lovers. AZP opened its doors in 2000, initially as a Bird Park, and as such it has the 3rd largest bird collection in the world, with over 300 species.
Today the park is home to over 2,000 animals from 290 different species. The zoo sections include the World of Reptiles, Marine Life, African Savannah, Arid Lands, Big Cats, Monkey Forest, Cheetah Land among others.
But never mind all that, because it also has farm animals! Yes you guys, this is what Sophia enjoyed more than the bears, more than the giraffes, more than the freaking elephants: the goats.
The zoo also offers interactive experiences such as feeding sessions and educational programs. The Zoo Cafe is overlooking the Savannah section and is the perfect pit stop for a family lunch.
Book your tickets online here.
Tips for visiting Attica Zoo
The best way to get there is by car, but be prepared: this is not a short trip from Athens city centre (despite their website claiming it only takes 35 minutes). Depending where you’re staying and the traffic on the day, traveling to the zoo can take up to 1 hour. The best way to get there is by car. If taking a taxi, don’t start all the way from the city centre – take the blue metro line instead and go east to Doukisis Plakentias station. It should only be a 10 minute ride from there.
As the commute there and back is quite long, it would be a good idea not to plan anything else on that day. If you’re travelling with toddlers, take your time and let them doze off in their pushchair.
You can pair your trip to the zoo with a visit to Designer Athens Outlet, a neighbouring retail park full of discounted designer brands (with restaurants and cafes on site too).
Lastly, the Zoo is actually quite close to the airport, so there’s an idea for your last day if your flight is in the evening!
3. The Hellenic Children’s Museum
The Hellenic Children’s Museum was founded in 1987 and is now housed in the Athens Conservatory, at an 8 minute walk from Evangelismos metro station in the centre of Athens.
Why you should take your kids there
Contrary to antiquity museums where it’s not allowed to touch the exhibits, the little ones can go nuts in here – so that’s a nice change!
The HCM is an accessible space with welcoming staff where children are encouraged to learn through play. There are interactive displays and activities on geometry, shopping and cooking, traditional homes, eco-building, driving, crafts and more. (Structured activities are offered in Greek but everyone is welcome and all staff speak English.)
Toddlers will particularly enjoy the supermarket aisles and gigantic bubble making!
Tickets and booking
Entrance is free! At the moment it is open on Fridays 5-8pm and weekends 11am-3pm. (However sometimes the museum is closed in August, so do double check their website for current operating days and times).
(5-8pm? Isn’t that odd for a toddler museum? See why here).
4. Allou! Fun Park
Head to Athens’ largest amusement park for a family day of excitement. With a variety of rides and attractions for different ages, there is something for everyone.
The parks wide range of attractions include roller coasters, water rides and a variety of games and activities suitable for all ages. From time to time the park also features themed areas, live entertainment and seasonal events (for example at the time of writing there’s a special dinosaur themed attraction).
Cushioned fun for over 3s
Allou! Fun Park in Athens is also great for younger kids and toddlers. The park’s special section “Kidom,” is a dedicated space designed for younger children. Kidom offers several age-appropriate activities and rides. We loved the mini carousel, miniature Ferris wheel and gentle train rides.
5. The Museum of Greek Children’s Art
If you’re looking for a delightful and engaging experience for kids in Athens head to The Museum of Greek Children’s Art. Established in 1994, this unusual museum showcases and celebrates the creativity of children aged 5 to 14. And on top of that, it’s right in the middle of the historic centre, only a short walk from the Ancient Agora, in the neighbourhood of Plaka.
The museum aspires to nurture young artists, offering creative inspiration in the form of art contests, exhibitions, art workshops and even summer camps. The museum’s permanent collections include more than 10,000 drawings created by children, enriched and renewed regularly.
6. Flisvos Marina (& Flisvos Park)
A nice leisurely escape from the heat of the city centre, Flisvos Marina is situated in the neighbourhood of Paleo Faliro.
The promenade by the water is full of family friendly cafés and restaurants with views of the marina.
Two museums are hosted within Flisvos Marina: the floating museum Neraida and the Averof Naval Museum, housed inside the Georgios Averof battleship.
Flisvos Park is adjacent to the marina and offers a big range of outdoor play areas, amusement attractions, soft play, puppet theatre and open air cinema. You will also find open spaces for picnics and cycle paths.
Best way to get there:
The tram stop “Trocadero” is just outside the main entrance of the Marina. The tram offers direct access from the centre of Athens (Syntagma). Don’t mess with buses!
7. Goulandris Natural History Museum
If you fancy an escape from the crowds of the city and the touristic hotspots, head to the peaceful suburb of Kifissia. There you will find Goulandris Natural History Museum, a private, non-profit institution housed in a neoclassical 19th century building (recently proclaimed as the National Museum of Natural History).
The museum offers impressive displays of life-size animal replicas (including a triceratops and a giraffe) and thousands of exhibits on marine biology, geology, botanics and fossils. Special interactive games and temporary exhibitions are also available a few times a year, including guided tours for children and even real reptiles.
Housed within the same premises, the Gaia Centre for Environmental Research and Education aims to instil a sense of environmental responsibility in the next generation.
The museum’s garden cafe & restaurant is great for an afternoon cocktail, mocktail or ice cream break. It has plenty of cool shady spots under the trees and a little pond full of fish.
8. Athens Planetarium
I bet you wouldn’t expect that, but the Eugenides Foundation’s Planetarium in Athens is one of the largest and most advanced digital planetariums in the whole world.
It offers various shows about astronomy, space and nature (including children’s shows). The movies are projected on a gigantic, 900m² dome, making this a uniquely immersive and awe-inspiring experience. The foundation complex also houses a science and technology centre, conference centre and digital repository.
Things to know before you visit the Planetarium in Athens with kids
- The Planetarium is not located by any metro stops. Don’t mess with buses! Take a taxi.
- If you are already at the SNFCC, another point of interest mentioned above in this list, keep in mind you are actually already quite close to the Planetarium. It is located on the other side of the very busy Singrou Avenue, (so not exactly a scenic walk), however it is only 10 minutes away via an underground pedestrian crossing.
- Morning showings are often reserved for schools only, so always check the website for an up-to-date schedule first.
- If you’re not a Greek speaker bring your own headphones to hear the simultaneous translation. The cheapie headphones offered at the front desk are not always up to the job – the amazing sound system will drown them out (also they cost 1 euro per pair).
- There’s a cafe on the ground floor and a quite cool gift shop with lots of STEM toys and games.
9. Athenian Riviera Beaches
The Athens Riviera covers the southern side of Athens from Piraeus all the way to Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. Alongside it you will find many Athenian suburbs, beaches, coves, hotels, parks and restaurants.
How to get there
Every guide I have ever read mentions the best bus routes to access the Riviera beaches, but I will stand by my advice: don’t waste your time with buses. Especially if you’re travelling with little kids. They’re unpredictable, unreliable, crowded, and can get stuck in traffic. With tram stops all along the coast, tram is definitely the best way to get yourself down to the seafront. It might not be fast (40 minutes on average for the city centre) but it’s comfortable, not subject to traffic jams and with lovely sea views along the way.
Now there is a catch: the tram will only get you to Voula. So if you’d rather explore the coastline south of Voula (including gems like Vouliagmeni, Kavouri, Varkiza, Lagonissi, Mavro Lithari and of course Cape Sounion and the temple of Poseidon) I would recommend a car or a cab.
Beaches you can easily access by tram include: Edem, Mpati, Agios Kosmas, Glyfada, Kalamaki. Beaches a bit further away requiring a car include: Kavouri, Vouliagmeni Bay (and Cove and Lake), Varkiza, Saronida, Mavro Lithari, Legrena.
All the above beaches are free to access. I have not included any beaches requiring a ticket (and there are a lot). Frankly I think it’s a ridiculous request, having to pay to access the seafront, as a human residing on planet Earth.
Should I bother travelling too far down the Riviera?
This will depend on your circumstances, whether you have a car or the budget for one, and how much time you’re spending in Athens.
For a quick swim we often default to Kavouri Beach. Now, by most accounts, this beach is average at best, as beach snobs connoisseurs would have you know. However it is only half an hour away from the city, it has convenient parking, plenty of space, fine sand and shaded spots. There is even a lovely enclosed playground with pine trees right by the water.
If you’re only stopping in Athens for a couple of days on your way to the islands, I wouldn’t make the longer day trip. You will find amazing beaches and crystal clear waters where you’re headed.
If you’re spending a good week in Athens, you have exhausted the centre and ancient sites and you fancy an escape from the crowds, then definitely! The rule of thumb is: the further south you are from Athens, the better the beaches will get. The best and cleanest one is arguably Legrena beach, all the way down by cape Sounion. This will give you a quite good island beach approximation.
10. Lake Vouliagmeni Natural Spa
A special mention to this stunning location by the Athens coast. Lake Vouliagmeni is a beautiful natural lagoon formed by the collapse of a cave system. Thanks to its biodiversity, it is declared a Natural Heritage Site and a protected area. The lagoon is fed by both the sea and underground hot springs. The result is mineral rich, thermal waters with a minimum temperature of 22°C (72°F) all year round.
The Lake is surrounded by greenery and impressive rock formations, making it a peaceful retreat from the busy Poseidonos Avenue tracking the coast.
There’s also an unexpected natural foot spa: tiny fish will nibble on your feet when you enter the water. (They only hang out by the water’s edge, you won’t be followed around). For some family friendly wellness, put this in your Athens itinerary.
Things to note if visiting with Lake Vouliagmeni in Athens with kids:
- The waters are not shallow, so not a place for paddling. There is no “beach” as such. The lake is accessible by wooden decking and steps all around. However, the waters are always nice and calm, much like a swimming pool.
- Sunscreen is not permitted while swimming, in order to protect the aquatic life and quality of the water. Make sure you have hats with you. The lake is surrounded by tall rocks and has shaded parts throughout the day. (Sunscreen can be of course used as normal while on the decking and loungers.) Despite that restriction, I have found my toddlers are overall better protected from the sun spending a day by Lake Vouliagmeni rather than the beach. The rocks, the trees, the canopies on the deck and the cool and shaded cafe-restaurant make for a comfortable day, shielded from the harsh sunlight.
Amenities at Lake Vouliagmeni
- Hot showers & changing rooms (no soap allowed)
- Free parking
- Cafe & Restaurant with children’s menu
- Sun beds (not tons though, better get there early)
- On-site spa offering aromatherapy, massages, facials and other treatments
- Green open spaces for running around
- Small playground
Best way to get there
Car or taxi. It is an approximately 35 minute drive from the city centre.
11. Technopolis City of Athens & Industrial Gas Museum
This old gasworks factory powered Athens for 130 years. Nowadays, Technopolis is a vibrant cultural complex hosting events, exhibitions and festivals throughout the year. Past drop in activities for kids include drama, music, art, science, dance, cooking and physical education.
Technopolis holds an annual Children’s Festival every September and different seasonal events and festivals throughout the year.
Housed within the complex, the Industrial Gas Museum is a welcoming space for all looking to explore a piece of modern Athenian history. Its door are open for theatre performances, summer camps, interactive experiences and special tours designed specifically for little kids of different ages.
I’m noting here the museum’s sensory route, offered to kids over 3 and their families.
12. Museum of Illusions
A fascinating optical illusions museum in the heart of Athens. The Museum of Illusions features exhibits specially designed to trick the eye and challenge the mind.
If you’re visiting Athens with kids take the opportunity to explore this unusual place. You will find optical illusions, holograms, infinity room, anti-gravity installation, rotated room and more.
Why you should visit if you’re in Athens with kids
- It is engaging and fun. Hands-on participation is encouraged.
- It offers an amusing learning experience for kids, who will try to explain the impossible and satisfy their curiosity.
- You will leave with very original pictures to share with family and friends, as photography is encouraged in the museum.
- It is located between Monastiraki and Thissio metro stations in the middle of the historic centre. You will pass this spot a hundred times, so might as well dive in!
13. The National Garden
Exploring the National Garden in Athens with Kids
If you’re from a greener part of the world, a big park in the city is probably not a source of great excitement. When in Athens though, a city full of concrete and traffic jams, you’ve got to appreciate the gem The National Garden is. A true oasis in the heart of Athens, offering the perfect retreat for families to cool off on a hot day.
A “Royal” Garden
The garden was commissioned by Queen Amalia, the first queen of Greece, in 1838. She envisioned it as a tranquil refuge and a botanical paradise in the heart of Athens. The garden was exclusively for the use of the royal family and their guests. It was only after the abolition of monarchy in 1923 that it became a public park.
The park is located directly behind the Greek Parliament building (which used to be the palace) and is easily accessible on foot from major tourist spots like Syntagma Square.
You will find a diverse array of plants, including over 500 species of trees, shrubs, and flowers from around the world. The shade of the tall trees and cast-iron gazebos offer a perfect setting for a peaceful family picnic.
In the National Garden you will also find:
- Lovely shaded playground with a special section for pre-schoolers.
- Small urban zoo with peacocks, goats and turtles.
- Duck pond and fish pond.
- Songbirds and vibrant green little parrots (monk parakeets).
- Children’s library. It is housed in a quaint little house where the Queen’s Chief Gardener used to live. Most books are in Greek but it’s a cute place to visit.
- Public Toilets
- You can give the café a miss. Pack a nice picnic instead 😃 🥗
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Our favourite resources for exploring Greece 🇬🇷 ⛵️ ⛴ 🐙 🥙
- booking.com: We use booking.com for most of our stays in Greece and Europe. As we prefer booking trips well in advance, we’ve got to embrace the unpredictable (meaning we really love the free cancellation feature). 🏨
- Welcome Pickups: Pre-book your airport transfer with this stellar, reliable service. (Knowledgeable, local drivers). 🚖
- Baby Traveller: Baby equipment rental based in Athens. These guys will meet you at arrivals and hand you a stroller and a car seat. How convenient is that? 🧸
- Athens combined ticket: If you’re in Athens for more than 1 day, don’t pay the 20 euros ticket just for the Acropolis. The combined ticket will get you in 7 archaeological sites (kids under 5 go free).
- Ferryhopper: Taking the faff out of planning your island hopping itinerary (especially if you’ re using different ferry companies for different legs of your trip). Handy fare comparison tool. Frequent deals and offers too. ⛴
- Get Your Guide: Our preferred travelling style is a combo of leisurely stumbling upon fish huts and pre-booked kid-friendly activities. This helps us be efficient and pack as many experiences as we can in our available time (without stressing about it). 🥾
Athens with kids – Conclusion
As you can see you, while visiting Athens with kids you can safely go beyond its ancient history. I am a big fan of real everyday experiences when visiting a new place and this often goes beyond a bucket list. I hope this article gives you some inspiration to keep your young travellers happy and entertained between sightseeing.
Have a fantastic time in Athens!
PS. Are you heading to Athens with kids this year? Which site and activities are on top of your list? Have you been to Athens with kids? Let me know if I missed your favourite kid-friendly discovery.
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