Many people, while visiting Greece, rush through Athens on their way to the Greek islands, but Athens has so much to offer, especially if you are traveling with your children. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, Athens is the perfect city destination to explore as a family at all times of the year.
Enjoy a day of fun and learning for all the family at Athens’ Attica Zoological Park.
The zoo is in Spata, and it covers more than 20 hectares and is home to more than 2000 animals, representing 350 different species. Attica is one of the most complete Zoological Parks in Europe and provides a unique experience for both adults and children. It started initially as a Bird Park, with the third largest bird collection in the world, along with farm animals for younger guests to meet, but through the years many more animals arrived. The “African Savannah”, the “Big Cats”, “Monkey Forest”, the “Cheetah Land”, as well as rhinos, dolphins, sea lions etc. The Attica Zoo Park organizes a lot of educational programs for children and family activities.
Attika Park Aquapolis
Attika Park Aquapolis is a brand-new fun water park with animal-themed slides and other creatures next to Attika Zoo. It is the largest water park in Athens. While the children can have fun on one of the 16 waterslides or one of the pools, the adults can relax at the coffee shop or restaurant area.
Changing of the Evzones Guard and the National Garden
Combine the changing of the Evzones guard with a visit of the National Gardens. In front of the House of the Parliament at Syntagma square lies the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. It is always guarded by two men wearing traditional uniforms called Evzones and every hour takes place the ceremony of the Changing of the Guards.
The National Gardens is a public park of 15.5 hectares in the centre of Athens, located behind the Greek Parliament building (the old palace) and in between the monuments of the Zappeion and the Panathenaikon Stadium. You will be impressed by its huge palm trees at the entrance and following the main path, in the middle of the Garden, you will find a small zoo with domestic animals and birds and the largest pond of the Garden, with a pretty little wooden bridge. The National Garden also features a botanical museum, a small cafe, and a children’s library and by walking through the labyrinth- like paths, you will find on your way numerous ponds, shady corners, hidden benches, beautiful flower pergolas, and ancient columns.
Allou! Fun Park
It consists of two parks: Allou! Fun Park, for teenagers, youngsters and those young at heart and Kidom, for families with smaller children.
Feel your heart race on a 40-metre drop, enjoy panoramic views of Athens from the “Panorama” Ferris wheel and take a trip to the stars in the “Star Flyer” or enjoy the Mirror Forest, The House Of Fear, Skill and Electronic Games, Bumper Cars and many more!
Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
The Museum of Ancient Greek Technology is a place where children can see, touch and even operate the inventions of the Ancient Greek civilization. The museum has a very well-displayed collection (with English and Greek signs) and several educational activities.
The museum presents to the Greek and foreign visitors the technology of ancient Greeks, an extremely important but relatively unknown aspect of the ancient Greek culture. The museum provides educational programs and workshops, hosts periodical exhibitions, and organizes robotics, arts, natural sciences, and mathematics workshops. The goal is for the participants to familiarize with the technological, scientific and cultural heritage through experience, playing, fantasy and manufactures.
George Averof Battleship and Flisvos Marina
In a small marina in the coastal area of Faliro you can visit this impressive battleship, which played a very important role in establishing Greek sovereignty over the Aegean Sea in the 20th century and it was turned into a museum in 1984. Older children will be fascinated to see all the decks and sub-decks of the ship as well as various exhibits within. The visitors can get historical information on the Hellenic Navy and technical information on navigation. The museum also organizes exhibitions and seminars with themes related to the Greek or international nautical history. A visit here is easily combined with a stroll along the pedestrian promenade of Flisvos Marina which offers plenty of cafes, restaurants and a large park on the waterfront.