Summer Abroad Camp List: Athens, Greece Edition
9 summer camps your kids will love in my bucket list country
Welcome back to the fifth edition of The Summer Abroad Camp List, your tactical guide to living and working abroad for the summer, or simply vacationing in Europe with kids… because yes it’s possible!
Athens, Greece is the first destination I’m publishing that I haven’t actually been to. And if I’m being honest, I have been to Greece, but my one-week spring break in Corfu as a study abroad student barely counts as “seeing Greece.”
That trip was booked for Easter week, which is when the island basically shuts down. Just one of many questionable travel decisions I made in my early twenties.
My one shining Greece moment was Easter lunch with a Greek family at their restaurant. My friend and I were wandering a quiet strip of closed spots, hungry and a little lost, when we stumbled on a family mid feast. Lamb, dishes everywhere, the best smells. I think they took pity on us and invited us to sit down and it was one of the best meals. True story, I swear.
So yes, Greece with our family is high on my bucket list.
And while the islands get all the glory, I was impressed by the camp options in the Athens Riviera and the coastal suburbs for a great summer routine with kids. You get ancient history, beach days, and a culture that truly treats kids like they belong.
One disclaimer if you’re West Coast based like me: the time zone is the hardest part. 9:00 a.m. PDT is 7:00 p.m. in Greece, so overlap can be brutal. But if you can swing the schedule, the payoff is huge.
Here is how to operationalize your Greek summer.
Logistics: Getting There & Staying There
Ease of Getting There:
Major Airport: Land at Athens International Airport (ATH).
Flights: Several major U.S. cities offer non-stop flights to Athens, mostly on a seasonal basis (typically March/April through October) if you’re flying from the East Coast. If you’re flying from the West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas etc.) expect 1-2 stops.
The Commute: The airport is about 35–45 minutes from the city center or the Athens Riviera via taxi (€40–€55) or the Metro (€9).
Reaching the Camp Hubs: Most of the camps listed below are in the “Athens Riviera” or the northern suburbs.
To the Coast: You must rent a car. Public transit out here is sparse and slow. These areas are a 45–60 minute drive from central Athens.
To the North: These are accessible via the Green Line (Metro Line 1) or a 20–30 minute Uber. Many families choose to stay in Kifisia or Halandri to be closer to these school-based camps.
Traveling to the Islands for a Weekend Getaway:
By Ferry: Most ferries leave from Piraeus (central) or Rafina (closer to the airport/Artemida). Rafina is actually a better bet if you are staying near the coastal camps as it’s smaller and less chaotic.
By Air: If heading to Crete or Rhodes, a 45-minute flight from ATH is often easier than a 6-hour ferry with kids.
Getting Around: Stroller and Scooters
The Stroller Strategy: Bring an ultra-compact, one-hand fold model for quick taxi hops, but always keep a carrier handy. Strollers are prohibited on many ruins sites like the Acropolis. If you have a toddler, I highly recommend this toddler sling.
Scooters: Leave these at home for the hilly, uneven city center and save them only for the flat, wide seaside promenades of the Athens Riviera or the SNFCC park.
Taxis & Rideshare: Street taxis rarely carry car seats, so pack these compact portable car seat vests.
Public Transit: Stick to the Metro for the best air conditioning and elevator access, or take the slow, scenic Coastal Tram for a smooth, stroller-friendly ride to the beach.
Cost of Living:
Housing: A 2-bedroom apartment in a family-friendly area like Kifisia (upscale suburb) or Glyfada (beachfront) ranges from $3,000–$5,500/month in July.
The “American Reality” Check:
Air Conditioning: This is a survival tool here. Most modern rentals have it, but verify it is in every bedroom, not just the living room.
Laundry: Clothes dryers are nearly non-existent in Greek homes; instead, lean into the local way and use the drying rack to let the intense Mediterranean sun dry your clothes.
The Afternoon “Siesta”: Between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., the country goes quiet. It is the best time for a family nap or a focused work block.
The Weather: What to Expect in July
The Temperature: Expect consistent, intense heat with daily highs averaging between 90°F and 95°F, though frequent heatwaves can easily push temperatures into the low 100s.
The Evening Vibe: As the sun dips, the temperature drops to 75°F, signaling the start of the Greek “second day.” The air becomes perfectly comfortable for outdoor dining and late-night strolls, with a nice coastal breeze.
The Greek Food Scene & Typical Schedule
What to Eat:
Vegetables: July is the peak of the Greek tomato. Look for Gemista (tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice and herbs) or Briam (a roasted vegetable medley).
Fruit: Seek out Argos Melons (rugby-ball shaped and incredibly sweet) and Naoussa Peaches. In late August, keep an eye out for Royal Figs with their dark purple skin.
Fritter Culture: Kids love Kolokithokeftedes (zucchini fritters) and Tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters). They are essentially crispy, savory snacks that work for any meal.
The Wine Scene: For hot afternoons, skip the heavy reds and look for Assyrtiko (crisp and mineral) or Moschofilero (floral and dry). If you want something traditional, try a high-quality Retsina served ice-cold.
Typical Eating Schedule:
Lunch 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. This is the big, lingering meal of the day followed by a rest.
The Evening Coffee: Around 6:00 p.m. Locals often grab a Freddo Espresso to fuel up for the long night ahead.
Dinner: 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Tavernas don’t truly vibe up until late. If you have younger kids, look for “Tascas” or tavernas with outdoor play areas.
Things to Do With Kids
The Hellenic Cosmos: An interactive museum with virtual reality tours of ancient Greece.
The Beaches: For calm, toddler-friendly water, head to Varkiza Resort (Yabanaki) or Lagonisi Beach. Both have soft sand and shallow entries. Artemida is also great for shallow water but has a much more local, laid-back vibe.
The Water Parks: Aquapolis (next to the Attica Zoo in Spata) is the newest and most convenient. For a massive day trip, Splash Waterpark Isthmos (near Corinth) is about 40 minutes from Athens and has huge slides for big kids.
Farms & Feta: Visit Kostarelos Cheese Factory in Markopoulo. They’ve been making barrel-aged feta since the ‘30s. While it’s more of a production facility/shop, they have a “gastronomic center” where you can see the process and eat the freshest yogurt and cheese imaginable.
Cooking Classes: Kids Love Greece organizes family-friendly classes that start with a market tour and end with the kids making their own tzatziki and pita.
Flisvos Marina: A massive pedestrian area with playgrounds, cafes, and great people-watching.
Lake Vouliagmeni: A natural thermal lake that is calm and shallow, perfect for a relaxed family swim.
Outdoor Cinemas: A quintessential Greek summer experience. Most gardens show English movies with Greek subtitles.
Day Trip to Aegina: A 40-minute boat ride. Buy the local pistachios at the port and visit the Temple of Aphaia.
Things to Do Without Kids
The Rooftop Bars of Monastiraki: Grab a cocktail for a view of the Acropolis that is truly breathtaking.
Wine & Olives: Take a private tour of the Mesogaia Valley (right near the airport/Koropi). Wineries like Papagiannakos are bioclimatic masterpieces. Pair this with an olive oil tasting at Maison d’Olive in the city for a high-end “adult” afternoon.
Boat Days: Charter a private rib boat from Vouliagmeni to explore the hidden coves or sail out to the uninhabited Moni Island for turquoise water snorkeling.
Shopping in Kifisia: Shaded streets, high-end boutiques, and elite brunch spots in the northern suburbs.
Cape Sounion at Sunset: Drive down to the Temple of Poseidon for the best sunset view on the mainland.
Local Support
Nannuka: The primary platform in Greece for finding vetted sitters, tutors, and nannies.
GreekCompass: Specializes in finding English-speaking care for international families.
Average Rates: Expect to pay €10–€15/hour for an English-speaking sitter.
The Greece Summer Camp List
Here are 9 day summer camps for kids ages 2 to 15 years old including dates, hours, pricing, activities and more!
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