9 Days • 8 Nights
Greece Family Adventure: Athens, Ancient Sites & Islands
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Meeting the gods and heroes of myth at the Acropolis and museum is a thrilling family highlight. Greece is the land of the greatest myths ever told, and in Athens they come to life for children of all ages. You climb the sacred Acropolis together to the mighty Parthenon, temple of the goddess Athena, high above the city, and your expert family guide brings the stories of Athena, Poseidon, Zeus and the heroes vividly to life, turning ancient stones into thrilling adventures. In the museum the children see real treasures, and in the Plaka they enjoy the buzz, the shops and an ice cream.
- Crossing the Corinth Canal and storming the Lion Gate of Mycenae is a fun family highlight. In the Peloponnese, history becomes an adventure for the whole family. You pause at the spectacular Corinth Canal, a deep, narrow channel cut through the rock where the water glints far below and, for the daring, bungee jumpers sometimes leap. You then explore mighty Mycenae, citadel of Agamemnon, passing through the famous Lion Gate like ancient warriors, exploring the fortress, the royal tombs and the great beehive Treasury of Atreus, with tales of the Trojan War and its heroes. The drama and stories are captivating.
- Golden beaches, warm seas and boat trips on Naxos and Paros are a blissful family highlight. The Greek islands are a paradise for families, and Naxos and Paros are among the best, with long, safe, sandy beaches and warm, calm, clear water perfect for children. You spend happy days building sandcastles and swimming from golden beaches like Naxos's Agios Prokopios, taking boat trips to little islands and hidden coves, snorkelling over rocks, and trying watersports. Naxos even has a windsurfing school and long shallow bays ideal for beginners. The beaches, warm sea and fun are captivating.
- Exploring Venetian castles, windmills and island villages is a fun family highlight of this journey. The Greek islands are full of adventures for young explorers. On Naxos you climb up through the maze of lanes to the Venetian Kastro (castle) crowning the old town, and out to the great marble Portara gateway; you journey into the mountains to unspoilt villages, meeting farmers and craftspeople and visiting a citron distillery. On Paros you explore the pretty fishing village of Naoussa, with its windmill, harbour and octopus drying in the sun, and hunt for the perfect gelato. The castles, villages and discoveries are captivating.
- Delicious, family-friendly Greek food and warm hospitality make this journey a joy for all ages. Greek food is a delight for families, and much of it is exactly what children love, from souvlaki, grilled chicken and chips to fresh bread, cheese pies, pasta, ice cream and honey-soaked sweets, alongside fresh fish, salads and mezes for the grown-ups. In friendly, relaxed tavernas by the harbour or beach, families are genuinely welcomed and children are adored, and mealtimes become fun and easy. The food, welcome and easy pace are captivating. Enjoying delicious, family-friendly Greek food, from souvlaki and cheese pies to ice cream and honey sweets.
- Above all, this journey offers a spectacular, fun and enriching family adventure through Greece. Greece is one of the most wonderful family destinations in the world, and this journey is designed to delight all ages. Over nine days the family meets the gods and heroes at the Acropolis, storms the Lion Gate of Mycenae, crosses the Corinth Canal, and enjoys golden beaches, boat trips, castles, windmills and villages on Naxos and Paros, all at a relaxed pace with family-friendly hotels, plenty of beach and pool time, expert guides who bring myths alive, and delicious food.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Your family adventure through Greece begins as you arrive at Athens International Airport, where you are met and transferred to your family-friendly hotel in the city. Athens, the birthplace of the greatest myths ever told, is a captivating blend of ancient and modern, crowned by the floodlit Acropolis, and the excitement builds as the family catches its first glimpse. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, perhaps taking a gentle first stroll through the buzzing Plaka quarter beneath the Acropolis, with its shops and ice cream, or up to a rooftop for a first look at the Parthenon glowing above the city. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces the family to delicious, child-friendly Greek food and to the adventure ahead. As you settle in, the magic of Greece works on all ages. Rest well, ready to meet the gods tomorrow.
Today the whole family meets the gods and heroes of Greek myth. You climb the sacred Acropolis together to the mighty Parthenon, temple of the goddess Athena, high above the city, and your expert family guide brings the stories of Athena, Poseidon, Zeus and the heroes vividly to life, turning the ancient stones into thrilling adventures. You visit the family-friendly Acropolis Museum to see real treasures, and enjoy the buzz of the Plaka, with its shops, street performers and, of course, ice cream. In the afternoon there may be time for the marble Panathenaic Stadium, where children can run on the ancient track. The myths, monuments and fun are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour a fun family taverna dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you cross to the Peloponnese and Mycenae.
Today history becomes an adventure as the family crosses to the Peloponnese. You drive from Athens, pausing at the spectacular Corinth Canal, a deep, narrow channel cut through the rock where the water glints far below (and daring bungee jumpers sometimes leap). You explore mighty Mycenae, citadel of Agamemnon, storming through the famous Lion Gate like ancient warriors, exploring the fortress, royal tombs and the great beehive Treasury of Atreus, with thrilling tales of the Trojan War. In the evening you arrive in elegant, family-friendly Nafplio, on its beautiful bay beneath a great fortress. The drama and stories are captivating. As the day ends, you settle into Nafplio, with its ice-cream shops and harbour. This evening, savour a family dinner in its marble squares. Rest well, ready to enjoy Nafplio and its beaches tomorrow.
Today the family enjoys elegant, fun Nafplio and its coast. In the morning you might climb (or drive) to the mighty Palamidi fortress crowning the town, with its many steps and sweeping views, an adventure for older children, and take in the little island fortress of Bourtzi in the harbour by boat. You wander the enchanting old town, with its marble squares, shops and ice-cream parlours, and learn the story of Greece's first capital. In the afternoon you relax on a nearby beach, swimming in the warm, calm sea and playing on the sand. The fortress, harbour and beach are captivating. As the day ends, you enjoy the buzz of Nafplio's waterfront. This evening, savour a relaxed family dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you sail to the beautiful island of Naxos.
Today the family sails to the beautiful island of Naxos. You transfer to the port and board a ferry across the sparkling Aegean, an adventure in itself as the islands rise from the turquoise sea, to Naxos, the greenest and most family-friendly of the Cyclades, where you are met and transferred to your hotel near the beach. In the afternoon you begin to explore, wandering up through the maze of lanes to the Venetian Kastro (castle) crowning the old town, and out along the causeway to the great marble Portara gateway, which frames a glorious sunset, before a first swim from a long golden beach. The island, castle and beach are captivating. As the day ends, watch the sun set through the Portara. This evening, savour a seaside family dinner. Rest well, ready for beaches and adventures tomorrow.
Today the family enjoys the beaches, sea and villages of Naxos. You spend happy time on Naxos's long, safe, sandy beaches, such as Agios Prokopios, with warm, calm, shallow water perfect for children, building sandcastles, swimming, and perhaps trying a beginner windsurfing lesson or watersports in the long bays. You may take a boat trip to a little island or hidden cove for snorkelling, or journey briefly into the green mountains to an unspoilt village, meeting farmers and craftspeople and visiting a citron distillery. The beaches, boat trip and villages are captivating. As the day ends, the children are happily tired after a day of fun in the sun and sea. This evening, savour a relaxed taverna dinner of grilled fish, souvlaki and ice cream. Rest well, for tomorrow you sail to nearby Paros.
Today the family makes the short sea hop to lovely Paros. You board a ferry for the short, scenic crossing to Paros, one of the prettiest of the Cyclades, and are met and transferred to your family-friendly hotel near the beach. In the afternoon you explore the enchanting fishing village of Naoussa, with its picturesque harbour where octopus dries in the sun, its old windmill and Venetian ruins, and its maze of whitewashed lanes full of shops and ice-cream spots. You enjoy a first swim from a beautiful golden beach in the warm, clear water. The village, harbour and beach are captivating. As the day ends, you enjoy the pretty harbour of Naoussa as the fishing boats come in. This evening, savour a family dinner by the water. Rest well, ready for a full day of beaches and island fun tomorrow.
Today the family enjoys a full, relaxed day of beaches and island fun on beautiful Paros. You spend happy time on Paros's golden beaches, such as Kolymbithres with its curious smooth rock formations and shallow turquoise coves, or the long sands of Santa Maria, swimming, playing and snorkelling in the warm, calm sea. Older children might try watersports, and the family can take a boat trip to the little island of Antiparos or a hidden cove. You explore the marble town of Parikia, with its ancient church, and hunt for the best gelato. The beaches, warm sea and fun are captivating. As the day ends, the family gathers happy memories of a wonderful island holiday. This evening, savour a final island feast of fresh fish, mezes and sweets in a harbour taverna. Rest well ahead of your journey home tomorrow.
After a final morning of island fun on beautiful Paros, perhaps a last swim, a boat trip, or some souvenir and ice-cream shopping in Naoussa, the family is transferred to the airport or port for the onward journey home (via Athens). You leave having shared a wonderful adventure through Greece, meeting the gods and heroes at the Acropolis, storming the Lion Gate of Mycenae, crossing the Corinth Canal, climbing the fortress of Nafplio, and enjoying golden beaches, boat trips, castles, windmills and villages on Naxos and Paros. The memories stay vivid long after you land, the Parthenon and its myths, the Lion Gate, the boat trips and the warm, golden beaches, and the fun the whole family shared. Greece offers living myths, real adventures, warm seas and genuine welcome in abundance, and the family departs already dreaming of a return to these beautiful islands and shores.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a family taverna dinner
- Private airport, port and land transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert licensed local guides
- Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums as per itinerary
- Private family touring with expert guides who bring myths and history to life, an Acropolis and museum tour, a Corinth Canal and Mycenae excursion, ferry tickets between islands, an island boat trip, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Most lunches and dinners beyond those specified
- Optional watersports, boat trips and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Greece is part of the Schengen area, and travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; a passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay is required, and the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation is being introduced. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality before you travel
- Currency: The currency is the Euro (EUR); cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops in Athens, the larger towns and resort areas, but carry some cash for tavernas, small island shops, markets, tips, kiosks and rural areas. ATMs are plentiful in cities and on the larger islands, though smaller islands may have only one or two
- Best time to visit: April to June and September to October are ideal across Greece, with warm, sunny days perfect for the ancient sites, islands and beaches, and fewer crowds; July and August are hot and lively, the peak beach season, especially on the islands; winter is mild, quiet and green on the mainland, and lovely for Athens, Delphi and Meteora, though many island services wind down
- Language & etiquette: The language is Greek, and English is widely spoken in tourism, making travel easy; Greeks are famously warm, generous and hospitable, and a little politeness goes a long way. Dress modestly at monasteries and churches, especially the monasteries of Meteora and Mount Athos region, where covered shoulders and knees are required and women are given wrap skirts at the entrance
- Getting around: Touring the mainland is by private air-conditioned vehicle with your guide or driver, with some long but scenic drives through beautiful mountains and coast; the islands are linked by frequent ferries and fast catamarans, and by domestic flights, all of which we arrange, timing connections carefully. Sturdy, comfortable shoes are essential for the ancient sites and Meteora
- Health & safety: Greece is one of the safest countries in Europe, and travel here is relaxed and rewarding; we monitor conditions and follow official advice. Bring sun protection, a hat and water for the open-air ancient sites and beaches, as summers are hot; ferry schedules can occasionally shift with the weather, so we build in sensible connections and keep you informed
- Ancient sites & museums: Greece's archaeological sites, from the Acropolis to Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae and Knossos, are mostly open-air, so wear good shoes, a hat and sunscreen and carry water; some sites and museums adjust their hours seasonally and may close earlier in winter or on certain days. Our expert licensed guides bring the ancient world vividly and unforgettably to life
- Power & plugs: Power is 230V with European type C and F two-pin plugs, so bring an adapter for UK, US and other devices. Tap water is generally safe to drink in Athens and much of the mainland, while on some islands bottled water is recommended; your guide advises at each stage, and hotels provide bottled water
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greece a good destination for children?
Greece is one of the best family destinations in the world. Children are genuinely adored and welcomed everywhere, the seas are warm, calm and safe with gentle sandy beaches, the food is exactly what most children love, and the myths and ancient sites turn history into thrilling adventures. We build in a relaxed pace, family-friendly hotels with pools, plenty of beach time, and expert guides skilled at bringing gods, heroes and ruins alive for young minds, so the whole family, from toddlers to teenagers and grandparents, has a wonderful time.
Can the itinerary be adjusted for the ages of our children?
Absolutely. We tailor every family journey to the ages, interests and energy of your children, adjusting the balance of ancient sites, beaches, boat trips and free time, choosing the right hotels with pools and family rooms, and keeping guided visits fun and appropriately paced. For younger children we lighten the touring and add beach and pool time; for older children and teenagers we can add more adventure, watersports and activities. Just tell us about your family, and we will craft the perfect journey.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (typically a welcome dinner and selected tastings or half-board stays). Greek cuisine is one of the great pleasures of a visit, from fresh fish, grilled meats, salads and mezes to olive oil, feta, honey and wine, and we usually leave most lunches and dinners free so you can explore the tavernas, seaside fish spots and family kitchens we recommend at every stage of your journey.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert licensed local guide and air-conditioned vehicle on the mainland, and carefully arranged ferries or flights between the islands, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and escorted options can be arranged if you prefer. Greece's knowledgeable guides bring the ancient sites, monasteries, museums, villages and island life vividly to life, greatly enriching every day of your journey.
Do I need a visa for Greece?
Greece is in the Schengen area, and travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with the EU's ETIAS authorisation being introduced. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and help with any paperwork, so entry is smooth. A passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay is required.
Is Greece safe to visit?
Greece is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in Europe, and travel here is relaxed, easy and deeply rewarding. We continuously monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official guidance at all times, timing ferry and flight connections carefully. The genuine warmth and hospitality of the Greek people, on the mainland and the islands alike, are among the great joys of any visit.
When is the best time to visit?
April to June and September to October are ideal across Greece, with warm, sunny days perfect for the ancient sites, islands and beaches, and thinner crowds than the peak. July and August are hot and lively, the height of the beach and island season, while winter is mild, quiet and green on the mainland, lovely for Athens, Delphi and Meteora. We advise on the best timing for your interests and the regions and islands you wish to see.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Athens, the ancient sites, the mainland and the islands, add or swap islands, extend beach time, include a sailing or cruising leg in the Aegean, add Meteora, Delphi or the Peloponnese, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through the ancient sites, islands and beautiful landscapes of Greece.
More Beach Journeys
Beach
Customizable
Djerba & the South: Island, Berbers & the Desert Edge
Djerba & the South: Island, Berbers & the Desert Edge
Tunisia
Beach
Customizable
Mediterranean Beach Escape: Hammamet & Sousse
Mediterranean Beach Escape: Hammamet & Sousse
Tunisia
Beach
Customizable
Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach: Plains to White Sands
Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Beach: Plains to White Sands
Tanzania