Updated: June 22, 2026
Greece › Athens › Kid-Friendly Hotels
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com
Athens Hotels: My Picks for Families
- Best for First Timers:
Ava Hotel & Suites (Pedestrian zone in Plaka) - Best Kid-Friendly Vibe:
Grecotel Pallas Athena (Spacious family rooms) - Best Luxury Beach Resort:
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel (Athens Riviera) - Best for Early Ferries:
Port Square Hotel (Walk directly to your ship) - Best Aparthotel:
The Foundry Suites (Full kitchens, rooftop garden)
Family rooms at the Grecotel Pallas Athena in Athens.
Athens Family Hotels: My Advice
- For most families, stay in Plaka, Monastiraki, or Koukaki. Plaka is the easiest and prettiest base for a first visit: walkable, atmospheric, and close to the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, restaurants, and shops. Monastiraki is busier and noisier, but better for metro access, rooftop restaurants, and short stays before or after the islands. Koukaki is calmer, more residential, and often better value, with casual tavernas, wider sidewalks, and apartment-style hotels.
- Choose Syntagma for logistics, not charm. Syntagma is practical for families who want easy taxis, airport access, shopping, and larger full-service hotels. It is less atmospheric than Plaka and less relaxed than Koukaki, but it works well if you want everything to be straightforward.
- Be careful north of Monastiraki toward Omonia. Athens is generally safe, but the streets get grittier as you move toward Omonia, especially around the market and some blocks north of Sofokleous Street. This area can be fine for adults, but it is not where I would send families on a first Athens visit. For an easier family stay, choose Plaka, Koukaki, Syntagma, Kolonaki, or the better parts of Monastiraki and Psiri.
- Do not overpack your sightseeing days. Athens is great with kids, but heat, hills, marble steps, and crowds can wear everyone down. Plan one major ancient site per morning, then leave afternoons for the Acropolis Museum, a rooftop pool, a nap, or an easy wander through Plaka.
- For the Acropolis, go early and bring a carrier for small children. Strollers are not practical inside the Acropolis site, so use a baby carrier if you have a toddler. Acropolis tickets use timed entry, and visitors are advised to arrive before their assigned slot. The first morning slot is the best choice with kids, especially from May to September.
- For airport transfers, taxis are easier than the metro. A taxi from Athens Airport to central Athens has a fixed fare: €40 during the day and €55 at night. The airport metro is cheaper for one or two people, but with kids and luggage, a taxi is worth it. In the city, Uber and FREENOW work with licensed yellow taxis.
- For morning ferries, think carefully about Piraeus. If your ferry leaves before 9:00 a.m., staying in Piraeus can make the morning much easier with kids and luggage. The Port Square Hotel is right by the port and metro. For ferries after 9:00 a.m., I would stay in central Athens and take a taxi or direct metro from Monastiraki.
- My top family hotel in central Athens is Ava Hotel & Suites. It has large suites, kitchenettes, and a near-perfect Plaka location inside the pedestrian zone. Great for families who want space and sightseeing convenience, but it sells out early.
- For a stylish hotel with a pool, consider St. George Lycabettus. It is in quiet, upscale Kolonaki rather than the historic core, and the rooftop pool is a huge plus in July and August. The tradeoff is location: it is slightly removed from the main sightseeing zone, and the uphill setting can be a hassle with tired kids, strollers, or frequent trips back and forth to the hotel.
- For a resort-style family stay, choose the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel. It is on the Athens Riviera, about 30 minutes from central Athens, with beaches, pools, restaurants, and a true holiday feel. It is not the best base for daily sightseeing, but it is the best Athens-area hotel if you want luxury, swimming, and space for kids.
The Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Athens
1. Ava Hotel and Suites
Hotel phone: +30 21032 59000
Spacious suites include kitchenettes with a microwave, fridge, and stovetop. Offers the service and amenities of a 5-star hotel with the friendliness of a family-run B&B. The location is perfect on a quiet street in Plaka, close to the Akropoli metro station and Acropolis Museum. Includes a great breakfast.2. Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel
Hotel phone: +30 21089 01000
Stunning setting on a private peninsula on the Athens Riviera. Features a great beach, pool, restaurants, kids club, and extensive outdoor activities. Located 10 minutes from the shops and nightlife of Glyfada (accessible via hotel shuttle), 20 minutes to the airport, and 30 minutes to central Athens.3. St George Lycabettus
Hotel phone: +30 21074 16000
Five-star hotel with a seasonal rooftop pool, playroom (supervised on request), and private cinema. Sunday brunches feature a separate kids area with a nanny and activities like cooking classes. Rooms and suites sleep up to four; interconnecting suites sleep larger families. The quiet Kolonaki location, at the foot of Mt Lycabettus near the cable car, is upscale and relaxed, but slightly removed from the Acropolis, Plaka, and the main historic sights. Great if you want calm, views, and a pool; less ideal if you want easy walks back to the hotel between sightseeing stops.4. Grand Resort Lagonissi
Hotel phone: +30 22910 76000
Upscale beachfront resort set on sixteen sandy beaches. Amenities include two pools, a water sports center, outdoor cinema, and free kids club (ages 4-12). Seven restaurants offer a variety of cuisines for picky eaters. Sea view suites, bungalows, and villas sleep three to nine guests; family rooms have private pools. Located in a quiet enclave of the Athens Riviera; a car is recommended for exploring.5. Grecotel Pallas Athena
Hotel phone: +30 21032 50900
Unique rooms feature Spiderman or Smurf graffiti murals. A family-friendly 4-star hotel with a play area and connecting rooms. The Greek-Mediterranean restaurant offers kids menus and an excellent breakfast buffet. Located near the Central Market and Monastiraki Flea Market. Note: The immediate area toward Omonia can feel gritty at night; stick to the walk toward Kotzia Square.6. Vincci EverEden
Hotel phone: +30 22910 60031
Relaxed resort with a floating water park and private Blue Flag beach. Additional perks include a playground, water sports center, and two outdoor pools. Family Suites sleep up to four; residences add kitchenettes. Located in sleepy Anavyssos at the south end of the Athens Riviera (renting a car is a good idea here).7. Ergon House
Hotel phone: +30 21001 09090
The ground floor features a full-sized food market with a deli, bakery, vertical garden, and indoor ice cream truck. Upscale boutique hotel with a foodie focus, offering kid-friendly cooking classes and communal kitchens on every floor. Family Rooms sleep up to five. Outstanding breakfast included. Great location near Syntagma Square.8. Electra Palace Hotel
Hotel phone: +30 21033 70000
Classic luxury hotel in the heart of Plaka, with a rooftop pool, indoor pool, restaurant, and some rooms and suites with Acropolis views. The location is excellent for families who want to walk to the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, restaurants, and shops without relying much on taxis. Rooms are more traditional than trendy, but the combination of location, pool, service, and easy sightseeing is hard to beat.9. Athenian Riviera Hotel
Hotel phone: +30 21089 00000
Low-key boutique hotel with a pool, just a short walk to two beaches. The on-site restaurant serves crowd-pleasing Mediterranean dishes (kids menu available) poolside or via room service. All rooms have private balconies; some suites feature jacuzzis. Set in mellow Vouliagmeni, the best beach town on the Athens Riviera.10. The Gem Society
Hotel phone: +30 21022 07777
Affordable luxury in the City Center, near the National Historical Museum. Superior Suites sleep five to six guests with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a sunny terrace. The hotel features a gourmet, all-day bistro with breakfast, half board, and full board options.11. Ivis 4
Hotel phone: +30 21032 13340
Playful hotel with an all-day Greek restaurant and patio garden. Suites sleep up to four guests and feature private balconies and original graffiti murals. Family dining is fantastic here, with kids’ menus and hearty complimentary breakfast. Wonderful Psirri location near the Ancient Agora.12. The Foundry Suites
Hotel phone: +30 21118 24604
Rooftop picnic garden with wood-fired pizza and cocktails (May–Oct). Spacious self-catering apartments sleep up to four; all suites have fully equipped kitchens with dishwashers and ovens. Note that there are no TVs, but a rich substantial breakfast is included. Excellent location in Psirri.13. Palmyra Beach Hotel
Hotel phone: +30 21089 81183
Good value hotel with a nice pool. Two-bedroom family rooms sleep a family of 5. Close to shopping, restaurants, and Glyfada beach. The tram to central Athens (30 minutes) is just outside the hotel.14. A for Athens
Hotel phone: +30 21302 37244
Centrally located hotel with iconic Acropolis views. Affordable boutique hotel with Quadruple and Triple rooms. Located at the border of Psirri and Monastiraki, just steps from the metro – perfect for catching early-morning ferries from Piraeus.15. City Circus Athens Hostel
Hotel phone: +30 21302 37244
Nice budget hostel with large quadruple rooms perfect for families. Located within walking distance to Plaka.More Family-Friendly Hotels in Athens
- Athens Gate Hotel (large interconnecting double rooms)
- Plaka Hotel Athens (family room with interconnecting door)
- Athens Lotus Hotel (family rooms have three beds and two bathrooms)
- Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso (great beach resort, 30-minutes outside of Athens)
Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to 
Hi Dave. My family (2 adults and 2 kids ages 5 ans 8) and I are booked in The Stanley this July. The hotel looks very clean, has large family rooms for the 4 of us, and has a large rooftop pool. Best of all the metro station is literally downstairs. Do you have any experience with this property and the area? I can always change the reservation if needed. Thank you!
Yes, I know the area well. The Stanley is prominently located directly on Karaiskaki Square in central Athens, right beside the Metaxourgeio metro station (Red Line M2), providing excellent public transportation connections throughout the city (though you do have to switch trains to get to the airport or the ferry port). The surrounding area is a busy, somewhat gritty, and very urban neighborhood, distinct from the more tourist-oriented Plaka or Monastiraki districts. It can feel a bit seedy but never dangerous. While major historical sites like the Acropolis are a few convenient metro stops or a longer walk away, the hotel itself is great value and known for its rooftop pool and bar/deck, which offer panoramic city views, including the Acropolis in the distance.
Hello Dave,
We are family of four, kids 12 & 16, and are planning to visit Athens end of December for 4 nights. Looking for a midrange hotel. There is no availability in your listed hotels. Athens4 vs Amazon Hotel, any suggestions between these two?
Tanya
I think both are good midrange hotels with central locations. Amazon Hotel on a busier street and 10-minutes closer to Acropolis and other sites in Plaka. Athens4 down a small side street. But otherwise not a huge difference.
Hi Dave, wonderful website and thanks a lot for your overview. May I ask where do you get all the pictures from all the hotels? Do you visit them all or do you reach out directly to them and take the pictures?
We take almost all of the hotel photos when we visit and review. Occasionally, we’ll need to use photos provided from the hotel, but we really try to avoid this. I hope our pics are helpful.
Compliments on the website. Was wondering if you had any suggestions for a nice place to spend a couple of days, located between Athens and Kyllini. I will be flying into Athens, and travelling to Zakynthos, and would like to spend about 2 days somewhere enroute. I have two young girls, aged 5 & 7. They like water, so a place by the sea would be ideal. Thanks, Hugh.
From Athens to Kyllini it is 287 kms via the most direct route and for the most part it is served by a currently very disrupted major highway (between Corinth and Patra) Once they’ve finished the roadworks (turning it into a proper multi-lane highway), it will be once more be a fast route. Meantime the route is slow and frustrating for drivers. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that there is a picturesque coastal road (the original coastal highway) that links all the coastal villages between Corinth and Patra. If you don’t mind taking your time you can actually make quite a pleasant trip out of it. Half of 287 is 143.5 kms and that will get you as far as Stomio on the Gulf of Corinth local road. Now Stomio is not exactly earth-shattering, but it is half way. A little earlier you will pass through Xylokastro (120 kms) which is a bit of a resort town mainly for Greeks and is a lot livelier than Stomio. It has hotels, restaurants and a beach scene.
However, you may want to push on and make you night’s stop at Diakofto (161 kms) which has the advantage of being another busy seaside town AND has the additional advantage of being the terminus of the Diakofto/Kalavryta rack and pinion railway to the mountain village of Kalavryta. This is one of the Peloponnese’s more interesting traveller attractions though not well known to the international public. The train starts from the middle of town and heads on up through the narrow gorge before arriving in the pretty village of Kalavryta (33kms away) where you take have a stroll, take lunch and descend in the afternoon. Your daughters would surely enjoy that adventure! Diakofto has a small beach scene and enough restaurants to choose from plus accommodation options.
The road to Kyllini after Patra resorts to being a normal rural main road and is a reasonably easy run make sure you time your run to catch the ferry you want to Zakynthos.
A wild card thought: you could always take the northern Gulf of Corinth route and make your night stop at Delphi to see the ancient sites and Delphi is a magical, spiritual place. Descend to the coast for lunch and a swim at Galaxidi then make a relatively un-busy run to the pretty port of Nafpaktos for afternoon coffee and ice cream, then over the impressive Andirion-Rion suspension bridge to the Peloponnese before making a right to Kyllini. Apart from the initial busy freeway run to the turn off to Delphi from the main South-North highway via Thiva (Thebes) the route is generally rural and after Galaxidi relatively free of traffic. It will take you longer, though and the sea run is not as populated or scenically pretty as the old national highway along the south side of the Gulf of Corinth.
Hello there! We are a family of 4 with children ages 9 and 12. We are looking at staying at the Dorian Inn next month (October) for a 2 night stay in Athens. We love its proximity to all the sites and the fact that it has a pool. It also appears to be a clean hotel with breakfast included. However, some of the reviews have me concerned about the area that it is in. Can you offer any further information? Thank you!
Maxine
The area will strike you as shady, dirty, and unpleasant when you first pull in. But it’s not unsafe. Your kids are an age when they’re likely going out to explore on their own. Unfortunately even the most liberal parent probably wouldn’t feel comfortable sending their kids out the door in this neighborhood. But so it goes, you’re only there for 2 nights and probably won’t be spending much time at your hotel in any case. I think it’s a fine choice and a short walk from the Plaka and Acropolis.
Hello – would love some advice. My sister is going to be in Athens for a conference early March and we are thinking of joining her with our 3 year old. Would love to get to an island – but know many will be shut to tourists. We are not sun seekers (more food seekers). Can you recommend hotels (with separate room for little one). Also an island/ area to enjoy sites, eating, relaxing?
Thanks you,
Natasha
The two best areas at that time are Chania (on Crete) and Santorini. Both will be getting some tourists by March so a lot should be open. Chania also has a large local population and never shuts down like other Greek islands. Both are loaded with great restaurants.
Hello! Your website is very helpful! My husband I will be in Athens for 5 days and hope to do some sightseeing but also a lot of relaxing, we have a 3 year old and almost 7 year old.
We are torn between staying in the city at a place with a pool or simply staying in Glyfada and travelling to the centre for some sightseeing. Any guidance much appreciated!
Mary
Glyfada is a good a place to stay in Athens as any and apart from being away from the city bustle and noise you have at least the sense of being at a half decent seaside resort. So, yes, go ahead and book yourselves a place to stay in Glyfada. It’s only 14kms to the centre of Athens via the more direct Leoforos Vouliagmenis – take a cab if you are in a hurry, they are relatively inexpensive in Athens – or if you prefer a more leisurely segue to the city, take a modern tram along the coast and up through the ‘burbs which will take you right to Syntagma (Constitution) Square in about an hour or so. Alternatively you can take the tram as far as as the Stadium of Peace and Friendship and swap to the metro for the last leg to the Port of Piraeus. There are plenty of buses to/from Athens too, but they can get uncomfortably crowded at peak times.
Glyfada itself is a very pleasant seaside resort and along with Vouliagmeni further south it is where many of Athens’ well-heeled reside. Wikipedia calls it Knightsbidge-on-Sea, the Hellenic Hamptons or the Beverley Hills of Greece and the suburb certainly does have a rather chic feel to it with its upmarket cafés, restaurants, and boutique shops. There are plenty of hotels with pools to choose from, though the (pay) beach is very decent and you may care to spend some of your relaxation time on a lounger under an umbrella with a bar or café at your shoulder. So rest assured that your plan is a solid one, you will be in good company in a pleasant environment and not really all that far from the city.