Can anyone help me plan a trip to Athens with an 11yo?

[Peabody25]

We're looking to take DS11 to Athens, probably next Easter holidays. He's really interested in Greek mythology after studying it at school.

Are we better staying in the centre rather than the coast? Any areas to avoid? Any hotel recommendations? How long would we need? Should we do book as a package holiday or separately?

What are the must see sites? Acropolis? Museums? Statue of Zeus? Anything else?

Any ideas of things to do not mythology related that would be of interest to an 11yo?

Thanks all!

We went for 5 nights last October with DS10 and DS12.

Stayed in an airbnb in Plaka, it was very busy but as it was a short trip we didn’t mind.

Unexpected highlight was the olympic stadium, they both enjoyed running around the track and up and down the stands. We went in the evening, very quiet, lovely sunset from top of the stadium.

Acropolis is a must, obviously. We went first thing in the morning and avoided the crowds.

They also enjoyed Attica zoo, they were able to feed the giraffes.

2 or 3 nights is enough in center.
We stayed in a gorgeous hotel with views of the acropolis near the acroplis metro - easy to get to on metro from airport- Hotel Herodion.
Get the All sights pass.€30.
Late afternoon visit to acropolis best.
Acroplis museum is fantastic too.
We then took a taxi to the coast for 2 nights.

Most things in Athens are quite near each other or easy on the Metro. What I would give serious consideration to is when you go - we went in early May, weather was lovely but hot at midday, by late May they were shutting the Acropolis as temperatures were too hot.

Plaka is the main tourist area to stay.

Things to do: Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Forum, National Archaeological Museum - maybe briefly given he is 11. There are always guys dressed as ancient Greeks around the Acropolis.

I'd then plan going somewhere else in the Peloponnese - day trip to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion? Or if he is in to Troy go to Mycenae? Corinth? Theatre at Epidavros? They are v easy to get to by car from Nafplio.

Driving in Greece (as long as you aren't in Athens) turned out to be very easy and stress free. The toll motorways are excellent and once you are off them nobody is bothered by a slow driver in a hire car.

The acropolis and acropolis museum are must-sees - try to get to the former at opening time. The National Archaeological Museum is wonderful - so many fabulous things including the Mycenaean gold masks, the Antikythera mechanism...

The agora and its museum are also must-dos.

Stay in the centre, most of the sites are within easy walking distance though the archaeological museum was a bit further, we used the hop on hop off tourist bus to get there iirc.

We are regular Athens visitors (DS now 13). Found the National archaeological museum a bit dull for that age but the Acropolis museum has a more modern layout and, I think, had an audio trail type thing for youngsters. Acropolis itself is awesome but be prepared to be herded around as it gets very busy. And wear sensible shoes!

Apart from the ancient stuff, there is a little museum of ancient Greek technology (Kotsanas museum) that is interactive and quite fun. Also the Museum of Illusions is a bit different.

The planetarium is also worth a visit and there are usually extra exhibitions there too.

Syntagma square for the traditional changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. You can't get too close anymore but it's always impressive.

Also the Stavros Niarchos foundation cultural centre and park that you can hire bikes to ride around or walk about and see exhibitions etc.

You could do 4 nights and have a good trip, equally you could do a week+
Depends what you want to do really. Do you purely want a city break or would you like to have a day at a beach or even a couple of nights on an island?

We stayed here which was central, clean, lovely breakfast and friendly staff: https://www.panhotel.gr/en/

Ideas of sites to see that we enjoyed with the same aged child:
Acropolis
Panatheanaic stadium
https://www.panathenaicstadium.gr/
The museum next to the acropolis
The ancient agora (go in the late afternoon when its lovely and cool in the shade of the trees and quieter). You can wander round plus there is a museum.
This hill which you can get a cable car up:
Mount Lycabettus
An afternoon swim at a beach 30 mins away from the city centre, we went to this one:
https://vouliagmeni-akti.gr/?lang=en
It cost about 25 euro taxi to get there I think.
Philopappou hill
Zappeion gardens for a shady stroll
The changing of the guards (check specific times/days when they have a special display)

If I think of anything else I will come back and post.
One thing to also note is that you can get a combo ticket to some of these attractions to save a bit of money.

The Electra Metropolis hotel is well situated in the centre near the Palace and the Changing of the guard (v good on Sundays). Fantastic views across to the Acropolis - daytime and nighttime views were spectacular. Good access via the Metro to the airport too. I second the Olympic Stadium - with a self guided tour.
5 mins down the road from the hotel you can catch a train to Pireaus port and catch a ferry to one of the islands for a day trip if you fancy doing something a bit different.

We stayed here, very close to the Acropolis. Really nice hotel and very convenient for everything. I recommend the hop on hop off bus tour early on to get your bearings. We went in November/December and the weather was lovely!

https://www.herodion.gr/en?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=SearchBrand&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnqK1BhBvEiwAi7o0X5JSZYRA24xZuNjI0Gjyzocs1sab16z67Cf67CIA_gTke9RTCV09tBoCpHgQAvD_BwE

Thanks all, some brilliant ideas here that I'll have a look at!

I follow this lady on SM. She has just visited recently.

https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2024/03/athens-with-teenager-our-itinerary.html