As we said goodbye to May and with the sun ascending over the azure Aegean Sea, Greece awakened to a symphony of cicadas and the promise of adventure. Summer in this ancient land is more than a season—it’s a celebration of life, culture, and the eternal dance between myth and reality.
From the bustling streets of Athens to the tranquil islands, Greece is a never-ending journey. Here’s what is new for families in Athens and in Greece this summer!
New in Greece in Summer 2024
Below is a summary of activities happening this summer all around Greece and in Athens city. We will regularly update the list and share on our Facebook page.
‘All of Greece, One Culture’ to Kick Off with 70 Shows and Concerts
More than 70 cultural events will be held this summer at ancient theatres, museums, churches and chapels, castles and fortresses, convents, mosques and mansions, across Greece this summer as part of the Culture Ministry’s 5th “All of Greece, One Culture” initiative. Theater productions, art exhibitions, children’s events, concerts, and contemporary art shows will take place in July and August.
All the events are free (attendees will only need to pay the entrance ticket fee for the archaeological site, if there is one) but advance booking is required through the “All of Greece, One Culture” website, where the detailed program and a map of locations and events are available.
Summer Culinary Events in Pelion, Karditsa and Alexandroupolis
The culinary traditions of Pelion, Karditsa and Alexandroupolis will take center stage in a series of summer gastronomy festivals scheduled to be held from the end of June through July.
The events include the 4th Pelion Gastronomy Festival, the 1st Festival of Gastronomy and Local Products in Karditsa, and Alexandroupolis’ Street Food Festival & Local Products.
Scheduled from June 28 to 30, the 4th Pelion Gastronomy Festival will be held at the Karaiskos Agritourism Farm in Portaria, Magnesia. During the three-day festival, visitors will have the opportunity to meet producers, learn about services and products, and workshops on local cuisine.
From June 28 to 30, the Municipality of Sofades, Karditsa, will host the 1st Festival of Gastronomy and Local Products at the Smokovo Baths. More than 20 local exhibitors will participate, presenting traditional products of the region while visitors enjoy a variety of tastings. The program also includes a tribute to Cretan cuisine, children’s cooking sessions, cultural events, and traditional and folklore music concerts.
Those interested in learning more about the gastronomy scene of Evros, Northern Greece, should visit the Street Food Festival & Local Products at the National Independence Park in Alexandroupolis.
From July 25 to 28, visitors from Greece and abroad will taste flavors from all over the world, accompanied by a cocktail or beer, while local catering businesses and producers present their culinary proposals.
The highlights of the event include live music, jugglers, stilt walkers, and more. The program will conclude with a fast food competition, which is particularly popular among festival visitors.
Source: GTP
Kids & Teens activities Technopolis Athens JUNE
– Kids Radio Land 2024, June 15 to 16: For the third year, the festival of the favorite radio station, Kids Radio 88.6, is transforming into a fantastic space full of music, theater, and games. Over 30 activities for children (adventure games, concerts, face painting, experiments, climbing, bubble show, cinema) await kids in a space suitably designed to spend the whole day as a family.
– Summer Camp, June 16 to July 12: The Industrial Gas Museum will offer children aged 6 to 11 the coolest summer experience of joy, knowledge, imagination, and entertainment. For four exciting weeks, children will have the opportunity to enjoy a series of exciting activities, creating memories of special summer “holidays” in the heart of the city.
– Summer School “Photographing Gazi!” June 25–26: For the second year, the team of the Industrial Gas Museum, in collaboration with the Karpos Educational Activities Center, invites teenagers from 12 to 14 years old to unfold their creativity through a unique summer school that will introduce them to the art of photography.
Two Greek Waterparks Among Most Affordable in Europe
Two waterparks in Greece are among Europe’s most affordable, according to a new study by the price comparison site PayingTooMuch. To find budget-friendly options, the company’s experts ranked the top 10 affordable waterparks in Europe based on the cost for two adults and two children. Waterpark Rhodes on Rhodes ranked as the second most budget-friendly, with family entry fees averaging 77.06 pounds (about 90.42 euros). A single adult ticket costs 23.12 pounds (27.13 euros). Water City on Crete ranks as the fifth most affordable waterpark for cooling off in the summer heat.
More flight connections to Greece
Norse Atlantic Airways, a Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline, recently celebrated the launch of its nonstop seasonal flights between Athens and New York JFK. Operated by the state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the flights will run up to five times a week during the summer season. The seasonal Athens-New York route is scheduled to operate until the end of September.
Also United Airlines on May 24 inaugurated a new daily, direct connection between Athens and Chicago O’Hare, marking a 30 percent increase in its flights to Greece for 2024.
Read also: Traveling Tips for Athens airport
New Permanent Exhibition in the War Museum in Athens
Titled “Journey to Freedom, 1821”, the new permanent exhibition at the Athens War Museum culminates the celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.
Athens Among World’s 20 Most Inspiring Cultural Cities
Athens has earned the 16th spot among the top 20 cities worldwide for its cultural offerings, according to a recent study conducted by Adobe Express. In an effort to assist travelers in selecting destinations for summer excursions, Adobe Express compiled a list of cities renowned for their cultural richness in 2024, evaluating various factors such as the abundance of art galleries, museums, theaters, historic landmarks, attractions, libraries, and artworks. Athens’ score is attributed to its extensive artistic heritage and a wealth of 495 historical landmarks available for exploration.
Museum of Cretan Folklore Opens its Doors in Heraklion
A new museum of folklore art has opened its doors in the village of Daphnes in Heraklion on Crete, offering residents and visitors a chance to explore the island’s history. The Museum of Cretan Folklore of Spyros and Eliana Kokotos features a rare collection of weavings and icons, housed within the family’s ancestral estate, the Varoucha Estate.
Greece Counts 625 Blue Flag Beaches, Ranks 2nd in the World
Greece came in second, among 52 countries, on the 2024 Blue Flag quality award list for beaches, marinas and sustainable tourism boats. According to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF), Greece once again ranks second after Spain worldwide among 52 countries with 625 (up from 617 last year) of its beaches, 18 marinas, and 9 tourism boats getting the Blue Flag label, one of the world’s most recognized voluntary eco-labels.
Visit a Boeing 727 Aircraft from Olympic Fleet at Hellinikon
Α new tourist attraction was created at the site of the former airport at Elliniko, southern Athens, where an old Boeing B727/284 Mount Olympus aircraft has been given a new lease of life as an exhibit. The aircraft, once part of the fleet of the famous Olympic Airways commercial airline founded by shipping tycoon Aristotelis Onassis, was one of six bought by Onassis at the end of the 1960s, when the airline was at its heyday.
Greece experiences intense sunlight, warmth, and blue skies. This year, record temperatures and heatwaves can be added to that list. So wherever you go and whatever you do, remember to stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun during your visit!
Have a great summer!
