Athens is typically characterized with over-crowded tourist destinations like the Acropolis, or the narrow streets of Plaka, but there is another Athens that not many see when they visit.
In the Athens’ Northern Suburbs, visitors can experience a completely different environment from the bustling downtown to tree-covered streets, friendly local Greeks, and quiet parks, all just a short drive from the centre of the city (30 mins!). These are the suburbs of Athens, and we have changed our perspective on Athens’ suburbs after visiting with our kids.
Kifissia: Where Athens Gets Its Green On
Kifissia is located 15 km north of central Athens, making it one of the more accessible suburbs. The temperature is noticeably cooler than downtown Athens, making it more comfortable during the summer.
For families, Kifissia’s main attraction is Kefalari Park. While our kids spent hours there feeding the ducks, we got to sip on our coffee under the shade of giant plane trees. Surprisingly, central Athens doesn’t have a lot of parks with playgrounds, so we were happy that this one has some.
The Goulandris Natural History Museum was a pleasant surprise. Established in 1965, it contains 200,000 specimens of plants and many exhibits of Greek animals. Children can interact with exhibits in the GAIA Center, and the garden restaurant provides a nice place to enjoy lunch.
Each Wednesday morning, one of the largest farmers’ markets in Athens, Greece, opens along Agion Tryfon. We were able to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and experience the locals’ way of life in an authentic way.
The Quiet Neighbourhoods
Agia Paraskevi and Chalandri display how Hellenic families really live. There are neighbourhood tavernas that serve delicious, authentic Greek food, and do not offer the overpriced, subpar menus that many tourist traps do. The streets are very safe, even for tired little ones, so evening strolls are a breeze.
According to local property data, the top-rated schools and lowest priced homes in the region are located in the northern suburbs, and are only a 20-minute drive from Athens International Airport.
| Feature | Central Athens | Northern Suburbs |
| Top-rated schools | Limited | Highest-rated |
| Home prices | Higher | Lowest in region |
| Airport access | 45-60 mins | 20 mins |
| Metro to Acropolis | N/A | 20-30 mins |
| Noise level | High | Low |
Why Suburban Athens Makes Sense for Families
Staying in the suburbs meant that tired little legs had to do less walking. The kids had a blast instead of being dragged from one monument to the next.
The Athens Metro Line 1 takes about 30 minutes to get to the main attractions, such as the Acropolis, which is very reasonable.
Chilling at the best pool bungalows Athens offers all to ourselves, the kids got to freely swim and play in the pool with direct access, while we enjoyed the private terrace and garden, drastically reducing our stress levels.
Access to the metro in 20-30 minutes means you can get to major attractions and have less noise than in the city.
The takeaway:
- Kid benefits: Less walking; pool/play access
- Transport: €1.20/90-min ticket or €4.10 day pass
- Access time: 20-30 mins to the Acropolis
- Noise reduction: Quieter than downtown
Suburbs score higher on family livability indices (e.g., the Numbeo Pollution Index is lower at 55 vs. city centre peaks [1]), reducing stress, especially for parents with asthmatic or even respiratory-sensitive children.
Acting Like a Local
Scooter riding along the paths at the 97-hectare virgin forest Syngrou Estate, one of the green spaces close to central Athens.
We found Kifissia’s Gothic-style Agios Andreas chapel by Ernst Ziller. Every May, Alsos Kifisias park hosts the Kifissia Flower Show.
Putting the Details in Place
Two activities a day turned out to be a great strategy. Take a morning trip to the Acropolis, an afternoon swim, and an evening stroll around a neighbourhood.
Tickets for the public transport system are €1.20 for 90 minutes, and according to The Official Athens Guide, a day pass with unlimited transport is €4.10 as of the latest 2026 rates [2].
Everything you need can be found in the northern suburbs, including supermarkets and pharmacies.
What We Got Wrong
Avoid trying to do the central tourist sites when you first arrive in Athens. You will wear everyone out, especially kids.
Initially, we thought we would find all we needed to see in the central areas, but we were venturing more, and ended up finding a neighbourhood bakery and bougatsa. We were also able to discover a local playground when we let our kids out of the tourist sites. We would not have found these moments of joy if we were not exploring on our own instead of racing to the next monument.
Final Thoughts
We have to also consider the leafy suburbs of Athens. They showcase an entirely different experience than just the monuments, especially for families.
You will have to stress over the metro line to access the suburbs, but the kids will be able to enjoy themselves outside of the tourist activities, while Athens will share its real culture and not just its work.
Try to spend more than half of your time in Athens in the suburbs. You and your family will definitely enjoy the Greek experience more.
Reference:
- Numbeo. (n.d.). Quality of life in Athens.Â
- OASA. (n.d.). Prices of products.Â