Helen Bowman is a freelance lifestyle writer and editor raised in London. She’s lived in Lisbon, Portugal for the last three years with her husband and two daughters. Here she gives us her recommendations for a family trip to Athens, Greece.
The Acropolis
Kick-start a love of ancient history in your kids with a trip to the Acropolis. We got skip-the-line tickets to the hilltop temple and created a ‘discovery sheet’ to keep the kids interested, turning our visit into a historical treasure hunt as they searched for Doric columns and caryatids. The largest ruin in the Acropolis (and the focal point of the entire city) is the Parthenon: the crowds can be a bit much, but the views are magnificent.
Plaka
Just downhill from the Acropolis lies Athens’ picture-perfect old town, with its cobbled streets and al fresco restaurants draped in flowering bougainvillea. Amid the inevitable tourist traps, you’ll find cute concept stores, design boutiques, and artisanal jewelry shops.
Monastiraki Flea Market and Little Kook
Open daily, the market swells on weekends to incorporate an influx of vendors of antique bric-a-brac. When you tire of shopping, detour to neighborhood favorite Kokkion for a next-level ice cream experience. Tip: Kids will love a look at Little Kook, a cafe a few minutes’ walk from Monastiraki that’s always outlandishly decorated, with themes changing depending on the time of year.
Ergon House
A food hall turned design hotel in downtown Athens, this soaring space contains a 250-year-old olive tree, deli, a vertical ‘orchard’, and a buzzing restaurant. We made a beeline at brunch so the grown-ups could sample the Taf roasted coffee while the kids gorged on pancakes with praline and bitter chocolate. Tip: Book before you visit. If they don’t have space for you, you’ll find great coffee, cake and sandwiches a few minutes walk away at Anana.
Syntagma National Gardens
The National Gardens are 24 hectares of urban oasis and home to over 7,000 trees. You can easily spend a morning around this tranquil green labyrinth en route to one of Athens’ many galleries or museums. Stop by the sizable playground so the kids can work off any excess energy.
Athens Riviera
If you can fit some beach-time into your trip, Athens has its very own riviera – a 60km stretch of coastline with picture-perfect coves, marinas, and beach clubs. If you didn’t hire a car, don’t fret: you can catch a tour bus. Don’t miss Yalos Seafood in Vouliagmeni for lunch with a jaw-dropper of a view.
