Family-Friendly Summer Acropolis & Pnyx Experience, Athens

Your family-friendly adventure through Ancient Greece begins when you join your guide and the rest of your small group at the arranged meeting point. Begin with a climb up the Acropolis, where your guide will introduce you and your family to the figures—both mythological and real—who brought Greece's most famous site to life. Your kids will learn the stories of gods like Athena, Zeus, Poseidon, and Dionysus, and how they're connected to the Acropolis and its most famous monuments. Stop by the Theatre of Dionysus, the birthplace of drama, and pass through the Propylaea, the ceremonial gateway to the Acropolis.

Pause to explore the sacred Erechtheion and see its iconic Caryatid Porch, where six statues of young maidens hold up the structure. Your guide will paint a picture of life in the Acropolis with fascinating historical facts and exciting myths. Learn about the contest between Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, and Poseidon, god of the sea, to see who would become the city's patron god. Poseidon offered the citizens the sea, while Athena presented them with an olive tree, which they chose; today, you can walk by an olive tree representing the gift of the goddess, who gave Athens its name.

Finally, experience the marvel of the Parthenon, built in the fifth century BCE to honor Athena. Discover the incredible engineering of this monument, which contains no straight lines or right angles, yet appears perfectly straight from afar. Imagine the colossal 38-foot (12 m) gold statue of Athena that once stood in the temple, and find out how the functions of the temple changed according to who ruled or occupied Athens.

After visiting the Acropolis, you'll take a pleasant 10-minute stroll to Pnyx, where Athenians gathered to discuss politics, leading to the birth of democracy. Located on Filopappou Hill, this green area doesn't just have historical significance; it's also linked to mythology, which you'll discover as you hear dramatic stories about Theseus and the Minotaur, Zeus, Hera, and Aphrodite. Here, with a clear view of the Acropolis, your guide will lead you in a fun interactive activity that will bring all the stories you learned to life and leave you with a memento to take with you when you part ways with your group and say your goodbyes.