Traveling Differently at Delphi: One Night, Thousands of Years, and a Kid Who Was Listening
Delphi isn’t the kind of place people say is “great for kids.” But it sure was for us.
The Treasury of the Athenians—one of many monuments built to impress the gods and flaunt their power to the other city-states.
We only spent one night in Delphi, a stop between Athens (← read that post here) and Meteora. Just enough time to visit the Temple of Apollo, take in the valley views, and walk the same paths people did thousands of years ago. It wasn’t a kid-focused destination—there were no playgrounds or cartoons or theme park thrills—but that’s not how we travel.
When our son was little, we planned around nap schedules and tossed him in the pack with a snack so we could carry him through whatever we wanted to see. But now that he’s older, it matters more that we’re intentional about building trips that have something for each of us.
That’s why it meant so much when, after our tour, he turned to me and asked,
“Why did she look at me when she talked?”
Then, after a pause, he added,
“Most grownups just talk to the adults.”
It was such a small comment, but it said everything—not just about her, but about what we want these trips to be. It also made me pause and think about how often kids might feel invisible in spaces where they’re surrounded by adults, especially when they’re with their parents.
I want him to feel included, seen, and part of it—not just along for the ride.
Georgia, our guide, had a way of making history feel alive—and making our son feel like he belonged in the story.
Apollo’s Temple and the Delphi Museum
We booked a private two-hour tour with Georgia Hasioti, who met us at the Delphi Museum and guided us through both the museum and the sanctuary. She was knowledgeable, warm, and deeply engaging—not just with us, but with our son.
She wove together mythology, historical context, and small details we’d never have noticed on our own—like how you can date statues based on how they’re standing, or how inscriptions told stories of ancient rivalries between city-states.
She also shared personal stories—about growing up in Delphi and studying to become a guide—which made the site come alive in a way no audio tour ever could.
Georgia connected with our son over Percy Jackson, which opened the door for a more playful and engaged experience.
He was especially excited to be standing where the real oracle once lived. He’s a huge fan of the Oracle of Wifi from the Greeking Out podcast, and being here gave that story a real-world anchor.
This was the perfect time of day—the site was quiet and nearly empty. A striking contrast to the crowds at the Acropolis in Athens.
History you can walk through—with a view that hasn’t changed in 2,000 years.
The View from the Top
We ended our guided tour at the ancient theater, but Georgia encouraged us to keep going—to climb to the stadium at the top of the site. It was worth the effort.
The stadium is remarkably intact, and as we looked down over the Temple of Apollo—this place I’d once read about in a school textbook—it hit me just how much human history had passed through that valley. Thousands of years. Countless lives. And now us, standing quietly in the same golden light.
The ancient stadium at Delphi hosted athletic games over 2,000 years ago—today, it’s still nearly whole, and still awe-inspiring.
Springs, Stickers, and Small Moments
On our way back down, we chatted with a couple from Florida who were traveling with her cousin and supporting their nonprofit—Freedom Trippers, which helps empower disabled travelers to see the world.
They gave us a sticker and shared stories about making adventure work for their family.
We swapped experiences about how often people are surprised to see our young son—or anyone with additional needs—exploring places like this. As if travel is only for a narrow kind of person.
Soon after, we stopped at the ancient spring just below the sanctuary. Our son dunked his head into the freezing water and burst into laughter. A stranger nearby laughed with us.
It was one of those small, shared moments that make the world feel just a little more connected.
They weren’t in the guidebook, but the cats of Delphi made sure they were part of the experience.
Dinner with a View
We ended the day with dinner at Apollon Café, on a shaded patio overlooking the valley and the sea. The food was simple and fresh, and the kind of view that makes you want to linger.
At the table next to us, I overheard someone—another academic, I think—reflecting on how hard it is to even remember the pressure and expectations of home when you're in a place like this.
I don’t recall exactly what he said, but the feeling stayed with me: that being here puts things into perspective. That maybe the urgency we carry so often doesn’t actually serve us.
After Sunset
We stayed at Komody Design Apartments, just above the center of Delphi. Our unit was simple but stylish, and while the AC was weak, the cool evening air made up for it. We left the screen door open and let the breeze drift through.
That night, after our son fell asleep, my husband and I sat on the balcony, watching the sky shift from gold to pink to lavender. A small group of kittens played on the ancient stones below.
I opened my laptop to work on a blog post—but mostly, I just sat there, letting it all settle in.
Delphi has always been a place people went to for answers.
I don’t know if I came away with any.
But I left with something better: a moment of stillness, of connection, of seeing and being seen. And for now, that’s more than enough.
Evening view from our apartment in Delphi. A perfect end to a full day.
How We Did It
🚗 Drive: About 2.5–3 hours from Athens to Delphi.
We stopped in Leivadia for lunch and absolutely loved this town—I'll be writing a separate post about it.
View route on Google Maps
🛏️ Stay: Komody Design Apartments — walkable to the site, quiet, and breezy even with weak AC.
🏛️ Tour: Private 2-hour tour with Georgia Hasioti, starting at the museum and continuing through the ruins.
🥾 Explore: Visited the Temple of Apollo in the late afternoon, hiked up to the stadium on our own (worth it), and walked to the Castalian Spring after leaving the site.
🍽️ Eat: Dinner at Apollon Café, with shaded outdoor seating and panoramic views of the valley.
⛰️ Next Stop: Drove on to Meteora the following morning.
💡 What We’d Do Differently: Add a second day to hike the ancient footpath down to the sea at Kirra—it started right outside our apartment and looked incredible.
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