Traveling to a foreign land with children is always a roller coaster, especially when that land is as historic and culturally rich as Athens, Greece. As a Indian couple with one toddler and one infant, our journey in Athens has been a blend of discovery, challenges, and moments that stay in your heart forever.
First Impressions: Warmth and Wonder
Athens welcomes you with history at every corner — marble ruins, age-old olive trees, and the unmistakable charm of Mediterranean life. My toddler was immediately captivated by the Acropolis towering over the city. Even if she didn’t fully grasp its importance, she knew it was something big. And that’s the thing about Athens — it’s educational without trying too hard.
The locals have been incredibly warm. Though we don’t speak fluent Greek, the kindness we’ve experienced—from shopkeepers handing free koulouri (Greek sesame bread rings) to the kids, to friendly neighbors helping us navigate public transport—reminds me of the hospitality back home in India.
Snacks, and Street Cats
The locals have been incredibly warm. Though we don’t speak fluent Greek, the kindness we’ve experienced—from shopkeepers handing free koulouri (Greek sesame bread rings) to the kids, to friendly neighbors helping us navigate public transport—reminds me of the hospitality back home in India.
We have taken
One fun thing that fascinated the kids? The sheer number of cats on the streets! Stray cats roam freely here, and most are well-fed by locals. My daughter insists on naming every cat she sees. On our 8 days trip Athens + Santorini we have counted 45 cats :)
Exploring the City — A Family Adventure
Athens is a brilliant city for families. We visit places like:
• The Acropolis and Museum – A broken temple and and a historical surroundings surprisingly kid-friendly with activity books and an underground glass floor.
• The National Garden and lots of orange trees – a green haven where my kids can run freely and we can sit under the shade with a coffee. We drank lots of fresh squeezed orange juice and my daughter was very excited to see lots of oranges.
• Mount Lycabettus – we took the cable car up, and the view of Athens at sunset made everyone go silent for a few moments (rare with my kids!).
A Fusion of Cultures — On Our Plates and in Our Hearts
Food has been our biggest connector. Greek cuisine, with its lentils, rice, and vegetables, actually has many things in common with Indian food. I now make dal with Greek lentils and have learned to cook moussaka with a spicy twist (after coming back to UK). We found a few Indian grocery stores in areas like Victoria and Neos Kosmos, which stock everything from haldi to Haldiram’s snacks.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re an Indian parent considering a trip to Athens, go for it. The city has its quirks (hello, late dinners and no pressure cookers in local stores), but it’s full of heart. And when you’re raising kids, a little heart goes a long way.
We have taken a cruise ship for Santorini from Athens and totally worth it. Stay tunned for my next blog.
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