Planning a trip to Greece is the ultimate history lover’s dream! As the birthplace of western civilization, there are layers from thousands of years under the marble and sand. Greece will make almost everyone in your family happy with its beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets, delicious food, and numerous historical sites. There’s something for everyone!
All ages will enjoy the beaches and activities of Greece, but I recommend a trip here when your kids are a little older – 10 and up. They will appreciate the historical sites and vistas more when they aren’t toddlers or young elementary aged. And you will enjoy not having to keep a toddler from scrambling over the cliffs at the Acropolis!
My travel tips below include general information as well as specific tips for the places we’ve visited: Athens, Crete, and Santorini. Of course, there are many more destinations in Greece that I am not covering so be sure to research those (Rick Steves’ Greece guidebook is my favorite way!) before planning your trip. Next on my list to visit are the Biblical sites on the Peloponnese and the island of Corfu!
Planning Tips
Greece is made up of many islands and peninsulas and is too large to cover in one vacation! Our awesome travel agent recommended that we focus on a couple of islands along with Athens for our recent nine day trip. We spent three nights on two different islands and then two nights in Athens to make for a great vacation.
Here are some questions to ask yourself before making reservations:
- Do you want to begin or end your trip in Athens? If you’ve never been to Athens before, it’s a must-see! We opted to end our trip here since we knew it was the most tour-heavy place to visit and we didn’t want to be jet-lagged as we climbed around the Acropolis. It was a great decision, especially since many of the islands have direct flights from other places in Europe so you can by-pass Athens altogether until you’re ready to visit! And it’s nice to end your trip there with the many direct flights to America from Athens.
- What time of year are you visiting? July and August are HOT so try to avoid them if possible. We visited in mid-June and while it was sunny, it was bearable (for the most part!). Plus some of the most visited spots (the Acropolis, Santorini, etc.) are packed at most times of the year and especially during the high tourist seasons! With its balmy weather, Greece would be a great place during shoulder months (May and September).
- What’s your budget? Greece can be a reasonable place to visit but most of the hotels, especially on the islands, are definite splurges. Santorini in particular was very expensive. Many of the island’s luxury hotel rooms have their own pools with ocean views which makes it truly a special place to visit. Athens has more variety but safety should be a top consideration. With the main historical sites in a relatively small area, it’s best to stay nearby.
- How busy do you want to be? I made an effort to rein in my go-go-go mentality on the islands we visited, opting instead to enjoy our spectacular rooms and resort amenities. There were plenty of things to do on the islands but it was nice to rest and relax, especially in preparation for the craziness of Athens! If you do want to explore more on the islands, stay longer, picking one island to really focus on for the stay.
- Research the vibe of the different islands. Do you want a small island that is full of locals or a bustling island with lots to do? Or a mixture of both? Each island has its own culture and pros/cons. Santorini is probably the most visited by tourists and for good reason, it’s unlike any other island! But could you get the same vibe of Santorini on a different island without the crowds and outrageous cost? Possibly! Or take a look at the Peloponnese destinations which may be a better option. Do you care more about historical sites or beaches? Restaurants and shopping or relaxation? Here were our thoughts on the islands we visited:
- Santorini: Most beautiful island with an active volcano off its coast. The island was blown apart by a volcano thousands of years ago, creating a dramatic coastline that is unbelievably gorgeous. It’s the sort of place you have to see once (but I think once is enough with all of the crowds!).
- Crete: Our favorite island. It’s the largest of the Greek islands and has the richest history. It’s so large, however, that it is hard to see the sites without a car. It’s definitely a place I plan to go back to again!
General Information
Transportation:
- Getting to Greece: Look into flying directly to your first destination island. We were supposed to fly from Paris to Crete (although a delayed flight from the US made us miss it!). It’s easier to do that than to go through Athens. Note for your return trip, most flights in Athens board and disembark on the tarmac which means lots of stairs and a ride in a bus to the terminal. Plan accordingly with little ones.
- Cruises: Taking a cruise through the Greek islands is popular and seems like it would be a great way to see a lot of islands in one trip. Just know that the cruise ships create huge crowds in the tourist areas and be forewarned that the cruise ships on Santorini dock at the old harbor. You have to take a donkey or gondola to get to the town!
- Intra-island travel: There are many ways to travel between islands and on the mainland. Look into both flights and ferries. We were surprised at how efficient and nice our ferry from Crete to Santorini was (check out SeaJets). Flights on Aegean or Olympic are fast options as well (but you have to build in time for airport security). We also spoke to one of our fellow hotel guests who had taken a helicopter from their last island!
- Island travel: We stayed mostly at our resorts but hired a driver through our travel agent when we ventured off property. We didn’t want to drive the Greek roads ourselves, but it would have been fine once we were there. Crete, in particular, had nice, wide highways. And you can drive onto the ferries! I wouldn’t advise driving in Santorini, at least if you’re planning to stay in Oia, as the roads are jammed with pedestrians and foolish tourists on rented ATVs!
- Athens is an easily walkable city with a great subway. We didn’t even need to use it, however, to see the main historic area.
Food: Greek food is amazing! The ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta, the fresh fish caught just a few hours before, and the delectable gyros and crumbly baklava all make for a feast at every meal! We love traditional Greek food but were surprised by the food on the islands. There the menus revolve around fish and seafood; Athens is the place for gyros and souvlaki. It was all delicious – but just know after a week of eating it, you may be ready for something different! Kids will love all of the fresh fruit and bread. One big surprise was the lack of hummus! I thought it’d be everywhere!
- Some of our favorite dining experiences were at the Blue Door Taverna at our hotel in Crete, the Armeni Fish Tavern on Santorini (you have to take a boat to the restaurant!), and dinner/drinks overlooking the Acropolis at the GB Roof Garden restaurant in Athens.
- Gyros are found in Athens and our food tour guide told us to look for a hole-in-the-wall place that serves them out of a window. We loved ours from a little shop right behind the McDonalds in Syntagma Square.
- Sunset cruise with dinner: We took a sunset cruise in Santorini that included a delicious dinner cooked on the boat! It is a perfect way to eat while seeing the sites with teenagers.
- Plaka restaurants: In Athens, the Plaka area is known for its interchangeable restaurants. The food is often not the best but the ambiance is top notch!
- Food tours: We did a food tour in Athens that allowed us to try a lot of different foods. It’s how we discovered our love for soutzoukakia (a curry meatball)!
Lodging: Greece has a wide variety of hotels and lodging options. We decided to splurge on this trip, especially on the islands where we knew we would be in our room a lot. No matter where you stay, I recommend using a travel agent to book so you get access to their special rates and amenities (our agent is awesome and has a lot of knowledge about Greece!)
- Athens: The historic area around the Acropolis and Syntagma Square is the place to stay. Most of the sites you’ll want to see are within walking distance of these areas. The most historic hotel is the Grand Bretagne in Syntagma Square. If you’d like access to it (without the price), check out its sister hotel just next door, the King George. We stayed there and liked its modern rooms and airy lobby.
- Santorini: This will be the biggest splurge of your trip! We wanted to stay in the little town of Oia (pronounced “Ee-ah”) which is famous for its sunsets. Hotels are quite busy in the town so we stayed just a 5 minute drive away overlooking the ocean at Canaves Oia Epitome. It was truly spectacular! One thing to note with kids is that staying in town might be easier so you don’t have to rely on a car. Or stay in another town on the island (Fira is the capital) that is less busy.
- Crete: We loved our hotel in Elounda, the Blue Palace. It was the right mixture of lots of activities along with a laid-back vibe. The Elounda area has the most five star hotels in Greece outside of Santorini! It is a special place. Note that this area is 1-2 hours from the historic sites.
Shopping: There are some great places to shop in Athens – check out Ermou Street and Monastiraki Square along with the Plaka (pictured above). On Santorini, Oia’s main street is lined with high-end shops and restaurants.
I loved the book carts in Athens!
Attractions/Historical Sites
Athens
Athens is full of historical sites but most can be seen in just two days. Follow Rick Steves’ Athens city walk to go by most of these sites (check out this map).
Acropolis: The main attraction in Athens is the Acropolis which is considered the most important ancient site in the western world. It looms over almost every part of the city and is just magnificent. It’s hard to imagine that you’re actually looking at something so old! From Socrates to WWII history, this site has seen it all. It’s made up of iconic buildings such as the Parthenon, Biblical sites like Mars Hill, and has been a revered site for over 2,000 years! You must buy your entry-timed tickets in advance, and I recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and the extreme heat. See my review here!
Acropolis Museum: Just down the hill from the Acropolis is the excellent Acropolis Museum. Built to replicate the Parthenon on the Acropolis, this museum tells the story of the Acropolis and lets you get up close to the thousands of statues, friezes, and artifacts from the actual site. This ticket is separate from the Acropolis tickets and should be purchased in advance. See my review here!
Roman Forum: The ruins of the 1st century BC Roman forum are picturesque, particularly at night. You can visit as part of your Acropolis ticket. See my review here!
Ancient Agora: This is the ancient Greek market that was the centerpiece of Athenian democracy. You can visit as part of your Acropolis ticket. See my review here!
Hadrian’s Library: Built during Emperor Hadrian’s visit in the 2nd century, these ruins are especially beautiful at night. You can visit as part of your Acropolis ticket. See my review here!
Temple of Olympian Zeus: This temple and the Hadrian arch outside of it was built in the 2nd century. It’s currently undergoing restoration. You can visit as part of your Acropolis ticket. See my review here!
Aristotle’s Lyceum: Stroll through the site where Aristotle taught scholars. You can visit as part of your Acropolis ticket. See my review here!
Roman bathhouse: There are many archaeological sites that you’ll walk by as you stroll around Athens. This is one of the best seen near the Temple of Zeus.
Panathenaic Stadium: Run a lap at the stadium first built in the 4th century BC. It’s so atmospheric! You can view the stadium without purchasing a ticket to go inside the gates. See my review here!
National Archaeological Museum: This museum is a little bit of a haul from the central part of Athens but is supposed to be well worth the visit! You can visit as part of your Acropolis ticket.
Museum of Modern Greek Culture: This museum near Monastiraki Square tells the story of modern Greece from the 19th century through today. You can visit as part of your Acropolis ticket.
National War Museum: This museum along Athen’s embassy row is a must-visit for anyone who has read about Greece during WWII. It is a truly remarkable and heroic story of the Greek people who resisted the Nazi occupation of the country. The museum is a bit dated but kids will love the uniforms and models of warfare. Plus it’s a great respite from the heat! You can view many of the vehicles and tanks outside the museum without going inside.
Cathedral (Holy Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary): The main cathedral in Athens is a beautiful 19th century Greek Orthodox church between Syntagma and Monastiraki squares. Right beside it is the beautiful Byzantine-era church (Church of Agios Eleftherios) that it replaced.
Church of Kapnikarea: Sitting right in the middle of the pedestrian-only Ermou Street, this 11th century Byzantine church is worth a peep inside.
Syntagma Square: This grand square is home to the Greek Parliament, which is housed in a former palace at the eastern edge of the square. This is where you can watch the dramatic changing of the guard at 5 minutes before every hour at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was worth the wait!
National Garden and Zappeion: This garden is lush even in the summer heat, which makes it a great retreat during the hottest times of the day. It includes palm trees sent from America! The Zappeion building is a former 19th century palace that housed the Olympic committee when the modern Olympics began. It’s also associated with the Greek royal family.
Santorini
This volcanic island has some of the most gorgeous views of any place in the world! With one side of the island containing regular, sloping beaches, the other side of Santorini falls dramatically into the Aegean Sea because of a volcano explosion in 1630 BC. You can even take a boat through the volcano’s caldera which is still full of sulphuric water and steam today!
There are a few historic sites on Santorini that you can visit. We didn’t get to any of these on our trip as they were a bit of a hike from Oia.
Akrotiri Archaeological Site: When the volcano erupted in 1630 BC, it covered this recently abandoned Minoan-era town in ash (much like Pompeii). Visitors can explore the still-active excavation sites.
Museum of Prehistoric Thira: This museum displays artifacts found at Akrotiri.
Crete
Crete is Greece’s largest island and is chock full of historical sites from ancient times to WWII. It was home to one of the oldest civilizations in history, the Minoans, and as the Allied’s last hold on Greece, the island suffered tremendously in the Nazi occupation. We didn’t get to see any of the sites on our short stay, but I am definitely planning to come back here! If you are more interested in sight-seeing than relaxation, stay in central or west Crete rather than the Elounda resort area (it’s over an hour drive west from Elounda to many of the sites).
Knossos: This stunning Minoan-era palace is the site where the legend of the infamous minotaur takes place. Destroyed in 1450 BC, it was rediscovered by archaeologists in the 19th century. There are dozens of lesser-known ancient ruins like this spread throughout Crete, but Knossos is the main one to see.
Spinalonga: This island is dominated by a Venetian fortress from the 16th century. It is well-known in history as the leper island where Greeks were sent to live when they were diagnosed with leprosy. It was abandoned in the mid-20th century once a cure for leprosy was found. You can take a boat from the Elounda area to the island or just view it from the shoreline. There are many other Venetian fortresses on Crete.
Archaeological Museum of Chania: This is one of the newest museums in Greece and houses many ancient artifacts found nearby.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum: One of the oldest museums in Greece, it houses Cretan art and artifacts from thousands of years.
Historical Museum of Crete: This museum houses many artifacts including those from WWII.
Chania: This picturesque town was carpet-bombed by the Nazis and was the center of the Greek Resistance. It’s now a pretty tourist town full of shops and restaurants.
Souda Bay War Cemetery: This is the final resting place for the 1500 British soldiers who died during the 1941 Battle of Crete.
WWII sites: There are several private museums that display WWII artifacts. We stumbled on what appears to be a WWII bunker on the walk to Plaka from our hotel. It was so cool!
This gives you a glimpse into beginning to plan a trip to Greece. Greece is full of history and culture and is a wonderful place for a family vacation!
Books to Read
There are so many books set in Greece that I can’t possibly include them all here. I’ve highlighted a few of my favorites below. Be sure to check out my Bookshop.org shop to support independent bookstores and creators.
All links below are Amazon affiliate links.
Guidebooks:
- Rick Steves Greece: Athens & the Peloponnese
- Rick Steves Pocket Athens
- Lonely Planet Greek Islands
- DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete
Adult/Young Adult:
- Nonfiction
- Fiction:
Middle Grade:
- Eyewitness Ancient Greece
- Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters
- Where is the Parthenon?
- The Iliad graphic novel
- The Odyssey graphic novel
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set
- The Heroes of Olympus Hardcover Boxed Set of 5
Picture Books:
