Last Updated on February 15, 2023 by Celeste.
Have you seen all the ancient monuments and are you looking for something different to do in the Greek capital? Are you heading down to the Athens Riviera? Here’s a list of things to do with kids on the Athens Coast!
Things to do with kids on the Athens Coast
The Athens Riviera is developing in one of the most family-friendly parts of Athens. There is so much to see and do. From urban parks to family museums, it was time to list our favorite outings in this post.
Flisvos Marina
The Flisvos Marina was a favourite of mine even before my children were born. It was actually the place for my wedding reception. This beautiful port located just off Poseidonos Avenue offers up seaside adventures like boat rentals, sailing, island tours, the Floating Naval Museum Battleship Averoff and much food. Grab a bench at family-friendly TGI Fridays, and admire the many luxury yachts, or head over to the Volta Luna park.
The luna park play castle, carousel, train, baby carts, boats, and trampolines will help your kids let go of some energy. Babies can play inside the indoor soft play. There is a private parking area inside the marina. I also like the large stroller-friendly pedestrian area. A few steps away from Flisvos is the Paleo Faliro municipality playground with more toys (including a 12m. high rope tower!). Here you can also find a dog park, an outdoor cinema, bike rental and more family-friendly cafés.
Averoff Battleship Museum
Right outside Flisvos Marina, and next to the luxurious boats, you can visit one of the most glorious ships of modern Greek history: the legendary battleship “Georgios Averoff”. This ship took part in great naval battles during the Balkan Wars, and remained active until World War II. Nowadays, it’s a museum. Its interior is preserved, and you can see the cabins of the captain and the officers, the sailors’ quarters, the chapel of Agios Nikolaos and the kitchens. My kids love it. More info (in Greek) at http://averof.mil.gr/
Benaki Toy Museum
Housed in a fairy-tale mansion in Paleo Faliro across from Flisvos Marina, the recently opened Benaki Toy Museum is a childhood feast. The museum consists of a private collection of the Benaki family. On display are more than 3000 toys with an emphasis on Greek ones. They are dating from antiquity, the Roman, and Byzantine eras feature ancient dolls, toys, books, ephemera, clothing and other items related to children. Don’t miss it because this collection is one of the most important in Europe.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SFNCC)
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is a unique city park in combination with a multifunctional event building. You can also find the National Library and the Greek National Opera at the SNFCC. Being the largest green space in Athens, SFNCC offers playgrounds, botanical gardens, open grass areas for play, festivals, concerts, and open-air movies. Young kids will love the labyrinth, the wooden climbing toys, the outdoor mirrors, and the bicycle paths. Don’t miss the water jets!
My kids love the herb garden and the exciting ‘Lighthouse’, an impressive elevated glass construction overlooking the entire area. You can also sign up for a membership and participate in a program of activities; canoe classes, arts & crafts, kids yoga, dance and theater workshops and more. In the summer, children burn off excess energy in the outdoor sports fields. In winter, there is a free-of-charge ice skating rink. There are five cafés and restaurants at SNFCC. I believe that the best one is on the top of the Lighthouse (stroller accessible!).
Astir Beach
What better kids’ activity than sand and water play! Looking for the best family beach on the Athens Coast? My absolute favorite beach in Athens is Astir Beach. This all-year open private beach club features a long sandy beach, a crystal clear sea, (water) sports facilities, and large grass areas. There are even some archaeological findings here!
A spa, shop, and gym will ensure a good experience for the whole family. Thanks to the calm sea with minimal waves, parents can feel at ease with little ones playing at the water’s edge. A beach restaurant and snack corner keep hungry kids happy, and the changing rooms, showers, and bathrooms ensure that everyone’s sand-free for the ride home.
Here is a list with more family-friendly beaches in Athens
Oliver Family House
Indoor and outdoor play spaces make this Glyfada-based family concept super kids-friendly all year round. A chalkboard wall is perfect for tiny artists in the making, while colourful art and surroundings serve as inspiration. The carpeted outdoor corner with a garden cafe is filled with playhouses and toys. Inside, tots can easily pass the time making their own sweets during baking classes, engage in dance and theatre games or let go of their energy during a treasure hunt. Parents can read a magazine, chill out or enjoy from a large variety of coffees, smoothies, cocktails, health food, burgers and more.
Balux Café – The House Project
Update April 2022: Balux Cafe is currently closed.
A unique place builds as a large beach house, the House Project- Balux Café embraces fun for all ages. Equipped with outdoor playgrounds, a baby playground, a small luna park and lots of grass, this family concept offers endless hours of free play. Parents can relax at the garden picnic tables or inside at the large sofas and lounge chairs, read a book in the library, watch TV or enjoy some sushi in the restaurant. There is also a supervised soft play area inside as well as a playroom with board games and a pool table. Maybe my favourite part of this laid-back house concept is the beautiful beach. Enjoy a cocktail while your kids play at the waterfront! Valet parking completes the hassle-free experience at this Glyfada based family paradise.
Perivoli Vari
The serene gardens of the urban farm Perivoli in Vari hosts gardening sessions that invite kids to observe permaculture by planting seeds, harvesting vegetables and even cooking up tasty dishes with fresh produce. The Perivoli also organizes sensory play, Mommy & Me gardening and olive and honey tastings to help teach about Greek food sources and get hands-on with nature through gardening. Your kids will have a blast exploring the sand and water table, climbing the trees, hiding in the Tikki or getting dirty in the mud. No need to bring snacks: the farm to fork restaurant serves healthy local produced breakfast, coffee, snacks and lunch. What do my kids love most at this mini-paradise? The many dragonflies!
Here you can read our review about our visit to Perivoli
The Evgenidio Foundation Planetarium
Twinkle twinkle little star….the Athens Planetarium is a great experience for kids starting from 4+ years old. This planetarium has excellent facilities with its main attraction the domed auditorium where a variety of constantly changing films are shown related to space and earth. The planetarium with courtyard cafe is located in Paleo Faliro.
Hygge House
For a well-deserved break after a day of shopping or exploring, head over to the latest addition to the Athens Coast family scene. Hygge House (pronounced “Hoo-Guh” and the Danish word for ‘cosiness’!) is a brand new family-friendly daytime restaurant in Glyfada that quickly became popular with the local parenting community. It offers a supervised indoor playroom with lots of daylight and creative toys, a baby room for changing or nursing and children’s toilets. Whilst kids are happily playing parents can chow down on healthy brunch options or enjoy a smoothie or homemade Mango lemonade. Hygge House is here to stay!
L’Amico
If you are looking for a family-friendly unpretentious beach with great Italian food, a clean sea, and easy parking, then head over to L’Amico in Anavissos. The sandy beach is perfect to spend a day splashing in the water and building sandcastles. The private gazebos offer extra shade for babies and young children. All kids love pasta and pizza so after a long day at the beach, kids can recharge with their favourite meal. Don’t forget to taste the truffle/prosciutto pizza!
See also
- Top Things to do with kids on the Athens Coast
- Things to do in Athens with Children
- Lake Vouliagmeni with Kids
- Perivoli in Vari
- L’Amico
- Best Family Beaches in Athens
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I took the featured photo above this post on a sunny September morning at Astir Beach in Vouliagmeni.
© Athens Coast. This post was first created for Athens Coast and published at The top 10 Activities to do with Kids on the Athens Coast
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