Cruise Ship World

 Piraeus, Port of Athens 

Piraeus has been the port for Athens since Classical times. The port was founded at the beginning of the fifth century BC by Themistocles, who foresaw the possibilities for its 3 natural harbors. The early buildings were consolidated by Pericles with the construction of ‘the Long Walls’ to protect the route to Athens. Nowadays it is an important city in its own right, containing much of Greater Athens’ trade. For most visitors, though, it is the inter-island ferries based in Piraeus that are the reason for passing through.  The port sees the departure of up to 60 ferries per day. 

Note that the official spelling of Piraeus is now Pireas, and all signs have been updated. 

Athens is only 7 miles from Piraeus, and the majority of travellers will spend the visit in Athens.  Nestled on a plain between five hills, Athens can get hot, dirty and polluted in the summer months.  But at the city’s heart stands the magnificent Acropolis, a don’t miss attraction for travellers from all around the world.  Jusrt North of the Acropolis lies the cosmopolitan tourist-friendly district of Plaka, a place full of historic interest, and these two form the staple of  travellers. 

Piraeus Cruise Terminal A

Cruise ships dock in the Piraeus Port located on the southern side of the city.  The port sits on the Saronic Gulf, in the Aegean Sea. The port is an important ferry terminus, serving the Greek Islands. Greece is composed of a multitude of islands, so ferries are vital and ferries arrive at and leave from Piraeus throughout the day and night. The cruise ship berths aresituated on the quays to the southern side of the port.
Cruiseliners berth at either Cruise Terminal A or Cruise Terminal B. Cruise Terminal A, accessed by entrance E11, is situated in mid-harbour sandwiched by the Mioulis and Xaveris quays.  Cruise Terminal B, approached by gate E12, sits at the mouth of the harbour, protected by the Termistokleous pier.  The cruise ship load of Piraeus is about 11 cruise ships.  For more port information, see Piraeus Port, Greece.

Available Cruises
The cruise ship routes from Piraeus typically visit a selection from ports in the Ionian Sea, the Black Sea, and Egypt.  For a comprehensive selection of cruises from Piraeus, see Cruises from Athens, Greece.

Shopping in Plaka District, Athens, Greece

Out and About in Athens 

The Acropolis
The main focus of the visitor’s attention in Athens is the Acropolis. It costs 12 euro to enter into the Acropolis.
The top attracation in Athens is the Acropolis, a 150 m (512 ft) rock in the center of the city topped with a number of temples built in around 400BC. The archeological importance of these ancient buildings makes the Acropolis world-famous.  It costs 12 euro to gain entrance.
At the top of the Acropolis stands the magnificent Parthenon, a superb classical Greek temple, a magestic sight from  almost everywhere in Athens.
Another iconic building is the Erechtheion. The six ladies that serve as pillars are reproductions, you can see 5 originals in the Acropolis museum. Number 6 is in the British Museum in London, together with large parts of the Parthenon frieze.
Syntagma Square
See the soldiers dressed in their unique skirt withwhite tights and odd shoes. Especially recommended is the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Plaka
Near the Acropolis sits the Plaka District. This area is made up of narrow meandering streets.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum can be found towards the west end of Plaka. Here you’ll find the impressive Tower of the Winds, a 8 sided tower with a different wind deity on each side. Shares ticket with Acropolis.
The Shops in Plaka
There are a ton of local products worth purchasing. olive oil, small carpets, and leather shoes are all manufactured/grown nearby and offer excellent value. The local antiques market is always bustling and fascinating.
Dining in Plaka
Eating in one of the sidewalk restaurants enjoying a plate of local food with a glass of ouzo is a great way to spend the lunch hour. 

Marina Zea, Piraeus

Marina Zea
Zea, also called Pasalimani, is where you can catch one of the Flying Dolphins to the islands in the Saronic Gulf, and there are also the most fantastic yachts moored there in the marina, which is one of the largest in Europe. There are lots of restaurants, shops, and taverns along the shore; if you like boat-watching, sit outside a café and watch the activity in the beautiful harbor.
Hellenic Maritime Museum
This nautical and naval museum has many exhibits showing Greek ships, both modern and ancient. There are paintings, ship models, flags, maps, and all sorts of equipment used on ships. A section of the wall built around Piraeus by Themistocles in ancient times is here, and so are some items from Aristotle Onassis’s yacht. There are some weird little objects in this museum, such as ship models that prisoners carved from bone, and many very interesting exhibits for those interested in naval history.
Archeological Museum
The archeological museum has exhibits from ancient times, such as statues that date back to the 4th century BC. There is a very large funeral monument, grave markers, and important bronze statues of Apollo, Athena, and Artemis. Sculptures from both the Classical and Roman periods are on display, as are many treasures excavated in Piraeus; there are also ruins of an ancient theater nearby.
 

Bridge over the main road from the Rail station towards the Port entrance

Traveling to the Port of Piraeus

From the Piraeus Electric Train station
It’s around one mile from the rail station to Cruise Terminal A, and around a mile and a half to Cruise Terminal B. Don’t be tempted to walk, as its quite a distance on a swelteringly-hot afternoon.  Rather cross over the main road on the new bridge for pedestrians. Catch a coach to your cruise terminal (lines 832, 833 843 or 859).. 

Metro Rail Line
The simplest way to travel from Athens to the Piraeus Port is via the metro rail line.  ISAP Line 1 (green, Kifissia – Piraeus) connects the city of Athens directly to the port. Look at the metro map (http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ath/athens.htm)  for the route to take from your location in Athens.
Bus
Two buses that shuttle between Piraeus and Athens. Buses Nos 040 and 049 operate all day, and run every 20 minutes from 0600 until midnight and then every hour. Bus No 040 runs between Syntagma square (Plaka district) in Athens and Akti Xaveriou in Piraeus (situated right between the cruise terminals).  Bus No 049 links Omonia Square in Athens and Themistokleous Square in Piraeus.  Alight at Karaiskaki sq which is opposite gate E8, and from here get a 843 bus to the cruise terminals located at gate E11 or E12.
Taxi
Cab prices are relatively modest in Athens, but unscrupulous drivers are not uncommon, so use the service recommended by your hotel. It’s more for baggage (EUR0,30 for each piece), and more for entrance to the port ( EUR0,60). The trip between Athens’ center and PiraeusPort takes around 30 min and the cab fare is around EUR20.
Travelling from Athens Airport to Piraeus Port
Metro Train
Line 3 connects Athens airport to Monastiraki where you change to green Line 1, taking you to Piraeus. The journey time between the airport and the port is about an hour and a quarter.
By Bus
Bus no X96 runs day and night between the airport and Piraeus’s Karaïskaki Square, with services 3 times an hour. The bus departs from the lot outside arrivals Gates 4 and 5. On arrival at Piraeus you need to catch a further bus to the cruise terminals (number|no 832, 833, 843 or 859).
Taxi
There’s an additional charge for trips from Athens’ airport, Baggage costs more on a per-item basis and the trip takes at least one hour (iit’s 30 km between the airport and the port) so the cab fare can be €50 or more.

Further Information 

Language:  Greeek
Currency: EURO