Greece blends myth with everyday magic: marble temples high on a rocky hill, fishing boats bobbing in an Aegean-blue harbor, and family-run tavernas where dinner stretches into stories. In seven days, you and your crew will sample the best of two worlds—Athens’ deep history and Santorini’s island glow—without racing from place to place.

Ancient Athens is the classroom every kid deserves: the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Acropolis Museum turn legends into something you can touch. Then it’s island time—Santorini’s black-sand beaches, caldera views, and villages made for sunset strolls. We’ve built in rest, short transport windows, and food that pleases picky eaters and adventurous parents alike.

Practicalities matter. You’ll arrive into Athens, hop a ferry or short flight to Santorini mid-trip, and return to Athens for your outbound flight. Use contactless cards on Athens’ metro, carry sun protection on the islands, and remember many museums are free for EU kids and discounted for students. Greek cuisine is family gold: souvlaki, tomato fritters, grilled fish, honey-drizzled loukoumades, and creamy sheep’s-milk yogurt.

Athens

Birthplace of democracy, Athens is a living museum wrapped in lively neighborhoods—Plaka’s neoclassical lanes, Monastiraki’s flea market buzz, and the café-packed squares of Pangrati and Koukaki. You’ll dip into 2,500 years of history and still have time for gelato, parks, and playgrounds.

• Don’t miss: Acropolis and Parthenon, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, National Garden, changing of the guard at Syntagma.
• Family perks: Easy metro, wide pedestrian zones around the Acropolis, engaging museum exhibits with kids’ trails.
• Great eats: Souvlaki stands, meze tavernas, bakeries with spanakopita and koulouri sesame rings.

Where to stay (budget-forward picks with a splurge option):

• City Circus Athens (stylish, social, family rooms): City Circus Athens
• Novotel Athenes (rooftop pool, good for families): Novotel Athenes
• Athens Backpackers (budget, walkable to Acropolis): Athens Backpackers
• Splurge: Hotel Grande Bretagne (historic landmark on Syntagma): Hotel Grande Bretagne
• Browse more stays: VRBO Athens | Hotels.com Athens

Getting to Athens: Fly into ATH. Compare Europe-bound fares on Omio (Flights). From the airport, a budget-friendly private transfer keeps the family together: Athens Airport Round Trip Comfort, Low Cost Price.

Day 1: Arrive in Athens, Plaka Stroll, and Monastiraki Bites

Afternoon: Land at ATH. Settle into your hotel and shake out jet lag with a gentle wander through Plaka’s pastel lanes. Pop into Fresko Yogurt Bar for authentic Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts, then let the kids blow off steam at the small playground near the Lysikrates Monument.

Evening: Dinner at O Thanasis in Monastiraki for legendary souvlaki plates (fast, tasty, and easy on the wallet). Save room for loukoumades at Krinos—golden dough puffs drizzled with honey and cinnamon. Early night to reset.

Day 2: Acropolis and the Heart of Ancient Athens

Morning: Breakfast with koulouri and espresso at Mokka Specialty Coffee on Athinas Street. Explore the Ancient Agora—walk the same marketplace where Socrates debated; the Stoa of Attalos is great for shade and artifacts. Quick snack from a bakery on Adrianou Street.

Afternoon: Join a guided tour that keeps the stories lively for kids and parents alike:

Acropolis and Parthenon Guided Walking Tour

Post-tour, cool down with fresh-squeezed juice at a kiosk on Dionysiou Areopagitou.

Evening: Head to Psyrri for dinner at Ta Karamanlidika tou Fani—order shared meze (pastirma, cheeses, salads) and a simple pasta or fries for kids. Gelato at Le Greche on Mitropoleos seals the day.

Day 3: Bikes, Museums, and a Delicious Night Out

Morning: See big sights with little legs, minus the whining, on an e-bike spin:

Athens Scenic Electric Bike Tour with optional Acropolis visit

It’s mostly on quiet lanes with plenty of photo stops—ideal for families.

Afternoon: Explore the Acropolis Museum’s kid-friendly galleries; ask for family activity booklets at the desk. Watch the Evzones changing of the guard in Syntagma on the hour, then relax in the National Garden’s shaded paths and small zoo.

Evening: Taste your way through downtown on a guided stroll that suits adventurous and cautious palates alike:

Athens Evening Food Tour

Prefer a seaside sunset? Book a half-day to Cape Sounion instead—ruins, sea views, and golden light:

Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour

Santorini

With whitewashed villages perched on a volcanic rim and family-friendly black-sand beaches below, Santorini enchants beyond the postcards. Stay near Kamari or Perissa for swimmable shorelines, playgrounds, and easy dining; visit Oia and Fira for cliff-top vistas and sunsets.

• Top sights: Oia sunsets, Fira caldera views, Imerovigli’s Skaros Rock, Pyrgos village, Akrotiri (Bronze Age frescoes), Kamari and Perissa beaches.
• Family perks: Gentle beaches, beach promenades with strollers, open-air cinema in Kamari (May–Oct).
• Good-to-know: Midday is hot and bright—plan swims or naps then; save sightseeing for mornings and late afternoons.

Where to stay (family and budget-minded):

• Villa Manos (value favorite near Fira; pool and family rooms): Villa Manos
• Santo Miramare Resort (directly on Perivolos Beach; roomy, relaxed): Santo Miramare Resort
• Aegean Plaza Hotel (Kamari; walkable promenade and beach): Aegean Plaza Hotel
• Browse more stays: VRBO Santorini | Hotels.com Santorini

Athens → Santorini travel (morning departure): Ferries from Piraeus take ~4h 45m (Blue Star, ~€45–€65 adult; kids usually ~50% off) to 2–3h on high-speed (~€80–€110). Compare times and book on Omio (Ferries). Flights take ~50 minutes (often €60–€140); compare on Omio (Flights).

Day 4: Ferry or Fly to Santorini, Beach Afternoon

Morning: Depart Athens early. If ferrying, grab pastries and fruit for the ride; sit on deck to spot islands sliding by.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Kamari Beach. The dark volcanic sand gets warm—water shoes help. Smoothies and snacks at the promenade; Coffee Island does reliable iced freddos for grown-ups.

Evening: Dine at To Pinakio (Kamari) for grilled local cheeses, salads, and skewers. Stroll the car-free seafront for gelato and arcade games the kids will love.

Day 5: Caldera Highlights Your Way

Morning: Start in Fira for caldera views; pop into the small Megaro Gyzi courtyard for shade and photos. Continue to Imerovigli—less crowded, sublime vistas. Picnic with bakery goods on a bench overlooking Skaros.

Afternoon: If you prefer a stress-free, car-free day that hits the island’s best stops with breaks for the kids, consider a customizable private tour:

Private Santorini Tailor Made - Choice of the Guest!

Or the fully custom local-driver option (great for multi-generational groups):

Private Customized Santorini Land Tour with a Local Driver

Evening: Time sunset for Oia’s castle ruins, then take the steps to Ammoudi Bay for dinner at Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna—fresh grilled fish, tomato fritters, and sea views. Book earlier in peak season.

Day 6: Easy Hike, Beach Time, and an Open-Air Movie

Morning: Walk a scenic slice of the famous Fira–Oia trail, from Fira to Imerovigli (gentle and gorgeous). Bring water and hats; start early to avoid heat.

Afternoon: Beach-hop to Perissa or Perivolos for shallow entry and water sports rentals. Tranquilo (Perissa) is a hit with families—colorful courtyard, big portions, vegetarian options.

Evening: If visiting May–October, catch a film under the stars at Kamari’s Open Air Cinema (arrive early; it’s popular). Otherwise, dinner in Pyrgos at Metaxi Mas—order oven-baked feta with honey and try local wines for the adults.

Day 7: Fly Back to Athens and Depart

Morning: Short flight Santorini → Athens (~50 minutes). Compare departures on Omio (Flights). If you’ve time before your international flight, enjoy the National Garden’s duck ponds or snack at Ergon House delicatessen.

Afternoon: Head to the airport. For a smooth family transfer, consider: Athens Airport Round Trip Comfort, Low Cost Price.

Practical Eats and Treats (both cities)

• Quick breakfasts: Koulouri (sesame bagels) from street vendors; bakery spanakopita; fresh fruit stands.
• Kid-approved lunches: Kostas (Syntagma) for classic pork souvlaki wraps; To Kati Allo (Athens) for home-style plates near the Acropolis; Lucky’s Souvlakis (Fira) for fast, affordable gyros.
• Coffee and sweets: Coffee Island for reliable espresso drinks; loukoumades with honey at Loukoumades (Athens) or donut stands along Kamari promenade.

Transport Cheat Sheet

• International flights to Athens: Search and book on Omio (Flights).
• Athens ↔ Santorini: Ferries on Omio (2–5 hours, €45–€110 adult); Flights on Omio (~50 minutes, often €60–€140).
• Local transit: Athens metro is stroller-friendly with elevators at major stations; Santorini uses KTEL buses between villages (cheap, cash preferred).

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend Athens)

• Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour

  

• City Sightseeing Athens Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

  

In one week you’ll trace the arc of Greek history from marble temples to modern plates of meze, then trade city rhythms for sparkling island days and cinematic sunsets. It’s a family-friendly Greece itinerary with big sights, breezy logistics, and room to breathe—designed to create stories you’ll tell for years.