Greek Gods, Cuisine and Street Art Scenes: Family Athens Adventure

Enjoy a continental breakfast at your hotel this morning before embarking on the day’s activities. First up, a private mythological tour of Athens; discover Greek mythology's roots in the company of gods and heroes. Tour the city’s most important sites, including the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, as your clued-up guide gives an engaging run-down of mythological history. Learn Aphrodite from Apollo as you enjoy a retelling of the battles, bickering and conquests of Mount Olympus’s famous residents. Once the three-hour tour is over, find a bite to eat for lunch – we recommend seeking out some delicious tyropita (cheese pie). Just follow your nose…

This afternoon, explore Athens in your own time. If you’re keen on more ancient history, there’s plenty left to see. Why not dive straight back in with a tour of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Panathenaic Stadium? If the children have had enough sightseeing, the National Gardens or nearby beaches are the perfect playground. Come evening, admire panoramic views as you watch the sunset from Filopappou Hill before dinner. Dine al fresco on a meze meal in one of our recommended tavernas; expect delicious dolmadakia (vine leaves) and mountains of authentic horiatiki (Greek salad).

Spend the morning strolling your favourite corners of the city, visiting a kafeneion (Greek cafe) for a mid-morning snack and a coffee, if hunger strikes. In the mood for culture? Visit one of the city’s many museums, including the Acropolis Museum, National Archaeological Museum or the National Gallery. If little legs are weary, however, spend some time chilling at the hotel this morning (there are worse places to be).

Calling all budding chefs this afternoon for a private cookery lesson. Led by a local chef, discover Greek cuisine in all its glory and learn how to cook traditional recipes. Begin by selecting fresh ingredients for your dishes, be it spanakopita (spinach pie), soutzoukakia (meatballs) or papoutsakia (stuffed aubergines). Dessert might take the form of decadent baklava (nutty layered pastry) or glorious galaktoboureko (custard pie).

Now it's time for the taste test. Will the children triumph over the adults in the cook-off? Hopefully, you’ll all reap the rewards of your hard work and enjoy a delectable feast of homemade Greek cuisine. Adults, you’ve earned a glass of crisp white wine made from Assyrtiko grapes on Santorini. Bliss.

It’s your final full day in Athens, so what better way to kick off than with a private street art tour of the city? While Athens may not be the first city to come to mind when you hear ‘street art’, it holds its own against New York, Paris or Berlin. With the guidance of a knowledgeable local, learn how the ancient city’s creative scene has taken off since the 1990s. Let any young artists in the making be inspired as you soak up Athens’s energetic atmosphere on this three-hour walking tour. Over 2,000 artists and graffiti artists call Athens home – so it’s no wonder the city was dubbed ‘Europe’s contemporary mecca for street art’ by The New York Times. Afterwards, find a shady spot to enjoy a filling lunch and discuss your favourite murals.


We’ve left the rest of the day free for you to enjoy at your own pace. Spend it wandering the picturesque city streets, from pretty Plaka to the cosy café terraces of Thissio in the shadow of the Acropolis. This is your last chance to pick up any Greek souvenirs; think komboloi (worry beads), locally-grown olives and thyme honey. Make your last dinner one to remember by consulting our Dossier for a glorious Greek feast. Don’t leave without trying some heavenly loukoumades (Greek doughnuts). We challenge you only to have one each…