You’ll struggle to find a more kid-friendly outdoor option in Athens (outside of beach season) than this extended run of seafront parkland. It’s divided into a number of play zones suitable for different ages. There are the bouncy castles, slides and pirate ships demanded by toddlers and plenty of climbing challenges, skate rinks and trampolines to please the older crew. The canteen tables are well-placed alongside the swings and rides, so parents can keep a close eye and still enjoy the sea view. Flisvos Park also offers satisfaction for kid-free visitors in the form of scenic walking and cycling paths, outdoor fitness stations and basketball courts.
Visited by more than 200,000 people per year, the planetarium, run by the Eugenides Foundation for science education, has a 950 square-metre dome, on which it screens 3D virtual trips to the galaxy, as well as IMAX movies and other shows. Some of the screenings have been dubbed into Greek, but you can buy earphones on site or bring your own, and watch the show in English.
Cultural Highlights
People don’t flock to Faliro for its cultural attractions. Even so, there are several off-the-beaten-track sites for those craving more than sun and sea. Explore the 140 metre Averoff, the pride of the Greek navy after its starring role in the Balkan War in 1912. Docked permanently at the Flisvos Marina, it’s now home to the Averoff Naval Museum —an interactive and fun experience for all ages. At the Benaki Toy Museum, over three thousand vintage toys are displayed in an impressive 19th century villa. Military buffs can pay their respects to the soldiers of the Commonwealth killed in battle in Greece during the Second World War at the immaculate Phaleron War Cemetery. A beautiful resting place with rolling views of the sea, the memorial is permanently open and can be visited any time.
Water Plaza
Faliro takes centre-stage every summer when it hosts two of Athens’ most popular international music festivals — Ejekt and Release—at the big open space of Platia Nerou (literally Water Plaza). This is one of the most enjoyable spots in the city to catch global headliners such as The Killers to the Beastie Boys, along with smaller concerts and local bands. Next to the Olympic Tae Kwon Do stadium, it’s easy to get to by tram or bus and you’re just steps from the water. Watching the sun sink into the sea or the moon rise high above the stage, the concert can feel like an added bonus.
