Athens with kids: 13 family places & activities (2026)
Parks, a zoo, museums, a tram to the sea and a warm lake for swimming. 13 places in Athens for families, with prices, hours and how to get there.
- Best value: Stavros Niarchos Park, the National Garden and Flisvos Park are all free.
- At the Acropolis Museum, Israeli children up to 5 enter free; ages 6–25 pay €10.
- Book ahead for the zoo at weekends, Lake Vouliagmeni and the Children's Museum.
Coming to Athens with kids? You can fill several days with free or cheap activities without leaving the city. Just check hours and prices on the official sites first.
Before you go
Athens works well with kids: big parks, the sea close by, museums with family activities and a tram along the coast. Here are 13 places and activities, with prices and hours we checked on 3 October 2026. Prices and hours change, so check each official site before you go.
Quick table
| Place | Area | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stavros Niarchos Park (SNFCC) | Kallithea | Free | All ages |
| Attica Zoological Park | Spata | Adult €25, child 3–12 €19 | All ages |
| Allou! Fun Park & Kidom | Agios Ioannis Rentis | From €16 | Kidom: kids up to about 9 |
| Hellenic Cosmos (Tholos dome) | Tavros | Check site | Older kids |
| Eugenides Planetarium | Palaio Faliro | €7 (€5 reduced) | Older kids |
| Acropolis Museum | Central Athens | Adult €20, under 6 free | All ages |
| Hellenic Children's Museum | Central Athens | Free, pre-booking required | Young kids |
| National Garden | Syntagma | Free | Young kids |
| Flisvos Park | Palaio Faliro | Free | All ages |
| Coastal tram | Syntagma to the coast | €1.20 per ride | All ages |
| Lycabettus funicular | Kolonaki | About €10 one way | All ages |
| Museum of Illusions | Monastiraki | About €12–13 adult | Older kids |
| Lake Vouliagmeni | Vouliagmeni | Adult €17–19 | All ages |
1. Stavros Niarchos Park (SNFCC)
A huge seaside park in Kallithea (Syngrou Ave. 364). Playgrounds, big lawns and a canal with "dancing" fountains. The fountain shows are free, every 30 minutes, 10:00–15:00 and 17:30–24:00, weather permitting.
- Price: free.
- Hours: daily 06:00–24:00, until 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.
- Getting there: free shuttle from Syntagma, or tram/bus to the Tzitzifies stop.
- Website: snfcc.org
2. Attica Zoological Park
A large zoo in Spata, near the airport. Birds show, chimpanzees, penguins and lemurs.
- Price: adult €25, child 3–12 €19, under 3 free. Family tickets: 2 adults + 2 kids €70, 2 adults + 3 kids €81.
- Hours: daily from 09:00 until sunset. Last entry one hour before closing.
- Getting there: metro to Doukissis Plakentias, then bus 319 or 321, then bus 320.
- Tip: book online for weekends.
- Website: atticapark.com
3. Allou! Fun Park and Kidom
An amusement park in Agios Ioannis Rentis. Kidom is the section for younger kids, up to about age 9.
- Price: Kidom Pass €16. Kidom family tickets: 2 kids €29, 3 kids €39, 4 kids €49. Allou XXL €24, Mega €36.
- Hours: check the official site.
- Website: allou.gr
4. Hellenic Cosmos and the Tholos dome
A cultural centre at Pireos 254, Tavros. The Tholos dome runs virtual-reality (VR) shows on a giant dome screen.
- Hours: closed Monday. Tuesday–Thursday 10:00–14:00, Friday–Sunday 10:00–20:00.
- Price: check the official site.
- Tip: book English-language shows ahead.
- Website: hellenic-cosmos.gr
5. Eugenides Planetarium
At Syngrou Ave. 387, Palaio Faliro.
- Price: €7, reduced €5.
- Show times and languages: check the official site.
- Website: eef.edu.gr
6. Acropolis Museum
One of the most kid-friendly museums in Athens: family backpacks and trails, a LEGO Acropolis and glass floors over ancient excavations.
- Price: adult €20. Israelis count as non-EU visitors: children 0–5 free, ages 6–25 €10.
- Hours: check the official site. Winter hours from 1 November: Monday–Thursday 09:00–17:00, Friday until 22:00, Saturday–Sunday until 20:00.
- Getting there: metro line 2, Akropoli station.
- Website: theacropolismuseum.gr
- More on the site itself: our Acropolis guide.
7. Hellenic Children's Museum
Inside the Athens Conservatoire (Rigillis & Vas. Georgiou B' 17–19).
- Price: free, but you must pre-book on more.com.
- Hours: Friday 17:00–20:00, Saturday–Sunday 11:00–15:00.
- Getting there: metro to Evangelismos.
- Website: hcm.gr
8. National Garden (Syntagma)
A green, shady garden right in the centre, next to Parliament. Playground, ducks, turtles, peacocks and a small children's library.
- Price: free.
- Hours: sunrise to sunset.
9. Flisvos Park and marina (Palaio Faliro)
On the seafront. A big free playground with a rope tower, and a promenade for bikes and scooters.
- Price: free.
- Getting there: by tram.
10. The coastal tram
Both an attraction and an easy way to reach the beaches.
- Line 6: Syntagma–Pikrodafni.
- Line 7: Piraeus–Asklipieio Voulas.
- Price: 90-minute ticket €1.20 (€0.50 reduced). 24-hour ticket €4.10. You can tap a contactless card on board.
- Website: oasa.gr
- More on tickets and transport: our Athens metro guide.
11. Lycabettus funicular
Leaves from Aristippou St. in Kolonaki and climbs to the top of the hill, with views over the whole city.
- Price: about €10 one way and €13 return. Check the official site before you go.
12. Museum of Illusions
At Astiggos 12, Monastiraki. Rooms full of optical illusions, great for photos.
- Price: about €12–13 per adult. Child prices: check the official site.
13. Lake Vouliagmeni
A natural lake by the sea. The water is about 24°C all year, so you can swim even in winter.
- Price: adult €17 weekdays, €19 weekends. Ages 6–12 €14 / €17. Ages 0–5 free. These prices come from an unofficial source, so verify on the official site.
- You must book online in advance.
- Hours: 08:30–18:00 from 6 October.
- Getting there: metro line 2 to Elliniko, then bus 122.
- Website: limnivouliagmenis.gr
Beaches for kids
The swimming season is mostly May to September. From October many organised beaches close or scale down. We don't list beach entry prices, as they change; check before you go.
- Edem, Palaio Faliro: free sandy beach, about 25–30 minutes by tram from the centre.
- Akti tou Iliou, Alimos: slides, playground and shallow water.
- Asteras Glyfada: water trampolines and a playground. Reachable by tram.
- Thalassea Voula: very shallow water, sand and lawns.
- Akti Vouliagmenis: playground and lawns. Bus 122.
- Varkiza / Yabanaki: small water park and kids' pool. Easiest by car.
- Further out: Schinias (by car) and Porto Rafti.
More on the Athens coast: our Athens Riviera guide.
Practical tips for families
- Strollers on the metro: the Athens metro is fairly stroller-friendly.
- Summer heat: July and August middays are very hot. Go out in the morning and again in the evening, with hats, water and sunscreen.
- Sundays and holidays: most shops close on Sunday, and many places close on public holidays. Check Greek public holidays before you plan.
- Book ahead: the zoo at weekends, Lake Vouliagmeni, the Children's Museum and English shows at Hellenic Cosmos.
FAQ
What can you do with kids in Athens for free?
Stavros Niarchos Park (including the fountain show), the National Garden at Syntagma and Flisvos Park in Palaio Faliro are all free. The Hellenic Children's Museum is also free, with advance booking.
How much is the Attica Zoological Park?
Adults €25, children aged 3–12 €19, under 3 free. A family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children costs €70.
Do children pay at the Acropolis Museum?
Israeli children up to age 5 enter free, and ages 6–25 pay €10. Adults pay €20.
Can you swim in Lake Vouliagmeni in winter?
Yes. The water is about 24 °C all year. Booking online in advance is required.
Information checked on 3 October 2026 on each place's official website. Prices and hours can change.
