With gorgeous blue waters, mouthwatering foods, and ancient cities, it’s no surprise that Greece has become a popular tourist destination. In the first quarter of this year alone, the summer paradise welcomed a whopping 2.5 million tourists to its charming ports.
In other words, a Greece family vacation may feel like a no-brainer. Introducing your kids to the sand, sun, and rich history of this country is hard to resist!
However, the wealth of things to do can make it hard to narrow down your vacation options. When should you go, what should you do when you’re there, and what do you need to bring? Let’s take a look at a few key tips for getting your family to this popular destination.
Choose the Right Time
If you’re heading to Greece with kids, you’ll likely need to plan around their school or summer vacation schedules. However, keep in mind that some times of the year are better for a visit than others.
June and September, for example, tend to have fewer visitors and lower accommodation rates. If you’re hoping to hop on a boat or yacht charter, these times of year are free of the Cycladic winds that can make these journeys more tumultuous.
Create an Itinerary
Once you know when you’re traveling, start researching your transportation and accommodation options to draft an itinerary. This, of course, will depend on the family-friendly locations and things to do in Greece that you’re most interested in. Schedules and costs for popular flights and ferries vary by season, so do your homework!
Most foreign visitors will reach Greece through the Athens International Airport, though you can take connecting flights to smaller airports from there. Short flights within Greece often take under an hour. To make things easier on your family, consider booking lodgings near your next airport or ferry.
If you’ll be island-hopping by boat, make sure you know the distances between the islands, as it can take anywhere from a half-hour to several hours to travel between them. If budgeting is important, opt for overnight ferries for cheaper fares.
Whether you enjoy large cities or small islands, most families find it best to stay in one place for 3-4 days before moving on. This can help you strike a balance between exploration and relaxation.
Prepare Your Packing List
Packing well is important for any family vacation planning, but it’s even more important on a trip to Greece. In addition to typical items like clothes, passports, and personal items, here are a few crucial things to add to your list:
- A local SIM card
- A travel dictionary or app with common Greek phrases
- Euros ordered from your bank in advance
- European travel adapters for electronics
It’s possible to pick up anything you’ve forgotten at local stores, but the unnecessary detours can eat up valuable time, and the cost may be high in tourist areas. Pack well to avoid headaches!
Enjoy Your Greece Family Vacation
A Greece family vacation is an opportunity to create lasting memories in one of the most beautiful and culturally significant places in the world.
Though planning your trip can be tricky, the guidelines above can help you direct your time and effort to enjoy the perfect journey. As you look for more helpful tips and tricks, don’t hesitate to check out our other posts for additional insights!
