Athens for Family

Athens is a child-friendly city. There are many facilities in and around Athens that cater to families travelling with children of all ages. Playgrounds, water parks, zoos, adventure parks, fun parks and children's museums are all here for you to enjoy. Following are some suggestions of places to visit with your children.

Beaches

The beach is  the favourite child and teenage destination when visiting Athens in the summer. Hours and hours can be spent by the seaside, building sandcastles, playing with other children, and swimming in the shallow, pristine waters. This can be done either on public or organized beaches.

Internet Cafés
Teenagers and adults can write home and catch up on emails at several Internet cafés located throughout the city.

But there are also specific attractions in Athens that are sure to make for wonderful family memories and snapshots. 

Attica Zoological Park
This awe-inspiring zoo in Spata will leave your children wide-eyed with amazement.  Near Athens International Airport and just 40 km (25 miles), or an hour away from the centre of Athens, this 32-acre wild kingdom wonder is crawling with over 1500 birds and 300 different species of farm animals, reptiles, mammals, bears, baby jaguars, tigers, wolves, zebras, antelopes, alligators, monkeys, apes and more. Visit the "World of Reptiles," "The African Savannah," "The Monkey Forest" and "Greek Fauna."  The zoo also offers interactive programmes for children to make them aware of the habitats relating to the species in the animal kingdom.  Picnic area, souvenir shop, café and playground on the premises.

Hours: Every day 9:00 a.m. to sunset
Fee: Adults: 11 €; Children 3 to 12: 9 €; Under 3: Free
Group over 25 people: 9 €
Disabled: Free
Location: Gialou Street, Spata
www.atticapark.gr
Tel.: (+30) 210-663-4724

By Bus: #319 from Ethnikis Aminas Metro Station

By car: Via Attiki Odos

From Airport-Exit 16P (Rafina); From Athens Exit 18 (Spata)

Allou Fun Park
What teenager and young-at-heart adult would not have a great time at an amusement theme park? Add to your Athens sightseeing itinerary with a fun day at the latest and greatest amusement park in Athens, filled with rides and attractions that get the adrenaline and excitement going: The Shock Tower drops you from a height of 450 meters (or 1500 feet) while "The Panorama," the largest ferris wheel in the Balkans, gives you an amazing view of the city. Roller coasters, bumper cars, rafting and games are all part of the fun.  Kidom, right next door, brings joy and delight to toddlers and children under 12.  Visit during Christmas, Carnival and Easter for special holiday events and attractions.

Kifisou Avenue & Petrou Ralli, Agios Ioannis Renti
Tel.: (+30) 210-425-6999

Allou Fun Park, Open: Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m; Friday, 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; Kidom, Open: Monday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to Midnight Fee: Free entrance, price per game: 3 to 10 €, or 17  €  for all-inclusive pass.

The Children's Museum

Dedicated to children, this museum, is housed in an old mansion, aims to enhance learning through play and direct contact with objects. The hands-on displays encourage children to explore, experiment, think and create. Among these displays, is an exhibit named "Hello Pythagoras," which engages children in logic and geometry games as well as others that deal with cooking, family, money, art and recycling. Of course, there are lots of toys and games as well as computers here. A series of activities such as theatrical games and cooking courses are organized each weekend.  The museum is suitable for children up to 12 years old.

 14 Kydatheneon Street, Plaka

Tel: (+30) 210-331-2995

Open: Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Weekends, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Admission: Free, additional fee for specific educational programmes

METRO LINES 2 & 3: SINTAGMA

The Museum of Greek Children's Art
In the heart of the historic centre, is a top-notch children's museum dedicated to the inspiration and expression of art as seen through their eyes.  Housed in a neoclassical building in Plaka, the museum has created an educational art institution with workshops, programmes and seminars dedicated to the creativity of children and the adults that guide them.  The museum exhibits paintings and 3-D artwork by children up to 14 years old from all over Greece, which are renewed on a regular basis. A must-see for all children who love arts and crafts.

9 Kodrou Street, extension of Voulis Street, Plaka

Tel.:  (+30) 210-331-2621, 210-331-2750 
Open: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00  p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00  p.m.
Fee: 2 €, children: free

website: www.childrensartmuseum.gr
e-mail: contact@childrensartmuseum.gr

The Goulandris Museum of Natural History

Gaia Centre
This impressive museum is fun for the entire family.  The museum includes large collections of insects, mammals, birds, reptiles, shells, rocks, minerals and fossils. The museum's Gaia Centre, housed in the nearby annex, focuses on the study of the environment and offers exhibits dedicated to this science

Museum: 13, Levidou Street, Kifisia

Tel: (+30) 210-801-5870, 210-808-6405

www.gnhm.gr

Open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30  p.m., Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 2:30  p.m.
Fee: 5 €, reduced fee: 3 €, 7 € to visit musem and Gaia Centre

METRO LINE 1: KIFISIA
Gaia Centre

Othonos 100, Kifisia

Fee: 5 €, reduced fee: 3 €, 7 € to visit musem and Gaia Centre

METRO LINE 1: KIFISIA

The New Digital Planetarium of the Eugenides Foundation
One of the largest and most advanced digital planetariums in the world, it offers a fascinating visual trip to the stars.  Recently renovated, the planetarium is a contemporary addition to the Athens sightseeing landscape. Highlights include an ultra modern 280-person capacity projection hall with specially designed inclined seating; a huge semi-circular dome which also functions as a dome theatre for wide screen film screenings; a 1,800 square metre exhibition area; a modern conference centre; and a scientific and technical multimedia library.

387, Syngrou Ave., Palio  Faliro; (entrance on Penteli Street)
Open: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 every hour; Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Fee: 6 € to 8 €, reduced: 4 € to 5 €
Tel.: (+30) 210-946-9600, 210-946-9642
Website: www.eugenidesfoundation.edu.gr
e-mail: public@eugenfound.edu.gr

The National Garden on Vassilisis Sofias Avenue is a free and conveniently located break for families and their children right in the centre of Athens.  The former palatial garden has a very popular duck pond, playground and small petting zoo immersed in over 500 types of lush vegetation and flowers.

Zappeion - with four entrances : Vassilisis Sophias Avenue, Herodou Attikou Street, Vassilisis Amalias Avenue and an entrance connecting the National Garden to the Zappeion.

Open: Dawn to Sunset
Free

The "Archelon" Society's Centre for the Protection of the Sea Turtles
If your visit to Athens includes a ride out to the coastal town of Glyfada for swimming or shopping, make sure to stop by the Archelon for a viewing and mini-lesson (in English) on sea turtles and their preservation. 

Glyfada waterfront, 3rd Marina
Tel.: (+30) 210-898-2600

Open: Monday through Friday and weekends, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free

Foundation for the Hellenic World's multimedia centre Hellenic Cosmos, hosts interactive exhibits that focus on Greek history and culture through the ages. You can visit the ancient city, Militos, or witness the ancient Olympic Games on a virtual reality tour, learn about the history of mathematics or browse the Web in the Internet café.

254 Pireos Street, Tavros
Tel.: (+30) 210-342-2292, 210-483-5300

Winter Hours (October 2-June 14): Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, Closed: Saturdays

Summer Hours: (June 15-October 1): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Fee: 6 € to 8 €, depending on exhibit
www.hellenic-cosmos.gr