The ultimate guide for families in Syros (from toddlers to teens)
Let’s be honest: traveling with kids is a little different than traveling without them. You’re not exactly always sipping cocktails in peace while watching the sunset. But here’s the good news: Syros gets families. We have spent over half a year with our two kids on Syros, one of Greece’s lesser-known Cycladic gems, and can say it is a fantastic destination for families.
Read more: What is the best time to visit Syros and the Cyclades
The island combines the safe capital of Ermoupoli, lovely beaches, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Think safe swimming spots, delicious food even picky eaters will love, and locals who will genuinely smile when your child knocks over a stack of postcards in a souvenir shop.
We fell in love with the island’s relaxed vibe, warm people, and the perfect mix of adventure and downtime. In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do with kids on Syros, tested and approved by our family and some of our friends, covering kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens.
Read more: How to get from Athens to Syros
11x best things to do in Ermoupoli with kids
The lovely capital of Ermoupoli might at first glance seem like a place better suited for history buffs and architecture lovers (and they will adore it), but don’t let the grand buildings fool you! This town knows how to entertain both adults and kids and is one of the safest places we have ever been to for families.
Ermoupoli has so many things to do, and a surprising number of these are family-friendly gems tucked between the majestic facades! Let’s dive into our favorite family-friendly activities in Ermoupoli.
Hang out on Miaouli Square
Miaouli Square is the beating heart of Ermoupoli, and for families, it’s pure gold. While you sip a coffee under the shade of palm trees, the kids can ride their scooters or bikes across the wide marble square, kick a soccer ball around, or feed the ever-hungry pigeons (you can buy the bird seeds at the small kiosks).
Teens will love it too, as this is the spot where local kids hang out, so chances are they’ll make a few new friends before you’ve even finished your freddo cappuccino.
Read more: Our free Ermoupoli walking tour
Get an ice cream or a local dessert
Nothing turns an “I’m tired” into an “I love Greece!” faster than a good scoop of ice cream or local Greek dessert. And luckily, Ermoupoli delivers (even overdelivers) on that.
For ice cream, Django Gelato is probably the fanciest one you can go to, as to has all organic ice cream with special and delicious flavours. However, for some kids, these tastes might be a bit too particular. But there are many, many more ice cream shops in Ermoupoli, and we never had bad ice cream anywhere.
Our favorite bakery to get desserts from is Athymarites, which is close to the water. Honestly, anything we ever tried here was delicious (and this comes from Belgians, who know what good desserts are supposed to taste like)!
Syros is also known for loukoumia, known as Greek Turkish delights, which comes in various fruity flavors. Pair these with a cup of Greek coffee (for the adults) at a local café for a sweet family break.
Go to the cinema
If you’re looking for a cozy family activity (or something to do on a rainy day), Ermoupoli’s cinema near the Apollon Theater is a great year-round option. They regularly show kids’ movies, usually dubbed in Greek, though. For older kids, teens, and adults, there are often films in English. You can find the program hanging around town.
In the summer, don’t miss Cine Pallas, the charming open-air cinema just steps from Miaouli Square. Watching a movie under the stars, with a gentle island breeze and popcorn in hand? Total holiday magic.
Watch a performance at the Apollon Theater
A visit to Ermoupoli wouldn’t be complete without stepping into the stunning Apollon Theater, a miniature marvel modeled after Milan’s La Scala. Built in 1864, this neoclassical gem hosts a variety of performances year-round, from concerts and plays to family-friendly events.
During the summer, the theater becomes a hub for cultural festivities, including the International Festival of the Aegean, which features special children’s opera lectures like Bravo! Brava!, designed to introduce young audiences to the world of opera in an engaging way.
Go to the Pirate Ship playground (or play tennis, soccer, or basketball)
For young kids, the Pirate Ship playground is the best one in Ermoupoli. It is located a bit outside of the center of town (past the shipyard), but still within walking distance (or grab a taxi). Make sure you bring hats, sunscreen, and water, because although there are trees, it can be hot in summer. The playground is also located next to the sports center, where you can play tennis or basketball.
For those who would rather stay in town, there is the smaller Metamorphosis playground, which is only a couple of minutes’ walk from Miaouli Square, or this playground, which also has a small soccer field next to it.
If you’d like to play basketball with a view, go to the basketball court next to the Church of Resurrection!
Have a relaxing day at Asteria Beach
A day at Asteria Beach is the perfect mix of chill for parents and fun for kids. Smaller children will love the little rocky beach on the right, where the water is calm and shallow enough for safe splashing. Older kids (and parents!) can jump straight into the deep blue from the concrete platform, classic Syros style.
In summer, you can grab a sunbed at Ciel Bar, order a cold drink, and enjoy the laid-back vibes while the kids entertain themselves in the clear Aegean waters.
Read more: A complete guide to Asteria Beach in Syros
Explore the Village of Ano Syros
For a different pace, take the kids to Ano Syros, the island’s medieval hilltop village. The cobbled streets and whitewashed houses feel like stepping back in time. Unlike the busy capital, Ano Syros is quieter, which can be a welcome break.
Kids will enjoy walking (or racing) up the village’s winding paths while spotting some of the cats along the way. The panoramic views from the top make the climb worth it, and parents can snap plenty of Instagram-worthy photos.
Read more: What to do in Ano Syros
Visit a museum in Syros
If your kids are curious about how things work, or you are looking for things to do in Syros when it rains, you could consider visiting one of Ermoupoli’s museums.
There is the Industrial Museum, a small but must-visit if you want to learn more about the island’s industrial history, which might sound boring to your kids, but the exhibits often captivate. From machinery to models of old factories, the interactive displays here make learning fun.
Another hidden gem in Ermoupoli is the Hermoupolis Heritage Textile Museum, where you can take a tour around an old textile factory. Very interesting, as it was closed in a rush, and things were left behind in the middle of a shift. It looks as if they could start working again any day.
Spend an afternoon in the indoor play space, Paidotopos Cafe
Very close to the Hermoupolis Heritage Textile Museum, you can find this fun indoor play area (a little walk outside the center of Ermoupoli). Either on a rainy day or as an escape from the heat, your kids will have fun here for a few hours.
The “Onirochora” playground in Syros is a lovely family-owned business where the hosts, Falak and Lydia, welcome you to have a coffee or snack while the kids can play as much as they want. You can even host birthday parties here.
Look for the cats
You’ll find cats everywhere in Ermoupoli, and trying to spot them (or take pictures of them) quickly became a favorite family pastime for our kids.
You’ll find kittens curled up on marble ledges, sleek black cats relaxing in neoclassical doorways, and ginger furballs chasing pigeons in hidden alleyways. It’s free, adorable entertainment, and at the end of your trip, your kids might have given names to some of the cats (try to find the white and ginger Asteria Beach cat).
Go to the local library
Just like in any other city, the local library is often a great place for kids. The one in Ermoupoli is located at Miaouli Square and offers, besides its nice collection of books, also a correspondence exhibition with pens, pencils, and ink stamps of the era.
But also go inside to ask what library activities are organized for the kids. Sometimes (on weekends or during holidays) they have workshops and crafts for kids, and there is also an entertaining interactive digital application for children aged ten and older.
Best family beaches on Syros
Going to the beach in Syros with kids is not just a good idea, it’s THE idea. Honestly, if your kids are anything like ours, all they need is a bucket, a bit of sand, and permission to get absolutely soaked, and voilà: instant happiness. But even now, our girls are teens, and going to the beach is still one of their favorite activities.
TIP: Pack your beach essentials, and don’t forget sunscreen! The Mediterranean sun can be strong even on breezy days. Are you visiting the beaches outside of the high season, make sure you have enough snacks and all other essentials with you, as supermarkets and restaurants are often closed.
Luckily, Syros is packed with family-friendly beaches with shallow waters and soft sand, where parents can (kind of) relax while the kids turn into sun-kissed sea creatures. Here’s an overview of some of our favorite beaches in Syros with kids, and a couple of fun things to do around the beach if you are done with the sand.
Read more: The ultimate guide to the best beaches on Syros (including some remote ones)
Galissas Beach: fun for kids on and around the beach
If you had to pick one beach in Syros to visit with your (younger) kids, I would say Galissas is probably your best option.
The beach itself has shallow, calm water, golden sand, umbrellas and sunbeds in summer, and some trees to find shade (especially on the left side). For the older kids and teens, there is also a volleyball net to play a fun game. But there is also a lot to do around the beach in high season.
With kids, a nice place to go is the Green Dollars Cafe, where you can eat, have ice cream, and drink something, but most of all, there is a fun playground for the kids. But also the parents or older kids can have fun, with darts, and sometimes live music.
Just steps away from Green Dollars Cafe and Galissas Beach is the Dolphin Bay Family Beach Resort. You can stay here for a couple of days, right next to the beach. But even if you don’t, they have a swimming pool with a slide you can use, if you buy some food and drinks.
Kini beach: perfect for sandy feet, salty hair, and sunsets
Another great family beach in Syros is Kini Beach. Just like Galissas, it has calm and shallow waters, soft sand to play in, and a couple of trees. In high season, the beach is filled with umbrellas and sunbeds.
The lovely thing here is that there are a couple of tavernas right by the beach (in high season), which means your kids can make sand castles right in front of you while you are sipping something chilled. If you want a break from the heat, you can also visit the Kini Aquarium, within walking distance of the beach.
Kini is also one of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset. Watching the sun dip into the Aegean Sea is a calming way to end a day of activities. Bring a light blanket for the kids to sit on, and spend some quality time as a family while the sky changes colors. Or go for a nice sunset dinner at one of the beachside tavernas.
Vari beach: small but beautiful
If you want a smaller and less crowded beach, Vari is the place to go. Because it lies in a bay, it is sheltered against the strong winds. Families love it here because of its soft sand and shallow waters, making it ideal for young children. For the older ones, there is a volleyball net.
During high season, there are a couple of tavernas right on the beach if you want something to drink, eat, or an ice cream.
TIP: For adventurous families, you can also do water sports in Syros. There is the Windsurfing School, the Syros Dive Center and Salt Water Divers Syros for snorkeling and diving, and the Water Sports Club (jetski, paddleboards, water ski, etc.).
Other fun things for families in Syros
Take a boat trip around the island
Doing a boat tour around Syros with kids is like upgrading your family holiday to “epic adventure” status. The moment we stepped on board, our kids loved it!
You can choose between different family boat trips, depending on what you would like to do and see. Make sure you jump off the boat into crystal-clear waters (some of us did it more gracefully than others), visit a remote beach, and watch the beautiful ships that you’ll pass around the island.
Our favorite boat tour took us snorkeling around Didimi island (with the lighthouse in front of Ermoupoli), where we also saw a ferry wreck, and watching the sunset at Agios Stefanos chapel.
Some boats come equipped with snorkeling gear, and others have options for private tours where you can tailor the experience to your family’s needs. Most tours also include drinks and snacks.
TIP: Contact our friend John from Spira Authentic Experiences (+30 69773 943 43) for your boat trip, he is an experienced captain and very knowledgeable about the island.
Visit Anassa Cycladic Village
Anassa Cycladic Village in Galissas is like a secret hideaway where kids can roam free and parents can finally exhale. You can even stay in one of their bungalows or glamping tents. It is set in a peaceful, eco-friendly setting, and offers a mix of nature and comfort that feels like a little village within a village.
Kids can burn off energy at the playground or splash in the pool, while parents enjoy a coffee from the on-site café. There’s even a small theatre for movie nights, fun family activities such as olive and pistachio picking, or family-friendly cooking classes where everyone can get messy with dough and olive oil.
With Galissas Beach just a short walk away, it’s the kind of place where you can slow down, reconnect, and maybe even finish a book, unless your kids rope you into a game of table tennis first.
Syros Messy Play
Located in Pagos, Artemis Chrysolora is a psychologist offering messy play sessions to kids of all ages. Syros Messy Play offers a series of activities that allow children to create controlled chaos! These activities mainly use natural materials such as clay, soil, sand, flour, water, and food colouring.
Go hiking on family-friendly trails
Syros is home to many scenic hiking trails, ranging from easy to hard, that are suitable for kids, depending on their hiking experience.
Although a lot of the trails are rocky, don’t underestimate your kids’ abilities. Together with friends, we walked to Americanou Beach with their toddlers. With our girls, we hiked almost everywhere around the island.
Hiking is a great way to get the kids out and get some exercise while soaking up the island’s natural beauty. Be sure to bring plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and snacks to keep the kids energized. Depending on the season, you might spot wildflowers and butterflies along the way, adding little surprises to your journey.
Read more: Our favorite hikes in Syros
Try a family cooking class
Why not give your family a hands-on experience with Greek cuisine? Syros offers a couple of amazing cooking classes tailored for all ages. In these sessions, kids can learn to roll out dough for spanakopita (spinach pie) or help prepare a delicious dessert.
One we particularly like is the cooking class at Villa Maria. Besides everything you learn about the local culture, traditions, and the origin of recipes, you will also be shown the different traditional culinary techniques. You will learn to use new ingredients while you prepare several dishes. Afterwards, you can eat them all in the beautiful courtyard.
Best family accommodations in Syros
When it comes to where to stay in Syros with kids, there are many amazing options on the island.
When we stay in Syros for a long period of time, we usually book accommodation in Ermoupoli. It is a great place for kids, and everything is close by. If you want to go to the beaches or other sights on the island, you can easily rent a car, take the bus, or grab a taxi. As a family, we prefer to book an entire apartment in Ermoupoli.
If you want a slice of medieval magic, head up to Ano Syros and book a traditional guesthouse. Your kids will love to run around on the narrow stone staircases. You can even stay in an old windmill!
Outside of town, there are a couple of great family accommodations near Galissas Beach. We have talked about Anassa Cycladic Village, with its pool, playground, and rural setting. But also, Dolphin Bay Family Beach Resort is a fun place for kids with its pool and waterslide, kids’ club, and beachfront bungalows. And for a cozier family haven, Hotel Benois is great for kids too, being steps away from the beach with spacious rooms, a pool, and a great breakfast.
Additional tips if you travel to Syros with kids
- Transportation: We recommend you to rent a car in Syros (check our complete guide) if you are traveling with kids, as we feel it’s the most convenient and comfortable way to explore the island as a family. Most rental car companies also offer child seats. There are also buses and taxis in case you don’t want to drive.
- Eating out: You will soon find out that Greek people are very friendly towards families who go out for a meal, especially if you go to some of the many local Greek tavernas. They will accommodate any of your wishes so you can have a great evening, even with picky eaters. In our guide about the best restaurants in Syros, you can find many of our favorite places.
- Safety: Syros is a very safe island, and there isn’t a lot of traffic. However, always keep an eye on children near the water and in busy areas.
Read more: What to wear when visiting Syros and the Cyclades
Our conclusion after coming to Syros as a family
And just like that, our family’s Syros guide comes to a close. As you might have noticed, we love Syros and think it’s the perfect place to come with your family. Syros didn’t just entertain us, it surprised us, soothed us, and somehow managed to keep us coming back with our kids.
With its rich history, safe environment, and warm hospitality, Syros makes traveling with children a joy. Plan your itinerary to include these kid-friendly activities, and you’ll create memories your family will cherish for years to come.
If you have any family-friendly experiences in Syros that we haven’t included, please let us know in the comments! We’d love to make this guide as complete as possible, so everyone can have the perfect family vacation in Syros!