The Best Day Trips for Families

1. Aegina Island (Best Overall)

Why kids love it: A boat ride, pistachios, and beaches. The ferry from Piraeus (40 minutes fast, 70 minutes regular) is an adventure in itself. Aegina town has pistachio shops offering free samples of every variety. The beaches at Agia Marina have shallow, calm water. And the Temple of Aphaia has enough standing columns to spark imaginations.

Ages: All ages. The ferry, beach, and pistachio shopping work for toddlers through teens.

Tips: Take the regular ferry -- it has an open deck where kids can watch the harbour and islands. The temple bus from town takes 20 minutes. Bring swimwear.

2. Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon)

Why kids love it: Percy Jackson fans will know Poseidon. The coastal drive has ice cream stops. And Lord Byron literally carved his name on a column, which kids find delightfully rebellious.

Ages: 5+. Younger children may find the exposed clifftop site limiting (no shade, drop-offs).

Tips: Go for the sunset trip. Kids are more engaged when the sky is changing colour. The tavernas near the site serve early. The drive along the Athens Riviera allows beach stops.

Free entry for EU citizens under 25 and non-EU citizens under 18.

3. Athens Riviera Beaches

Why kids love it: Sand, sea, and ice cream within 30 minutes of the city.

Best beaches for families: - Voula A -- Lifeguards, playground, shallow water, facilities. Municipal beach with modest entry fee. - Kavouri (Mikro) -- Free public beach with very shallow, calm water. Ideal for small children. - Vouliagmeni Beach -- Well-organised, calm water, sunbeds. Slightly more upmarket. - Varkiza -- Larger beach with water sports, playground, and beach bars.

Ages: All ages.

Tips: Go on a weekday. Weekend crowds at family beaches are intense in summer. Bring shade -- the organised beaches provide umbrellas, but free beaches don't.

4. Lake Vouliagmeni

Why kids love it: Fish nibble their feet. The water is warm. There's no waves.

The Garra Rufa fish are the main attraction for children. The tiny fish cluster around ankles and toes, providing gentle nibbles that fascinate kids (and mildly alarm some adults). The lake's thermal water stays 22-29C year-round, so it's comfortable even in spring and autumn.

Ages: 3+. The shallow areas are safe for small children. Under-6s are free.

Tips: The cafe on site serves decent food. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here. Combine with a Riviera beach or Cape Sounion.

5. Saronic Islands Day Cruise

Why kids love it: A big boat, three islands, and lots of moving around.

The 3-island cruise (Hydra, Poros, Aegina) keeps kids entertained through variety -- they're never in one place long enough to get bored. The on-board lunch and Greek music add to the event feel. Donkeys on Hydra are a hit with younger children.

Ages: 4+. Under 5s are usually free. Long day (12 hours) may be tiring for very young children.

Tips: Bring snacks for between stops. Sit outside on the deck. Use the Aegina stop for pistachio shopping and the Hydra stop for a harbourside ice cream.

6. Nafplio

Why kids love it: A castle with 857 steps, a fortress in the sea, and ice cream on the promenade.

Palamidi's step-climb is a genuine adventure for older kids. Bourtzi castle (the one in the harbour, reached by boat) looks like a storybook illustration. The old town has ice cream shops and the waterfront promenade is good for an evening stroll.

Ages: 6+ for the Palamidi climb. All ages for the town itself.

Tips: Drive up to Palamidi if kids are young. Don't try to combine with Mycenae and Epidaurus in one day with children -- too much driving and too many ruins. Nafplio alone is a full, satisfying day trip.

7. Mycenae

Why kids love it: The Lion Gate, giant walls, and stories of Agamemnon and the Trojan War.

Works best if you frame it as a story before you go. Tell them about the Trojan Horse, the Mask of Agamemnon, and the Cyclopes who supposedly built the massive walls. The Treasury of Atreus (beehive tomb) is impressively cavernous.

Ages: 7+ for genuine engagement. Younger children may find it hot and abstract.

Tips: Visit early morning. There's almost no shade. Bring water and hats. The museum is small and air-conditioned -- good for a break. Don't spend more than 90 minutes; kids lose interest after that at archaeological sites.

8. Schinias Beach + Marathon

Why kids love it: Long sandy beach, pine tree shade, and a story about a man who ran 42 km.

The Marathon story is simple enough for kids: the Athenians won a battle and sent a runner to tell the city. The burial mound is a quick, tangible visit. Then Schinias Beach -- one of the best near Athens -- provides the reward.

Ages: All ages for the beach. 6+ for the battlefield to register.

Tips: Beach first if kids are small. The Olympic rowing centre from 2004 is nearby and visible from the road.

General Tips for Day Trips With Kids

Timing: - Leave early. Kids are better in the morning. The midday heat makes everyone miserable. - Build in a siesta/quiet break after lunch, even if it's just sitting at a cafe. - Don't over-schedule. One major activity and one beach/swim is a perfect day. Two archaeological sites is one too many.

Food: - Greeks love children. Tavernas will often bring bread, olives, and chips before you've ordered. Kids are welcome everywhere, any time. - Souvlaki and pita are reliable kid-friendly options available everywhere. - Bring snacks and water for between stops. Greek tap water is safe to drink in Athens.

Transport: - Car rental gives the most flexibility with children. You can stop when someone needs a toilet, a snack, or a meltdown. - Ferry trips are adventures, not just transport. Let kids explore the deck. - Tour buses work for older children (8+) who can sit still. Not recommended for toddlers.

Sun safety: - Greek sun is strong from May to September. Factor 50, hats, and shade are non-negotiable. - Archaeological sites have almost no shade. Go early or late. - Swimming in the middle of the day is the smartest plan in summer.

What to skip with kids: - Meteora -- too long in the car (8+ hours round trip) for a day trip with children. - Delphi -- marginal. The 2.5-hour drive each way is a lot. The site is steep, exposed, and better appreciated by adults. Consider it only with older, history-interested teens. - Multi-site tours (Mycenae + Epidaurus + Nafplio in one day) -- adults find this rewarding; kids find it exhausting.

The best family day trips from Athens combine a short travel time, a clear story or activity, and a beach or swim to break up the day.