Our family lived in the suburbs of Athens for almost five years, and we loved every minute of exploring the region with our children. While we spent plenty of time in the historic city center, we truly fell in love with the surrounding Attica region. If you are looking for the best things to do in Attica with kids, here is a list of our favorite beaches, archaeological sites, shopping districts, and play spaces.
Family-Friendly Beaches in Attica
Delfini Beach Restaurant (Schinias Beach)
Located on the beautiful Schinias Beach, Delfini is one of our top recommendations. This calm, sandy shore is perfect for little kids to explore safely.
- Amenities: Stroller-friendly parking (you can push the stroller right onto the sand), sunbed rentals, restrooms, and showers.
- Dining: The food is absolutely amazing, featuring fresh fish and steak. Our kids always enjoyed the plain pasta. They also provide high chairs and very friendly service.
- Reservations: Call ahead to reserve your sunbeds. If you have little ones, ask for the back row under the large canopy for extra shade.
Four Seasons Astir Palace (Vouliagmeni)
For a luxurious splurge in Athens, we highly recommend a day pass here. This private complex features large swimming pools and two pristine sandy beaches.
- Highlights: Our kids love the Nafsika Beach and Pool, which overlooks the sea. You can rent sunbeds or even a private cabana for larger groups.
- Dining: We love Helios, the Latin American restaurant near the pool (don’t miss the churros with dipping sauce!). Taverna 37, located on the seaside promenade, offers traditional Greek fare under shaded canopies.
- Note: Reservations are mandatory to pass the gate. The facility is top-tier, offering free parking, lockers, and changing rooms.
Mirano Beach Bar (Alykes Beach)
Located in Drosia, Alykes Beach offers clear, shallow, and calm water. We enjoyed renting sunbeds at Mirano Beach Bar, which provides excellent beachside service.
- Activities: You can rent SUPs (Stand-Up Paddleboards) here to explore the coastline.
- Parking: There is some street parking available, but it fills up very quickly on sunny weekends.
Nea Makri
This town features a wonderful, stroller-friendly seaside promenade and a great playground. The beach (not organized) is a mix of pebbles and sand. Don’t forget to visit the small port to check out the traditional fishing boats.
- Dining: We highly recommend Trata H for fresh fish (it’s very baby-friendly with high chairs and changing tables) or Avra, which is located directly on the water. For a quick snack or coffee, visit Cafe Secret.
- Parking: Free parking is usually available along the promenade.
Archaeological Sites
Temple of Artemis at Brauron
Located 45 minutes from Athens (and only 15 from the airport), this temple sits in a peaceful valley. Built in 500 BC to worship the Goddess Artemis, it was primarily a site for women regarding fertility and childbirth.
- The Experience: It is rarely crowded, offering a tranquil visit. While the path from the museum to the temple is not stroller-friendly, the museum itself is (once you get past the initial entrance stairs).
- Tip: Bring sunscreen, hats, and water, as there is very little shade. Don’t miss the museum, which displays beautiful pottery, jewelry, and sculptures. Consider combing with a trip to Papagiannakos Winery.
Temple of Poseidon (Sounio)
This iconic temple, built around 400 BC, stands on a cliff overlooking the sea—the perfect spot for the God of the Sea. This is one of our favorite sites to take visiting family and friends.
- The Experience: You can walk among the standing columns and enjoy incredible panoramic views. Note that the ground is very rocky and often windy, so wear sturdy shoes. The area is not stroller-friendly.
- Amenities: There is a small parking lot (which gets crowded on weekends), a gift shop, and a restaurant with lovely views where we enjoy grabbing a meal or snack.
Marathon Dam
If you are driving toward Schinias, take the scenic route across the Marathon Dam. Built in 1929 to provide drinking water for Athens, it is remarkably constructed from Pentelic Marble—the same stone used for the Parthenon. You can park on one side and walk across the bridge to view Lake Marathon.
Indoor Fun & Nature
Xplore (Golden Hall Mall)
When the weather isn’t cooperating, head to Xplore in Marousi. It features three distinct zones: Science (interactive stations), Adventure (soft play, go-karts, and dinosaurs), and Oceans (the only aquarium in Athens).
- Pricing: You can buy tickets for 1, 2, or 3 zones. If you only have a couple of hours, one zone is plenty. For a full day of fun, the three-zone pass is the best value. They also offer a special family rate for two adults and two kids.
- Convenience: The facility is fully stroller-friendly with mall garage parking. There is a small cafe inside and a TGI Fridays right at the entrance for a sit-down lunch.
Attica Zoological Park (Spata)
We spent a great deal of our time here! It is completely stroller-friendly, and peacocks roam freely throughout the grounds.
- Animals: Our favorites include the lemurs, lions, meerkats, and the reptile area.
- Facilities: There is a large playground, a picnic area, and the Zoo Cafe, which offers a kids’ menu (chicken nuggets!) and changing tables.
- Tip: Buy tickets online to skip the long weekend lines. There is a large free parking lot shared with Aquapolis Water Park.
Diomidous Botanical Garden
This massive garden in Haidari is a wonderful place for kids to roam and search for frogs and tortoises. Bring a picnic and plan on spending 1-2 hours here.
- Details: It’s best explored without a stroller. Entry is free on weekdays but requires a small fee on weekends (€2 for adults, €0.25 for kids).
- Note: Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Wineries & Shopping
Papagiannakos Winery
A stunning, modern facility just 10 minutes from the Temple of Artemis. We love their Savatiano, Assyrtiko, and Agiorgitiko. While we enjoyed the tasting room, the kids were welcome to color and play with activities we brought along. Make sure to book a reservation in advance.
Kokotos Estate (Stamata)
This is a family-run winery that is incredibly kid-oriented. They frequently host events featuring pony rides, crafts, and farm animal visits. We particularly love their Chardonnay. Check their website to register for upcoming family days.
Kifisia (Kafisia)
A beautiful upscale suburb perfect for shopping and dining.
- For Kids: Visit the Bowling Center Kifisia or explore the large park, “Kifisia Forest”. Our kids loved the winding paths and water features. There are even shaded cafes where you can sit and relax.
- Shopping: Check out Thanopoulos Supermarket for international goods like light brown sugar, Reese’s, and Betty Crocker mixes. There are also many chain and boutique shops in the area to browse.
- Our Favorite Restaurants:
- NATU: Modern Mediterranean food in a garden with koi ponds.
- Dos Hermanos: Excellent, family-friendly Mexican food.
- Wagamama: Reliable and delicious Asian cuisine.
- Lartecono Davinci: Our absolute favorite spot for gelato.
- PAUL Kifissia: The best choice for a pastry or hot chocolate.
- Parking: Use the “Alsos Parking Garage” or “Parking Shopping” near the stores. You can also try your luck with free street parking in the residential areas.
Final Thoughts
The suburbs of Athens offer a fantastic variety of activities for families. Whether you want a luxury beach day or a quiet walk through ancient ruins, the Attica surrounding area has something for everyone. For more information on exploring the Athens city center, check out our full family guide!