With its mysterious history, scenic landscapes, and sunny beaches, Greece is a popular, safe destination for families celebrating birthdays, graduations, or simply enjoying vacations.
However, traveling to Greece with kids could be stressful, especially if you know little about this country. Read on to discover how you and your kids can have a well-planned and enjoyable Mediterranean vacation.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
|
|
Excellent experience in Bangkok
Ying was our guide in Bangkok. She was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. She knew exactly how to move us through crowds quickly so that we could see all we wanted to say and made good recommendations for other things we were interested in. I would not hesitate to recommend Ying or anyone that helped us at Asia highlights More
Dr. Meshagae Hunte-Brown, Aug 2024
|
Excellent travel advisor, itinerary and tour guides
Miss Tanny, our guide in Bangkok, was personable and very patient. She kept us informed of the day's activities and kept us entertained with her sense of humor. Miss Lisa, our Phuket guide, was very polite and soft spoken. The young people in our group relate well with her. More
susan edwards, Jul 2024
|
Our guide went out of his way to make the trip enjoyable
We met our guide BANG at the airport for a very brief Bangkok stay as part of our overall SEA trip. He went out of his way to make the trip enjoyable and informational. 10/10! More
customer, Jul 2024
|
Content Preview
1. Choose Where to Go in Greece with Kids
While island-hopping is a major draw, mainland Greece also offers unique experiences worth exploring. Below, we have carefully selected four family-friendly destinations that are top choices for first-timers in Greece, enriching your vacation with adventure and joy.
Athens – A Vivid History Textbook
Panorama of The Acropolis and Parthenon Temple in Athens, GreeceAthens, one of Europe's most beautiful cities, renowned for its long history, is a must-visit. We recommend spending at least 2 days in Athens with your kids to fully appreciate its beauty.
You would need 1 day to admire antique ruins, such as the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Accompanied by your own local guide, you could hear a skilled storyteller bring the history books to life.
On another day, you could explore Athens for its stunning views, such as taking a telpher to Lycabettus Hill to see a panoramic view of Athens city or visit Cape Sounion for a breathtaking sunset.
We could also arrange day trips for you: to Delphi for more Greek history about "the navel of the earth' or to Nafplio to visit its old town by mini train and enjoy a leisurely tour of picturesque coast and buildings.
Crete – Best for Families with Time to Explore
The Balos Bay, Crete Island, GreeceCrete is the biggest island in Greece and is popular with families for slow-paced vacations. If you have a vacation that's longer than a week in Greece, Crete could be your best choice.
There's no need to change hotels frequently as Crete has everything covered for diverse family-friendly activities, such as getting lost in cultural sites in the old towns like Chania and Heraklion, embarking on an adventure in Samaria Gorge, or basking in the sun on one of the landmark beaches, such as Falarsana or Elafonisi.
Santorini – A Picture-worthy Scenic Must-see
Cityscape of Santorini Island, GreeceIf your main interests lie in island-hopping and traveling by ferry, then Santorini is a must-visit for first-timers, attributed to its excellent location and stunning views.
You could easily embark on a day trip to islands nearby via a ferry ride of about 2 hours, such as to Mykonos for Chora town and Ano Mera village, to Paros for its artistic atmosphere, or to Naxos for hiking in "the childhood home of Zeus".
For a breathtaking view and to avoid the crowds at sunset, we suggest admiring a sunset on an island cruise with your family.
Instead of being squeezed into the crowd at Byzantine Castle Ruins in Oia, take a caldera cruise to fully witness the beauty of Santorini. Being able to leisurely appreciate the beautiful sunset without being disturbed could be a rather wonderful experience.
Meteora – A UNESCO Spectacular Wonder
The Holy Trinity Monastery on top of the cliff, Meteora near Kalabaka, Trikala, GreeceKnown as "the City in the Sky", Meteora attracts numerous visitors for its strange rock formations and unique landscape. It is perfect for children to broaden their horizons and cultivate their awe of nature.
You could take a day tour from Athens to visit monasteries and learn about the stories of the monks' migration while immersing yourself in the marvelous scenery. If you prefer a more adventurous experience, hiking with your kids through this area could become an unforgettable memory.
2. How Long to Stay in Greece with Kids
Generally, we suggest at least 7 days in Greece for first-timers to experience the best it could offer: sunny beaches, breathtaking monuments, scenic landscapes...
Normally, the itinerary would contain Athens (2–3 days) and one of the islands (2–4 days) that you prefer. We highly recommend Santorini as your first choice because it is interesting enough for 2 to 3 days of family activities and it could also be used as a base for day trips to other islands.
If you want to visit a bigger island like Crete (3–5 days) or prefer a relaxed pace, 10–12 days would be more suitable without rushing from place to place.
For a longer trip of 2 weeks or more, consider combining Greece with another Mediterranean country for diversity and extra interest, such as Italy, Turkey, or Spain. If you have your own schedule, check our handpicked itineraries for various durations: 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 12 days, and 14 days...
1) 7-Day Classic Family Trip in Greece
- Day 1: Athens arrival and relaxation
- Days 2–3: Athens (take a cooking class and visit landmarks, such as the Acropolis, Syntagma Square, and the Panathenaic Stadium)
- Day 4: Athens transfer to Santorini
- Days 5–6: Santorini (witness one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, enjoy wine tasting, take a boat tour of the caldera...)
- Day 7: Departure
This itinerary is suitable for families traveling to Greece for the first time.
Kids would be thrilled to see myths and stories from their books come to life in Athens, the City of Gods. And few could resist the romance in the air of Santorini, not to mention its stunning sunsets and white-washed Mediterranean buildings.
2) 10-Day Family In-Depth Tour in Greece
- Day 1: Athens arrival and relaxation
- Days 2–4: Athens (city tour in Athens for iconic landmarks and take a day trip to Delphi for the Temple of Apollo and natural scenery)
- Day 5: Take a flight to Crete from Athens
- Days 6–9: Crete (2 days in Heraklion for historical explorations, such as Knossos Palace and Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and 2 days in Chania for adventure and relaxation, such as Samaria Gorge and Elafonisi Beach)
- Day 10: Departure
This itinerary provides a more in-depth travel experience and a leisurely pace, perfect for families with teens who love Greek history and culture while also enjoying beaches.
With hiking and water activities involved, there is always something that could release your children's energy and create unforgettable memories.
3. Choose Your Best Time to Visit Greece with Kids
A family is having fun in Santorini, GreeceTypically, families with kids travel in a relatively fixed period of the year, which usually falls during the children's summer school vacations (this is also the high season to visit Greece).
Between June, July, and August, we recommend June as your best choice to visit Greece as there are relatively smaller crowds and cooler weather.
However, if July and August are your only choices, then you need to reserve your flights and hotels as soon as possible to gain an early-bird discount.
To avoid crowds and the summer heat, visiting at less popular times of the day would be helpful, such as in the morning before 8am or at lunchtime between 11am and 1pm.
If your travel time is flexible, April to June and September to October could be your best times to visit Greece with the best weather conditions of the year. For more information, check out Best and Worst Times to Visit Greece.
4. Accommodation Tips for a Family Trip in Greece
When you are choosing your accommodation in Greece, we recommend a bustling urban area with better security and convenient transportation.
For instance, during your time in Athens, try to choose accommodation in the Koukaki or Plaka areas, which are relatively safer than other areas. The urban attractions could be reached on foot with the comprehensive infrastructure.
Instead of so-called historical hotels, brand hotel chains that are newer in construction have higher security and up-to-date facilities that would provide you with a better experience.
A family suite is usually the first choice for multi-generational travelers. If you are traveling in the summer, choose a family suite with a swimming pool (about an extra $50–100 per night) so that your children could burn off extra energy, and you could relax and soothe your body after a long day of travel.
Remember to check before booking a hotel to see if the hotel includes transfers from the airport or pier, as well as the age restrictions for guests staying there (cliff hotels in Santorini are restricted to guests over 14 years old).
5. The Cost of a Family Trip in Greece
Typically, a private tour in Greece would start at US$500 per person per day based on a group of four people. Children under 10 years old may gain a discount of 30–50%.
This price includes a private guide, car, domestic transfer fares, a full-day itinerary, attraction tickets, and 4-star hotels. Please note that international flights are not included in this cost.
However, prices may vary depending on the time of year. For instance, during the peak season (July–August) and festivals like Christmas, prices may increase by 50% due to the higher demand.
To secure the best deals, it's recommended to book your flights and hotels 3–6 months in advance. Contact us at Global Highlights for a customized private tour with all of the booking done for you to enjoy a hassle-free vacation.
Check out the costs of a trip to Greece breakdown: How Much Does a Trip to Greece Cost>>>
6. How to Travel Around Greece with Kids
For a family traveling with kids in Greece, we suggest three transportation options that may suit you the most: flights, ferries, and private transfers.
For intercity travel, domestic flights are typically the most efficient option, but you need to travel through Athens as a connecting hub. For instance, a flight between Athens and Crete takes about 2 hours, while a ferry ride could take up to 9 hours.
When island-hopping, certain islands lack airports so ferries become a preferable choice. Remember to verify the ferry company, travel duration, pricing, and terminals when booking to avoid unnecessary expenses or confusion.
If you choose to travel during the peak season, standard seats may be crowded and noisy. Spending an extra $30 per person to upgrade to a business seat may be a better choice for family travel.
In Greece from November to March, island-hopping via ferries may not be feasible due to the off-peak season and hardly any ferry services in operation. It would be a better option to only travel to mainland Greece.
For a road trip in mainland Greece and daily excursions, private transfers are recommended for safety and convenience, offering personalized travel and avoiding road navigation challenges.
Contact us at Global Highlights and our professional consultant would carefully design the most suitable itinerary plan for you and assist you with booking all of the transportation connections, ensuring a stress-free vacation.
Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
|
|
|
|
|
