Insider Insights

Last updated: 19 April 2024

Writing about indoor entertainment centers feels wrong in Greece, where a diversity of natural, outdoor playgrounds are the highlight. Yet, my daughter never showed more excitement about returning to a beach than she did with XPLORE. It’s been a regular hangout for the last two weeks. I’ve also found myself unexpectedly enjoying its creativity, conveniences and comforts enough to cast off purist ideas about true Greek experiences and ideal learning environments for children. 

Is Golden Hall’s newest kids attraction for you?

Here’s a brief introduction to help with quick decisions on whether to include XPLORE in your Athens itinerary: 

Who is it for?

All three zones are worth exploring: The aquarium (“Ocean”), a play zone (“Adventure”) for kids from 4 to 12, and a science discovery center (“Science”) for children from 5 to 12 years old. 

Little D was in a sweet spot where she could enjoy all the play zones, including Science even though she just turned 4. Science was nearly as exciting as Adventure for her. With adult help, the exhibits are fun to work with even if you’re too young to understand the principles at work.

At 18 months, Adventure was still fun for Baby A. The Enchanted Garden was perfect for her with a treehouse and slide, play kitchen in a pumpkin, and vegetable sorting station. She also enjoyed the race car ride with me, and tumbling around the climbing structures in the construction-themed playground. 

Each zone costs €7.50 per person for a 3-hour entry period. 

Is it just another indoor playground?

I’ve been to a few in Chicago and in Singapore where we lived with children. XPLORE is a step up. The play spaces are inventive, captivatingly creative, technically sophisticated, subtly educational, and expansive with a dizzying diversity of themes to get immersed in (e.g. Superheroes, TV Studio)

In Adventure, use a child-sized excavator to move balls around a ball pit in the construction area. There’s also a 3-level obstacle course that’s more than just tunnels and slides – work with others to load bricks up a conveyor belt, then throw them back down a rubble chute. Then there’s the race track – small, but still fun for a 4 or 5 year old’s first ride (kids 5 and older can go solo).

Science encourages learning through play. A water play center allows you to experience fluid dynamics by creating your own aqueducts, watch water wheels at work, construct fountains with pipes, and throw balls into swirling vortexes. The ball run labyrinth gets them thinking about transport systems and how to move things along a specific course you can manipulate. Then watch the power of wind push flying scarves through a convoluted maze of air pipes, and catch them as they fall to the ground.

Lastly, every parent convenience has been thought of, including a small café for snacks, spotless child-sized toilets and baby changing facilities complete with pampers.

How much time can we spend there?

The ticket gives you access for 3 hours. Which is really the maximum amount of time I can spend in there anyways. That said, considering younger kids enjoy repetition, 2 to 3 hours is enough time to discover each zone, apart from the aquarium which you can get through in under an hour.

And so we returned for another 5 days to keep exploring. 

Tips: 

1. Buy tickets online for a 10% discount.
2. There’s really a lot going on in each zone, so be selective. I’d match the aquarium experience with one other for a full day’s outing.
3. Avoid weekends. Weekdays tend to be quiet and lovely.

Athenian entrepreneur and mother of three, Eleni Fotiou has been to 99 Greek islands so far. Insatiably curious, she started as a backpacker and has been adding on to her travel party in the last ten years. As parents we travel very differently, so Eleni founded MAMAKITA to share invaluable insights distilled from her country-wide adventures. “Mama, look!” it translates from Greek (“Mama, kita!”). With the same child-like excitement unburdened by the complexities of travelling with children, families can uncover the soul of Greece even within the short space of a holiday. For now, they are the only licensed agency offering tailor-made family trips to Greece.  We had a lot of questions for her. And she graciously gave us her round-up of how best to explore her homeland.

1. Which Greek islands have you travelled to?

I used to have an obsession with maps since I remember myself. I used to circle the places I wanted to go on the map of Greece and color the inside when I finally visited them. In April 2020 I would have concluded my map of Greece “painting” some days before my 38^th birthday, because I would have visited Lemnos, Ai-Stratis and Thassos, the 3 remaining Greek islands that I have not visited yet! The Covid-19 pandemic has changed my perception of travel. I was a fast-paced traveler willing to see and do as much as possible. Now, I am really looking forward to slow down, follow the natural pace of life and value quality rather than quantity. I think I am now an ardent supporter of slow travel. And I miss the small almost uninhabited islands in Greece, where I want to return and experience a slower vacation.

2. What are your 3 favourite destinations for family travel in Greece?

First is the Peloponnese. Almost an island! It combines culture, nature, great beaches for every taste and healthy food. In the Peloponnese, you can hike in beautiful trails up in the mountains, swim in alpine lakes and in sandy beaches, all in the same day. You can always find an authentic village, a non-touristy beach and warm waters all year round.

Second comes a paradise island complex in the Dodecanese around Leros and Lipsi, including smaller islands Marathi, Arki, Aspronisia. I consider them the top kid- and baby- friendliest islands because the waters are calm almost all year round; you can always find a bay with warm waters (maybe the only place in the Aegean that you can swim in winter!); the beaches are sandy with shallow waters; and they are mostly flat, so you don’t have to climb with strollers, etc… People are amazingly friendly, so you feel immediately at home! Plus, the island’s playground is always full of children who are very willing to play with yours!

Third is the complex of Small or Lesser Cyclades. While more touristy and crowded in August, the sandy beaches are amazing. You can combine your trip there with Paros and Naxos, which are also among my top family destinations in Greece.

3. Do the kids have their favourites?

Yes, and it is so interesting to see what they mostly appreciate: Hydra because of the donkeys; Aegina because of the great hiking in the ancient olive grove and the picnic we enjoyed; Sikinos because we had the most amazing accommodation in a simple quiet Cycladic house; Naxos because of the windsurfing classes. The most important thing is that they have loving memories that – I hope – will be their anchors of happiness in the future.

4. Are there any exceptionally memorable child-friendly hotel or villa rental experiences you can name?

Yes, Daphnes’ Club in coastal Corinth is a yearly institution for our family and friends. Ninemia in mountainous Karpenisi, Nisi family glamping in mainland Greece, Vasilikia mountain farm, there are many family friendly farm-stays across Greece. There are also amazing villas, real hidden gems, not only on Greek islands (usually overpriced) but also in the Peloponnese

5. What are MAMAKITA’S most successful itineraries so far?

We offer some self-drive ready-made itineraries, which are travel guidebooks that take you to places in Greece that only local families know. The destinations are carefully selected and these guidebooks are the result of our team of travel advisors’ extensive travel experience. They include age-specific information about the best places to stay in Greece with kids, the places to visit and things to do with children, the best Greek islands to visit for babies, toddlers, school age children or teenagers, kid-friendly beaches, hiking trails accessible for all, child friendly taverns & restaurants, as well as all emergency contacts… And all these in a realistic day-by-day trip planning with a MAMAKITA map and options for family friendly privately guided day tours and kid-friendly hands-on activities. From these ready-made itineraries, or self-drive itineraries in the Peloponnese, Naxos and Evia are the top sellers.

But when it comes to custom-made trip plans, every trip we create is personalized, so every trip is unique and does not look like any other. Usually, families are looking for island-hopping with kids, with a short stay in Athens. Many families are looking for a mixture of culture, history and tours to learn more about Classical Greece in a kid-friendly way. A new trend are the trips closer to nature. As an example, we provide a thematic family trip focusing on ecotourism. Many families which school age kids and teens choose to travel to be closer to nature lately. You can see some of our suggestions of this here.

6. Are there some activities the kids reliably seem to enjoy best?

Yes definitely. Mythology hiking tours and everything artistic and hands-on, like creative workshops in nature, farming, cooking… Kids seem to miss nature and the soil. It is maybe because most of our travelers come from cities.

7. Which islands and/or itineraries would you suggest for first-timers?

It largely depends on the pace and interests of each family; what they want, what are their priorities for their vacation. It also depends on the season. I would definitely include Athens in every itinerary (either for first timers, or second, or third…) and mainland Greece (the Peloponnese with Delphi, Meteora and Zagori).

When it comes to Greek islands, it really depends on several parameters. What is certain is that, as many people ask for Mykonos and Santorini, our team would have many tips and ways to help our travelers escape the crowds in peak months, with alternative stays in neighboring more kid-friendly islands, so that they won’t skip the highlights of Greece.

8. What do you find are the most challenging things families have to deal with in navigating Greece?

Walking with strollers in Athens, traditional settlements, castles etc.; seasickness and carsickness, especially in the winding narrow streets in villages and along the coastline; the road network is challenging in some specific areas more than others! But Greece is safe and amazingly family-welcoming. Even if your kids create a mess, nobody will make you feel bad about it.

9. Please share your top tips for travelling with kids in Greece.

• Mykonos and Santorini are not the kid-friendliest islands that you can visit. There are ways to visit them but staying there is not suitable for everybody.
• Greece might seem small in the map, but the distances are not always that short. Allow more time when you see mountains around.
• If you have more than 2 children, book accommodation early. Most hotels have up to quadruple rooms.

10. Your advice on how best to juggle three young children while on holiday?

I think there is one prevailing concept in travelling with children: that is providence! Plan ahead, think before it happens, visualize the “scene”. This way, you can make the best choices and avoid things that might create a hassle. Before being a mother, I was a backpacker and this helped me a lot. Backpacking required a lot of planning. Of course, plans change and you have to be open while you are traveling! But there has to be always a plan in demanding trips!

11. The packing list for family trips often goes out of control. What are your essentials for a trip to Greece?

Well, that is the first step immediately after you decide that you will “enter the game”! Again advance thinking is a key element! It is related to your location of accommodation, season and smart choices in terms of clothing. My essentials are anti-mosquito bite, baby monitor, windcheater if you are planning on the Greek islands, and a camera. Ask for a baby cot from the hotel. It is also essential to train your toddlers to carry their own bags. Even if they are able to carry only some pencils and a doll, let them carry their stuff in their own bags for which they will be responsible. You cannot imagine how this will help you in your future trips!

I have written a relevant article here if you’d like to have a look.

If you cannot yet escape to its isles of idyllic blue, let your taste buds do the traveling. Enlisting help from our Greek friends around the world, we suggest restaurants where you can enjoy Hellenic cuisine at its best. From Singapore to Switzerland and souvlaki to stifado, we’ve got your wanderlusting cravings covered! The restaurants are listed by city in alphabetical order below.

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A tale of two Peloponnesian brothers, award-winning Papa’s Grove produces some of the world’s finest olive oil on their family farm in southern Greece. Striving for uncompromised quality and purity, a resulting chemical-free process produces an “exceptionally extra virgin” product that is full of flavour and nutrition.

One half of the Papa Brothers now lives in Singapore with his wife and 2 daughters (ages 2 and 5). Returning to Greece annually, and sometimes bi-annually, Andreas shares his insights and tips on travelling as a family back to Papa’s homeland.

1.What are the islands and mainland destinations you frequent as a family? 

When we go back we always spend a few days in our country house up in the hills in the Peloponnese in the lands of my family where we have our olive trees. This is my sanctuary and where our kids can be real kids! They play out in nature, interact with animals, and get down and dirty! And then a week on some of the numerous Greek islands is a must! As a family, some islands we have been to include Zakynthos, Crete, Naxos and Santorini.

2.What are your top 3 destinations for family travel in Greece?

Well, our first is already stated! Admittedly a somewhat biased preference.

Then, the Paxoi islands. Maybe not that “kid friendly”, but a little known gem on the Ionian sea with some shallow beaches for children.  An absolute beauty with the cleanest waters we have ever seen. You can rent rubber rib boats to go around the islands – it’s a great way to explore the coastline with its many small coves and bays.

Naxos is also a very good island recommendation. Food is awesome (everything grows on the island), the island is mountainous with some beautiful villages to visit, and the west coast beaches are gorgeous if the wind cooperates! It’s a kite surfer’s paradise too.

3. What are the best things to do with kids in Greece? 

Swim, swim, swim and build castles in the sand! In winter, take numerous hikes through deep forests, gorges and lakes which are in abundance all over mainland Greece. 

4. Your top tip on travelling to Greece with children? 

Drop the stroller! It doesn’t have the most stroller-friendly pavements in the world!

5.What are their favourite dishes on a tavern menu? 

Patates Tiganites! This is French fries the Greek way: hand cut and fried in good olive oil. And Pastitsio – this is also my favourite Greek dish. Think of it as an elevated version of Lasagna. 

6. And their favourite local snacks? 

Koulouri & bougatsa for breakfast. Greek yogurt with honey as well.

7. What do the kids love about Greece, in their own words? 

“I like the nice weather and the snow (in the winter)! That is my favourite!”