If you wish to experience a family vacation in Athens and the best Greek islands for teens, and combine leisure on the beach, family fun, culture and food, here is the best Greek island-hopping itinerary for a family trip to Greece for teenage families!
Best Greek islands and Athens family trip itinerary
School’s out and at last, it’s time for your family summer vacation! Time to step back and relax at your sunbed, to soak up the sun and have quality time with your family. When you travel, every moment counts; so, in this itinerary your time is perfectly allocated in a way that you won’t miss a thing! Enjoy your cultural exploration and activities in nature, while discovering the “colors” of Athens, the artistic and off-the-beaten path Tinos, the “indulgent” Naxos and the photogenic Santorini and create memorable images that your family will relish forever!
In this family trip itinerary in Athens and the best Greek islands for teens, MAMAKITA family travel designers propose the best Greek Islands of the Cyclades and the Aegean Sea for teenage families, as well as the best activities and experiences to enjoy during your Greek island exploration. Follow this 14-day family island-hopping itinerary and explore the teen-friendliest side of Athens, Tinos, Naxos & Santorini.
Need some help in trip planning by the best family travel agents in Greece? MAMAKITA family travel specialists can customize this Athens and the Greek islands for teens family vacation itinerary according to your preferences, age of family members, travel pace and budget. Enjoy your family trips in Greece without worrying about family friendly accommodation or teen-friendly tours and activities by making your request here.
Brief Family Itinerary for Athens & the Greek Islands with Teenagers
- Day 1: Arrival in Athens, Evening Stroll in Plaka district
- Day 2: Athens Street Art Tour, Exploring the Ancient Monuments of Athens
- Day 3: Cape Sounio, Sea Kayak under the Temple of Poseidon
- Day 4: Athens to Tinos, Free Time on the Beach
- Day 5: Family-Friendly Hike at Tinos’ Stones
- Day 6: Mykonos Day Trip from Tinos
- Day 7: Tinos to Naxos, Free afternoon on Naxos Beaches
- Day 8: Free Beach Day on Naxos, Discover Naxos on a Bike
- Day 9: Sailing Day Cruise around Naxos & Small Cyclades islands
- Day 10: Explore Naxos Villages
- Day 11: Naxos to Santorini, Trace the Best View Spots of Santorini
- Day 12: Beat the Crowds Oia Walking Tour, Free Beach Day on Santorini
- Day 13: Sail the Volcano Lagoon and visit the Volcano Crater
- Day 14: Departure
Detailed Family Trip Itinerary for Athens & the Greek Islands for Teenage Families
Day 1: Arrival in Athens, Evening Stroll in Plaka district
You are finally in Greece! Arrive in Athens, a city with titanic history wrapped around its trademark Acropolis hill and Parthenon. Start by exploring the must-see Plaka, the most charming neighborhood of the city, let your teens take the most Instagramable photos and align with Plaka’s unique rhythm and vibes. Stroll through the cobbled streets and admire the neoclassical houses, peruse the artisan shops and have your meal in one of the family-run taverns. As soon as you are ready to rest, walk to your hotel perfectly located in the heart of the historic center of the city, so that you are close to everything, restaurants, cafes and shops.
Day 2: Athens Street Art Tour, Exploring the Ancient Monuments of Athens
Teens get easily bored and they lose interest in historical tours. So start with a tour that focuses on their interests and discover the city from another perspective! It can be either a photo tour or a bike tour, but drawing from our experience, it is the street art tour that catches their attention the most! Your local street art guide will help you examine all different painting methods and understand how each artist and each piece relates to Athens’ current social and economic situation. From iconic images beloved by Athenians to controversial pieces, you’ll explore the city’s iconic street art scene, its history, and the greatest players in the teen-friendliest way.
Next, blend the modern side of the city with the ancient and follow Athens’ famous pedestrianized walking route that connects its archaeological sites and marvel, along the way, at some of the city’s most important and interesting monuments such as Acropolis and Ancient Agora. Beat the crowds and visit the Acropolis Hill in the afternoon, and enjoy the sunset views of the Parthenon from the ancient Athens hills, an excellent “urban” trekking for active teenage families!
Day 3: Cape Sounio, Sea Kayak under the Temple of Poseidon
Explore the southernmost point of Athens Riviera on a sea kayak adventure and enjoy a fun day with your family at the alluring Cape Sounion and the famous Temple of Poseidon dedicated to the God of Sea! Paddle along the coast and savor the crystal-clear waters, the mighty cliffs and the hidden caves. After seeing the breathtaking Temple of Poseidon from sea-level, you will have the chance to visit the site from land and admire the infinite sea view. End this beautiful day with a delicious meal at a traditional Greek tavern and return to Athens full of unforgettable images.
Day 4: Athens to Tinos, Free Beach Time on Tinos
Ready to start exploring the best Greek islands for teens? Despite its proximity to Athens, Tinos is one of the less-visited Cycladic Islands, with a cultural and architectural tradition based on its famous green marble, excellent local gastronomy, and a stunning natural environment that can be discovered in its very well-preserved ancient hiking trails and sandy beaches.
Start your exploration with a day at the beach! Tinos makes it easy to find your own piece of paradise. If you like to surf, you’ll find beaches with excellent waves, or if you like to sunbathe, you’ll find those with perfect sandy shores.
Day 5: Family-Friendly Hike at Tinos’ Stones
Explore the unique, lunar-like landscape of Tinos Island with the whole family on a trekking tour with an experienced mountain guide that teenagers love! Encounter local artisans selling baskets and discover among others, intricately designed dovecotes, watermills, a Venetian fortress, and a medieval Catholic village with arches and traditional houses. Along the way, wander around narrow alleys and climb stone steps to access different levels and amazing views.
Day 6: Mykonos Day Trip from Tinos
Relish a day on the cosmopolitan Mykonos, an island known for its beaches, and parties! Maybe, Mykonos is not the family friendliest place in Greece, but how can you escape its popularity when you are only 20 minutes away? Enjoy strolling through the flower-clad and colorful backstreets of “Little Venice”, stop to admire the famous windmills, peruse the local shops, or enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea. If you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of seaside restaurants and cafes to try local delicacies and sweets. If you are interested in beach time explore your preferred type of beach: the club beaches or the more laid-back beaches with the help of your travel specialist.
Day 7: Tinos to Naxos, Free afternoon on Naxos Beaches
Arrive at the largest Cycladic Island, Naxos, which combines long sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters with a beautiful inland featuring lush nature, quaint traditional villages, and historical sites! Naxos is among the best Greek islands for teens, because of the many opportunities for watersports along its west coast, and for parents, because of its authenticity and local atmosphere, which will certainly make you feel safe! Enjoy a refreshing time at your beachfront hotel, and then head to Naxos’s main town to discover the beauty of its narrow streets with their distinctive white and blue accents and to admire the Cycladic architecture. The unique placement of the buildings protects from the heat and wind, and historically from external threats.
Day 8: Free Beach Day on Naxos, Discover Naxos on a Bike
Naxos makes it easy to find your own slice of paradise on its famed beaches. Whether you’re looking for privacy, rustic beauty, or a lively scene, you can find it on Naxos. You really are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the perfect beach on the island. For ultimate pleasure, combine your day on the beach with a bike tour and discover with your family the scenic countryside of the island with its rich natural environment as well as some of the most picturesque traditional villages.
Day 9: Sailing Day Cruise around Naxos & Small Cyclades islands
Enjoy a relaxing day cruise aboard a catamaran and sail around the crystal-clear blue waters of Naxos Island. You’ll pass by sandy anchorages, rocky coves, and picturesque seascapes. As you sail around the coast of Naxos, your captain will make a few stops for your teens to jump off the boat, swim in the open sea, or walk up rocky cliffs and leap into secluded pools. If you are fond of snorkeling you can also try it in open bays and sheltered coves. The rich Mediterranean seabed will stun you!
Day 10: Explore Naxos Villages
Explore the charming and historic villages of Naxos on your preferable travel pace. You’ll zip through the island’s peaceful nature, stopping to admire quaint towns and savor scenic vistas. Stone houses, medieval towers, Byzantine churches, folk museums and shaded squares are just some of the sites you will get to see while on the road. Most of the towns feature pedestrian-only streets and you can enjoy their charming squares and streets in peace. Stop for a coffee and match the island’s slower pace. Get lost amongst the winding pathways that crawl up and down the mountainside and discover the daily rituals of local life.
Day 11: Naxos to Santorini, Trace the Best View Spots of Santorini
Santorini and its postcard-perfect white cliffside houses are finally in front your eyes. Start your exploration in the best way: savor the Caldera views by walking through the Fira to Oia hiking path, an ideal activity for active teenage families. This route runs underneath the island’s main road, offering a peaceful and quiet trek while enjoying endless, uninterrupted views. Praise the moment by watching the famous Santorini sunset and take a minute to align yourself with this unforgettable once-in-a-life-experience.
Day 12: Beat the Crowds Oia Walking Tour, Free Beach Day on Santorini
While in Santorini, exploring Oia on foot is a must, and it will only take a couple of hours to discover its curious side streets, unique shops and dreamy terraces. Gaze at the pearly white buildings stoically perched on the cliffside as well as its infamous blue domes.
Next, explore Santorini’s unique volcanic beaches, often surrounded by looming seaside cliffs. Most of the island’s banks feature dark volcanic sand in black and red hues, contrasting perfectly with the deep-blue sea and white-washed villages. Enjoy relaxing, swimming, or snorkeling in the surreal scenery, but don’t forget your sandals or water shoes, as the dark sand becomes incredibly hot in the midday sunshine.
Day 13: Sail the Volcano Lagoon and visit the Volcano Crater
Board an authentic Brigantine, a traditional wooden boat of the sort made in the Mediterranean for centuries, and begin your trip around the coastline of Santorini’s stunning caldera. As you go, your expert guide will share insights into the island’s fascinating geology. You’ll learn how to identify the visible volcanic layers along the crater’s steep inner walls and understand the significance of past eruptions.
Sooth your body bathing in thermal sulfurous water in a natural hot spring, and continue along the coast and dock near Thirassia, the second-largest island within the caldera. Here, you will get to go swimming in the sea while your crew prepares a delicious traditional Greek BBQ buffet, which you can enjoy along with exquisite sea views, as well as some Santorini wine brimming with its distinctive character from the island’s unique volcanic soil. As you return back, gaze at the beautiful sunset over the Aegean Sea and cherish the precious memories you collected in this Greek expedition with your family.
Need some help in trip planning by the best family travel agents in Greece? MAMAKITA family travel specialists can customize this Athens & the Greek Islands for Teens family vacation itinerary according to your preferences, age of kids, travel pace and budget. Enjoy your family trips in Greece without worrying about family friendly accommodation or kid-friendly tours and activities by making your request here.
The post The Best Greek Islands for Teens appeared first on Mamakita.gr.