Athens is a large and fascinating city, no matter how old you are. There is plenty to keep children occupied in the city, with everything from the zoo and parks to historic sights such as the Acropolis on offer.

Attica Zoological Park
Located in the Athens suburb of Spata, the zoo is large and modern, and the only one of its kind in Greece. There is an African savannah exhibit that is home to zebras and giraffes, while there is also a reptile house and a children's farm. Big cats include white lions, tigers, black pumas and leopards, while walk-through enclosures are home to birds and monkeys. The zoo runs daily shows with birds of prey and sea lions, with a day at the zoo guaranteed to be a great day out for all of the family.

The National Gardens
These beautiful gardens have a small zoo, several duck ponds, a playground and lots of room to run around. There is also the Children's Library, which has books in English. The library is open Tuesday through to Saturday from 08:30 to 15:00 and is closed in August. The National Gardens are open from sunrise until after sunset.

Mount Likavitos
The ride up to the top of Mount Likavitos on the cable-car railway (teleferique) is very popular with children. It operates every 20 minutes in the summer and there is a small charge for the ride up. There is a café at the top selling ice cream among other delights.

The Museum of Greek Children's Art
Workshops conducted in Greek are often held at this museum. The museum displays works of children's art from across Greece and is a popular among families.

The Children's Museum
Located around the corner from the Children’s Art Museum, the Children’s Museum also runs workshops as well as puppet show performances. This is a fun day out for both children and parents alike.

Athens possibly has the most established and impressive cultural heritage of any city in Europe. This heritage is not confined purely to past greatness, with a continued passion for the arts being expressed at the annual Athens Festival. In 1985, Athens was the first European city to be awarded the title of ‘City of Culture’.

The Acropolis
The Acropolis is not to be missed. Its name translates as the ‘High City’, with the Acropolis being the most significant site in Athens and containing many historic temples, shrines and monuments. It was home to the original settlement of Athens and much can be learnt about life in ancient times from a visit to this fascinating site. It includes the distinctive Parthenon, impressive Propylaea gateway and beautifully restored Erechtheion from which the famous Elgin Marbles were plundered.

The National Archaeological Museum
This is the most important archaeological museum in Greece. It has an extremely impressive archaeological collection that is one of the best in the world, with relics from every diverse culture that has ever flourished in Greece. Highlights of the museum include a bronze Roman copy of the Diadoumenos, a statue of a Nereid, a mermaid statue dating back to 380 BC and a marble sculpture of Aphrodite and Pan found on Delos, which dates back to 100 BC. The construction of the museum began in 1866 and it was completed in 1889.

The Byzantine & Christian Museum
The collections at this museum show the course of Greek art from the 4th to the 19th century. It houses extensive collections of Byzantine icons as well as sculptures, manuscripts, wall paintings, mosaics, coins, pottery, silver, wood carvings and a collection of old prints. The Byzantine & Christian Museum was founded in 1914. The Museum Library is open to researchers, scholars and students of the Byzantine civilisation. From October through to May there are educational programmes on the subject of Byzantium, held three times a week. These may be attended by the public; pre-booking is necessary.

The Museum of Greek Folk Art
This museum features an extensive collection of art, highlighting the origins of modern Greek culture. The exhibits include national embroidery, gold and silverware, photographs and tools and traditional costumes from around Greece. The museum organises educational programmes and a series of seasonal events intended to revive traditional customs, while is also home to a large archive and library.

The War Museum
The War Museum explores the history of warfare from its beginnings when weapons consisted of stone axes to modern day conflicts fought with heavy artillery. The museum was established in 1975 and its permanent exhibition area is devoted to the Stone Age and the Early Bronze Age. The classical and medieval periods are also covered, as are the Greek War of Independence and 20th century conflicts. A favourite with many visitors is the opportunity to climb into the cockpit of a fighter plane. There is a well-organised library on site for further research and information.

The Daphni Monastery
This monastery is one of the most important historical sites in Athens. The same site has hosted a monastery since the 6th century, with the current building dating from the 11th century. Previous monastic structures did not survive the test of time, destroyed by earthquakes and attacks. The awe-inspiring mosaics on show at the monastery are among the most important artworks from Byzantine times found anywhere in the world. Each mosaic panel tells of an episode in the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The Daphni Monastery does not receive as many tourists as other sights in Athens, so visitors can escape the crowds while appreciating the artwork.

The National Gallery
The National Gallery is home to a permanent collection of works by modern Greek painters and international artists. You will find a specialised library on the history of art and a complete photographic workshop here. In addition, there is a modern conservation workshop and a wood restoration and carpentry workshop. On the ground floor of the main building, you will find the Gallery of Sculptures, which displays sculptures from the 19th and 20th centuries.

In Athens and throughout the whole of Greece, eating out is a way of life. Restaurants are not just somewhere to go before the night’s entertainment begins; more often than not the restaurant is the focus of the night’s entertainment. Whether you eat at a local tavern or at one of the city’s most elegant restaurants, Greeks take their time over their food. 

You will find international food throughout Athens as well as excellent grill bars. Breakfast is light, often just a cup of coffee, while lunch is eaten in the mid afternoon and dinner usually doesn't start until well after nightfall. 

Athens is full of farmers who produce an incredible selection of organic cheeses, oils, fruits, nuts, grains, beans and vegetables. These are the foods that form the base of the traditional Greek diet. Greece's climate is perfect for growing olive and lemon trees, with olives and lemons being two of the most important elements of Greek cooking. Spices and herbs such as garlic, oregano, basil, mint and thyme are widely used, as are vegetables such as eggplants and courgettes as well as beans of all types.

Greek food offers an extremely rich and diverse array of flavours as well as dishes that are centuries old. Preparing and enjoying Greek food is like taking a trip back in time through Greece's history. 

There are numerous restaurants throughout Athens to choose from. For a traditional dining experience, head to the classic restaurant, Athinaikon, or alternatively, try the welcoming courtyard of Psarras. Plaka offers a wealth of tavernas and the central Athens neighbourhood of Thission is full of cafés, bars and nightlife venues, spread across just a few blocks. 

For those looking to indulge in a shopping trip, Ermou is situated just off Syntagma Square and is the main shopping street for central Athens. The road is home to mid-range chain stores and various international brands.

Kolonaki is excellent for window-shopping and is filled with designer boutiques and trendy cafés. Athenians are very fond of labels and stores such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Emporio Armani and Gucci are never empty despite the prices of the items for sale. 

In the old city, streets in Plaka and Monastiraki are lined with souvenir shops selling all sorts of mementos. Items for sale range from leather bags and fake designer sunglasses to traditional backgammon boards, antiques and the ever-present ancient folklore characters. The bustling Central Market is also well worth a visit.

The Olympic city of Athens has many activities on offer to tempt all lovers of the outdoors. Sports in Athens are mainly water-based and there are many beaches offering a range of popular water sports. Athens’ sporting calendar is full of exciting events throughout the year.

Soccer
A large majority of locals in Athens are passionate about soccer. There are two main rival football teams in the city - Panathinaikos and Olympiakos. Football matches are played every Wednesday and Sunday during the football season, which runs from September to May. The Panathinaikos football team are based at the Olympiako Stadium in Marousi, while the Olympiakos football team are based at the Karaiskaki Stadium in the Piraeus

Athens Astir Beach Club
Astir Beach Club is a particularly well-maintained area of beach. It has fine golden sand and excellent facilities including showers, changing rooms with lockers, sun loungers and a volleyball court. There is an excellent range of water sports including waterskiing, windsurfing and jet-skiing. The club is open daily from 08:00 to 20:00.

Athens Marathon
The Marathon originated in Athens when a Greek messenger ran to deliver news of a battle victory, running from Marathon to Athens. He tragically died from exhaustion shortly afterwards. The Athens Marathon is now a popular annual event and every year thousands of participants from all over the world join in the race, which takes place on the first Sunday in November. Starting at 08:30 at the historic battlefield, the race finishes at the Panathenaic Stadium.