3 Can’t-Miss Parks for Little Ones in Athens, Greece

If you’re headed to Greece this summer, chances are pretty good you’ll spend at least a little bit of time in Athens. While crowds mill around ancient sites like the Acropolis, your little ones will have a much more satisfying experience if you take them to one of many great parks found around the city. Athens is an extremely family-friendly destination where parks are an important way of life. You’ll find parks everywhere, and local families will be helpful in giving you great tips to find one nearby, but the spots on this list are places you’ll definitely want to work into your busy itinerary during your trip.

Ellinikon Experience Park
Ellinikon Experience Park is located in the middle of the Ellinikon project, a massive undertaking transforming an old part of the Athenian coastline into a modern hub of sustainable city living. The park, free for all and open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, is designed to encourage learning through outdoor play. At the entrance to the park is an enormous water maze where kids can run through waterspouts to cool off in the heat of a summer day (and enjoy the choreographed light show after dark). The playground itself is full of interactive playground equipment, and there is plenty of space for the whole family to relax or get some exercise in the fresh air. You can even grab a bite from one of the snack vendors on site if the family gets hungry from too much play time. The park is also conveniently located right next to the Experience Center, where you can learn all about the history of the area and the incredible ways in which the Ellinikon development project will shape the future of metropolitan life.

Zappeion Playground
Located on the grounds of the Zappeion, a palatial Neoclassical building next to the National Gardens of Athens, this playground is a nice break from the high energy of the city. Take in the beautiful gardens while visiting Zappeion, but you’ll want to make sure and save plenty of time to let little ones play on the playground and visit the animals housed within the gardens. Cars aren’t allowed on the grounds, so little ones are safe to run around and burn off any pent-up energy.

Wet Park
If little ones are 6 or older, you’ll want to head to the beach in Alimos along the coast. Located in a densely populated area of the Athenian Riviera, this beach has an organized water park known as Wet Park, which lets the whole family enjoy the beach and water on a hot day. This park is home to a floating inflatable playground and, although it isn’t free, the cost of admission includes the use of a life jacket for added safety for the kids. This spot is popular among locals and tourists during the summer months, so kids can play in the water, enjoy inflatables and make friends with other kids their own age.