From the Port of Piraeus to Athens: Your Cruise Day Game Plan

When your cruise itinerary says “Athens,” it really means Piraeus. And that distinction can shape your entire port day! We are sharing practical tips to help you plan a smooth, stress-free stop, whether you head into Athens or stay closer to the port.

Find out the most efficient way to get from Piraeus into the city, including taxis, Uber, metro, buses, and cruise line shuttles, along with realistic timing to help you avoid surprises. We also highlight the top sights to prioritize if time is limited.

Discover food and drinks, including coffee culture there and if you can easily dine in Piraeus, and the best restaurant view in Athens. If you choose to stay in Piraeus, we share things doing near the port, including museums, churches, beaches, cafes, and easy shopping.

Helpful links from this episode: 

• PHOTOS: See the Port of Piraeus Things to Do & what to expect, visually 
• Don’t forget to pack your AirFly

Chapters

• 1:09 Navigating to Athens: Port of Piraeus Overview
• 3:05 Where Exactly is Piraeus?
• 3:11 What to Expect at the Cruise Port in Piraeus ("Athens" on Your Itinerary)
• 7:55 Not-to-Miss Sites & Landmarks in Athens
• 13:06 Greek Food (& Drinks) Galore!
• 15:49 Things to Do In Piraeus, Within Walking Distance of the Cruise Port
• 20:49 Final Tips

Transcript

Dan (00:38)

Hello and welcome to another edition of Small Ship Cruise Talk. So today we are docked in Athens and we're going to discuss the best tips for a stress-free day in port in Athens.

Mikkel (00:52)

We are going to talk about what you really need to know when you dock in“Athens” because the truth is it's not really Athens. You are docking in the port of Piraeus and that is a couple miles southwest of central Athens and that's really gonna make a difference in your day and what you can do. 

So we are so happy to be talking about this topic to give you the most information in a short amount of time for a stress-free port day. We are going be talking about how to make the most of your time with transportation getting in and out of Athens, the must-see spots in Athens, how to eat and sip like a local, and what to do if you stay in the port of Piraeus, which is a really interesting port, in and of itself. So let's get to it.

Dan (01:50)

I think, Mikkel, you brought up such a great point of just how do you make the most of your time and understanding that the port is out of Athens and it's gonna be, well, the thing to always factor in is if you're taking a taxi or an Uber is traffic or even a bus for that matter because there is a lot of traffic in and around Athens.

Mikkel (02:15)

Yeah, Athens is a major city in Greece. It is by far the most heavily populated. I believe half the country's population is in Athens, and it gets busier every year. So while it's not quite New York City rush hour traffic, it makes a significant difference to plan your transport smartly. So you mentioned the way that you're going to get to and from Athens, from Piraeus.

And let's briefly touch on where Piraeus is. I know I said it's southwest of central Athens, but the cruise terminal has several different terminals. So it's not just one. It's A, B. It's A and B. Those are the main ones. And then there's ferry terminals, going to go into one of those ports. And we've been there several times. We were there with Emerald Azzurra. We were there with Celestyal Cruises.

And we've been there with Viking Ocean ships as well. So I feel like we're very used to it, but we were a little shocked the first time we got there and we were like, this isn't, this isn't Athens. We're outside of Athens. So the port is well equipped with all your modern amenities: you have water bottle refill stations, there's wifi, there's plenty of restrooms. There's even some souvenir shopping.

Once you get out of your cruise terminal, past security and such, there are taxis. So let's start with

Dan (03:44)

Taxis and ride shares are probably going to be your fastest option to get into Athens. And I would budget 20 to 30 minutes into central Athens, but of course, depending on traffic, that's always going to be the variable here.

Mikkel (03:59)

I would say if there's no traffic, it's 20 minutes. Usually there's traffic. So it could be 30 to 45. We've even experienced upwards of 45. But like you said, that small vehicle is going to be your fastest way. And also the rideshares: Uber. Uber works in Piraeus and in Athens. It's very easy to use. But you're going to see when you pull

Uber actually taxis are some of the top things that come up.

So taxis will come up and you will see that the ride is very affordable. So it's somewhere between 12 and 15 euros typically to take that ride share into Athens. So despite the amount of time it might take, it's very affordable. And also when you leave the port, you'll see taxis lined up and they take credit cards as well, which is also really helpful if you do not have cash on you.

And Greece is on the euro.

Dan (04:56)

If you want a more budget-friendly way to get into Athens, you want to take the metro bear in mind the metro is about a 20 to 30 minute walk from the cruise terminal to the Piraeus station.

Then you'll take the train, the metro, into Athens itself.

Mikkel (05:13)

There is also buses. We haven't personally taken them from Piraeus into Athens, but there are public buses and that's actually even closer than the metro in Piraeus when you get out of the cruise port terminal. It's even closer to the ferry terminals, which are adjacent to each other, but very walkable. There are sidewalks. It's very safe.

The bus arrival times are on a digital board on top of the station so that makes it even easier.

Dan (05:40)

Or else your cruise line may offer a shuttle into Athens. So make sure you check with your cruise director or your daily bulletin and you'll probably see a shuttle.

Mikkel (05:52)

The cruise coach buses obviously will take a little bit longer because of the size and they move a little slower. But it's obviously, if it's included, the most affordable way. On Viking, we took the shuttle out of the city, back to Piraeus. We took a rideshare to get there.

So we took that shuttle and were able to board from Hadrian's Gate, which is very close to the Acropolis Museum. So most cruise lines, I'm going to say, are going to drop you off and pick you up in a very convenient location to the historic city center of Athens.

Dan (06:28)

And there's always the old-fashioned way. Walking in Piraeus is very doable. Not a lot of hills or anything like that, so it's very accessible. And the port itself is next to lot of shops and cafes and a couple of cathedrals. So there's things to see right around the port if you just want to go for a nice walk and experience that neighborhood.

Mikkel (06:35)

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, and I found it a little challenging when at first glance I walked right out of the Port of Piraeus and I was like, my god, there's so many traffic circles, parking lots, like where do I go? Just ask anybody who represents one of the cruise lines there, even if it's not your own, if they look like they're Greek and they are pointing this way and that way for the buses here and the taxis there. Everybody's very nice. So just ask them the best way to get to the pedestrian

walkway. I even asked somebody when I walked out and she said, "Oh yeah, I go on my morning run here when the cruise ship isn't here yet before I start work. So yeah, it's really easy." And we'll get into exactly what there is to do in Piraeus at the end of the episode. So keep listening.

Let's talk about the must see sites in Athens. Now this is going to be very high level. We're just going to mention some because in a future episode, we will get into Athens in more depth because it's an incredible place to stop on a cruise or by land. We've done both.

Dan (07:52)

The highlights, of course, we got to start with the Acropolis and the Parthenon. These are Athens iconic! Ancient hilltop citadel, the beacon of everything of ancient Greece. So those are obviously a must see.

Mikkel (08:09)

You know what I thought was interesting? When we were in Greece going to a bunch of different Greek islands and then obviously included mainland and Athens and such, I thought, "Oh, I didn't know that before!" And that is that most cities have an acropolis. It's simply saying like the top of the mountain.

Right. So when we were in other cities and they said, "That's the Acropolis," we were like, "Wait, but there's only one Acropolis... ⁓ no, there's not only one Acropolis. This Acropolis in Athens is simply the most well known!"

Dan (08:46)

The top of the hill. Yeah, you know there is more than one statue not just the Statue of Liberty. same Same thinking

Mikkel (08:54)

Yeah, so with the Acropolis, another site that I would say is not to miss and really goes hand in hand with the Acropolis and the Parthenon is the Acropolis Museum. Because after having gone there, we realized a lot of the Acropolis artifacts, the originals, are in the museum to keep them in safety away from the elements. So you can see the columns and the temples.

and all the nymphs that are really famous, the sculptures at the top of the Acropolis. But then if you want to see the originals of some of those sculptures, you have to go to the Acropolis Museum. And that is, it's almost kind of at the foot of the hill. It is and it isn't, but it's a very beautiful, very modern, I would say new museum.

Dan (09:41)

Another place you definitely want to check out is Plaka neighborhood. It's charming streets, great little shops, food shops, coffee shops, get some gelato and overall just the perfect atmosphere for some meandering and taking in all of the charm of Athens.

Mikkel (09:59)

If you can only walk through one neighborhood, this is by far the place to do it. Not only are you going to get souvenir shops, which of course makes it a little touristy, but the fact of the matter is it is the most touristy because it has all that charm and such that you were just talking about, Dan. And I loved kind of meandering through those winding streets in this neighborhood

and finding some hidden gems that we'll let you discover on your own or we'll talk about in more depth in the future. And also restaurants, some restaurants were in that neighborhood that were really good. So again, expect it to be touristy, but just like a cliché is a cliché for a reason, it's touristy and a lot of tourists go there because it really is wonderful.

Another place to not miss is the ancient Agora and Hadrian's library. So we've seen this from the

You can go in and kind of explore the grounds a little more, but if you only have time to pass by, you are going to pass this when you're walking through the ancient city center of Athens.

Dan (11:04)

Just a note, Athens city itself is very walkable.

Dan (11:08)

Another place you want to check out is Syntagma Square and what happens there is the changing of the guard. Definitely don't want to miss this very beautiful pageantry and... military... Yeah I think that's the best way to put it. But it's also next to or not a far walk from the National Archaeological Museum.

Dan (11:31)

Also, a must see if you're out there. We just went there a couple of weeks ago and it was very interesting.

Mikkel (11:38)

One of my favorite things was the gorgeous gold beaded jewelry from, I'm trying to think how many centuries. It looked like it was made by a pro today, but it was from like 600 BCE, right? Incredible, incredible. These were advanced societies and…

Actually, they were all kind of lost to, we're not really sure why. But of course, there's the usual speculations, disease, whatnot. Let's not get into that part. But the artifacts in there are truly remarkable. So, I would say, especially if it's not a beautiful day outside, the National Archaeological Museum is great. Or even if you've been to Athens before but you haven't done that, I think it's amazing.

Mikkel (12:24)

If you're short on time, you definitely want to prioritize the Acropolis. I would say go to the Acropolis Museum next, and then also walk around the Plaka area. They're very close together, and there is an abundance of sites and foods, and all the senses will be fulfilled for this.

Dan (12:43)

Just in case you haven't had enough food and drink on the ship, you can eat and sip like a local in Athens. From gyros to souvlaki, it's all available and it's all delicious.

Mikkel (12:54)

And it's all Greek. 

Mikkel (12:59)

One of the things I appreciated about Greek food in Greece was that most of the dishes that we saw on menus were very similar to Greek food you can get in the United States. Of course, the food is more authentic there. There’s nothing like eating a Greek salad and some meatballs with the Acropolis illuminated kind of on the hill before your eyes, right? On the rooftop, definitely do that if you can.

Dan (13:21)

All right. Yeah.

Mikkel (13:24)

You're in the ship were on Viking, and we were there overnight before our other two cruises started there in the years prior. Definitely do a rooftop dining experience looking at the Acropolis. It's obviously very popular for a reason. It's gorgeous. And that nighttime lighting, if you can do sunset, mwah! Chef's kiss, right?

Dan (13:45)

Right, it's dinner with a side of Acropolis.

Mikkel (13:50)

It's like Zeus is almost at dinner with you. Another surprising thing about dining, so to speak, or just having some delights in Greece is the coffee and pastry shops. The coffee shops are abundant. I would say they rival... Seattle comes to mind.

Dan (13:54)

He's the busboy.

Mikkel (14:15)

Greek people love their coffee. And I would be remiss not to mention my favorite, which Dan is probably so sick of hearing me say, but I love a Freddo cappuccino. It is very unique to Athens. And actually, I don't know if you can get it all over Greece. 

I mostly get it in Athens, but it is a coffee, like an iced coffee with a cold foam on top. I see cold foam more now in the United States, but I would say this has been a staple in Greece for a long time. So Freddo cappuccinos are where it's at. Definitely get it. And you can tell them the amount of sweetness of sugar you want in it, which is great.

Dan (14:57)

And there's nothing more Greek than seafood. You're going to have plenty of fresh seafood options. And if you stay in the port or if you go into Athens, got to grab some seafood along the way.

Mikkel (15:09)

Get that grilled calamari!

Dan (15:11)

So if you do stay in you'll be near the cruise ship. It doesn't require a lot of travel or traffic into Athens, and there's plenty to do close to the port.

Mikkel (15:23)

if you're going into Athens mostly to eat, you can do it in Piraeus. Again, the view is not going to be the same, but Piraeus has plenty of Greek food, plenty of Greek beer, Greek wine, Greek cafes, all of that.

Dan (15:37)

They also have the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus. It's a local history. You have plenty of historic options also in Piraeus.

Mikkel (15:47)

You also have the Hellenic Maritime Museum. So it's the seafaring history of the area, which brings up the churches in the area. These are Greek Orthodox churches. We have an article about this on our website that we have put in the show notes for you because I want you to visually see the gorgeous interiors of these churches. They are all free of charge to walk into in Piraeus.

And you can hit up three of them within walking distance of the ports. And it's a great thing to do. It's a wonderful photo and video opportunity. And the Greeks very much dedicated to their religion. So this is definitely a cultural thing that you're going to want to experience in Piraeus. And the reason I thought of it was because one of the first ones you go to is in honor of the sailors.

And there is a stained glass window inside with a sailboat that I thought was really cool to see. And again, that's on our website. It's linked in the show notes.

Dan (16:54)

Also, you do have the option of going to the beach. So there's two main beaches and perfect place for a seaside break and take in some Mediterranean sunshine.

Mikkel (17:06)

Ooh, I like that. Mediterranean sunshine. Of course, don't forget your cafes and waterfront strolls here. Cafes aplenty. I have to say there's one that is very close to my name, Mikkel minus one "K": M-I-K-E-L. That, of course, was my favorite to walk by. I was all caffeinated up, so I didn't stop for a coffee when I was walking along. You were back on the ship enjoying the ship, and I ventured out for a little bit because it's so easy to do. I also wanted to go to Zara and H&M.

very easy to do from the port of Piraeus. Very walkable. It took me about 20/25 minutes to get to H&M and another five minutes, a couple of blocks away to get to Zara. So that's an easy thing to do. You can pick up some nice European clothing over there. It is a little different at Zara in Europe as opposed to the United States. H&M's fairly similar — in our experience anyway.

So as we wrap up here, this brief but significant episode about Piraeus and Athens, if we have not answered a question, by the way, please reach out to us. We would love to hear from you. But some time-saving tips for your stop in Athens.

Dan (18:20)

100% what you want to do is you want to start early. Head to Athens right after the port opens, beat the crowds, and especially if you're going to the Acropolis.

Mikkel (18:30)

Right, and by port opens, I think you mean like when you can disembark the ship. The ship's cleared for you guys to get off, right? Yeah, OK. So yeah, start early. I would say I agree with you. Like if you can go into Athens earlier, you're going to make the most of your day, but also you are going to beat the crowds at all of these sites. Now keep in mind, there is traffic for rush hour. But like you said, start early. You'll see more.

Dan (18:38)

Correct. Yep.

Mikkel (18:58)

And then, of course, you can always go back to the ship a little earlier if that ends up happening. Another thing is pre-booking tickets to avoid long lines, especially if you're going during the summer, which is peak time to visit Athens for tourists.

Dan (19:12)

After your adventure starts to wind down, make sure you know your way back to the ship. So leave plenty of time for a buffer just in case public transportation 

Dan (19:20)

is not working or you can't get an Uber on time. Just leave yourself a little bit of a buffer.

Mikkel (19:26)

Less important if your ship is docked overnight, but way more important if your ship has an all-board time and they are departing, you don't want to miss that.

And then finally, you want to choose whether or not you're going to do self-guided and kind of go your own way, or you're going to an excursion with one of the cruise options. You can also do a combination of both. We did a little bit of both. We made sure that we had our AirFly audio devices to hook up to those Quietvoxes. Again, we'll link that in the show notes for you, because it was great to be wireless, not tethered to that quiet box with a with our wired headphones when we were walking around Athens. I love that you always point out that it makes us look less touristy, less of a target. 

So if you are going to take those guided tours with those Quietvoxes, which are more a thing on small ship cruises that we've been on, but of course we're "Small Ship Cruise Talk," just plan ahead and, and know kind of your route and your path.

And I hope that we've helped you make some decisions during this episode.

Dan (20:32)

Absolutely. So final thoughts, really we've said it over and over in the episode, but if you're going to explore the heart of ancient Athens or you are going to stay at the port and take in all the local there, make sure you plan ahead, leave plenty of time, and just get your bearings down before you start out from the port.

Mikkel (20:55)

And my final thought on this to add to that is that although Athens and Piraeus have centuries of history, they really are modern cities today. And you're going to get all the modern conveniences with that and all of the interesting artifacts and history of the past to really

coincide with and enrich your experience there.

Dan (21:21)

Thanks for tuning in. We always enjoy talking about small ships on Small Ship Cruise Talk. We'd love your support, so hit that subscribe button, it'll really help us out. Thank you so much for tuning in and until next time, we'll see you around the ship.

Mikkel (21:35)

Keep cruising.