Cruise Guide
Athens (Piraeus)
Related guides:
Book it now!

Athens (Piraeus) Cruise Guide

Overview

Piraeus, which lies 12km (7.5 miles) southwest of Athens, serves as the Greek capital's main port. Upgraded for the 2004 Athens Olympics, it now has 12 modern berths for cruise ships.

Athens reached its heyday in the fifth century BC, a period which also saw the construction of great classical buildings such as the Parthenon, which is now regarded as the icon of Ancient Greece. Modern Athens was born in 1834, when it was proclaimed the capital of a newly independent Greece. 1922 saw the arrival of countless Greek refugees from Anatolia and the subsequent enlargement of the suburbs. One in four Greeks now live in the capital.

Sightseeing

Athens is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis, home to the 2,400-year-old Parthenon, one of the most famous classical monuments in the world. Below the Acropolis, the old quarter of the town, Plaka, is worth exploring for its rustic tavernas, souvenir shops and picturesque narrow alleys. For a panorama over the entire city, ride the cable car up Mount Lycabettus, Athens' highest point, crowned by a chapel and a bar-restaurant.

Many cruise companies also offer half-day excursions to the temple of Poseidon at Sounio, and one-day excursions to the archaeological sites of Ancient Corinth and Mycenae, or Delphi.

Highlights
• Acropolis (home to three ancient temples, including the Parthenon)
• New Acropolis Museum (due to open in early 2009)
• Ancient Agora
• Roman Forum and Tower of the Winds
• Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian's Arch
• National Archaeological Museum
• Benaki Museum
• Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art
• Byzantine Museum

Tourist Information

GNTO Information Desk
Amalias 26, 10557 Athens, Greece
Tel: +30 210 331 0392.
Website: www.gnto.gr

Shopping

Athens is the centre for luxury goods and local handicrafts. The souvenir shops in Plaka and Monastiraki flea market, both below the Acropolis, are crowded in high season and special purchases include gold and silver jewellery, hand-painted pottery, leather goods, furs and Turkish-inspired rugs. Greek wines and spirits, olives and olive oil are also good buys.

Eating Out

Greek cuisine is based on fresh, seasonal, Mediterranean ingredients, with the abundant use of olive oil. Popular main courses include simply prepared fresh seafood, plus charcoal-grilled meats and hearty stews.

When To Go

The Mediterranean cruise season runs from late April to late October. Peak season in Greece is July to August, when all the main destinations are very hot and very crowded. Try to visit in May/June or September/October to avoid the crowds and enjoy milder weather.

Transfer Times

Nearest Destination

Athens.

Transfer Distance

11.2km (7 miles).

Transfer Time

10-15 minutes.

Key Facts

Region

Greece

Time Zone

GMT + 2.

Currency

Euro (€) = 100 cents.

Language

Greek.

Location

Attica, mainland Greece.

Population

3.3 million (Greater Athens).

Government

Republic.

Religion

Greek Orthodox, with Muslim, Roman Catholic and Jewish minorities.

Social Conventions

The Greeks are justly proud of their cultural heritage. The Greek Orthodox Church has a strong influence on society, especially in rural areas. Visitors are advised to dress modestly to enter churches - shoulders and legs should be covered. The throwing back of the head is a negative gesture. Dress is generally casual. Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in public buildings.

Tipping: 12 to 15% is usual.
Athens is the natural departure point for most heading out on an Adriatic cruise, giving you the chance to soak up the capitals ancient sights before soaking up the sun on board.
Need some holiday inspiration?
Tired of the same holiday destination?
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Sign up for our newsletter
Be the first to hear about the coolest destinations and the latest travel trends. Plus, competitions, holiday inspiration and amusing facts, delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter
Advertisement

Travel Deals for Athens (Piraeus)

Advertising features

  • Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by 

  • Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for 

  • Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world 

  • Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is 

  • Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for 

  • Dominican Republic Family holidays The Dominican Republic has soared in popularity as a tropical hotspot for families seeking sun, sand and an affordable holiday in the Caribbean. The island's main attraction is magnificent golden sand 

Travel Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement