Welcome To Piraeus, Athens Cruise Port: What You Need To Know Greek Island Bucket List

Table Of Content

• Hellenic Maritime Museum
• Top Food and Drink Spots Near the Athens (Piraeus) Cruise Port
• Porters and Red Caps at the Athens Cruise Port
• Set sail the Virgin way and find a new approach to cruise vacations. Select a cruise itinerary and let's sail.
• Best time to travel
• Ships
• Public Transit from Athens International Airport to the Port of Piraeus
• Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

The advice is slightly different if you’re using the Port of Piraeus and you’re not a cruiser because the ferries dock in a different area. But if you’re amongst the cruise passengers whose cruise visits, starts or finishes at this port of Athens then read on. Although Athens is connected to numerous harbors in the Mediterranean, the most popular cruise and ferries are to the picturesque Greek islands, followed by trips to Turkey (Istanbul, Bodrum and Kuşadasi).

Hellenic Maritime Museum

But the drivers will dump you for a better fare if someone else wants to go to the airport or the city centre for example. Piraeus Metro station / train station is about a 20 minutes walk from terminal A. Most likely you’ll have to walk because the drivers get a bit stroppy if you ask them to take you just a short distance from the port. If you’re interested in visiting the National Gallery it’s close to Kolonaki (high-end shopping), the Benaki Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art. Closed on Tuesdays it’s open from 10am – 6pm the rest of the week. If yours doesn’t you can head there before or after for a good overview of Greek history and culture.

Top Food and Drink Spots Near the Athens (Piraeus) Cruise Port

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If you’re planning to spend some time in the capital of Greece before or after your cruise then you can choose between getting a cab or taking the metro. The best way to get to the port from “downtown Athens” will probably depend on how many of you there are and how much luggage you have. The train and buses stop where the main road splits to go off to terminal A.

Porters and Red Caps at the Athens Cruise Port

Thanks to the opening of a brand new station and stretch of railway, from10th October 2022 you can now get the metro directly from Athens airport to Piraeus port. The journey to Piraeus 3 Metro station takes about 55 minutes. Piraeus is also a good city for normal shopping with chains like H&M, Marks and Spencer, Hondos Centre as well as lots of others, and specialist shops, too. The metro station that houses green line one is another piece of architecture you might like to see.

Try the local dishes prepared with sun-ripened tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers and fresh seafood like mussels and grilled octopus. Look for trovolia, a typical fresh cheese to savor with marinated olives. Ask for recommendations on local wines — the most common white is lively, floral and aromatic Moschofilero, while the red of choice is Xinomavro, an indigenous grape with a bold, complex flavor. Transport tickets can be purchased at electronic kiosks, at a ticket booth inside the metro or at an outdoor street kiosk called the periptero.

Best time to travel

Additionally, travelers can enjoy the Mediterranean climate without the intense heat of July and August. From the iconic Parthenon perched atop the Acropolis to the lively streets of Plaka, the city provides an array of attractions suitable for every traveler's interests. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. Admire one of Greece’s most beautiful and romantic seaside ports and stroll Old Town. Explore the stunning coastline and the remains of ancient sites and sample Greek cuisine. Athens, once (in some parts, still) one of the most frenetic and traffic-polluted cities in the world, now owns a real buzz and is well worth spending a few days in if your cruise starts or ends there.

Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time.

Public Transit from Athens International Airport to the Port of Piraeus

Taxis are available at every cruise terminal gate and all over the city center. You can typically find a taxi close to hotels or tourist spots like historical sites. Most taxis don’t accept credit cards, so be mindful to carry extra euros with you to cover your fare. The Naval Museum has exhibits that present ship building from ancient times to the present day. You will be fascinated by the Neosoikoi, the archaeological remains of the ship sheds where local craftsmen maintained and repaired the boats. Art lovers will have plenty to see at the Piraeus Archaeological Museum, from Bronze Age sculptures to classical Hellenistic pottery.

Then, climb around 100 steps from the cable car station to the summit. There, you’ll find the terrace atop Mount Lycabettus promises breathtaking panoramic views not only of the metropolis of Athens but also the port of Piraeus and its many docked ships. Not only do we offer the best way to explore Europe, but we also make it easy to get there with Flights by Celebrity℠. Relax knowing you’re booking the lowest airfare and have a dedicated team helping you get to your ship—and back. Part of the Castella district, Mikrolimano is the smallest and most picturesque port of Athens, making it perfect for a romantic afternoon. Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade to take in the amazing views, then settle in a cafe or taverna for some fresh seafood or a refreshing drink with your cruise to Athens.

The journey time is around 90 minutes from the airport to the ferry port (gate E1). From there it’s a bit far to walk to your departure point with luggage. So either jump in a cab or get a second bus round to the cruise terminals. The Greece-based Celesytal Cruises prides itself on offering an authentic Greek vacation experience. Additionally, Celesytal is unique in that it offers year-round Aegean Sea sailings cruising round-trip from Athens and ranging in length from three to 14 nights. On land, Celeystal guests can choose from a selection of the line’s “Authentic Excursions,” which are specially curated, small-group, expert-led experiences designed to take travelers off the beaten path.

If you’re a train enthusiast the elegant station leads to the museum below. If you stay on an extra stop you can explore Monastiraki and the famous Monastiraki Flea Market. The proper market stalls are only out on Sunday but there’s an eclectic mix of small shops all week.

The best time to visit Athens is during spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). The weather is pleasant, and tourist crowds are relatively smaller. Summer months can be quite hot, with increased tourist traffic, while winter months are cooler and have shorter daylight hours. The metro is well-connected to major landmarks, including Syntagma Square. For direct transit from Piraeus Port, cruisers can take the metro with both ease and speed.

The Municipal Theatre is a large neoclassical building that houses a variety of productions. While you’re there pop into the new metro station outside. It houses some interesting historical exhibits that are worth a look. The tourist mini-train will drop you right outside if you want to get your dose of Greek history without traipsing all the way into Athens city centre.