Discovering the Beauty of Greece with Kids

With its numerous sun-kissed islands featuring family-friendly beaches, engaging activities for older kids, and captivating cities that offer an array of exciting experiences—often at little to no cost—Greece stands out as one of the safest and most family-oriented travel destinations in the world. You’ll instantly feel the warm hospitality as you arrive by ferry or plane.

In Greece, children of all ages are truly cherished. Get ready to feel like you’re walking with little stars as affectionate yia yias (grandmothers) and accommodating hotel staff shower love and attention on your kids.

Is Greece a kid-friendly destination?

Whether you’re seeking an island-hopping escapade, planning to explore enchanting museums, hiking to iconic archaeological sites, or enjoying a series of breathtaking beaches, Greece is a treasure trove filled with delightful surprises for children of all ages.

In this vibrant and bustling country, amenities—such as stroller ramps and elevators—can be sparse, making a baby carrier a more practical choice for travel and sightseeing.

Major airports in Greece are typically well-equipped, offering changing facilities and relaxation areas. For instance, Athens Airport features a designated play zone for children. Additionally, Aegean Airlines, the country’s premier airline, allows parents with young children to board flights ahead of others.

Public restrooms are scarce in Greece, particularly outside tourist hotspots. Nevertheless, many cafes in this family-oriented nation are accommodating and will let you use their facilities if your kids urgently need to go.

Which regions of Greece are ideal for children?

Enveloped by warm turquoise seas and dotted with sandy beaches or pebbly shores perfect for snorkeling, Greece’s 300+ inhabited islands are a family favorite. Wander the car-free streets of Hydra, with its charming cobblestones, narrow paths, and donkeys to carry your luggage, or explore Crete, Greece’s largest island, known for its stunning sandy beaches like Elafonisi and Karavostasi.

Feeling adventurous? Take a boat trip to Spinalonga Island or the uninhabited Chrissi Island, or get your heart racing at one of the island’s water parks. Greece offers endless ways to keep kids entertained.

While Athens may have a reputation for being less family-friendly due to its uneven streets, lack of sidewalks, and busy traffic, you can discover quieter, car-free spots like Anafiotika, with its Cycladic-style houses and lovely alleys adorned with bougainvillea, or Lykavittos Hill, which is accessible via a scenic funicular ride, allowing for a more relaxed experience with children.

With numerous parks and play areas, Athens offers plenty of opportunities for kids to burn off energy in the city known for its democratic roots. Many museums, including the Acropolis Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art, feature special programs for children, alongside games and interactive displays that enhance the experience.

Top activities in Greece for babies and toddlers

Explore stunning beaches

Greece is renowned for its countless islands, each boasting a sun-kissed array of beaches that range from soft, toddler-friendly sands washed by gentle, warm waters to lively resorts perfect for teens, complete with beach games and bustling cafes.

Naxos, the lesser-known gem of the Cyclades alongside Santorini and Mykonos, boasts stunning golden sand beaches, particularly around Plaka and Agios Prokopios. From hidden pebble-strewn coves to tranquil bays and vast sandy expanses, Crete also offers fantastic options for beach lovers.

Surprisingly, Athens features a variety of family-friendly beaches along its glamorous 30-km Riviera, just a quick 30-minute metro ride from Syntagma Square.

Hop on the Choo Choo train

On Greece's larger islands like Zakynthos and Crete, as well as the mainland, you can find the trainaki, small tourist trains that meander along the coast or venture inland to quaint villages. The gentle sway of the train delights little ones as they inhale the scent of orange blossoms, wave to friendly yia yias (who will likely wave back), and watch chickens and goats roam the dusty paths.

Set sail on a cruise

What could be more thrilling for younger kids than a half-day cruise? Plus, after the excitement of gliding over shimmering waves and spotting birds or even dolphins, the gentle rocking motion can help lull them to sleep while mum and dad kick back with a glass of prosecco or a delicious snack.

For the best experience, choose larger vessels that offer more stability compared to smaller boats, and ensure there’s a cabin for you and the kids to escape the sun. A half-day catamaran excursion – complete with food and drinks – across the serene waters of Santorini’s caldera is a perfect choice.

Top activities for kids in Greece

Ascend the hill to the Acropolis

As a recent tourism campaign for Athens put it, the city itself is a living museum. Bursting with stunning sites, kids will relish the chance to bring their history lessons to life as they navigate ancient paths to reach the Acropolis, home to the iconic Parthenon and the temple dedicated to the goddess of victory, Athena Nike (now you know where those sneakers got their name, kids!).

To truly grasp all that history, it's best to start at the archaeological museum first – featuring interactive displays and programs for children, this new museum is much more engaging for young visitors than the older one. Consider purchasing an Athens City Pass for skip-the-line entry, or opt for a private family tour with a licensed guide who can share tales of myths and legends as you ascend that impressive limestone hill.

Walk in the footsteps of the famous

If your family enjoyed the recent BBC series about the quirky animal-loving Durrells or sang along to the ABBA classics in the whimsical musical Mamma Mia!, there are numerous tours available that will take you to the filming locations.

In Corfu, where the Durrell family resided from 1936 until the onset of WWII in 1939, highlights include exploring the locations in Corfu’s Old Town that served as filming spots and visiting the White House – now a lovely restaurant – where Lawrence Durrell lived with his wife, Nancy.

Skopelos – known as Kalochairi (Greek for summer) – is the primary filming location for Mamma Mia!. You can visit the cliff where Sophie and her potential fathers leaped into the sea, and hike up to the small church perched on a rock where the wedding took place.

Discover the legends

Many kids are captivated by the tale of the fearsome Minotaur, and a trip to Knossos in Crete, where the palace of the monster is said to have existed, is a fantastic way to bring these legends to life. Another thrilling site for older children is Ancient Akrotiri on the volcanic island of Santorini.

Often referred to as 'Greece’s Pompeii', this city was entombed under layers of lava and ash after a volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE. The museum features remarkable exhibits, including ancient frescoes and original palatial villas, offering an intriguing glimpse into the life of the seafaring Minoans.

Another destination that will thrill kids – not just for the 30-minute ferry ride across dolphin-filled waters – is Delos. Youngsters of all ages enjoy jumping from seat to seat in the ancient amphitheater that seats 6,500 or playing hide and seek in the Terrace of the Lions, featuring its iconic lion head fountains, all on this expansive uninhabited isle that is said to be the legendary birthplace of twins Apollo and Artemis.

Top activities for tweens and teens in Greece

Experience a tour like an Olympian

An exhilarating way to discover the city that hosted the first modern Olympics is by participating in an Olympic training tour of Athens. While fitness is key, you won’t need to meet Olympian standards to join this two-hour adventure. The journey kicks off at the Zappeion, where you’ll see how ancient Olympic athletes performed their workouts.

Once the tour concludes, it's time to get active and try your hand at ancient sports like javelin tossing and discus throwing, culminating in the ultimate excitement: racing around the tracks of the stunning Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Discover local wildlife conservation efforts

Greece is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, and older kids can engage in local conservation initiatives. Visit Archelon, a sea turtle rescue center in Zakynthos, to learn about their efforts to monitor and protect this endangered species. You can even stroll along a nesting beach to see how the turtles create safe havens for themselves.

Love horses? Travel to Corfu and lend a hand at the Donkey Rescue. The dedicated staff work tirelessly to rehabilitate these mistreated animals, and it's heartwarming to see them settling into their new, peaceful surroundings.

Explore the rich traditional lifestyle

In the distinctive mountain village of Olympos on Karpathos, where local women proudly wear vibrant traditional attire, to the folklore museums found in larger villages like Margarites in Crete, Greece is steeped in diverse ancient cultures. The locals take immense pride in their heritage and are eager to share their knowledge with the younger generation.

Helpful planning advice

Smaller Greek islands like Syros and Tinos, with their minimal roads and low traffic, are ideal for cycling. Most larger resorts offer rentals for both pedal-powered and electric bikes suitable for kids.

For an eco-friendly adventure, take your cycling-loving family to Astypalea, the first Greek island to implement electric buses and cars in a significant initiative to promote green energy and preserve its stunning landscape.

If you’re traveling with little ones on ferries during peak season, brace yourself for the crowds. Being among the first to board is advisable: while seats are technically assigned, people often choose where to sit.

Make sure to queue near the exit door well in advance of docking, as ferries have quick turnarounds. Given the rush to disembark, it’s wise to establish a meeting point onshore (like the first café or shop you spot) in case you get separated from younger family members.

If you're venturing off the beaten path to lesser-known islands, bring cash, as ATMs may be unreliable and many smaller shops don’t accept credit cards. Also, pack any specific baby foods or medical supplies you need, since smaller stores might not carry them (though larger supermarkets will likely have what you need).