Greece family-friendly guide

Greece generally has cool, wet winters and hot dry summers. Spring to early summer (March to mid-June) is the best time to go both weather-wise and in terms of visitor numbers. By mid-summer the major tourist sites are thronging with crowds and most hotels are fully booked. Winter can be very cold and downright freezing in the mountains. At this time of year things are very quiet, and outside of Athens, a lot of hotels, restaurants and bars close during the off-season.

Athens

Australian citizens only need a valid passport to enter Greece for stays of up to three months.

Airport
Eleftherios Venizelos (Athens International Airport) is a modern, well-designed airport located in Spata located 33km south-east of the Athens city centre. Its facilities include a huge shopping centre and a hotel; the Sofitel is connected to the airport by bridge if you need to stay close by.

Transfers from Airport
Athens International Airport of Athens is easily accessible via Attiki Odos, a six-lane motorway constituting the Athens City Ring Road. Public transport to Athens and the port of Piraeus is provided by metro, railway and express airport buses as well as private transfers which can be arranged at the airport or by your hotel.

Getting around in Greece is straightforward thanks to an exceptional public transport system. The bus network is comprehensive and reaches out to the smallest of villages. Trains are a comfortable alternative when available. For many visitors, the quintessential Greek experience is cruising from island to island – easy work thanks to an extensive ferry system that criss-crosses the Adriatic and Aegean Seas. Domestic flights are also plentiful between the cities and islands. 

The cheapest way to visit the Greek islands is to use the ferries. Be aware that weather, can affect the frequency of ferries and in rough whether ferries may not depart. It’s important to reconfirm the ferry times the day prior to travel to avoid any disappointment.

If you or you’re kids are prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor before you leave about the best treatment for seasickness. If your kids are feeling seasick, sit them facing forward in the middle of the boat (rather than the sides or the front) and get them to focus on the distant horizon rather than the water.

There are travellers who return to Greece time and time again simply for the food: it’s one of the world’s most popular cuisines for good reason. Due to its geography, Greek cooking is strongly influenced by Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine, and seafood dishes tend to be favoured. Olive oil is produced throughout Greece and is an important ingredient in Greek cooking, lending to the cuisine’s distinctive flavour. Some well-known Greek dishes to try on your trip include:

• Mezze: a collective name for appetisers. A mezze plate usual consists of bread and dips such as tzatziki (yoghurt with cucumber and garlic) and taramasalata (fish roe with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and onion).
• Moussaka: a famous dish of layers of minced meat, eggplant, tomato and cheese topped with white sauce.
• Dolmades: rolled vine-leaves stuffed with rice and served cold.
• Baklava: a parcel of paper-thin filo pastry, filled with nuts and soaked with pure honey.

Greece is better known as a historical and cultural destination than a shopper’s paradise, but it is fantastic to shop for unique decorative items. Best buys include pottery, lace, rugs, wines, embroidery, gold jewellery with Greek designs and silver jewellery with precious stones.

Most restaurants will add a 15% service charge to your bill. An additional, small tip is always welcome if you’ve received good service. Leave a small tip for concierges and hotel receptionists, drivers, tour guides and hairdressers. A couple of Euros will usually suffice.

In summer you will need only light clothing, a hat and sunglasses. The summer winds sometimes make ferry travel a bit cool, so pack a light jacket if you can. Bring sturdy shoes if you’ll be doing a lot of walking or hiking, as well as sandals or thongs for the beach.  In winter, a heavy coat, jumper and warm socks are necessary. Spring and autumn can experience heavy rain, so pack some decent rain gear.
Be respectful and dress modestly (no singlets, short skirts or shorts) when visiting churches and monasteries.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin sockets are used.

No vaccinations are needed to enter Greece.
Tap water in Greece is safe to drink in all but the most remote locations. Check with the local authorities or hotel staff on islands and in the countryside.

The official language is Greek. Although people do speak English in most major tourist areas, learning a few basic Greek words and phrases will prove invaluable in getting to know the local people… and the kids will have a blast learning another language!

Hello – Χαίρετε (Chaírete)
Goodbye – αντίο (antío)
Thank you – ευχαριστώ (efcharistó)
How are you? – Πώς είσαι? (Pós eísai?)
I’m fine thanks – είμαι καλά ευχαριστώ (eímai kalá efcharistó)
What’s your name? – Ποιο είναι το όνομά σου? (Poio eínai to ónomá sou?)
My name is… – Το όνομά μου είναι (To ónomá mou eínai)
I don’t understand – Δεν καταλαβαίνω (Den katalavaíno)
How much is this? – πόσο κοστίζει αυτό? (póso kostízei aftó?)

Sitting on the highest point of the island, the Monastery of the Prophet Elijah offers stunning panoramic views of Santorini from its 567-metre high vantage point. Built in the early 18th century, the monastery is an architectural and cultural marvel that’ll add a splash of the historical to any family photo.

A walk through the ancient alleyways of Rhodes Old Town is a walk through thousands of years of history. With a host of Byzantine, Italian, Hellenistic and Roman-style architecture on display, the town offers a range of backdrops sure to diversify any Instagram feed!

On towering pillars of stone in Greece’s north-west stand six monasteries from the 14th century. For thousands of years, these UNESCO Heritage Listed-landmarks have balanced on top of pillars of stone surrounded by equally gorgeous fields of natural forest and shrubbery. The nearby Pindos Mountains are the sprinkle on top of an already awe-inspiring site that will surely amaze each one of your Instagram followers.