Greek Getaway With Kids: Parenting Tips For Memorable Travel Experiences

AD. Traveling is an excellent avenue to learn new experiences, especially for kids. However, it is pretty challenging to travel with children, especially since most kids have seemingly unlimited energy, are quite uncontrollable, and tend to go off on their own. Not to mention, you never know when they will throw the biggest tantrum of the century. You must keep your eyes glued to them 24/7, or else they might get lost, hurt, or go somewhere dangerous in the blink of an eye. Nonetheless, there are little moments that will make all the hassle worth it. Seeing the pure, innocent, and utterly precious smile on your little one’s face as they jump in the water or the cute puzzled expression they make upon feeling the sand between their toes for the first time is enough to melt your heart. And when you look back to those moments five years down the line, chances are you will only remember the good and fun times of your trip, drowning out all the stress you had. 

_{[Photo by Jimmy Teoh]}

If you are planning to take your family on a memorable adventure but are still unsure where Greece should be at the top of your list. After all, Greece is one of the most kid-friendly countries you can travel to. The best of Greece tours will take you on the country’s breathtaking coasts and beaches lined with cozy restaurants serving scrumptious local dishes. You and the kids can even learn about the history and culture of ancient Greece when you visit their world-class archaeological sites. Not to mention, there are countless adrenaline-pumping activities you can do with kids to burn up their youthful energy, such as hiking and biking on mountain trails, river rafting, sea kayaking, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. 

In this guide, we will share parenting tips on how to best enjoy a Greek getaway with your kids in tow.

Book Travels During The Shoulder Season

The first thing you need to consider when planning the trip is when you will visit. It is generally a terrible idea to travel with kids during the summer months—particularly from July to August. Summer is the busiest season in Greece, so expect to have lots of crowds, long queues, and crazy expensive prices on food, accommodations, and experiences. Kids aren’t known for their patience, so waiting in long lines at popular restaurants isn’t an option. Not to mention, you can easily lose sight of your children in the crowd. But perhaps the most compelling reason not to visit during the peak season is because of the sweltering heat. Greece is known for its gloriously blazing summer weather because temperatures could rise higher than 35°C. While this weather is ideal if you want to play by the beach, this much heat is not at all ideal for wandering around the cities and ancient ruins of Greece. You or your kids might even risk experiencing heatstroke. Not to mention the sweaty children will inevitably become irritable. 

So, when is the best time to visit Greece? During the shoulder season, of course! This runs from April to November, which is when you will be met with sunny days and a bit of rain here and there. As a bonus, it is not as crowded during these times, and the prices of commodities are a bit more reasonable.

Pack Lightly

You might be tempted to carry lots of items that you think the children will need throughout the trip, but you must resist the urge to overpack. This is because having lots of luggage with your kids in tow is a surefire way to get stressed even before getting to your destination. As such, what you must do is pack lightly; that is, carry only the essentials—important travel documents, clothes, first aid kits, emergency medications, baby needs, and your little one’s favorite toy—nothing more, nothing less.  Keep in mind that you don’t need so many pairs of shoes and that you can just carry several articles of clothing from your capsule wardrobe and then mix and match them to create several outfits. Imagine how much of a hassle it would be to drag huge suitcases in one hand and your kids in another. This is incredibly awkward if you plan on using public transportation such as ferries and buses. 

Tip: Most items, such as diapers, toiletries, etc., can be easily bought in grocery stores near your destination, so buy it when you get there instead so that you can save space in your luggage.

_{[Photo by Emily Geibel]}

Pack a Baby Carrier Instead of a Stroller

The beautiful cobblestone streets of Greece are best traveled on foot, and quite obviously, it would be challenging to use strollers in these parts of the town. Not to mention, ramps and elevators are rare here. Finally, if you and your family would go island hopping, you would have to ride ferries and cruise ships, and embarking and disembarking the shop is such a hassle when you carry a stroller with you. As such, it is better to opt for a baby carrier like Hope and Plum instead so that you can go sightseeing hassle-free. A ring sling for baby can make navigating these picturesque but challenging environments much easier and more enjoyable. You’ll find that the freedom to move around without worrying about uneven terrain or tight spaces allows you to fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking views that Greece has to offer.

Rent a Car To Get Around Greece With Ease

Unfortunately, the coverage of the rail network in Greece is quite limited as it can only take you between big cities. Alternatively, you can opt for buses as Greece’s bus network is quite extensive. However, it can only take you along specific routes. If you are traveling someplace more remote, you would have to rent a car to ensure a hassle-free commute. This will give you more freedom to travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations whenever you want. Not to mention, your kids will be safer and more comfortable in the car than in public transportation vehicles. And most importantly, you can turn on the radio and sing with your kids throughout the car ride and treat it as an exciting road trip! The drawback, though, is that renting cars can be quite expensive, and the designated driver will get tired and, thus, will be less able to enjoy the trip. 

Take The Kids To Watch The Dolphins In Delos

Since you’re already in Greece, don’t forget to take the chance to watch the dolphins in Delos. All you have to do is to take a 30-minute ferry ride over the dolphin-watching hotspot. This will inevitably fascinate the children and make them appreciate the beauty of marine life.