10 Unmissable Athens Attractions for Families

You’ll find Athens perfectly balances ancient history with family-friendly attractions. Start with the iconic Acropolis and Parthenon for breathtaking views, then explore the interactive Hellenic Children’s Museum and stargazing at Athens Planetarium. The National Gardens offer peaceful green spaces, while Mount Lycabettus provides panoramic cityscapes via funicular. Don’t miss the Ancient Agora’s historical significance, the National Archaeological Museum’s treasures, and Lake Vouliagmeni’s therapeutic thermal waters. Each destination offers unique experiences that’ll create lasting memories for your entire family.

Acropolis and Parthenon: Ancient Wonders Above the City

While most ancient wonders have crumbled into obscurity, Athens’ Acropolis stands proudly above the city as a proof to human achievement that’ll captivate your entire family. You’ll discover the magnificent Parthenon, constructed between 447-432 BCE under Pericles’ ambitious building program. Your children will marvel at how architects Ictinus and Callicrates created this architectural masterpiece over 2,400 years ago.

Plan your visit early morning to avoid crowds and heat. You’ll explore the Propylaea’s monumental entrance, the elegant Temple of Athena Nike, and the intricate Erechtheion temple. The site rises approximately 70 meters from the surrounding basin, creating the dramatic elevated position that makes these monuments so impressive.

Wear comfortable walking shoes since you’ll navigate uneven marble surfaces and steep paths. Bring water and sun protection—there’s limited shade atop this sacred hill. The panoramic views of Athens will provide unforgettable family photos.

National Gardens: A Green Oasis in the Heart of Athens

After exploring ancient marble heights, your family will appreciate the cool shade and vibrant greenery of the National Gardens, a 38-acre oasis tucked behind the Greek Parliament building. This former royal garden welcomes you with winding paths lined with palm trees, cedars, and colorful blooms that’ll captivate kids of all ages.

Your children will delight in spotting peacocks strutting across pathways and feeding ducks at the peaceful pond. Don’t miss the turtle enclosure where tortoises slowly roam their habitat.

The playground provides active fun, while the Spanish Fountain offers perfect photo opportunities. As you explore, you’ll discover fascinating ancient ruins scattered throughout the gardens, including mosaics and Corinthian column capitals that add archaeological wonder to your nature walk.

Entry’s completely free, and you’ll find the Syntagma metro station just steps away. Open from sunrise to sunset, it’s an ideal mid-day retreat from Athens’ bustling streets.

Ancient Agora: Where Democracy and Daily Life Began

Stepping into the Ancient Agora feels like entering a time machine where your family can walk the same paths where Socrates taught and Athenian citizens cast their first democratic votes. This 30-acre archaeological site served as Athens’ political, commercial, and social heart for over 1,000 years.

You’ll discover the remarkably preserved Temple of Hephaestus from 450 BCE and explore the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos, which houses fascinating artifacts. Kids love spotting ancient ruins while learning how democracy was born here. The area was actually used as a burial ground with approximately 50 tholos tombs and 80 graves before transforming into Athens’ civic center.

The site’s tree-lined pathways provide welcome shade during hot summer days.

Plan two hours for your visit, bringing water and comfortable walking shoes. The peaceful grounds offer perfect picnic spots, making this educational adventure enjoyable for all ages while connecting your family to Western civilization’s origins.

Mount Lycabettus: Athens From Above

Rising 277 meters above Athens, Mount Lycabettus offers your family the city’s most spectacular panoramic views, stretching from the illuminated Acropolis to the distant Aegean Sea.

You’ll reach the summit via funicular railway—a thrilling 3-minute cable car ride through a tunnel that kids absolutely love. The lower terminus sits on Aristippou street in Kolonaki, making access straightforward for families with strollers or tired legs.

At the top, visit the charming 19th-century Chapel of St. George and grab refreshments at the café. The dedicated viewing platform provides safe, unobstructed vistas of Athens’ landmarks below. For families interested in exploring further, a mysterious cave begins near the small chapel on the west side, extending toward Tourkovounia and inspiring local urban legends.

Time your visit for sunset when the city transforms into a golden tapestry. The funicular operates year-round, making this accessible adventure perfect for all ages.

Hellenic Children’s Museum: Interactive Learning Adventures

When your little ones need a break from ancient ruins, the Hellenic Children’s Museum transforms learning into pure play across 600 square meters of interactive exhibitions. Greece’s first and only children’s museum welcomes kids up to 12 years old with hands-on activities covering science, arts, and daily life.

Your children can explore geometry concepts in “Hello Pythagoras!”, practice cooking in The Kitchen, or learn about supply and demand through role-play in the Marketplace.

The dedicated playspace perfectly suits toddlers aged 0-3, while older kids enjoy building activities and workshops. The museum’s Mobile Museum travels throughout Greece to extend educational outreach beyond Athens.

Admission’s free, but you’ll need reservations for time slots. The enthusiastic staff maintains exhibits exceptionally well, ensuring safe exploration. Before visiting, verify the museum’s current operating status, as some sources report permanent closure.

Playmobil Fun Park: Imaginative Play Meets Greek Mythology

While ancient Greek gods once ruled Mount Olympus, today they’ve found a new home at Playmobil Fun Park in Kifisia, where your children can enjoy mythological adventures through hands-on play. Located at Amaliados 4, this unique attraction combines classical Greek mythology with modern play concepts, featuring life-sized installations of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures.

You’ll find medieval castles, pirate ships, and interactive zones designed for different age groups. The park offers dedicated toddler areas with rounded surfaces and trained staff supervision.

Visit Tuesday-Thursday (10 AM-8 PM) or weekends (10 AM-9 PM) for €8-10 admission. Free parking makes access convenient, and the on-site café lets you supervise while enjoying refreshments. Daily toy sanitization guarantees safe play experiences. Planning your day becomes easier with nearby attractions like the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology and Greece in Miniature Museum, all bookable for immediate access to maximize your family’s Athens adventure.

National Archaeological Museum: Treasures of Ancient Greece

After letting your children’s imaginations soar with mythological play, you can explore the real artifacts that inspired those ancient stories at the National Archaeological Museum. Greece’s largest museum houses over 11,000 exhibits spanning prehistory to late antiquity in a stunning neoclassical building.

You’ll discover treasures like the famous Mask of Agamemnon, Cycladic marble figurines, and vibrant Thera wall paintings. The museum’s five main collections include prehistoric artifacts, sculptures, vases, and Egyptian antiquities. The museum first opened to the public in 1889, making it one of the world’s oldest archaeological institutions.

Your family can marvel at bronze statues, ancient ceramics, and even Pharaoh-era mummies. Plan several hours for your visit, as the museum covers 8,000 square meters.

Children particularly enjoy the colorful prehistoric displays and sparkling gold artifacts from Mycenaean royal tombs.

Athens Planetarium: Journey Through the Stars

Since your family has explored ancient treasures on Earth, it’s time to venture into the cosmos at the Athens Planetarium. Located at 387 Sygrou Avenue, this state-of-the-art facility offers immersive 3D experiences under a massive 25-meter dome that’ll captivate ages 5-99.

You’ll enjoy high-budget IMAX productions about astronomy and space exploration, with English narration available through wireless headphones. The 280-seat auditorium features interactive controls and 360º projections that simulate real space views.

The planetarium welcomes families with stroller access, baby-change facilities, and reserved wheelchair seating. The facility also houses a comprehensive science and technology library with over 45,000 books spread across three floors.

You can purchase tickets online and visit Wednesday-Friday from 17:00-21:00 or weekends from 09:00-21:00.

It’s conveniently located across from Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, making it easily accessible by tram or bus.

Benaki Museum of Islamic Art: Cultural Discovery for Curious Minds

Where can your family discover 1,300 years of Islamic civilization in the heart of Athens? The Benaki Museum of Islamic Art offers an extraordinary cultural journey through 12,000 masterpieces spanning the 7th to 20th centuries.

Located in Athens’s historic Kerameikos district, this neoclassical building houses treasures from across the Islamic world—lustrous ceramics, intricate metalwork, stunning textiles, and gleaming jewellery. The museum complex was generously donated by Lambros Eftaxias, who serves as Honorary President of the Museum Board of Trustees.

Your children will marvel at the chronologically organized galleries, making it easy to follow Islamic art’s evolution.

Don’t miss the basement’s exciting archaeological discovery—a 4th century BC Athens city wall.

The museum’s proximity to the ancient Agora makes it perfect for combined family visits.

Important note: The museum closes permanently starting Monday, October 14, 2024, so plan your visit accordingly.

Lake Vouliagmeni: Natural Thermal Springs and Beach Fun

From exploring ancient artifacts, your family can now experience Athens’s natural wonders at Lake Vouliagmeni, a stunning thermal lake that’ll captivate both parents and children.

Located just minutes from Athens center, this protected natural lagoon offers year-round swimming in mineral-rich waters ranging 21-29°C. The lake formed from a cave roof collapse, creating this unique geological wonder that continues to fascinate visitors with its dramatic underwater formations.

You’ll discover therapeutic benefits for skin conditions and arthritis, plus unique Garra Rufa fish that gently exfoliate your skin.

The site features premium amenities including sun-beds and organized hiking trails around the dramatic cliffs.

Important safety note: avoid if family members have cardiovascular issues, epilepsy, or respiratory conditions.

Visit between 8:00 am-8:00 pm (last entry 7:30 pm).

Book the Prive Area for enhanced comfort, and bring sun protection since natural shade is limited during windy conditions.

The Sum Up

You’ve got an incredible adventure waiting in Athens with your family. These attractions blend ancient history with modern fun, ensuring everyone stays engaged and learning. Remember to pack comfortable walking shoes, plenty of water, and sun protection—Greek summers can be intense. Book tickets online when possible to skip lines, and always keep an eye on little ones near archaeological sites. Athens will create unforgettable memories that’ll spark your children’s curiosity about history and culture for years to come.