31 of the best things to do in Athens with kids

Whether your kids are fans of Greek myths or fancy a sunny family city break with a side helping of history, there’s so much to do in Athens with kids that the Greek capital should definitely make your list.

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I’ve visited multiple times over the years, and having worked out way through quite a few Greek islands together, I couldn’t wait to properly introduce my daughter to Athens as well.

And from our fantastic family-friendly tour of the Acropolis to the unforgettable Changing of the Guard, wandering sunny cobbled streets and meeting just a few of the city’s cats (among a whole things of other things to do in Athens with kids), it was a the perfect family break.

The Acropolis/Parthenon

Whatever age you are, you can’t go to Athens without visiting the Acropolis and exploring the remains of the ancient buildings and temples inside, including the Parthenon.

If you’re visiting in summer, try to get there early to avoid the worst of the heat – there’s almost no shade as you explore the iconic landmark – while it’s well worth considering a family-friendly tour at any time of year.

Having visited several times previously myself, I’m sure I learned more on our Alternative Athens Mythology tour this time, and my daughter loved the myths and tales of gods and heroes.

Along the way, we encountered some of the cats which make their home here (definitely one of her highlights), as well as the temple of Dionysus, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (also called the Herodeon) which still hosts concerts today, and the famous temples to Athena.

The smallest – by the gates, also called the Propylaea in ancient Greek – is the temple of Athena Nike, finished around 420BCE, but once you pass into the highest section, you’ll also find the Erechtheion (the temple of Athena and Poseidon), the Parthenon and see the famous Caryatids, the female statues at one end of the Erectheion.

Check out my review of the Alternative Athens Young Heroes family mythology tour of the Acropolis with kids

Don’t forget to check out the sacred olive tree of Athena, next to the Erectheion too. Legend has it this olive tree is descended from the original olive tree planted by Athena herself… 

If you prefer to try a self-guided tour, there are skip-the-line tickets with audio guide. Otherwise you can buy tickets directly to skip the queues – well worth doing in the summer months, and happily you can now get tickets with a child discount for non-EU citizens online as well as if you buy them at the site.

Do plan a visit to the Acropolis museum as well, which houses many artefacts from the Acropolis archaeological site – although you might want to do it on a separate day. We visited the morning after our tour, which worked well as we could picture the actual sites as we saw the artefacts. You can get combined tickets to the museum and the Acropolis which let you skip the line

The Acropolis Museum

When I first visited the Acropolis, the dusty little museum on the site really didn’t add a great deal to the experience. But the new Acropolis Museum which opened back in 2009 is unmissable, with some fun extras for kids too.

More than 4,250 objects are exhibited over an area of 14,000 square metres so this is somewhere you need to allow a couple of hours for (at least 90 minutes) and there are several different kids’ activity packs and trails to follow.

You’ll need to leave some ID when you take one of the family backpacks but they’re free to borrow, with options for different ages up to 12, or download the free audio guide using a QR code. That’s better for older kids and adults though.

The route through the museum mimics the route visitors would take through the Acropolis site itself, so you’ll see artefacts found on the lower slopes first, then it leads you up to discover more about the temples, culminating with a recreation of the Parthenon frieze on the top floor.

The frieze itself contains some of the originals, as well as plaster recreations of the pieces held by the British Museum (which, when you see it all together, does very much bring home what a big proportion was taken to the UK…)

Along the way, there are various child-friendly signs alongside the general information, plus other displays bringing the site to life – details of the colours used to decorate the friezes, for example, and how they were made, while the stone bear was another of my daughter’s favourites.

Do save time to head out to the cafe terrace, even if you’re not eating or drinking there, to look out towards the Acropolis. There’s also an archaeological excavation below the museum itself too.

You can buy skip-the-line tickets including audio guide in advance, or direct from the museum (as with a lot Greek sites, the discounted child ticket for non-EU citizens is only available from the ticket desk, not online).

There’s a bag check for everyone entering: expect a queue for this part, and try to avoid bringing food or drink though (water is OK) as it will be taken off you, although you get a ticket to reclaim it as you leave.

My tip is to visit the museum after you’ve been to the Acropolis site, as it helps bring all the artefacts to life – unless you’re short of time, best to save it for the following day to avoid overloading younger kids. You can also get combined tickets to the museum and the Acropolis which let you skip the line

Take a tour

Athens is the kind of city where you can wander happily for hours, discovering pretty pedestrianised areas, stumbling across old ruins galore and just soaking up the sights.

But there’s no question that you’ll get a lot more from the city if you take one of the family-friendly tours. We tried two from Alternative Athens to discover ancient Greece and a colourful side to the modern city.

The Mythology Tour of the Acropolis (and to Pnyx Hill) was fantastic, the perfect way to learn more about the history behind the ancient site through some of the Greek myths linked to it – our guide Vasia was fabulous, tailoring the tour to my daughter, and with some extra activities thrown in among the tales and legends at the top of the hill to finish.

But we also chose a street art tour which took us to some different areas of Athens, from Kerameikos to Gazi, Metaxourgio and Psirri to discover art inspired by history, politics and life in Athens today.

Despite relentless drizzle (the downside of visiting Athens in February), our guide Nikos was great at engaging my daughter, explaining some of the meanings behind the artworks and introducing us to specific artists and their style.

Check out my full review of a street art tour of Athens with kids and the Alternative Athens Young Heroes family mythology tour of the Acropolis with kids

While you can explore solo, some of the areas are definitely edgier than the tourist centre, so I was glad to have someone leading us through rather than trying to navigate solo.

You won’t be short of other family-friendly walking tours of Athens – Alternative Athens alone has a whole string of other tours, including a Greek food tour, Unexpected Athens which takes you off the beaten track (better for teens) and delves into more recent history, even a Greek fashion tour!

Changing of the guard

Easily one of the best free things to do in Athens with kids, I make time to see the Changing of the Guards every time I visit the city.

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, outside the Hellenic Parliament (which houses the Greek parliament) near Syntagma Square, you can watch the traditional ceremony every hour on the hour.

And unlike similar ceremonies in other cities, you won’t just get to see a bit of marching. The guards, known as Evzones, are known for their eye-catching costumes (especially the giant pompoms on their shoes) and the precise choreographed movements, including high kicks and feet scraping the ground.

Try to get there early during the summer especially: it’s popular with tour groups, so you can find yourself stuck behind people otherwise – always stay behind the white line, and you may be motioned to one side or another as the new guards arrive and the old guard departs.

The most elaborate official ceremony takes place on Sundays at 11am when even bigger crowds gather to see the spectacle on Syntagma Square, but even the shorter hourly one is fun to watch.

Panathenaic stadium

Fancy a family competition on the spot where Olympic athletes have competed? And I don’t just mean the modern Olympics…

The Panathenaic stadium was built back in 330BCE and used for the Panathenaic Games, one of the Panhellenic Games which included the ancient Olympics. Rebuilt in marble around 150 years after it was first constructed, it’s still the only stadium in the world built of marble.

The stadium has also been used to host part of the modern Olympic games, and there’s a small exhibition with some of the torches and posters from across the past 125 years or so, including Athens’ own time hosting the games.

Do get the free audio guide (or there’s a downloadable guide for iPhone, though not Android) as it makes a big difference to understanding what you’re seeing, sharing the history and picking out the details of the site – I’d thought we’d just have a quick visit, but ended up spending around an hour there.

Plus you can climb to the top seats to enjoy the views, including to the Acropolis, race around the track, and celebrate victory on the winner’s podium afterwards.

You can only buy tickets at the stadium itself. In summer, it’s best to visit early in the day or late afternoon, as there’s no shade in the stadium and the marble can be blindingly white in the middle of the day.

If your kids are fascinated by the Olympics, there’s even an Olympic Games tour which visits the Panathenaic Stadium, as well as other locations in Athens, to try your hand at a few Olympic sports

Temple of Olympian Zeus

Set in the National Gardens (scroll down for more details), you’ll find the Temple of Zeus at the opposite end of the gardens from the Hellenic Parliament building – you can easily walk from the Changing of the Guard through the gardens to the temple.

The temple, also known as the Olympieion, is believed to date from the sixth century BCE and was once the largest temple in Greece, with 104 columns.

Today, even though only 15 columns remain, you still get a sense of the incredible building feat involved. If your kids are feeling templed out, you don’t need to go inside, and can get a brief view from outside the railings.

The combination ticket which previously gave access to multiple Athens historic attractions is sadly no longer available, so you need to buy individual tickets, some with specific time slots – you can find ticket bundles on other sites, although it usually works out at a similar price.

Get Your Guide has a combination ticket including free cancellation, as well as a combination ticket including downloadable audio guides and a combination ticket plus hop-on hop-off bus tour

Hadrian’s Arch

Next to the Temple of Zeus is the Arch of Hadrian, also known as Hadrian’s Gate – a huge 8 metres tall, it’s made of the same marble used at the Panathenaic Stadium.

Built in 132CE by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, it’s thought it marked the dividing point between the old Greek city and new Roman city. 

One side reads ‘This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus’; and on the other: ‘This is the city of Hadrian, and not of Theseus’. Nothing like putting your stamp on things!

Greek Agora (Ancient Agora)

If temples alone aren’t bringing Ancient Greece to life, head to the Greek Agora – also known as the Ancient Agora – which will give kids a little taste of everyday life.

The Stoa of Attalos is the world’s first shopping arcade, and you can imagine what it might have been like with shoppers and stallholders bartering and bargaining away.

There are a string of other sights inside too, but look out for The Temple of Hephaestus, built 449 BC and one of the best preserved temples in Greece, as well as the later Church of the Holy Apostles – built in the 10th century, there are some beautiful frescoes inside.

Roman Agora

It’s not just Ancient Greek history you can discover in Athens, but the Romans too – so if you have time for more historic sites (and your family has energy for more sightseeing), keep the Roman Agora on the list.

The Tower of the Winds is one of the most famous parts, thanks to its beautiful interior.

The octagonal tower, which features sundials, a water clock and a wind vane, is considered the world’s first meteorological station.

You can also get a good view into the site from the hill as you walk down from the Acropolis through Plaka if you just want a glimpse rather than to go inside.

Athens National Gardens

This is a lovely park and a great place to escape from the busy streets of Athens with kids. If the weather is nice (and it usually is!) you can have a picnic at the National Garden of Athens too, or let your kids burn off some energy while you relax on the grass.

Within the 16-acre gardens you also find the Zappeion, which was built for the modern Olympic Games and used as the fencing hall during the Olympics of 1896.

But there are also plenty of other child-friendly highlights: my daughter loved lingering by the pond full of giant koi and another full of terrapins, while there’s also a little playground and fairytale arched bridge over the water, and orange trees galore.

The gardens are right next to the parliament, so it’s easy to stroll in via the entrances on Amalias Avenue or Vassilissis Sofias Avenue.

Ride the Mount Lycabettus Funicular

Sitting at the highest point in central Athens, legend states that Mount Lycabettus was formed when the Greek Goddess Athena accidentally dropped a large rock while en route to the Acropolis. 

While climbing the iconic 277 metre hill on foot is possible, a better option for tired little legs is to catch the cable car up Mount Lycabettus. The funicular runs inside a tunnel and takes just 3 minutes to reach the summit.

Once at the top of Lycabettus Hill, you can enjoy amazing panoramic views over the city and out to the Aegean Sea, explore the stunning whitewashed Agios Georgios Chapel, and stop for a meal or drink at the beautiful hilltop restaurant.

Incidentally, you may sometimes see it spelled Lykavittos Hill, although Lycabettus is the most usual version – same thing though.

National Archaeological Museum of Athens

The National Archaeological Museum (NAM) is the largest museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world dedicated to ancient Greek art and culture.

The huge neoclassical building houses over 11,000 exhibits, with many impressive statues, intricate sculptures, ceramics, and unique artworks spanning from prehistory to late antiquity. The collection also includes ancient sarcophagi and the world’s first-ever computer.

The NAM offers a fascinating insight into Greek history and mythology, making it a great place to visit with older children with an interest in these topics. You could easily spend 2-3 hours exploring the museum’s highlights. 

However, the NAM doesn’t have any trails or activities to keep little ones entertained, so it may be a little boring for younger children.

You can find skip-the-line tickets as well as tickets with free cancellation and an optional audio tour

Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology

Surely one of the most unusual museums to visit in Athens with kids, the Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology is actually split across two different buildings 150m apart.

A science and technology museum with a difference, it looks at some of the inventions of the Ancient Greeks to show some of the creations they developed, as well as some interactive models on display.

With everything from an analogue computer to an automated servant, it’s one of the quirkiest stops in the city, and while it’s not the best choice with younger kids, there’s plenty for older ones to enjoy.

Ancient Greek Theatre Performance

If you’ve been wishing you could travel back in time to enjoy an Ancient Greek theatre performance, Athens has the next best thing.

Running for around six months of the year, Koilon holds a 60-minute theatre performance in English every night on a rooftop near the Acropolis Museum – and promises the Ancient Greek Theatre Performance is the funniest way to spend an hour in Athens,

Mixing tradition – men in masks, flowing robes – and a few modern touches, the plot follows a present-day tourist who gets knocked unconscious and wakes to discover he has been transported back 2,500, meeting characters from Greek mythology and legend along the way.

There’s a view of the Acropolis in the background as you watch the performance, for some of the most unbeatable stage scenery around! Runs from around mid April to late October.

Discover the Athens Riviera – visit the beach

You don’t have to go to the islands to find beautiful beaches in Greece, with beaches close enough to visit from Athens for a day trip or afternoon by the sea.

The Athens Riviera is a lovely coastal area in the city’s southern suburbs with many family-friendly beaches to enjoy on a hot summers day.

Akti Vouliagmenis is one of the most popular beaches close to Athens, with its clear calm waters and golden sands. There are plenty of great amenities, including sunbeds and umbrellas, toilets, showers, cafes, a kid’s playground, and tennis/volleyball courts.

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Most beaches are reachable from central Athens in 20-30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by public transport. The hop-on hop-off bus even runs along the Athens Riviera during the summer months. 

It’s worth noting that many beaches in this region are private. You’ll need to pay an entry fee to use them (€10-15), so it’s best to pick one beach to spend the day rather than hopping along the coast. 

Hop On Hop Off Bus

A hop-on hop-off bus is a fantastic way to explore Athens with kids, especially when the weather’s hot or you’re looking to see sights outside the centre.

This sightseeing adventure lets you move around the city at your own pace, jumping off at must-see landmarks like the Acropolis and iconic Syntagma Square.

Kids will love sitting on the top deck of the open-top bus, watching the city’s famous sights pass by from above. The onboard commentary also offers a great insight into the city, with plenty of fascinating stories, myths, and legends to entertain the whole family.

City Sightseeing currently offers three different bus routes – Athens City Center, Piraeus, and the Athens Riviera – letting you pick and choose which areas to explore.

Athens bike tour

If you’d like to get around Athens faster than you can on foot, but still getting closer to the action than you can on a tour bus, there are also bike tours of Athens for families.

Aimed at older kids, you can pedal past ancient sites, get some great views of the Acropolis, discover ancient ruins including the Greek and Roman Agoras and head off the beaten tourist track to find a few less well-known areas too.

This 2.5-hour bike tour is suitable for kids aged 12+ or this three-hour bike tour is open to all ages, as long as you can confidently ride a bike (depending on your kids’ ages, do contact them in advance to check the models available).

There are even e-bike tours for families as well: this three-hour ebike tour is suitable for kids aged 10+ and taller than 140cm.

The National Gallery

The Athens National Gallery (Alexandros Soutzos Museum) is home to an amazing collection of more than 20,000 paintings and sculptures from the 19th century onwards.

And it’s a great contrast to all the ancient artwork you’ll discover elsewhere in the Greek capital, with plenty of vibrant contemporary displays.

The museum hosts many family-friendly events and activities throughout the year too, including children’s workshops every Saturday (11am to 2pm), special educational programs, and guided family tours. Check out their website for upcoming events.

The Museum of Greek Children’s Art

The Museum of Greek Children’s Art is one of the few museums in the world that solely displays artwork made by children (aged 4-14). The small museum currently holds over 10,000 pieces of art created by children from Greece and all across the world.

Kids will love being surrounded by the drawings, paintings, and sculptures created by their own peers. There are even some unique three-dimensional drawings, which are equal parts amazing and unnerving.

The museum promotes education through art and encourages little visitors to get hands-on themselves, with fun crafts areas and kids’ art workshops every Sunday (stay up to date with events on their Facebook here).

Athens Planetarium

Athens’ Eugenides Foundation Planetarium is widely regarded as one of the biggest and best digital planetariums in the world. 

The huge 945-square-metre dome has a state-of-the-art projection system and interactive units in each of the seats that help control the display. 

The planetarium hosts a daily program of educational 3D films that uncover the secrets of the universe and make learning about space exciting for all ages. Most shows are suitable for kids 10+, with dedicated shows for younger children.

On a visit to the Eugenides Foundation, you can also explore the Science and Technology Exhibition, which has a range of interactive science exhibits for older children, and enjoy the regular schedule of science shows for little scientists.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

Combine your visit to the Planetarium with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, which is right next door in Athens’ Faliro Bay.

The striking modern cultural complex is home to both the National Library and the Greek National Opera. But if you’re visiting with kids, you’re going to want to head to the surrounding Stavros Niarchos Park, the largest green space in Athens.

The massive park is filled with beautiful Mediterranean plants and open space for little ones to run around. There’s a children’s playground, sound garden, water play area, hedge maze, rental bikes (for ages 5-13), and a huge canal with hire boats. It’s the perfect place for energetic kids to let off some steam. 

Free events and activities also take place in the park throughout the year, including shows, festivals, film screenings, and even an ice rink during the festive season. 

While you’re here, you’re not too far from the Benaki Toy Museum, home to 20,000 vintage toys from around the world

Hellenic Children’s Museum

For the ultimate family-friendly museum in Athens, head to the Hellenic Children’s Museum, which is entirely dedicated to kids 12 and below.

While calling it a museum might be a slight stretch, the unique space has a variety of immersive exhibits and interactive play areas that are designed to engage young minds.

Kids can create giant bubbles in the Bubble Room, learn basic geometry in the Pythagoras Room, experiment with cooking in the Kitchen, and explore the Mini Marketplace, with a small-scale bakery, pharmacy, and butcher’s.

All of the spaces are designed to be both fun and educational, with plenty of games and activities to help little ones interact with and think about the world around them.

Playmobil Fun Park

Another fun attraction in Athens for younger kids is the Playmobil Fun Park in the northern suburb of Kifisia.

The huge indoor playground features giant Playmobil figures and many themed play zones. Kids will find every type of Playmobil set they can imagine, including Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses and mythical Greek heroes and creatures.

The main Fun Park area is best suited for children between 3-10 years. There’s also a fenced-off section for kids under 3 with bigger sets that are safe for little ones.

There are plenty of members of staff monitoring the play area, while parents can enjoy the cosy on-site cafe.

Museum of Illusions

Located in the heart of the city, close to Ancient Agora and Monastiraki Square, the Museum of Illusions is a more unusual Athens attraction for inquisitive minds of all ages.

Packed with unusual optical illusions and mind-boggling exhibits, you can snap some fun family photos in the upside-down room, stumble through the rotating vortex tunnel, and get lost in the mirrored infinity room. 

Plus don’t miss the museum’s Playroom, where you can challenge your kids to some age-old dilemma games, including puzzles, brainteasers, impossible knots, and mathematical riddles.

Goulandris Natural History Museum

Dinosaurs, insects, fossils… the Goulandris Natural History Museum has all of the ingredients for a great Athens attraction for kids. 

The large family-friendly museum focuses on the conservation of Greece’s unique habitats and wildlife through education and increasing public awareness. 

Kids will love seeing the life-sized animal replicas, while the many interactive exhibits, displays and educational games will keep the whole family engaged and learning. 

Don’t miss the “Earthquake at the Museum” exhibition, where you can experience actual tremors and learn about the effects of natural disasters too. 

Athens Central Food Market

Foodie families shouldn’t miss a visit to the Athens Central Food Market, which dates all the way back to 1886 and remains the largest and busiest food market in the city.

Also known as the Varvakios Agora, kids will be mesmerized by the many sights, sounds and aromas of the bustling market, with rows of colourful fruits and vegetables and exotic spices from all over Greece. 

Grab some tasty local delicacies, like kouloúria (sesame bread rings), bougatsa (custard pies), traditional cheeses, and cured meats, from the market and enjoy in neighboring Kotzia Square – just be cautious of the many hungry pigeons!

If you want to discover all the secrets of Greek food, there are several Athens food tours which visit the Athens Central Food Market

Visit Plaka

The pretty pedestrianised streets of the Plaka neighbourhood are one of the most popular parts of Athens – but despite the summer crowds, and the fact it’s definitely part tourist trap, you should definitely save a bit of time to stroll around the area.

With plenty of souvenir shops, it’s easy to pick up a memento or two, with plenty in the pocket money price range, as well as finding cafes and restaurants with al fresco tables to relax at – not to mention lots of ice cream shops and cats basking in the sun.

Stretching from the foot of Acropolis hill to Monastiraki, it’s easy to reach as you’re exploring Athens, so chances are you’ll find yourself wandering through more than once.

Explore Anafiotika

At the top of Plaka, as you head towards the Acropolis, is one of Athens’ most unusual little areas – Anafiotika.

The area got its name as it was founded by workmen from the island of Anafi, who’d been invited to the capital to help with construction on the then king’s palace. And with the white-washed houses and narrow streets, it’s the closest you can get to the Greek islands without hopping on a ferry.

As Instagrammable as it is, people do still live here, so you’re reminded to be respectful as you explore. But it’s well worth a quick look for the constasting white walls and splashes of colour in the shutters and flowers, as well as some very tight passageways.

The area is also home to two 17th century churches, Agios Georgios and Agios Simeon, with some lovely views out from the former.

See history at Monastiraki

Stand in busy Monastiraki Square and you can get a real sense of both the age of Athens and all the different influences which have shaped the city.

From here, there are views of the Acropolis, towering over the city, but also of the 10th-century Pantanassa basilica which gives the square its name (‘little monastery’) and the Tzistarakis Mosque, built in 1759 when Greece was under Ottoman rule.

Head down into the Metro station and you can also see an archaeological site excavated during work to create the underground train line – listen out for the hidden river which once ran here, but which has now been buried.

Back above ground, the streets off the square are also known for their second-hand finds at the flea market on Ifestou.

For another of the most unexpected archaeological sites in Athens, head to the branch of Zara at Stadiou 32 – the lower level has a Roman tomb tucked away in a glassed off section just to the side of the kids’ clothes!

Attica Zoological Park

Located in the suburb of Sparta, close to Athens International Airport, Attica Zoological Park is the only official zoo in Greece and makes for a great family day out from Athens.

With a big focus on conservation, the zoo currently has over 2,000 animals across 290 species, including lions, Asian elephants, giraffes, penguins, and lots more. It’s also home to the world’s third-largest collection of birds, with 1,100 birds from 300 different species.

Families can enjoy animal feedings, keeper talks, and guided tours. And don’t forget to head to the educational center, where kids can take part in free educational sessions, while getting hands-on with interactive displays.

You can take the Metro line M3 from Monastiraki and Syntagma to Doukissis Plakentias and catch a bus (or find a taxi) to get to the zoo, or take a private transfer straight from the centre with a company like Welcome Pickups (expect to pay around £40+).

Hellenic Motor Museum

If your kids have had enough of ancient history, young car fans can take a trip through automotive history at the Hellenic Motor Museum in Athens.

The 3 story museum houses over 100 vintage and classic cars from the 19th and 20th, including many Chrysler, Packard, Ford, and Ferrari models.

There are plenty of information plaques and multimedia displays to keep visitors of all ages engaged, while kids will love the interactive Formula One simulator at the end of the museum. Plus you can even learn how the history of the wheel affected the evolution of the car, with some exhibits dating back over 2,300 years

Where to stay in Athens with kids

You won’t be short of choice when it comes to places to stay in Athens for families, including apartments, arparthotels and family-friendly hotels.

On our recent visit, we reviewed one of the family suites at Athens4 hotel as well as one of the Studio apartments at Acro Urban Suites.

Or for ideas of more self-catering accommodation, aparthotels and hotels, check out booking.com

How to get around Athens with kids

The metro lines through the centre of Athens, including one line linking the city with the airport, mean it’s always easy to get around, especially when you add in buses and trams as well.

As we arrived into Athens airport in the evening, I decided to book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups instead of using public transport with our suitcase – slightly cheaper than the set fare for taxis, it was completely hassle-free, which beat trying to find our way in the dark!

There are various tickets available for tourists, as well as half-price discounts for children on some tickets – however it’s not always as easy to get these, so you’ll need to queue at the station to buy one.

For adults, there’s a choice of an Athena ticket (a rechargeable paper ticket which you can load trips onto – although you have to use all the existing trips before you can add another one) – which is available from ticket machines and an Athena card, which is similar but plastic and only available from ticket offices.

There’s also a personalised Athena card, but they’re more complicated to get, so only worthwhile if you’re spending a long time in Athens.

You can add anything from a single 90 minute ticket up to a block of 11 90-minute tickets (which are valid for 90 minutes after you first touch the card to activate one), a 24-hour ticket and a five-day ticket.

You can also get a three-day tourist ticket which includes a round-trip fare to the airport – it’s actually valid for 72 hours although you have to have completed your final airport journey within that period. If you’re coming for a long weekend, that’s perfect; if, like us, you’re visiting for a longer short break, it doesn’t quite work out.

Children aged six and under travel free, but the problem if you’re travelling with older kids is that neither of these tickets let you load the half-price fares on.

To get the discount for kids aged 7-17 you need either a personalised Athena card (which needs a photo and is more hassle to get) or to buy them at a machine at suburban rail stations – easy enough for the airport, less so for Metro journeys. Teens may need to show a passport or ID card as well.

Single 90-minute fares on the Metro are 1,20 Euros while a 5-day card is 8,20 Euros – so if you think you’ll be using public transport a lot, it might just be worth buying the 5-day card. Yes, you’re paying more than you need to, but for the sake of a few Euros, you’re saving a lot of hassle and it’s easy to just jump on a bus or tram if you need.

Although having decided to do that myself, we ended up making fewer journeys than I had expected and walking a lot more – if you have young kids, that might not be an option, but otherwise if you’re staying centrally and happy to walk, the centre of Athens isn’t huge.

Check out my guide to Greece with kids for more tips for families, as well as a two-day itinerary for Athens with a baby and the best things to do in Thessaloniki with kids for another Greek city break

Disclosure: This post contains experiences which were free for review and affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

Temple of Olympian Zeus/Temple of Hephaestus/Tower of the Winds/Roman Agora/Mount Lycabettus/National Archaeological Museum/Athens Riviera/SNFCC/market/Monastiraki Square/zoo/ Metro/tram images courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels

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