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Port Guides: Piraeus (Athens)

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Cruises to and from
Piraeus (Athens)
Cruises that visit Piraeus (Athens)
Map of Europe & Mediterranean
Europe & Mediterranean

Athens Piraeus

Civitavecchia Rome

7 Nights

Fares from $5,700 per guest *

 

DEPART

Sep 15, 2026

ARRIVE

Sep 22, 2026
Aboard Crystal Symphony
Map of Africa & Indian Ocean
Africa & Indian Ocean

Athens Piraeus

Mumbai

32 Nights

Fares from $14,000 per guest *

 

DEPART

Dec 06, 2024

ARRIVE

Jan 07, 2025
Aboard Crystal Symphony
Map of Africa & Indian Ocean
Africa & Indian Ocean

Athens Piraeus

Dubai

22 Nights

Fares from $10,400 per guest *

 

DEPART

Nov 29, 2025

ARRIVE

Dec 21, 2025
Aboard Crystal Symphony
ATHENS

Close to Athens, the port of Piraeus has centuries of stories to tell. Travel back to ancient times at compelling museums and awe-inspiring monuments – and live in the moment feasting and people-watching at a harborside taverna with views of the nearby islands. Our insider, Rachel Howard, shows the way.

JUMP TO

If you imagine you’ll be sailing into an ancient history book, the sea of concrete that greets you as your ship comes into Piraeus port will come as a shock. But look beyond the gritty industrial districts to the north and west of the docks and you’ll uncover plenty of seaside charm. Around 20 million visitors (including 1.7 million cruise passengers) pass through Europe’s largest port every year. Cruise ships dock at three different terminals – A, B, and C – all of which are a 15- to 30-minute walk from Piraeus station and the main shopping district clustered round Korai Square. A new cruise terminal is currently under construction at the far end of the port, and a vast Underwater Antiquities Museum is slated to open in 2026 in a former grain silo near Cruise Terminal A.

Pockets of antiquities are dotted among the high-rise apartments and waterfront tavernas, including sections of the massive fortification walls that once connected the ancient port to the city of Athens, 7 miles away. Pick up provisions from Mandragoras or Miran deli on Gounari Street, or the covered market behind Piraeus Tower, and have a picnic on the rocks of Peiraiki. Stroll along the coastline and you’ll reach ritzy Zea Marina, where big spenders park their cruisers, Pasalimani, where fishing boats bob in front of the cafeterias, and Mikrolimano, lined with upmarket restaurants and sailing clubs. To get the lay of the land, climb to the hilltop park on Kastella for a seagull’s-eye view all the way out to the Argo-Saronic isles. With a new metro and tram service connecting Piraeus to downtown Athens, the airport, and the southern beaches, it’s easy to explore much of the city that stretches out before you in just a few hours.

Athens

What to see in Piraeus (Athens)


Athens

How to spend an evening

A magical feature of Athenian summer nights are the city’s outdoor cinemas. In Piraeus, Cine Votsalakia is right on the seafront overlooking an urban beach. Have a nightcap at the plush Foyer bar, where jazz musicians and opera singers sometimes warm up the crowd at the grand Municipal Theater of Piraeus. Wine connoisseurs from across Athens make regular pilgrimages to Paleo, a wine bar in a repurposed warehouse, which kickstarted the revival of the grungy industrial quarter behind Piraeus’ ferry docks. Go before 8pm to catch some intriguing contemporary art at the neighboring galleries on Polydefkous Street.

Downtown, Menechmou Street in Neos Kosmos makes a great introduction to the Athenian fine drinking and farm-to-fork dining scene: every bottle of natural wine at Epta Martyres comes with a surprise round of tapas, while Greco-Roman Bar Amore serves spritzers with delicious nibbles and flirty vibes. Across the street, Annie Fine Cooking is a tiny neighborhood bistro with a short but brilliant seasonal menu. For low-key nightlife and classic Greek cuisine, head to Troon Street and Merkouri Square in Ano Petralona and just follow your instincts.

How to get around

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