Greece is where mythology meets daily life: temples crown stony hills, fishing boats paint the harbors, and families linger over meals that stretch into story time. From the Acropolis to the beaches of Naxos and the palaces of Crete, this itinerary balances must-see history with swim breaks, gelato stops, and roomy, budget-smart stays.

Over two weeks, you’ll split time between three classic destinations—Athens, Naxos, and Heraklion (Crete)—chosen for easy logistics and family-friendly highlights. Expect short ferry hops, walkable old towns, and plenty of playgrounds, pedestrian lanes, and gentle-water beaches.

Practical notes: ferries are the heart of island travel; book early in summer and travel light. Greek cuisine is wonderfully kid-friendly—think souvlaki, pies, and honey-dipped loukoumades. Carry cash for small tavernas, pack sun protection, and time Acropolis visits for early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat and lines.

Athens

Ancient Athens is a living classroom. The Parthenon watches over vibrant neighborhoods—Plaka’s flower-draped stairways, Koukaki’s coffee nooks, and Syntagma’s stately square—while parks and pedestrian lanes make city exploration with kids surprisingly easy.

Getting there: Fly into Athens International Airport (ATH). Compare fares on Omio (flights in/to/from Europe), or check deals via Trip.com (global flights) and Kiwi.com. From the airport, the metro (Blue Line) reaches Syntagma/Monastiraki in ~40 min (~€9 adult). For simple door-to-door service, book a transfer: Athens Airport Round Trip Comfort.

Days 1–5: Acropolis, neighborhoods, and kid-friendly Athens

• Acropolis + Acropolis Museum: Beat the heat and go early. A guided visit keeps everyone engaged: Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour.

  

  Tip: bring a carrier for toddlers; strollers are limited on the hill.
• Plaka, Anafiotika, and the National Garden: Wander marble lanes, peek into courtyards, then let kids run under the shade of the National Garden. Catch the Changing of the Guard at Syntagma (on the hour).
• Hop-On Hop-Off overview: Great for little legs and grandparents: City Sightseeing Athens, Piraeus & Beach Riviera gets you between highlights without transfers.

  

• Cape Sounion at sunset: Combine coast views with myth at Poseidon’s cliff-top temple on this small-group excursion: Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Tour.

  

• Eat your way through the markets: A guided food walk introduces koulouri, feta, and spoon sweets: Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens.

  

  Families love the snack pace and short walks.

Family eats and treats:

• Breakfast/Coffee: Yiasemi (Plaka) for pies and honey; Kekkos for classic Greek coffee and toast.
• Lunch: Kostas (Syntagma) for old-school pork souvlaki; Feyrouz for budget-friendly stuffed pitas and pies; To Kati Allo near the Acropolis Museum for fast, homestyle plates.
• Dinner: Klimataria (Psyrri) for hearty casseroles and occasional live music; Oineas (Psyrri) for meze spreads; Karamanlidika tou Fani for cured meats, cheeses, and easy-sharing plates.
• Dessert: Lukumades for hot honey-dipped doughnuts; Le Greche for pistachio gelato.

Where to stay (Athens):

• City Circus Athens (characterful, good for families in stylish rooms).
• Novotel Athens or Novotel Athenes (family rooms, rooftop pool in season).
• Hotel Grande Bretagne, a Luxury Collection Hotel for a splurge with Syntagma views.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Athens | Hotels.com Athens

Travel to Naxos (morning of Day 6): Ferries from Piraeus/Rafina to Naxos take ~3.5–5.5 hours. Expect ~€42–€95 per adult (kids discounted). Check and book on Omio (ferries). Blue Star (slower, cheaper, steadier) and SeaJets (faster) both run spring–fall.

Naxos

Naxos, the largest Cycladic island, is beloved for its shallow turquoise beaches, castle-topped old town, and fertile interior dotted with stone villages. It’s the easiest island here for families—ample sandy shores, fair prices, and short drives.

Days 6–10: Beaches, whitewashed villages, and simple island days

• Beach hop with kids: Base around Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, or Plaka. These long sandy stretches offer gentle entry and sunbed sets you can rent for the day; snack bars and mini-markets sit just behind the dunes.
• Explore Chora (Naxos Town): Climb to the Kastro, duck into tiny chapels, and watch sunset at the Portara—the enormous marble doorway from 530 BCE glowing orange over the harbor.
• Villages drive: Head inland to Halki (visit the Vallindras Kitron Distillery), Apiranthos (marble lanes and cozy tavernas), and Filoti (loukoumades and mountain views). Kids love spotting goats and learning how cheese is made.
• Small Cyclades boat day: In summer, day boats visit Koufonisia or Iraklia for swims in impossibly blue coves. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, hats, and snacks.

Family eats on Naxos:

• Breakfast/Coffee: Chaplin Coffee in Chora for freddo cappuccinos; Rendezvous for pastries near the harbor.
• Lunch: Meze2 (waterfront) for seafood meze; To Souvlaki tou Maki for quick, affordable gyros near the promenade.
• Dinner: Scirocco (Chora) for slow-cooked lamb and pasta for picky eaters; Taverna Paradiso (Plaka) to dine on the sand at sunset; Doukato (Old Town) in a vine-draped courtyard.
• Dessert: Waffle House for crepes and ice cream; Naxian dairy shops for graviera tastings and yogurt with thyme honey.

Where to stay (Naxos):

• Nissaki Beach Hotel (steps from the sea, family suites).
• Alkyoni Beach Hotel (good-value rooms near the sand).
• Hotel Grotta (welcoming family-run favorite with hearty breakfasts).
• Finikas Hotel (quiet south-coast base with a pool).
• Browse more stays: VRBO Naxos | Hotels.com Naxos

Travel to Crete – Heraklion (morning of Day 11): Seasonal high-speed ferries Naxos → Heraklion typically run April–October, ~3.5–4.5 hours, ~€60–€100 adult; check Omio (ferries). Off-season, connect via Athens or fly Naxos → Athens → Heraklion using Omio (flights).

Heraklion (Crete)

Crete is Greece’s big-shouldered island—mountainous, fertile, and proud of its distinct cuisine. In Heraklion, Minoan palaces meet a lively old town, sandy beaches just outside the city, and kid-pleasing aquariums and parks.

Days 11–14: Minoan palaces, museums, aquariums, and seaside tavernas

• Knossos Palace + Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Pair the Bronze Age site of Knossos (home of the Minotaur myth) with one of Greece’s best museums in town. Budget tip: go museum first for context; kids enjoy spotting fresco motifs later at the ruins.
• Cretaquarium (Gournes): Sharks, rays, and Mediterranean habitats in an easy half-day. Combine with a beach hour at nearby Arina or Kokkini Hani.
• Old town stroll: Walk the Venetian Walls, poke around the Loggia and Morosini Fountain, and amble the harbor to the Koules fortress for sunset photos.
• Optional day trips: Watercity Waterpark (summer, Anopolis) for slides; pretty village of Archanes for slow lunches and olive-oil shops; Rethymno’s old town if you fancy a scenic 1–1.5 hr drive/bus.

Family eats in Heraklion:

• Breakfast/Coffee: Crop Roastery for excellent espresso; Kirkor for bougatsa (sweet or savory cream-filled pastry) that kids devour.
• Lunch: Ippokambos (seafront) for grilled octopus, salads, and fries on the promenade; Xalavro Open Kitchen for Cretan classics with a modern twist.
• Dinner: Peskesi for farm-to-table Cretan cuisine (reserve; order the slow-cooked goat and dako salad); Erganos for hearty meze, stews, and raki on the house.
• Dessert: Da Vinci Gelato on the main drag; loukoumades stands around Lion Square.

Where to stay (Heraklion):

• Galaxy Hotel Iraklio (pool, family rooms, walkable to center).
• Kastro Hotel and Lato Boutique Hotel (solid value near the harbor and sights).
• Knossos Beach Bungalows & Suites (beachfront base a short drive from town).
• Browse more stays: VRBO Heraklion | Hotels.com Heraklion

Departing Crete: Fly Heraklion → Athens in ~50–60 minutes (often €35–€90 if booked early) via Omio (flights). Ferries to Piraeus run year-round (~8–9 hrs; overnight options)—see Omio (ferries).

Budget savers for a 36/100 spend

• Travel in shoulder season (May–early June, September) to trim ferry and hotel costs and enjoy calmer beaches.
• Mix a few tours with many free highlights (National Garden, Portara, harbors, beaches). Use Omio (trains) and Omio (buses) for occasional overland legs.
• Eat like locals at bakeries (bougatsa, spanakopita) and souvlaki shops for lunches under €10 per person, then splurge on one memorable dinner per city.
• On ferries, book “deck” seats on slower Blue Star boats to save and pack snacks and card games for the kids.

Optional extra Athens activity if you want one more structured experience: Acropolis monuments & Parthenon Walking Tour (skip-the-line with expert guide).

In two weeks you’ll touch the pillars of Western history, splash in shallow, sapphire coves, and taste Crete’s bold flavors—at a family pace and price that feel right. Keep this guide handy for ferry times, kid-friendly stops, and where to eat when everyone’s hungry now.