Alluring Family Vacation to Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini

The Acropolis is a place of legend that has influenced so much in the world, and it is up here that the ancient Athenians would pay homage to gods and goddesses in places that still stand to this day. A day spent exploring history may not always be an easy sell for kids, even if it is the great history of Ancient Greece, but the Acropolis is just so unlike anything you will have seen before that your kids will likely be surprisingly engaged in the experience. You can see photos of the Temple of Zeus or Parthenon, but only today can you appreciate the stature of the Corinthian columns, or the detailing to the wingless sculptures.

It is best to go early, before the crowds and before the heat both arrive, and your guide will take you around while narrating the fascinating family-friendly tales of what took place millennia ago. Rest over the hottest part of the day, first with lunch and then on a terrace. There is more to Athens that you can discover later in the afternoon, like the strange march that soldiers make outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Staying in Plaka is ideal during the evenings, as you will not need transport to reach any of the cafes or restaurants as there are dozens of options on your doorstep. After a busy day, it is likely to be an early finish this evening, so you can easily settle your family in for the night.

Cape Sounion is the perfect family excursion from Athens, and winding towards the tip of mainland Greece you will pass golden beaches and Aegean promise. You can stop to build sandcastles and swim in shallow waters with plenty of space for the kids to run around as you tuck into a gloopy Greek coffee. Your kids will be delighted and perhaps a little exhausted, a good way to get them back into classical Greek history after yesterday’s tour.

Standing on a windswept promontory, you will soon spot the Temple of Poseidon, 16 towering columns overlooking the Aegean. While it is not on the same scale as the temples in Athens, the isolated location provides a drama and mystery that is compelling to behold. Listen to the tales of King Aegeas and appreciate the scene before winding back to the capital and what is likely to be a very easy-going evening. In Plaka, there are some rooftop restaurants as well, so it is easy to escape the bustle should you need to.

Traveling by ferry to Mykonos takes roughly the same time as flying when you factor in all the waiting times and transfers. You will be booked onto the fastest boat, and your resort is close to the ferry port in a secluded bay that is dominated by the beach. From here, you can comfortably visit Mykonos town and wander through its blue and white streets, but you can also stay firmly away from the summer party atmosphere. Check in to the resort and this day is at your leisure to enjoy it in whatever way suits your collective mood.

Head down to the beach and find waters that are ideal for children without any current or underwater drop-offs. Relax in some of the waterside cafes and restaurants, or perhaps hang out around the resort, where sun-loungers and a swimming pool add up to many idyllic hours. You will enjoy three nights here with two days to do nothing at all and the next day for a trip to nearby Delos. Staying close enough to the ferry port is important as you will pass through it on a number of occasions, and your location also provides easy access to some of the island’s most iconic attractions, so you can also check out the windmills and Little Venice.

The Acropolis presents many ancient ruins in a busy, urban environment. Cape Sounion is a single spectacular ruin in a dramatically isolated location. Delos is the best of both, a stunning abundance of ruins on an island that is virtually uninhabited. You can feel that this was a sacred island, its mystery emanating from rows of sculpted lions and cracked Corinthian columns. Apollo and Artemis were born here, and that is just the start of the story. At one stage in history, Delos was the world’s most important trading post. What remains today is an immersive insight into Western history with the Temple of Apollo, the Sanctuary of Artemis, a massive amphitheater, then the detailing of Lion Street.

For a history lesson, there is no place better in Greece. You can find archaic remains, and then the beauty of classical Greece. Next up it’s the Hellenistic period, and then you walk across a Roman era. You will come to understand the nuance between eras and appreciate that ruins are not just ruins, but an ode to a specific time and place. Return to Mykonos with most of the afternoon and evening free for time to wander around the main town or rest up close around the resort, perhaps taking advantage of the pool.

Another day is yours to indulge in the building of sandcastles and dining on seafood platters. Head into Mykonos town and wander the whitewashed, cobbled streets, where boutique stores hide around mazy corners. Take a taxi to some of the island’s lesser-known beaches, where the waters are empty of other people. Rent a pedal boat and take it onto the bay or just kick back at the resort, where there are facilities aplenty for children. As with your other evenings in Mykonos, there is a good choice of where to eat, so you can stay local and walk to one of the nearby seafood restaurants, or take a taxi into Mykonos town for a wider choice of restaurants, including some that are changing perceptions on fine Greek cuisine.

Onwards by ferry you go, gliding over the Aegean to the most famous Greek island of them all. Santorini is one from the postcards, a series of blue and white villages perched along volcanic caldera cliffs. Church domes and window shutters feature the distinctive blue, while the white walls flicker different colors as a famous sunset draws near. Arrive at the port and transfer to Fira, the most convenient of all of the coastal villages. It is like a labyrinth once you get into the village with streets jutting off in all angles and the only certainty being which goes down to the coast.

Your local guide will bring you on an orientation tour and help you to understand where to go and where to eat locally in this remarkable little place. If you are feeling active, then you can consider a coastal walk along the caldera to Oia, the largest and the cutest of the island’s villages. Your Fira hotel has a lovely Aegean view, and you can watch the sunset without leaving the grounds as you are tucked away in the village. Your accommodations will not have the resort-style facilities of Mykonos, but Santorini is not a resort style of destination. There will be so much to explore and take in, yet your family will be relaxed and engaged.

Take it easy this morning, as now you are on a Greek island where there is absolutely no need to rush. The slow pace of life rubs off on just about everyone, even highly active children. The promise of a fresh ice-cream also helps to keep the kids in check, the cool treat available from a couple of little stores near your hotel. Other treats exist across Santorini, including wine. They have been cultivating it for over a millennia, and the setting is in keeping with the island vibe. You can stop at a vineyard and taste the unique grape varietals, the first stop on a private tour across Santorini.

Next up is the oldest and the most traditional of the villages where church bells always seem to be chiming. Have lunch here then head to the beach, where the sand is red and the waters are as warm and inviting as ever. Looping back around towards Fira, you can jump onto a boat and visit a volcano, with the option to hike up its iconic cone, and there are even donkeys to take you up should you wish. Other highlights on today’s Santorini tour include some Mycenaean ruins and another small coastal village. You should roll back into Fira for sunset time, before another lazy evening on the Greek island.

This morning is left free, and it may be time to hit the shops or take the kids to another beach. After lunch, you will set sail, the power of the wind guiding you around Santorini. Relax on the deck as volcanic nature provides the backdrop. You will stop at hot springs and jump out into the cooling water, everyone wondering why they are called hot springs when the water is not hot. Further around the island, the sand is black, and you can head out to make the strangest of sandcastles. The highlight of all Santorini cruises is heading back towards the dock, just as the sun starts to dip towards the Aegean. It is a beautiful feeling to have the wind in your hair as the sights of the caldera stretch out.

You no longer need to return to Athens for a layover after visiting the islands. Santorini has its own airport and a growing network of international flights, as well as a choice of domestic connections back to Athens should you want to return. You can enjoy one last leisure morning in Greece before going to the airport to catch your international departure.