Now the bad news: unfortunately, Greek city planning and safety standards do not seem to reflect this love of kids. Matt Barrett sums up every four-wheeling stroller-bound parent's worst fears in his enlightening and terrifying article, Strollering through Athens, a true Greek classic.
Kid-friendly Foods
For older kids, especially those who are excited about people in other nations, archeology, mythology, or just excited about Troy, The 300, or Xena and Hercules, travel to Greece can be immensely enrichening. One plus in Greece is the food. Greek food goes down easily with many kids. Introduce your kids to these unusual but tasty foods before leaving home, either through a casual Greek restaurant dinner or by making them yourself. Some good choices for kids are smearing hummous or eggplant dip on bread, lasagna-like pastitsio, gyros and souvlaki, (for best results, skip the part about the meat being mostly lamb), olives, and the great selection of Greek cheeses.Secret Weapon I: The Water Park
During summer, there are many waterparks in Greece. And no matter if your hotel is on the beach and has six swimming pools, for most children, a few hours at a waterpark can make up for at least ten minutes spent visiting a cultural monument or museum.
Watch Their Step - and Yours
Generally, when travelling Greece with children, remember that standards of safety are not the same as what you may be used to, especially in the United States. I nearly walked off a fifteen-foot drop at Knossos when I was busy videotaping. In recent years, they have added more hand rails and other barriers. But don't count on them. There won't always be protective walls, handrails, or other amenities. Sheer drops are common, and unexpected. Stroller access, while improving in some places, will be virtually non-existent in others - unfortunately, this means many of the sites in Greece are extremely challenging for wheelchair users as well.You may want to check out my Greek Monument Slipsaver - how to keep your footing while sightseeing.
You, Me and the Greek Anemone
Swimming in the Aegean is a delightful experience, and the higher salt content of the water improves buoyancy. Jellyfish and sea anemones are persistent problems - the jellyfish swarm in the early evening, but be alert at other times as well. Sand beaches are rare, but kids enjoy gathering stones from the shore and constructing pebble castles.Parents may also be interested in how to avoid visiting a nude beach in Greece.
Meet Us at Midnight - and Bring the Tricycle
Hungry but overslept during that post-sightseeing nap? Now it's too late to go out for dinner at a taverna with the kids? Not if you're in Greece. Cretan friends of mine routinely pick me up for dinner at 11pm for an hour-long ride into the countryside - with their six-year-old's bicycle in the trunk. And he'll be happy wheeling around the plateia with all the other kids, with all of them popping by the tables to snatch a bite of food like begging cats with transportation. Tourist spots may be surprised to see tourist kids that late, but they'll be welcome.
Secret Weapon II: The Movies
This is an easy option in the big cities, and a fun one where open-air movie theaters are. Big releases are often in English with Greek subtitles - ask at the ticket booth if you doubt it. Multiplexes are, well, like multiplexes except some of them have waiting lounges that feel like airports and where you are expected to wait until the film is announced over the loudspeaker. It can be a taste of "home" for a homesick child or teenager, particularly one who feels out of touch with what their friends are doing without them.
Teen Souvenirs for Friends Back Home
Take them to the Monastiraki area in Athens. Teen girls will love the bead shops, teen boys will love the Gothic T-shirt store, both will enjoy the music shops, and neither of them will buy anything made in Greece. It's okay. Really.
Ask for "Family Rooms"
Rooms with three beds are fairly common in Greece, and another bed can often be conjured up. This can be a cheaper option for families, but most people don't think to ask for a triple or quadruple room. In small hotels, this is sometimes the nicest and largest room available.
Time for a Timeshare?
Though I usually don't recommend timeshares, these resorts often offer good programs and entertainment for children. Even if you don't own one, many of the timeshare resorts in Greece have adjacent hotels or can be rented without being a member.Travel with kids in Greece isn't for every family, but it can be a wonderfully memorable and life-affirming trip. For tips on what to do in Athens, you may want to pick up a copy of Athens 4 Kids, a guide to kid-friendly things to do in the capital.
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