12 Days in Greece - Advice?

[Anonymous]

Athens, yes. I would look for a child-oriented guide for a day to take you places that may appeal the most to kids, even a playground. I don’t recall seeing any. Or something of a cat sanctuary. Istanbul has so many cats. To view, not touch, for health and safety reasons.

Food is cheap and portions large enough to share, so you will save there.

Also uber is very cheap and uses regular taxis. Six year olds may not want to walk two miles.

Maybe a hotel with an indoor pool.

Toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed so you will have to explain that to your kids.

The changing of the guard. Do go more than once. I was surprised how much I enjoyed that.

Sorry can’t speak to any part of Greece besides Athens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Athens, yes. I would look for a child-oriented guide for a day to take you places that may appeal the most to kids, even a playground. I don’t recall seeing any. Or something of a cat sanctuary. Istanbul has so many cats. To view, not touch, for health and safety reasons.

Food is cheap and portions large enough to share, so you will save there.

Also uber is very cheap and uses regular taxis. Six year olds may not want to walk two miles.

Maybe a hotel with an indoor pool.

Toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed so you will have to explain that to your kids.

The changing of the guard. Do go more than once. I was surprised how much I enjoyed that.

Sorry can’t speak to any part of Greece besides Athens.

What are you talking about? I have never been anywhere in Greece where I couldn't flush toilet paper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athens, yes. I would look for a child-oriented guide for a day to take you places that may appeal the most to kids, even a playground. I don’t recall seeing any. Or something of a cat sanctuary. Istanbul has so many cats. To view, not touch, for health and safety reasons.

Food is cheap and portions large enough to share, so you will save there.

Also uber is very cheap and uses regular taxis. Six year olds may not want to walk two miles.

Maybe a hotel with an indoor pool.

Toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed so you will have to explain that to your kids.

The changing of the guard. Do go more than once. I was surprised how much I enjoyed that.

Sorry can’t speak to any part of Greece besides Athens.

What are you talking about? I have never been anywhere in Greece where I couldn't flush toilet paper.

Our airbnb in Naxos (nicely renovated apartment) asked us not to flush toilet paper. Hotel in Athens had no such warning (big city, makes more sense they have a more robust sewage system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


We did Greece this summer for 5 weeks. I highly recommend Crete over Naxos. Way more to do & see in Crete to keep your kids entertained. Naxos is relaxing but there's not much going on- I was bored by day 4.

I don't know why you would want to do Mykonos with kids- yes there's more than just a party scene but it's more for a girls getaway or adults thing than families or anything your kids would appreciate. It's also just not that great in general.

Athens will be pleasant at that time but you don't need much time there. Check out the Athens Riviera from there- Airaeus harbor down to the southern tip. Check out Temple of Poseidon.

Five weeks is not nearly enough for Greece. We were there for three months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athens, yes. I would look for a child-oriented guide for a day to take you places that may appeal the most to kids, even a playground. I don’t recall seeing any. Or something of a cat sanctuary. Istanbul has so many cats. To view, not touch, for health and safety reasons.

Food is cheap and portions large enough to share, so you will save there.

Also uber is very cheap and uses regular taxis. Six year olds may not want to walk two miles.

Maybe a hotel with an indoor pool.

Toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed so you will have to explain that to your kids.

The changing of the guard. Do go more than once. I was surprised how much I enjoyed that.

Sorry can’t speak to any part of Greece besides Athens.

What are you talking about? I have never been anywhere in Greece where I couldn't flush toilet paper.

Weird. We were just there and almost everywhere had signs not to flush the toilet paper. Maybe you just didn't see them?

[Anonymous]

We did Greece mid February, and did a few days in Athens then flew to an island - no tourists at that time of year on the islands so everything cheap and friendly. Weather perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


We did Greece this summer for 5 weeks. I highly recommend Crete over Naxos. Way more to do & see in Crete to keep your kids entertained. Naxos is relaxing but there's not much going on- I was bored by day 4.

I don't know why you would want to do Mykonos with kids- yes there's more than just a party scene but it's more for a girls getaway or adults thing than families or anything your kids would appreciate. It's also just not that great in general.

Athens will be pleasant at that time but you don't need much time there. Check out the Athens Riviera from there- Airaeus harbor down to the southern tip. Check out Temple of Poseidon.

Five weeks is not nearly enough for Greece. We were there for three months.

If you don't establish Greek citizenry, you are just a tourist.

[Anonymous]

When are you going? March is very different from end April, but even then it may be cold for swimming. so I’d tone it down on the islands hopping.

There is plenty to do in Athens and mainland. Travel to peliponese, explore there, drive or fly towards Thessaloniki, stop in meteora for a day.

For islands, focus on those with major sites like Crete for a few days. Santorini would also be great without all the summer crowds.

[Anonymous]

No one mentioned the Meteoras!!! Rent a car and go around the Peloponesse peninsula. It is amazing. Find little authentic villages on the way. Meet the real "Greek" people. I never ever met the kind of warm hospitality that I had on the Peloponesse peninsula. Amazing, kind people. Awesome food.... enjoy the Greek life. don't try to push many things into those 2 weeks. Just slow down and enjoy it. Once we were there in a little village for the night... out of nowhere. We went to the small local restaurant for dinner. The next morning the owner took us on his boat for swordfish fishing. It was one of our trip highlights.

- Polylimnio waterfalls.
- Temple of Apollo
- archeological site of Olympia
- cave of the Seal
- Canal de Corinto
- Sparta

[Anonymous]

Oh wow this got revived! OP here. I'd love to get thoughts on what we've been thinking! My current plan (knowing we are getting in to Athens at 9am is:

N1) Athens, explore city during the Day
N2) Delphi - do more Athens during the day then drive to Delphi [~2 hours]
N3) Delphi - spend a full day at Delphi and take our time
N4) Nafplio - drive to Nafplio and see some stuff (Epidaurus/Mycenae/city)
N5) Nafplio - see sites etc
N6) Aereopoli - see caves of Delos
N7) Naxos - This is the big travel day mid trip
N8) Naxos - greek cooking class? mythology sites on naxos
N9) Naxos - day trip to Delos
N10) Naxos - Just soak in the greek island life for one last day
N11) Athens, explore city and sunset cruise to see temple of poseidon to close us out

Other considerations/possible modifications we are considering

- stay in Athens that night we have scheduled for night 1 in Naxos to get more Athens time (Athens is kind of a place we have to keep going back in through so thought we might split up Athens sightseeing time to reduce travel time and use it as a spot.

- Swap Areopoli with Meteora by moving things around a bit. Meteora looks spectacular but I am a little worried about the little kids being able to hike like it seems it might require

[Anonymous]

For all the Crete advocates, Crete seems amazing but it is farther to get to and I have a friend who is greek who says that you just need more time there and she was like, either do Athens and Crete or a closer island, Athens and Peloponnese.

My daughter also really wants to see Delos, its a top priority, so that has also dictated a lot of the choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athens, yes. I would look for a child-oriented guide for a day to take you places that may appeal the most to kids, even a playground. I don’t recall seeing any. Or something of a cat sanctuary. Istanbul has so many cats. To view, not touch, for health and safety reasons.

Food is cheap and portions large enough to share, so you will save there.

Also uber is very cheap and uses regular taxis. Six year olds may not want to walk two miles.

Maybe a hotel with an indoor pool.

Toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed so you will have to explain that to your kids.

The changing of the guard. Do go more than once. I was surprised how much I enjoyed that.

Sorry can’t speak to any part of Greece besides Athens.

What are you talking about? I have never been anywhere in Greece where I couldn't flush toilet paper.

Our airbnb in Naxos (nicely renovated apartment) asked us not to flush toilet paper. Hotel in Athens had no such warning (big city, makes more sense they have a more robust sewage system.

So you've stayed in one house that asked you not to flush and you assume that's country-wide?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athens, yes. I would look for a child-oriented guide for a day to take you places that may appeal the most to kids, even a playground. I don’t recall seeing any. Or something of a cat sanctuary. Istanbul has so many cats. To view, not touch, for health and safety reasons.

Food is cheap and portions large enough to share, so you will save there.

Also uber is very cheap and uses regular taxis. Six year olds may not want to walk two miles.

Maybe a hotel with an indoor pool.

Toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed so you will have to explain that to your kids.

The changing of the guard. Do go more than once. I was surprised how much I enjoyed that.

Sorry can’t speak to any part of Greece besides Athens.

What are you talking about? I have never been anywhere in Greece where I couldn't flush toilet paper.

Weird. We were just there and almost everywhere had signs not to flush the toilet paper. Maybe you just didn't see them?

Spent four months in hotels there in the late 80s; returned for another summer in early 90s and was there for 8 days in 2023 (so a lot of bathrooms). I have literally never seen any signs asking not to flush toilet paper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athens, yes. I would look for a child-oriented guide for a day to take you places that may appeal the most to kids, even a playground. I don’t recall seeing any. Or something of a cat sanctuary. Istanbul has so many cats. To view, not touch, for health and safety reasons.

Food is cheap and portions large enough to share, so you will save there.

Also uber is very cheap and uses regular taxis. Six year olds may not want to walk two miles.

Maybe a hotel with an indoor pool.

Toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed so you will have to explain that to your kids.

The changing of the guard. Do go more than once. I was surprised how much I enjoyed that.

Sorry can’t speak to any part of Greece besides Athens.

What are you talking about? I have never been anywhere in Greece where I couldn't flush toilet paper.

Have to agree with the no toilet paper flushing. We were there over the summer and in a high end resort on the Athens Rivera and an island villa - no tp flushing in either. Same with the restaurants in Athens. Maybe this person just doesn't think the rules apply to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Athens, yes. I would look for a child-oriented guide for a day to take you places that may appeal the most to kids, even a playground. I don’t recall seeing any. Or something of a cat sanctuary. Istanbul has so many cats. To view, not touch, for health and safety reasons.

Food is cheap and portions large enough to share, so you will save there.

Also uber is very cheap and uses regular taxis. Six year olds may not want to walk two miles.

Maybe a hotel with an indoor pool.

Toilet paper is not supposed to be flushed so you will have to explain that to your kids.

The changing of the guard. Do go more than once. I was surprised how much I enjoyed that.

Sorry can’t speak to any part of Greece besides Athens.

What are you talking about? I have never been anywhere in Greece where I couldn't flush toilet paper.

Our airbnb in Naxos (nicely renovated apartment) asked us not to flush toilet paper. Hotel in Athens had no such warning (big city, makes more sense they have a more robust sewage system.

So you've stayed in one house that asked you not to flush and you assume that's country-wide?

Wasn't the PP who posted the original statement, in fact I contradicted what that PP said about toilet paper in Athens. We have a friend who went to Greece 3 years ago and they mentioned the toilet paper thing also, without prompting.