Whether or not your youngsters are followers of Greek myths or fancy a sunny household metropolis break with a aspect serving to of historical past, there’s a lot to do in Athens with youngsters that the Greek capital ought to undoubtedly make your record.
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I’ve visited a number of instances over time, and having labored out means by means of fairly a number of Greek islands collectively, I couldn’t wait to correctly introduce my daughter to Athens as effectively.
And from our implausible family-friendly tour of the Acropolis to the unforgettable Altering of the Guard, wandering sunny cobbled streets and assembly only a few of the town’s cats (amongst a complete issues of different issues to do in Athens with youngsters), it was a the proper household break.
The Acropolis/Parthenon
No matter age you might be, you may’t go to Athens with out visiting the Acropolis and exploring the stays of the traditional buildings and temples inside, together with the Parthenon.
If you happen to’re visiting in summer time, attempt to get there early to keep away from the worst of the warmth – there’s nearly no shade as you discover the long-lasting landmark – whereas it’s effectively price contemplating a family-friendly tour at any time of yr.
Having visited a number of instances beforehand myself, I’m positive I discovered extra on our Different Athens Mythology tour this time, and my daughter beloved the myths and tales of gods and heroes.
Alongside the best way, we encountered a few of the cats which make their residence right here (undoubtedly one among her highlights), in addition to the temple of Dionysus, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (additionally referred to as the Herodeon) which nonetheless hosts live shows at this time, and the well-known temples to Athena.
The smallest – by the gates, additionally referred to as the Propylaea in historic Greek – is the temple of Athena Nike, completed round 420BCE, however when you go into the very best part, you’ll additionally discover the Erechtheion (the temple of Athena and Poseidon), the Parthenon and see the well-known Caryatids, the feminine statues at one finish of the Erectheion.
Don’t overlook to take a look at the sacred olive tree of Athena, subsequent to the Erectheion too. Legend has it this olive tree is descended from the unique olive tree planted by Athena herself…
If you happen to choose to strive a self-guided tour, there are skip-the-line tickets with audio information. In any other case you may purchase tickets instantly to skip the queues – effectively price doing in the summertime months, though you may solely get tickets with a baby low cost for non-EU residents in the event you purchase them on the web site.
Do plan a go to to the Acropolis museum as effectively, which homes many artefacts from the Acropolis archaeological web site – though you may need to do it on a separate day. We visited the morning after our tour, which labored effectively as we might image the precise websites as we noticed the artefacts. You may get mixed tickets to the museum and the Acropolis which allow you to skip the road
The Acropolis Museum
Once I first visited the Acropolis, the dusty little museum on the positioning actually didn’t add an awesome deal to the expertise. The brand new Acropolis Museum which opened again in 2009 is unmissable nonetheless, with some enjoyable extras for teenagers too.
Greater than 4,250 objects are exhibited over an space of 14,000 sq. metres so that is someplace you should permit a few hours for (at the very least 90 minutes) and there are a number of completely different youngsters’ exercise packs and trails to observe.
You’ll want to go away some ID if you take one of many household backpacks however they’re free to borrow, with choices for various ages as much as 12, or obtain the free audio information utilizing a QR code. That’s higher for older youngsters and adults although.
The route by means of the museum mimics the route guests would take by means of the Acropolis web site itself, so that you’ll see artefacts discovered on the decrease slopes first, then it leads you as much as uncover extra in regards to the temples, culminating with a recreation of the Parthenon frieze on the highest ground.
The frieze itself comprises a few of the originals, in addition to plaster recreations of the items held by the British Museum (which, if you see all of it collectively, does very a lot convey residence what an enormous proportion was taken to the UK…)
Alongside the best way, there are numerous child-friendly indicators alongside the overall info, plus different shows bringing the positioning to life – particulars of the colors used to brighten the friezes, for instance, and the way they have been made, whereas the stone bear was one other of my daughter’s favourites.
Do save time to move out to the cafe terrace, even in the event you’re not consuming or ingesting there, to look out in direction of the Acropolis. There’s additionally an archaeological excavation under the museum itself too.
You should purchase skip-the-line tickets together with audio information upfront, or direct from the museum (as with most Greek websites, the half-price baby ticket for non-EU residents is barely out there from the ticket desk, not on-line).
There’s a bag examine for everybody coming into: anticipate a queue for this half, and attempt to keep away from bringing meals or drink although (water is OK) as it will likely be taken off you, though you get a ticket to reclaim it as you permit.
My tip is to go to the museum after you’ve been to the Acropolis web site, because it helps convey all of the artefacts to life – until you’re wanting time, greatest to put it aside for the next day to keep away from overloading youthful youngsters. You too can get mixed tickets to the museum and the Acropolis which allow you to skip the road
Take a tour
Athens is the type of metropolis the place you may wander fortunately for hours, discovering fairly pedestrianised areas, stumbling throughout outdated ruins galore and simply absorbing the sights.
However there’s no query that you just’ll get much more from the town in the event you take one of many family-friendly excursions. We tried two from Different Athens to find historic Greece and a vibrant aspect to the trendy metropolis.
The Mythology Tour of the Acropolis (and to Pnyx Hill) was implausible, the proper method to be taught extra in regards to the historical past behind the traditional web site by means of a few of the Greek myths linked to it – our information Vasia was fabulous, tailoring the tour to my daughter, and with some additional actions thrown in among the many tales and legends on the prime of the hill to complete.
However we additionally selected a avenue artwork tour which took us to some completely different areas of Athens, from Kerameikos to Gazi, Metaxourgio and Psirri to find artwork impressed by historical past, politics and life in Athens at this time.
Regardless of relentless drizzle (the draw back of visiting Athens in February), our information Nikos was nice at participating my daughter, explaining a few of the meanings behind the artworks and introducing us to particular artists and their type.
When you can discover solo, a few of the areas are undoubtedly edgier than the vacationer centre, so I used to be glad to have somebody main us by means of somewhat than making an attempt to navigate solo.
You gained’t be wanting different family-friendly strolling excursions of Athens – Different Athens alone has a complete string of different excursions, together with a Greek meals tour, Sudden Athens which takes you off the overwhelmed observe (higher for teenagers) and delves into newer historical past, even a Greek style tour!
Altering of the guard
Simply the most effective free issues to do in Athens with youngsters, I make time to see the Altering of the Guards each time I go to the town.
On the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, exterior the Hellenic Parliament (which homes the Greek parliament) close to Syntagma Sq., you may watch the normal ceremony each hour on the hour.
And in contrast to related ceremonies in different cities, you gained’t simply get to see a little bit of marching. The guards, often called Evzones, are identified for his or her eye-catching costumes (particularly the enormous pompoms on their footwear) and the exact choreographed actions, together with excessive kicks and toes scraping the bottom.
Attempt to get there early in the course of the summer time particularly: it’s common with tour teams, so you’ll find your self caught behind individuals in any other case – at all times keep behind the white line, and you might be motioned to 1 aspect or one other as the brand new guards arrive and the outdated guard departs.
Probably the most elaborate official ceremony takes place on Sundays at 11am when even greater crowds collect to see the spectacle on Syntagma Sq., however even the shorter hourly one is enjoyable to observe.
Panathenaic stadium
Fancy a household competitors on the spot the place Olympic athletes have competed? And I don’t simply imply the trendy Olympics…
The Panathenaic stadium was constructed again in 330BCE and used for the Panathenaic Video games, one of many Panhellenic Video games which included the traditional Olympics. Rebuilt in marble round 150 years after it was first constructed, it’s nonetheless the one stadium on the planet constructed of marble.
The stadium has additionally been used to host a part of the trendy Olympic video games, and there’s a small exhibition with a few of the torches and posters from throughout the previous 125 years or so, together with Athens’ personal time internet hosting the video games.
Do get the free audio information (or there’s a downloadable information for iPhone, although not Android) because it makes an enormous distinction to understanding what you’re seeing, sharing the historical past and selecting out the small print of the positioning – I’d thought we’d simply have a fast go to, however ended up spending round an hour there.
Plus you may climb to the highest seats to benefit from the views, together with to the Acropolis, race across the observe, and have fun victory on the winner’s podium afterwards.
You’ll be able to solely purchase tickets on the stadium itself. In summer time, it’s greatest to go to early within the day or late afternoon, as there’s no shade within the stadium and the marble might be blindingly white in the course of the day.
In case your youngsters are fascinated by the Olympics, there’s even an Olympic Video games tour which visits the Panathenaic Stadium, in addition to different areas in Athens, to strive your hand at a number of Olympic sports activities
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Set within the Nationwide Gardens (scroll down for extra particulars), you’ll discover the Temple of Zeus on the reverse finish of the gardens from the Hellenic Parliament constructing – you may simply stroll from the Altering of the Guard by means of the gardens to the temple.
The temple, also called the Olympieion, is believed up to now from the sixth century BCE and was as soon as the biggest temple in Greece, with 104 columns.
At present, though solely 15 columns stay, you continue to get a way of the unimaginable constructing feat concerned. In case your youngsters are feeling templed out, you don’t have to go inside, and might get a short view from exterior the railings.
Entry is included within the mixture ticket for Athens historic sights, together with the Acropolis, the Roman Agora, and the Greek Agora. The ticket is legitimate for five days and in addition provides entry to a number of different websites.
You too can purchase the mixture ticket from Get Your Information, together with free cancellation, in addition to a mixture ticket together with downloadable audio guides and a mixture ticket plus hop-on hop-off bus tour
Hadrian’s Arch
Subsequent to the Temple of Zeus is the Arch of Hadrian, also called Hadrian’s Gate – an enormous 8 metres tall, it’s made from the identical marble used on the Panathenaic Stadium.
Inbuilt 132CE by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, it’s thought it marked the dividing level between the outdated Greek metropolis and new Roman metropolis.
One aspect reads ‘That is Athens, the traditional metropolis of Theseus’; and on the opposite: ‘That is the town of Hadrian, and never of Theseus’.
Greek Agora (Historical Agora)
If temples alone aren’t bringing Historical Greece to life, head to the Greek Agora – also called the Historical Agora – which can give youngsters just a little style of on a regular basis life.
The Stoa of Attalos is the world’s first procuring arcade, and you’ll think about what it might need been like with customers and stallholders bartering and bargaining away.
There are a string of different sights inside too, however look out for The Temple of Hephaestus, constructed 449 BC and the most effective preserved temples in Greece, in addition to the later Church of the Holy Apostles – constructed within the Tenth century, there are some stunning frescoes inside.
Entry is included within the mixture ticket for Athens historic sights, together with the Temple of Zeus, the Acropolis and the Roman Agora. The ticket is legitimate for five days and in addition provides entry to a number of different websites.
You too can purchase the mixture ticket from Get Your Information, together with free cancellation, in addition to a mixture ticket together with downloadable audio guides and a mixture ticket plus hop-on hop-off bus tour
Roman Agora
It’s not simply Historical Greek historical past you may uncover in Athens, however the Romans too – so if in case you have time for extra historic websites (and your loved ones has vitality for extra sightseeing), maintain the Roman Agora on the record.
The Tower of the Winds is among the most well-known components, due to its stunning inside.
The octagonal tower, which options sundials, a water clock and a wind vane, is taken into account the world’s first meteorological station.
You too can get a very good view into the positioning from the hill as you stroll down from the Acropolis by means of Plaka in the event you simply need a glimpse somewhat than to go inside.
Athens Nationwide Gardens
It is a beautiful park and an awesome place to flee from the busy streets of Athens with youngsters. If the climate is sweet (and it normally is!) you may have a picnic on the Nationwide Backyard of Athens too, or let your youngsters burn off some vitality whilst you calm down on the grass.
Inside the 16-acre gardens you additionally discover the Zappeion, which was constructed for the trendy Olympic Video games and used because the fencing corridor in the course of the Olympics of 1896.
However there are additionally loads of different child-friendly highlights: a pond filled with large koi and one other filled with terrapins, just a little playground and fairytale arched bridge over the water, and orange timber galore.
The gardens are proper subsequent to the parliament, so it’s straightforward to walk in through the entrances on Amalias Avenue or Vassilissis Sofias Avenue.
Journey the Mount Lycabettus Funicular
Sitting on the highest level in central Athens, legend states that Mount Lycabettus was fashioned when the Greek Goddess Athena by chance dropped a big rock whereas en path to the Acropolis.
Whereas climbing the long-lasting 277 metre hill on foot is feasible, a greater possibility for drained little legs is to catch the cable automotive up Mount Lycabettus. The funicular runs inside a tunnel and takes simply 3 minutes to succeed in the summit.
As soon as on the prime of Lycabettus Hill, you may get pleasure from superb panoramic views over the town and out to the Aegean Sea, discover the beautiful whitewashed Agios Georgios Chapel, and cease for a meal or drink on the stunning hilltop restaurant.
By the way, you might typically see it spelled Lykavittos Hill, though Lycabettus is probably the most typical model – identical factor although.
Nationwide Archaeological Museum of Athens
The Nationwide Archaeological Museum (NAM) is the biggest museum in Greece and one of the essential museums on the planet devoted to historic Greek artwork and tradition.
The large neoclassical constructing homes over 11,000 displays, with many spectacular statues, intricate sculptures, ceramics, and distinctive artworks spanning from prehistory to late antiquity. The gathering additionally consists of historic sarcophagi and the world’s first-ever laptop.
The NAM affords an enchanting perception into Greek historical past and mythology, making it an awesome place to go to with older youngsters with an curiosity in these subjects. You could possibly simply spend 2-3 hours exploring the museum’s highlights.
Nonetheless, the NAM doesn’t have any trails or actions to maintain little ones entertained, so it might be just a little boring for youthful youngsters.
You’ll find skip-the-line tickets in addition to tickets with free cancellation and an optionally available audio tour
Herakleidon Museum of Historical Greek Expertise
Absolutely one of the uncommon museums to go to in Athens with youngsters, the Herakleidon Museum of Historical Greek Expertise is definitely cut up throughout two completely different buildings 150m aside.
A science and know-how museum with a distinction, it seems to be at a few of the innovations of the Historical Greeks to point out a few of the creations they developed, in addition to some interactive fashions on show.
With all the things from an analogue laptop to an automatic servant, it’s one of many quirkiest stops within the metropolis, and whereas it’s not your best option with youthful youngsters, there’s a lot for older ones to get pleasure from.
Historical Greek Theatre Efficiency
If you happen to’ve been wishing you possibly can journey again in time to get pleasure from an Historical Greek theatre efficiency, Athens has the subsequent smartest thing.
Working for round six months of the yr, Koilon holds a 60-minute theatre efficiency in English each evening on a rooftop close to the Acropolis Museum – and guarantees the Historical Greek Theatre Efficiency is the funniest method to spend an hour in Athens,
Mixing custom – males in masks, flowing robes – and some fashionable touches, the plot follows a present-day vacationer who will get knocked unconscious and wakes to find he has been transported again 2,500, assembly characters from Greek mythology and legend alongside the best way.
There’s a view of the Acropolis within the background as you watch the efficiency, for a few of the most unbeatable stage surroundings round! Runs from round mid April to late October.
Uncover the Athens Riviera – go to the seaside
You don’t must go to the islands to search out stunning seashores in Greece, with seashores shut sufficient to go to from Athens for a day journey or afternoon by the ocean.
The Athens Riviera is a beautiful coastal space within the metropolis’s southern suburbs with many family-friendly seashores to get pleasure from on a sizzling summers day.
Akti Vouliagmenis is among the hottest seashores near Athens, with its clear calm waters and golden sands. There are many nice facilities, together with sunbeds and umbrellas, bathrooms, showers, cafes, a child’s playground, and tennis/volleyball courts.
Most seashores are reachable from central Athens in 20-Half-hour by automotive or 45 minutes by public transport. The hop-on hop-off bus even runs alongside the Athens Riviera in the course of the summer time months.
It’s price noting that many seashores on this area are personal. You’ll have to pay an entry payment to make use of them (€10-15), so it’s greatest to choose one seaside to spend the day somewhat than hopping alongside the coast.
Hop On Hop Off Bus
A hop-on hop-off bus is a implausible method to discover Athens with youngsters, particularly when the climate’s sizzling otherwise you’re seeking to see sights exterior the centre.
This sightseeing journey helps you to transfer across the metropolis at your personal tempo, leaping off at must-see landmarks just like the Acropolis and iconic Syntagma Sq..
Children will love sitting on the highest deck of the open-top bus, watching the town’s well-known sights go by from above. The onboard commentary additionally affords an awesome perception into the town, with loads of fascinating tales, myths, and legends to entertain the entire household.
Metropolis Sightseeing at the moment affords three completely different bus routes – Athens Metropolis Heart, Piraeus, and the Athens Riviera – letting you choose and select which areas to discover.
Athens bike tour
If you happen to’d prefer to get round Athens quicker than you may on foot, however nonetheless getting nearer to the motion than you may on a tour bus, there are additionally bike excursions of Athens for households.
Aimed toward older youngsters, you may pedal previous historic websites, get some nice views of the Acropolis, uncover historic ruins together with the Greek and Roman Agoras and head off the overwhelmed vacationer observe to search out a number of much less well-known areas too.
This 2.5-hour bike tour is appropriate for teenagers aged 12+ or this three-hour bike tour is open to all ages, so long as you may confidently experience a motorbike (relying in your youngsters’ ages, do contact them upfront to examine the fashions out there).
There are even e-bike excursions for households as effectively: this three-hour ebike tour is appropriate for teenagers aged 10+ and taller than 140cm.
The Nationwide Gallery
The Athens Nationwide Gallery (Alexandros Soutzos Museum) is residence to a tremendous assortment of greater than 20,000 work and sculptures from the nineteenth century onwards.
And it’s an awesome distinction to all the traditional art work you’ll uncover elsewhere within the Greek capital, with loads of vibrant modern shows.
The museum hosts many family-friendly occasions and actions all year long too, together with youngsters’s workshops each Saturday (11am to 2pm), particular instructional packages, and guided household excursions. Try their web site for upcoming occasions.
The Museum of Greek Youngsters’s Artwork
The Museum of Greek Youngsters’s Artwork is among the few museums on the planet that solely shows art work made by youngsters (aged 4-14). The small museum at the moment holds over 10,000 items of artwork created by youngsters from Greece and all the world over.
Children will love being surrounded by the drawings, work, and sculptures created by their very own friends. There are even some distinctive three-dimensional drawings, that are equal components superb and unnerving.
The museum promotes schooling by means of artwork and encourages little guests to get hands-on themselves, with enjoyable crafts areas and children’ artwork workshops each Sunday (keep updated with occasions on their Fb right here).
Athens Planetarium
Athens’ Eugenides Basis Planetarium is extensively considered one of many greatest and greatest digital planetariums on the planet.
The large 945-square-metre dome has a state-of-the-art projection system and interactive items in every of the seats that assist management the show.
The planetarium hosts a day by day program of instructional 3D movies that uncover the secrets and techniques of the universe and make studying about area thrilling for all ages. Most reveals are appropriate for teenagers 10+, with devoted reveals for youthful youngsters.
On a go to to the Eugenides Basis, you too can discover the Science and Expertise Exhibition, which has a spread of interactive science displays for older youngsters, and benefit from the common schedule of science reveals for little scientists.
Stavros Niarchos Basis Cultural Heart
Mix your go to to the Planetarium with the Stavros Niarchos Basis Cultural Heart, which is true subsequent door in Athens’ Faliro Bay.
The putting fashionable cultural advanced is residence to each the Nationwide Library and the Greek Nationwide Opera. However in the event you’re visiting with youngsters, you’re going to need to head to the encircling Stavros Niarchos Park, the biggest inexperienced area in Athens.
The huge park is stuffed with stunning Mediterranean crops and open area for little ones to run round. There’s a youngsters’s playground, sound backyard, water play space, hedge maze, rental bikes (for ages 5-13), and an enormous canal with rent boats. It’s the proper place for energetic youngsters to let off some steam.
Free occasions and actions additionally happen within the park all year long, together with reveals, festivals, movie screenings, and even an ice rink in the course of the festive season.
When you’re right here, you’re not too removed from the Benaki Toy Museum, residence to twenty,000 classic toys from all over the world
Hellenic Youngsters’s Museum
For the last word family-friendly museum in Athens, head to the Hellenic Youngsters’s Museum, which is totally devoted to youngsters 12 and under.
Whereas calling it a museum could be a slight stretch, the distinctive area has a wide range of immersive displays and interactive play areas which can be designed to interact younger minds.
Children can create large bubbles within the Bubble Room, be taught fundamental geometry within the Pythagoras Room, experiment with cooking within the Kitchen, and discover the Mini Market, with a small-scale bakery, pharmacy, and butcher’s.
The entire areas are designed to be each enjoyable and academic, with loads of video games and actions to assist little ones work together with and take into consideration the world round them.
Playmobil Enjoyable Park
One other enjoyable attraction in Athens for youthful youngsters is the Playmobil Enjoyable Park within the northern suburb of Kifisia.
The large indoor playground options large Playmobil figures and plenty of themed play zones. Children will discover each kind of Playmobil set they’ll think about, together with Historical Greek Gods and Goddesses and legendary Greek heroes and creatures.
The principle Enjoyable Park space is greatest suited to youngsters between 3-10 years. There’s additionally a fenced-off part for teenagers below 3 with greater units which can be secure for little ones.
There are many members of employees monitoring the play space, whereas dad and mom can benefit from the cosy on-site cafe.
Museum of Illusions
Positioned within the coronary heart of the town, near Historical Agora and Monastiraki Sq., the Museum of Illusions is a extra uncommon Athens attraction for inquisitive minds of all ages.
Filled with uncommon optical illusions and mind-boggling displays, you may snap some enjoyable household photographs within the upside-down room, stumble by means of the rotating vortex tunnel, and get misplaced within the mirrored infinity room.
Plus don’t miss the museum’s Playroom, the place you may problem your youngsters to some age-old dilemma video games, together with puzzles, brainteasers, unimaginable knots, and mathematical riddles.
Goulandris Pure Historical past Museum
Dinosaurs, bugs, fossils… the Goulandris Pure Historical past Museum has all the components for an awesome Athens attraction for teenagers.
The massive family-friendly museum focuses on the conservation of Greece’s distinctive habitats and wildlife by means of schooling and growing public consciousness.
Children will love seeing the life-sized animal replicas, whereas the numerous interactive displays, shows and academic video games will maintain the entire household engaged and studying.
Don’t miss the “Earthquake on the Museum” exhibition, the place you may expertise precise tremors and be taught in regards to the results of pure disasters too.
Athens Central Meals Market
Foodie households shouldn’t miss a go to to the Athens Central Meals Market, which dates all the best way again to 1886 and stays the biggest and busiest meals market within the metropolis.
Also called the Varvakios Agora, youngsters might be mesmerized by the numerous sights, sounds and aromas of the bustling market, with rows of vibrant fruit and veggies and unique spices from throughout Greece.
Seize some tasty native delicacies, like kouloúria (sesame bread rings), bougatsa (custard pies), conventional cheeses, and cured meats, from the market and luxuriate in in neighboring Kotzia Sq. – simply be cautious of the numerous hungry pigeons!
If you wish to uncover all of the secrets and techniques of Greek meals, there are a number of Athens meals excursions which go to the Athens Central Meals Market
Go to Plaka
The gorgeous pedestrianised streets of the Plaka neighbourhood are one of the common components of Athens – however regardless of the summer time crowds, and the very fact it’s undoubtedly half vacationer lure, you must undoubtedly save a little bit of time to walk across the space.
With loads of memento retailers, it’s straightforward to choose up a memento or two, with a lot within the pocket cash value vary, in addition to discovering cafes and eating places with al fresco tables to calm down at – to not point out a number of ice cream retailers and cats basking within the solar.
Stretching from the foot of Acropolis hill to Monastiraki, it’s straightforward to succeed in as you’re exploring Athens, so chances are high you’ll end up wandering by means of greater than as soon as.
Discover Anafiotika
On the prime of Plaka, as you head in direction of the Acropolis, is one among Athens’ most uncommon little areas – Anafiotika.
The world bought its identify because it was based by workmen from the island of Anafi, who’d been invited to the capital to assist with building on the then king’s palace. And with the white-washed homes and slender streets, it’s the closest you will get to the Greek islands with out hopping on a ferry.
As Instagrammable as it’s, individuals do nonetheless reside right here, so that you’re reminded to be respectful as you discover. However it’s effectively price a fast search for the constasting white partitions and splashes of color within the shutters and flowers, in addition to some very tight passageways.
The world can also be residence to 2 seventeenth century church buildings, Agios Georgios and Agios Simeon, with some beautiful views out from the previous.
See historical past at Monastiraki
Stand in busy Monastiraki Sq. and you will get an actual sense of each the age of Athens and all of the completely different influences which have formed the town.
From right here, there are views of the Acropolis, towering over the town, but additionally of the Tenth-century Pantanassa basilica which provides the sq. its identify (‘little monastery’) and the Tzistarakis Mosque, inbuilt 1759 when Greece was below Ottoman rule.
Head down into the Metro station and you too can see an archaeological web site excavated throughout work to create the underground prepare line – pay attention out for the hidden river which as soon as ran right here, however which has now been buried.
Again above floor, the streets off the sq. are additionally identified for his or her second-hand finds on the flea market on Ifestou.
For an additional of probably the most surprising archaeological websites in Athens, head to the department of Zara at Stadiou 32 – the decrease stage has a Roman tomb tucked away in a glassed off part simply to the aspect of the youngsters’ garments!
Attica Zoological Park
Positioned within the suburb of Sparta, near Athens Worldwide Airport, Attica Zoological Park is the one zoo in Greece and makes for an awesome household time out from Athens.
With an enormous deal with conservation, the zoo at the moment has over 2,000 animals throughout 290 species, together with lions, Asian elephants, giraffes, penguins, and much extra. It’s additionally residence to the world’s third-largest assortment of birds, with 1,100 birds from 300 completely different species.
Households can get pleasure from animal feedings, keeper talks, and guided excursions. And don’t overlook to move to the academic middle, the place youngsters can participate in free instructional classes, whereas getting hands-on with interactive shows.
You’ll be able to take the Metro line M3 from Monastiraki and Syntagma to Doukissis Plakentias and catch a bus (or discover a taxi) to get to the zoo, or take a personal switch straight from the centre with an organization like Welcome Pickups (anticipate to pay round £40+).
Hellenic Motor Museum
In case your youngsters have had sufficient of historic historical past, younger automotive followers can make a journey by means of automotive historical past on the Hellenic Motor Museum in Athens.
The three story museum homes over 100 classic and basic automobiles from the nineteenth and twentieth, together with many Chrysler, Packard, Ford, and Ferrari fashions.
There are many info plaques and multimedia shows to maintain guests of all ages engaged, whereas youngsters will love the interactive System One simulator on the finish of the museum. Plus you may even find out how the historical past of the wheel affected the evolution of the automotive, with some displays courting again over 2,300 years
The place to remain in Athens with youngsters
You gained’t be wanting selection with regards to locations to remain in Athens for households, together with residences, arparthotels and family-friendly motels.
On our current go to, we reviewed one of many household suites at Athens4 lodge in addition to one of many Studio residences at Acro City Suites.
Or for concepts of extra self-catering lodging, aparthotels and motels, take a look at reserving.com
How one can get round Athens with youngsters
The metro traces by means of the centre of Athens, together with one line linking the town with the airport, imply it’s at all times straightforward to get round, particularly if you add in buses and trams as effectively.
As we arrived into Athens airport within the night, I made a decision to ebook a personal switch with Welcome Pickups as a substitute of utilizing public transport with our suitcase – barely cheaper than the set fare for taxis, it was utterly hassle-free, which beat looking for our means at the hours of darkness!
There are varied tickets out there for vacationers, in addition to half-price reductions for youngsters on some tickets – nonetheless it’s not at all times as straightforward to get these, so that you’ll have to queue on the station to purchase one.
For adults, there’s a selection of an Athena ticket (a chargeable paper ticket which you’ll load journeys onto – though you need to use all the prevailing journeys earlier than you may add one other one) which you will get at ticket machines and an Athena card, which has similarities however plastic and solely out there from ticket workplaces.
There’s additionally a personalised Athena card, however they’re extra sophisticated to get, so solely worthwhile in the event you’re spending a very long time in Athens.
You’ll be able to add something from a single 90 minute ticket as much as a block of 11 90-minute tickets (that are legitimate for 90 minutes after you first contact the cardboard to activate one), a 24-hour ticket and a five-day ticket.
You too can get a three-day ticket which features a round-trip fare to the airport – it’s really legitimate for 72 hours though you need to have accomplished your remaining airport journey inside that interval. If you happen to’re coming for an extended weekend, that’s excellent; if, like us, you’re visiting for an extended quick break, it doesn’t fairly work out.
Youngsters aged six and below journey free, however the issue in the event you’re travelling with older youngsters is that neither of those tickets allow you to load the half-price fares on.
To get the low cost for teenagers aged 7-17 you want both a personalised Athena card (which wants a photograph and is extra problem to get) or to purchase them at a machine at suburban rail stations – straightforward sufficient for the airport, much less so for Metro journeys. Teenagers might have to point out a passport or ID card as effectively.
Single 90-minute fares on the Metro are 1,20 Euros whereas a 5-day card is 8,20 Euros – so in the event you assume you’ll be utilizing public transport loads, it would simply be price shopping for the 5-day card. Sure, you’re paying greater than you should, however for the sake of some Euros, you’re saving a variety of problem and it’s straightforward to simply soar on a bus or tram in the event you want.
Though having determined to do this myself, we ended up making fewer journeys than I had anticipated and strolling much more – if in case you have younger youngsters, that may not be an possibility, however in any other case in the event you’re staying centrally and pleased to stroll, the centre of Athens isn’t large.
Try my information to Greece with youngsters for extra suggestions for households, in addition to a two-day itinerary for Athens with a child
Disclosure: This publish comprises experiences which have been free for evaluation and affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
Temple of Olympian Zeus/Temple of Hephaestus/Tower of the Winds/Roman Agora/Mount Lycabettus/Nationwide Archaeological Museum/Athens Riviera/SNFCC/market/Monastiraki Sq./zoo/ Metro/tram photographs courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
