Spend a week’s vacation in Athens with your family

Visit the must-see ancient sites of Athens

Most of the historic sites are outdoors and the visit is free so suffice to say that children are happy to be able to wander wherever they want.

The Acropolis of Athens and its museum

Climb to the top of the Acropolis to admire with your eyes (it is forbidden to touch). Enjoy the ancient temples dedicated to the goddess Athena, Erechtheion or even Niké. Also take the opportunity to admire Athens from above. From my point of view, there are two possible constraints to visiting this site. First, you have to climb (which can be complicated for some little ones). Then, you have to supervise the children at the top to prevent them from falling over the parapet .

Down the Acropolis is the Acropolis Museum. It is gigantic and sets the tone even before entering by displaying impressive archaeological discoveries. Although the museum is full of statues, archaeological pieces and other eye-catching objects. But it is more suitable for adults than children. It can become long for the little ones.

Some other ancient sites to visit?

Yes, many more in fact. We honestly skimmed quite a few and for the most part, they were still outdoors so the children can run wherever they want as long as they don’t walk on the ruins.

This is how we were able to enjoy the ancient Agora at the foot of the Acropolis (on the other side of the mountain). But also the first Panathenaic Olympic stadium, the temple dedicated to Zeus and many others. Honestly, I don’t have any advice to give you about all these open-air museums. Do your research before booking the ones you like the most because all of them are extraordinary (for those who like History).

Nothing to do with the ancient sites but the changing of the guard on Syntagma Square is as beautiful to see as the one in London. So on the other hand, it’s one of the rare places where there were people during our trip. So come early and put the children on the shoulders so they can see.

Visit to the city of Athens

What we also like to do is just walk slowly through the cities we go to. There’s nothing like watching authentic scenes of life in the most famous neighborhoods (Anafiotika, Monastiraki, etc.) as well as in others (less frequented but more authentic).

The apartment we rented on Airbnb was less than 100 m from Filopappou hill. Personally, I went running there several times during our stay but it is also a very pleasant place between forest and rocks. Just like at the Acropolis, you can admire the city from this promontory. From here, you can also see the sea.

What is also very nice to do in Athens is to play in the parks where you will often find games for children. Boring for teenagers but under 12 years old, it’s like paradise.

Getaway outside the city

We got on the tram heading to the seaside. The journey is super simple. We’re going straight! I originally thought I would take a boat trip to see the islands off the coast of Athens but the wind made the sea too rough for our sensitive stomachs. So, head to the sea but from the shore for a day at the beach and games for children again :)

Very serious advice: protect yourself constantly with sunscreen because even in April the sun is strong and sunburns are real.

In calm weather, I maintain that touring the surrounding islands for a day must be very nice to do. As a reminder, it is not just Athens that has ancient sites that can be visited. On the islands too.

So, for this short 6-day stay, we focused on the great classics. At no time did the little man (aged 5 at the time) complain. A few lengths sometimes but above all a joyful balance between his desires and those of adults. Language-wise, I don’t speak Greek at all, so I opted for English; a language easily understood in the most visited places. The rest of the time, the gestures and questions on a map worked perfectly. Especially since the Greeks are adorable when you kindly ask for help or advice (like everywhere I want to say). Enjoy your vacation in Athens with your family.