Let's start with the main thing: the Athenian port of Piraeus in Greece is the largest harbor in the country and all of Europe, it consists of several large berths. These berths are located close, but between some of them there are 5-10 minutes walk. Your ferry can depart from any of them, specify the berth number when buying a ticket. Keep this in mind, otherwise you will miss the ship!

All other important information about the port of Piraeus in Athens is collected in our article.

As a rule, tourists come to the Athenian port of Piraeus with the main goal: to leave it as soon as possible for some beautiful island(Milos, Mykonos, Santorini, etc.). Some spend a night here, or even two or three, like us. Our short but extremely useful guide useful to both. In this article, we have collected everything that has already been written on our website about the port of Piraeus in Athens, plus added a little new information, an overview of the sights and a few photos. Here is what you will find in this article.

Port of Piraeus in Greece: our guide

How to get to the port of Piraeus from Athens airport and city center

The city - the port of Piraeus in Greece is considered by many to be a suburb of Athens, because from the center of the capital to the harbor - only 10 kilometers. However, this independent city, which is also the main port of Greece.

There are many ways to get to Piraeus from international airport Athens and from the city center. You can get to the port of Piraeus either by taxi or by bus or metro, since the station is a short walk from the harbor. All the main ways to get to Piraeus (except for a fascinating walk) are already described on our website:

The Athens port of Piraeus in Greece is a real beauty. I arrived at the port, got on the ferry and dumped out of this dull city - beauty!

Ferry timetable from the port of Piraeus to the islands

From Piraeus you can go to the main Greek islands of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas: Mykonos, Milos, Santorini, Kos, Rhodes, Crete, etc. The ferry schedule from the Athenian port of Piraeus to the islands varies depending on the month and season. In addition, there are many carriers in Greece, each with their own ships, routes and prices. But to our happiness, there are aggregator sites that automatically search for and give you ferry schedules from all Greek ports, including Piraeus. As our experience has shown, you can find the most objective ferry schedule from the port of Piraeus to the Greek islands with prices on the website Paleologos.gr .

You can buy a ticket for the Greek ferry both at the box office in Piraeus harbor and in local travel companies. As a rule, the price does not differ from what you see on the site. If travel agencies wind up a commission, then a small one.

most detailed information on the topic you will find in our article:

All carriers have their own ticket offices in the port of Piraeus, where you can buy ferry tickets.

Piraeus Hotels

The city of Piraeus is small and there are few hotels, only fifty. It is not surprising: rarely anyone stays here longer than a couple of nights. And if there are suddenly not enough rooms in local hotels, then the great and terrible (especially in the center and in the evenings) Athens are at your service.

We present you our and not our selections of hotels in the port of Piraeus.

• All Piraeus hotels on Hotellook.com(Search best prices by different booking systems)

And just in case - the same selection of hotels in Athens.

Port of Piraeus on the map of Greece

As already mentioned, the port of Piraeus in Greece is located 10 km from the center of Athens, if you go to the southwest. Here is where the port of Piraeus is located on the map:

Sights of Piraeus: what to see in one day

There is nothing to see in Piraeus, so we immediately move on to the next point.

Joke. Certainly, the main local attraction is the port of Piraeus itself. You can endlessly walk along the seashore, admiring the huge ferry-cities, small nimble boats and beautiful yachts. You will find a photo of the port of Piraeus in Greece and its famous ferries just below. The rest of the sights of Piraeus cannot be called stunning - there are a couple of local museums and very poorly preserved ancient ruins. But if you still have a burning desire to go somewhere, then here is what you can see in Piraeus in your free time.

We present to your attention three more (except for the port) sights of Piraeus that may interest you if you pass by.

1. Archaeological Museum of Piraeus

There are several museums in Piraeus, and two of them really attract the attention of foreign tourists. The first is the Archaeological Museum. It boasts a rich collection of sculptures and other objects of ancient art found on the territory of Piraeus. In addition to household items, tombstones and numerous statues of Apollo, Artemis and their accomplices, there are also sculptures from the Bronze Age.

Archaeological Museum of Piraeus: place on the map

2. Maritime Museum of Greece

It is not surprising that the largest maritime museum in Greece is located in the port of Piraeus. The local exposition tells about the history of the Greek fleet from ancient times to the present day (the oldest exhibits are about 10 thousand years old). The Maritime Museum in Piraeus is navigational instruments and maps, weapons and uniforms of sailors, and of course, many models of ships from different eras. There is also a gallery of works by Greek marine painters.

3. Church of the Holy Trinity

Very beautiful baroque church. Built on the site of an old wooden church, services have been held here since the middle of the 19th century. After a fire at the beginning of the 20th century, the Church of the Holy Trinity in Piraeus was restored and completed, after which it acquired its own modern look. Apart from appearance the building itself, the church is also famous for its rich interior decoration.

Sights of Piraeus, Greece: The Church of the Holy Trinity is located near the port. You will definitely see it on the way to the harbor.

Photo of the port of Piraeus in Greece

Armed with a camera, we walked along the port of Piraeus and took a photo of the most interesting thing that is here - ferries to the islands. We took pictures of the port of Piraeus in Greece and its beautiful ships before boarding them, and after that 🙂 and we will tell you in detail about the trip to the beautiful Greek islands! Now let's get down to business.

Panorama of the Greek port of Piraeus at dawn, taken from the ferry to Mykonos. Or Milos. Or somewhere else, I don't remember.

The city of Piraeus is considered the largest port not only in Greece, but throughout Europe.

The main attractions of the Greek port of Piraeus are its ships.

The best view of the Athenian port of Piraeus is from the ferry that takes you from the Athenian port of Piraeus.

That's it, friends, let's get on the ships and go from here. Oh stop! I was in such a hurry to get on the ferry that I almost forgot to tell you the main information about the port of Piraeus in Greece: where to buy cheap food here. Everything is more expensive on the islands. Personally, we filled the bag with canned food and wine in the local Carrefour ( place on the map) and a shop with the unpretentious name Super Market Bazaar ( place on the map), where the choice of products is even greater.

And in the next article we will tell you about.

This magnificent city located on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Concurrently, it is one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean and commercial and passenger ports. Previously Southern Europe perceived it as a separate city and only now they began to consider it an integral part, since Piraeus is located only 12 km from the capital. About holidays in Piraeus in 2019, Greece - prices, beaches, entertainment and attractions and will be discussed in our article.

Europe, or rather part of it centuries of history, has its roots in antiquity. The greatest development of Piraeus dates back to the beginning of the 5th century BC, since it was during this time period that it was chosen as one of the most convenient for state needs, which consisted in the transit and import of most of the products and goods of this state. Today's city is quite active and therefore noisy.

The name was given to him in connection with the actions that took place directly on the seashore. It means to cross or swim over something. Several more port cities in other countries were named in a similar way.

Piraeus has been famous since its days as a common port in Athens. In order not to attack the city, it was surrounded by a high and long wall. And already in 1869 a railway was built from the port to Athens. But unfortunately on this road in 1923 there was a crash of a passenger train. During this time, 150 people died.

And in 1938, one of the most prestigious universities was founded in Piraeus, where they taught the following specialties: economics, business management, information technology.

In 1982 it opened and ferry crossing, which connects two opposite banks - Piraeus and Latakia in Syria. In our time, Piraeus has become part of Athens and you can get to the port using the Athens metro.

Most of the modern tourists who have chosen Piraeus as one of the best cities to visit in 2019 use it only for a short stop on the way to new historical sights. There is truth in this, since in Greece there are cities with a much more impressive list of attractions and other memorable places.

However, it is still worth exploring it, as the exceptional spirit of culture that has been preserved in each of the districts of the city is still alive in it. To begin, take a look at the example of the excellent neoclassical Castella hill. After sunset, it is recommended to visit the local marina, where many fishing boats have found their harbor. The most fun here begins after sunset.

Climate

The city of Piraeus is in the Pomeranian climatic conditions. The rainy season begins here in winter, while in summer there is practically no rainfall. The driest month in Greece is July, at which time December brings the maximum amount of precipitation.

At this time, the highest air temperature is in August, and the coldest month of the year is January.

Piraeus on the map:

How to get there

From to Greece about 2000 kilometers, and from two and a half thousand kilometers. For this reason, the best option for traveling to this city is air travel. At the same time, there is a direct communication between these two countries. Tourists stay in the air for no more than four and a half hours.

In addition, the path to Greece is possible and by rail. The trip will take at least three days. This travel option is suitable for those people who like to watch the landscapes passing by.

Ticket prices fluctuate depending on the season. Naturally, during the peak tourist season, tickets are not only difficult to get, but they are also very expensive. To buy tickets much cheaper, it is best to seek help from agencies. Most of them often sell a whole set of tickets and services for promotions and discounts.

And the last option for a trip to Greece is road trip, which will continue on the ferry. But such a journey is very costly. You will have to spend money on fuel and on the road you will have to stop several times to rest. You also need to buy a ferry ticket.

Transport in Piraeus

Piraeus can be reached with shuttle buses that are sent from central square Athens. The cost of such a trip will be 1.5 EUR. From Athens airport to the city runs fixed-route taxi No. X96 - will cost 5 EUR. The airport can be reached using the local metro, a trip which will cost 8 EUR. The main port of the city is visited daily by a dozen cruise liners that arrive from all over the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Where to stay

In the port city of Piraeus, accommodation will be more peaceful and remote from the noisy city. by the most the best choice Hotels to stay here:

1. Two star hotels:

• anemoni;
• Scorpios;
• Ideal;
• Acropole Hotel;
• Argo Hotel Piraeus;
• ionion.

2. Hotels with three stars:

• Faros I;
• noufara;
• Triton Hotel Piraeus;
• Savoy Hotel.

3. Hotel with four stars Efplias Hotel Apartments;

1. And finally, the five-star Piraeus Theoxenia Hotel.

Most tour operators are able to offer quality accommodation in hotels adjacent to the harbour. The minimum room rate is 40 EUR. A room in a three-star hotel with a set of minimum services will cost from 65 EUR and more. Often, the cost of living directly depends on the area in which the hotel you have chosen is located.

Greek Cuisine

The Greeks are famous for their longevity, and the secret to their longevity is healthy food. First of all, it is fresh and high-quality food. In addition, it is used for food a large number of spices, herbs, olive oil and lots of greens and vegetables.

If you want to taste the real food of Greece, then you should visit those places where it is prepared by the indigenous people of the country.

The main dishes that are offered to taste in restaurants and cafes include:

Seafood dishes: Shrimp, octopus, squid and lobster. These products can be prepared here in any way, and the dish will be unsurpassed. You can't even talk about fish. It is also included in the menu. In addition, there are a large number of taverns where food is prepared exclusively from fish.

Meat dishes are also one of the popular dishes in Greece. It is cooked on coals, fried in the main way or baked on the grill. Meat is served with side dishes for which vegetables are used. In addition, beef goulash is used to make sauces.

How can we not mention the Greek salad, which has become popular in many countries of the world. Naturally, it is considered a traditional dish here.

In Greece, a large number of sauces are prepared, the most popular of which is Tzatziki.

And finally, we turn to traditional dishes, which include Dolma, Pastizio, Moussaka.

At the same time, it should be taken into account that olive oil is part of almost all dishes that are prepared in Greek cuisine. Olives are also one of the favorite dishes of the Greeks. They are divided according to the degree of its ripening, which gives them a special taste.

Feta sheep cheese is also one of the most favorite dishes, Homer mentioned it in his Odyssey. And of course, where is there without a lemon? Lemon juice is added to each dish, as well as olive oil.

Piraeus is very popular thanks in large part to the various restaurants and small taverns that are remembered for their amazing cuisine. Every second menu offered to you will contain several unique fish dishes.

And as in every country, a feast in Greece is not complete without wine. The most popular include:

• "Cabernet Sauvignon";
• "Muscat";
• "Merlot";
• "Mandilari";
• "Afiri";
• "Amorgiano".

And finally, desserts. The most common here are:

• kadaifi;
• bahwala;
• galaktoburek;
• jam;
• jam.

Since Greece is eastern country, where it is always very warm and sunny, a large number of fruits abound here. A variety of grape varieties are used to make wines that are far superior in taste to even the most famous French wines.

shopping

Most of the local shops and restaurants are located along the promenade, in relative proximity to which there is a cruise terminal and a local metro line. The largest shopping areas are considered to be the central avenues of the city.

In Greece, you can not only have a good rest, but also satisfy your shopping needs. That is, go shopping and buy a lot of souvenirs, products and other goods. First of all, you need to remember about fur coats from Greece. It is for them that tourists have been traveling to this country for many years.

In addition, you can stock up on trendy branded clothing and shoes. And there are also a large number of shops selling souvenirs and antiques. Here, every tourist can find for himself what will appeal to his soul and without which he simply cannot leave the country. Especially popular among tourists are items made by craftsmen.

Attractions and entertainment

One of the most memorable places in Piraeus is part of the fortifications and the ancient gates of the port, which were erected during the Peloponnesian War. These structures are quite well preserved, which allows you to feel the strength and power of that time.

It is worth paying special attention to excursions in the archaeological museum, next to which is located ancient theater Zea and the ruins of the city, which found their protection in one of the cellars of Agia Triada. The museum itself provides a colossal collection of ancient and ancient artifacts that were found during excavations on the territory of modern Piraeus. Most of the most valuable exhibits were found in the waterfront area.

One of the attractive areas of the city is Castella, which is filled with neoclassical mansions. From the hills of this area, there are stunning views of the Saronic Gulf and a panoramic view of Athens. The city theater is located in the very center of Piraeus. It was built entirely in the neoclassical style as far back as 1885. But by itself it is made rather in the neo-Byzantine style. Of particular interest to tourists are various museums, such as the Museum of Electrical railways, ships, maritime and historical. It is also worth visiting the municipal art gallery and one of the largest city libraries in Greece.

To Piraeus with Children

A trip to Greece will leave an indelible impression on the little guests. Most of all they will be attracted by Athens - the city where, according to legends and myths, the ancient gods lived. This is where the Olympic Games originated. It is the children who will be the first to appreciate the taste of Greek cuisine and the joy of relaxing on the coast.

At the same time, it will be interesting for young tourists to see ancient buildings and sculptures, which they know about only from books or films. In addition, there are a large number of children's entertainment centers where the child will spend his time with pleasure.

While living in Greece with a child, you can safely go to a tavern and order food there. Greek cuisine has dishes that are perfect for a children's menu.

Beaches

One of the most the most beautiful beaches this resort is considered Kaladi. It has all the amenities for relaxing in the summer. The approach to the beach is decorated with a staircase with numerous steps connecting it with the parking area. The entire beach is divided into three zones, the first of which can be seen from the top of the stairs. The second opens to the eye after turning around the corner of the same stairs, and the third is visible through the vault under the steps, which forms a kind of cave.

Kushira Beach stands out for its cleanliness and openness. It is possible to rent all kinds of small housing right by the water. The water here is amazingly clear, and the beach is located in the bay, which is perfectly sheltered from the currents and waves.

Melidoni beach itself is very calm and quiet. The road to it is very steep, so the trip will seem slow. But it's worth it. During the summer, you can use the dining room. The beach is very popular with snorkellers. The beach is surrounded by rocks on both sides.

What else you need to know about vacation

For citizens Russian Federation You need a visa to travel to Greece. To do this, you need to collect the following documents:

• A foreign passport, the validity of which expires in at least three months;
• A completed application form;
• Two photographs, size 3x4;
• Information about the financial situation of the tourist, issued from the place of work;
• Bank reference;
• Hotel booking confirmation or invitation from relatives;
• Medical insurance;
• 35 euros to pay the consulate fee.

When traveling to Greece with children, it is necessary to fill out separate questionnaires for each child traveling with their parents. A special visa sticker is also glued into the passport. You must have with you:

• Original and copy of birth certificate;
• Permission from the second parent to take the child out of the country;
• With multiple visas - the permission of both parents;
• In the absence of one of the parents, an appropriate document is presented, namely a certificate of death or deprivation of parental rights.

Moreover, if your passport contains a mark of visiting the unrecognized Turkish Republic ( Northern Cyprus), then the chances of obtaining a visa become very miserable. If you have multi-year Schengen visas, Greece can also open it for you.

Communications in Greece

Mobile coverage in Greece covers the entire area of ​​the country. The exception is a small number of small islands and mountainous areas. The call quality is so good that you can call even while in the subway. For tourists, there is no need to buy a SIM card from a local operator, since roaming services are provided by all operators in Greece.

The largest mobile operators here are:

• space;
• wind;
• Vodafone.

At the same time, the first of them belongs to the state, and provides quality services.

Wind is a company that at one time had a completely different name and was the first and only cellular operator in this country.

Vodafone is still the same mobile operator that provides communication in the vastness of many European countries and is familiar to every person.

Safety

Greece is one of the safest countries in the world. Here Act of terrorism happen extremely rarely. If we talk about petty theft, then tourists need to look after their luggage on their own. Since there is no guarantee that the theft can be committed by their own compatriots.

The only thing that can scare away is seismic activity. In Greece, earthquakes constantly occur, although they do not exceed five points of the Richter system. At the same time, when building houses, the Greeks rely on high seismic activity.

In addition, you need to be extremely careful when moving along Greek roads. The quality of the cover is not perfect. At the same time, traffic on the roads is very active, which leads to frequent accidents.

But despite all the minor troubles that you will encounter along the way, the trip to Piraeus will be interesting and exciting.

Cruise by mediterranean sea or a ferry ride to Greek islands? It is unlikely that you will be able to pass the Athenian Piraeus - the sea gate of Greece and one of the largest ports in Europe. The port of Piraeus serves over 20 million passengers annually. Grekoblog has already written a detailed article about . Now we will talk in more detail about the port itself.

Port history

The history of the Athenian port of Piraeus has more than 25 centuries. Up to the 5th c. BC. in its place there was only a small village, and the Athenian ships used the harbors of the Falera Bay, territorially located closer to the city, but more open, and, therefore, more vulnerable to bad weather and attacks.

At the beginning of the 5th century BC. Archon of Athens Themistocles began to implement the strategy of Athenian domination of the sea. As a consequence, soon followed the decision to build a new port, necessary for the maintenance of a large fleet (up to 400 triremes) and trade operations. The Piraeus peninsula, which forms 3 harbors, was the best suited for these purposes.

Up to the 5th c. BC. on the site of the port there was only a small village

All the harbors of the Athenian port - Piraeus proper, divided into western and eastern parts, Zeya (now the port of Psalimani, intended for private yachts) and Munichius - were walled, united with Athens through the famous Long Walls.

During especially strong storms or in view of the threat of attack from the sea, the entrance to the mouth of the Piraeus was blocked by chains.

Very soon, Piraeus became something of a new trading satellite policy of Athens. Sailors and merchants settled on its streets, preferring to do business with overseas partners right at the docks.

March 1, 86 BC Athens was captured and plundered by the troops of the Roman dictator Sulla. The walls were also destroyed, and Piraeus became an unremarkable harbor for many years.

In the Middle Ages, it was restored by the Turks, who placed one of their naval bases on its territory. At the entrance to Piraeus, a statue of a lion was installed, which is why it was often called "lion" (Porto Leone). In 1687, the Venetians captured Piraeus for a short time and transported the statue to Venice.

How to get to Piraeus and how to get around

In the 70s of the XX century, Athens and the port of Piraeus itself were completely rebuilt. At the entrance to the central harbor of Piraeus, a copy of the statue taken away appeared. Interestingly, in Greece for many years there has been a movement "Committee for the Return of the Lion".

As we wrote above, details on how to get to the port of Piraeus follow. And this shouldn't be much of a problem. Another thing is when you get directly to the port - its territory is huge and in order to have time to find the right vessel, it is better to arrive a little early.

You must be at the pier no later than 30 minutes before the departure of the vessel.

To make it easier to navigate the port of Piraeus, it makes sense to purchase or download its map, and here you should be careful. In 2013, 2 new terminals were commissioned in Piraeus. Thus, port maps issued before 2013 may contain inaccuracies.

To avoid unpleasant consequences, we decided to publish a fresh map of the port of Piraeus - download it.

With regard to navigating the port, it is easier for travelers going on a cruise: a few hours before the departure of the liner, at the main gate of Piraeus, free buses, which take tourists to the desired pier. A plate with the name of the vessel is usually located behind the windshield of the bus.

A few hours before the departure of the liner, free buses appear at the main gate of the port, which take tourists to the desired pier

If you are going to the Eastern Cyclades (berths E6 and E7), it will be enough for you to get to the main entrance to the port of Piraeus by metro or bus, and then cross the bridge or across the road to the main entrance, from where you can reach the desired piers.

The rest of the piers of the Piraeus port are located further away, so free shuttles also go to them directly from the main entrance.

You can try and walk to the desired pier of the port. Moreover, there is something to see in Piraeus. A large number of the most diverse ships are constantly in the port: from small "cats" (FlyingCat) to gigantic multi-storey liners. So it is better not to hide the camera far.

Passenger harbors of the port

If you have already downloaded the map of Piraeus, which we gave from the link above, now you should have it before your eyes in order to understand where your ship can depart from:

• Berth E1 (Akti Vassiliadi). From here there are ferries to the Dodecanese archipelago (Rhodes, Kalymnos, Kos, Leros, Patmos).
• Berth E2 (Akti Hetion). Ferries to Lesvos, Chios, Ikaria, Samos, Crete depart from this pier.
• E3 (Agios Dionisios, Akti Kondili). Serves ferries going to the island of Kythira and Crete. The shuttle stop is located closer to the E4 pier and the E5 entrance area.
• E4 is for travelers arriving from Kythera only.
• Zone E5 - designation of the bus stop, the main entrance to the port and the main passenger terminal.
• Berth E6 (Akti Kalimasiotti). Ferries depart from it to Crete (Rethymno) and the Eastern Cyclades (Santorini, Paros, Syros, Tinos, Naxos, Mykonos).
• E7 (Akti Tzelepi) also handles boats to the Eastern Cyclades. Near the landing zone there are ticket offices, cafes and taverns.
• E8 (Akti Poseidonos). From here ships go to the Saronic Islands. There is also an entrance for tourist cars.
• E9 (Akti Miauli) is intended for ferries and high-speed "dolphins" departing for the Western Cyclades, Samos and Ikaria. Nearby is one of the new terminals.
• E10 - for those who arrived from the Western Cyclades, Samos and Ikaria.
• E11 and E12 serve only cruise ships. There are also terminals here, where there is everything: ticket offices, cafes, rental agencies and travel agencies (for example, for travelers who want to go on an excursion to Athens during parking).

If you want to walk to the desired harbor of the port of Piraeus on foot, you should remember that you need to be at the pier no later than 30 minutes before the departure of the ship. Passengers who arrive later may well be considered late with all the ensuing consequences of this status.

The “walk” to the desired port berth can take up to an hour, depending on where you were dropped off from the transport (one of the arguments in favor of a taxi).

In order not to run around the port in search of a ship, you should take a taxi

There are no automatic lockers in Piraeus, but they are at the Piraeus metro station, which is convenient only for those who decide to walk around Athens if they have time.

The port does not have automatic lockers, but they are at the Piraeus metro station

If you arrive at the port of Piraeus in the evening, and depart, say, in the morning, then it makes a lot of sense to take a hotel while waiting.

Piraeus is a full-fledged city, and its hotel infrastructure is well developed. The best selection of hotels with a map, distance from the port, photos of rooms and reviews of guests who have been here, and the current hotel discounts are given below.

If you want to spend your waiting time with benefit, you can go to see Athens - this metro will take less than an hour.

If this is your first time in the city and your time is limited, then an audio guide for the center of Athens for iPhone [link] or one of the excursions below can be an ideal option for a quick look around the city.

Read your ticket carefully in advance. The port of Piraeus is open daily from 7.30 am to 2.30 am. If the schedule indicates that the ship arrives at 07.30 and departs at 14.30, but the time on the ticket is 06.30-16.30, you need to focus on the earlier departure of the ship, at 14.30.

The period indicated on the ticket may include the time reserved at the port in case of a storm, strike or any other unplanned situation.

The time of the ship's stay in the port may vary due to weather and strikes.

If you do not have a ticket yet, but you know for sure that you want to plan your trip by sea, then you can purchase it in advance online through the Ferriesingreece service.

Grekoblog described all the details on how to make a purchase and get a ticket in hand in the video below. By the way, this video is part of a large video course in Greece, where ferries are only a small part. More details with all sections can be.

To minimize the risks when trying to get to Piraeus from the Athens airport or from the ship to the hotel or airport you need, it makes sense to book a taxi online. Do it .

Today, Piraeus is one of the largest seaports not only in Greece, but in the entire Mediterranean. It is currently considered an integral part of Athens - from it to the center of the capital of Greece, about 15 km. As a rule, tourists, and a huge number of them pass through the city, visit Piraeus in transit, going from here to the islands or other resorts.

There is an opinion that if the city is a port, then swimming in its waters is not safe. Perhaps somewhere this opinion is relevant, but not in Piraeus. If you drive along coastline, then you can see excellent equipped beaches. One is opposite a rock surrounded by the sea, like an island. And the other is opposite the Maritime Museum. The water is clean, as is the sand on the beaches. There are cafes, changing rooms, showers. They are located far from the port, and ship routes are laid away from them to avoid pollution. Few people - mostly locals.

Traveling in transit, tourists miss the opportunity to admire the city. But in vain! There is something to see in Piraeus, however, as in any city of legendary Greece. The ruins of Themistocles and the church of Agia Triad are amazing. By visiting the Maritime Museum, located in the harbor of Zea, you can trace the history of shipbuilding, admiring the models of ships, both past centuries and the present. The archaeological museum will shed light on the past of civilization.

A bit of history

In the distant past, Piraeus, according to the latest geological surveys, was an island. But after the confluence of the Kifis river with other waterways, it joined Attica. The first settlements arose on the territory of Piraeus in the Neolithic era, as evidenced by archaeological excavations. Piraeus reached its heyday when dimos (municipality) was proclaimed and it became seaport prominent Athenian city-state.

Interesting fact. During the Middle Ages, Piraeus was called Porto Leone. The name of the city was given in honor of the gigantic stone sculpture of a lion, which, as it were, protected the entrance to the port.

Soon, of course, from the point of view of history, Piraeus falls into decay and to XIX century almost completely empty. However, in 1834, when the capital of Greece was again moved to Athens, the revival of Piraeus begins - active urban planning is underway and the influx of population is increasing. In the 70s of the last century, the city underwent a grandiose redevelopment, as a result of which many old administrative buildings were demolished.

Attractions Piraeus

Here are the TOP 5 places you should definitely visit in Piraeus:

Of course, this is only some of what can be seen in this city.

The beaches of Piraeus

As mentioned above, here you can not only take sun and sea baths, but you should! Between Mikrolimano Bay and Zeya Bay, there is perhaps the most comfortable beach along the entire coast - Votsalakia. For active rest everything is provided here - tennis courts, volleyball courts and even a huge pool! It's amazing, isn't it, to see a pool next to the sea? However, in winter it is still quite cool, and the water in the pool can be heated. Along the entire beach there are many hotels where you can comfortably stay.

Note information. Piraeus annually hosts the Ecocinema Film Festival, as well as a carnival under interesting name"The Way of the Three Kings". By joining a field trip, you can enhance the impressions of the rest.

And yet the main attraction of Piraeus is the smallest, but at the same time the most picturesque bay named Mikrolimano. Now this bay of natural origin is literally flooded with fishing yachts and all kinds of restaurants located on a hill that seems to frame the bay. From any restaurant offers an unimaginable beauty of the view of the bay. And at the very top of the hill there is a restaurant with a great view of Athens.

Piraeus - largest port Greece and the Mediterranean since "classical" times (the age of Pericles), when the so-called Long Walls were erected between Athens and Piraeus, the surviving remains of which are still visible today. Today's Piraeus is independent Big city. The port, with its ferries to the islands that bring most visitors to Piraeus, is attractive in itself.

On Sunday mornings, there is a “flea market” behind the metro station, they sell mainly cheap clothes, pirated CDs and other goods, but it’s worth a look there. A truly attractive area, rather, is the vicinity of the harbors of Zeya Marina and Mikrolimano with moorings for boats, boats and light ships. There are many cafes and restaurants on the waterfront. In addition, the city has an excellent archaeological museum.

Piraeus became a port at the beginning of the 5th century BC under Themistocles, who appreciated the benefits offered by the three natural harbors. Therefore, he surrounded it with defensive walls, which were destroyed during the Peloponnesian War. They were restored in the IV century BC. Under Pericles, the construction of the Long Walls was completed - this provided for the city in the event of a siege the opportunity to receive reinforcements and supplies by sea.

In modern Piraeus, in a number of places, the remains of these walls and the towers that strengthened them have been preserved. Under the Turks, Piraeus fell into decay, and by the end of the War of Independence, only one monastery remained here. However, from the 1830s, Piraeus began to grow. Initially, the influx of population was provided to the port by refugees from, who left their homeland after the Turks devastated the island, then immigrants from Crete and arrived.

By the beginning of the First World War, Piraeus bypassed, which was formerly the main port of the country, and the shipping that opened in the meantime along (in 1862) and the Corinth (in 1893) canal only strengthened the strategic importance of the capital's port. As well as, after the "population exchange" between and in 1923, Piraeus grew rapidly. More than 100,000 Greeks from Asia Minor settled in the port city, doubling the population of Piraeus in almost a single night and giving birth to a new culture, the most enduring legacy of which was rebetika - blues mixed with jazz.

Arrival and transport in Piraeus

The easiest way to get from Athens to Piraeus is by metro, line 1: about twenty minutes from Omonia station. You can take the tram to the SEF stop (Sgadio Irinis ke Filias - Stadium of Peace and Friendship), where you can go to the Neo-Faliro metro station or walk to the piers of Mikrolimano. There are many buses: No. 40 (an interval of 10 minutes from 5:00 am to midnight; from 1:00 am to 5:00 am - 1 hour) connects Piraeus with, and No. 49 with Omonya (5:00-0:00 interval is about 15 minutes, 1:00-5:00 - 1 hour interval) and stops a little closer to the ferry piers.

The road takes about an hour. From the airport to Piraeus in about 1 hour 20 minutes you will be taken by express bus number 96. A taxi from the center of Athens will cost you 8 euros during the day - consider this option, especially if you intend to get to Zeia Marina or Mikrolimano - the way from the metro to either of the two harbors is not the nearest one (however, bus No. 904 goes to the first one, and trolleybus No. 20 goes to the second one). The bars and restaurants of Piraeus are included in the general Athenian list: if you want to stock up on food before going to the sea or have breakfast before a long journey, you will find many establishments both near the market, and near the metro station or on the embankments. There are many stands with souvlaki, Everest chain cafe on the corner of Akti-Kalimasyoti near the metro.

• Piraeus ferries

Hundreds of ferries depart from Piraeus every day, so it's no surprise that correct timetables are hard to find, despite the fact that the tourist office publishes them on their website. Most ships to the islands east of the Peloponnese in, to and in high demand leave between 7:00 and 9:00 in the morning. Then from 15:00 ferries leave in the direction of Cyclades and, and last departures in the evening - to many ports, but most of the night ferries go to, to the northeastern sector of the Aegean Sea and to the western Cyclades. Ferries run frequently, so you'll never have to spend an extra night in Athens or Piraeus during high season.

It is not necessary to buy tickets for regular ferries in advance, although if you need a place in a cabin or want to transport your car on the ferry, it is better to buy a ticket in advance. It is also difficult to get tickets when the Greeks are on vacation or celebrating Easter and the Assumption of the Mother of God - more and more companies sell tickets via the Internet. During the season, it is worth booking in advance a place on the Flying Dolphin hydrofoil. It is better to arrive in Piraeus by 7 o'clock and ask shipping agents at the metro station and on the embankment near the Karaiskaki plateau.

Often an agent works for a single company, so you'll need to talk to at least three or four agents to get the full picture. Prices for internal Greek flights are not very different, but the quality of service, the conditions on the ship and the accuracy of the schedule and route are different. If, for example, you are heading to (Thira) or, choose a ship that stops on no more than three or four islands along the way, and take a ticket to Crete for a direct flight. Ferries on different routes depart from different berths, and some berths are far apart (some large ships send buses for passengers - like at airports).

Many maps of Piraeus show a diagram of the berths of the main harbor, according to the destinations of ships departing from them, however, the port is being reorganized and therefore do not hesitate to ask the ticket agent once again: on any given day, any ship may end up on a berth that was not intended for it at all. But there are always signs and other signaling indicating the ship's destination and time of departure. You will not be sold a ticket on deck, but there is a kiosk with a ticket office near the pier.

Meeting Archaeological Museum on Harilau-Trikoupi 31 (Tuesday-Sunday 8:30-15:00) - excellent, and if you are interested in classical antiquity, it might be worth a special trip there. The exposition begins at the top, where a bronze kouros is on display. The sculpture is attributed to 520-530 BC, and dating allows us to consider this statue as the oldest bronze statue that has survived to this day. Nearby, statues of Artemis and Athena cast somewhat later. All three sculptures were discovered in 1959 when pipes were being laid. It is assumed that they were hidden in 86 BC, when Sulla laid siege to Piraeus. The building in which they were hidden burned down during a fire and hid the statues under its debris, which, thanks to this, were happily preserved.

Many other exhibits of the museum are raised from the bottom of the harbor, including those exhibited in the last room on the lower floor, where you can see stone reliefs of the 2nd century AD depicting the battles of the Greeks with the Amazons - it is curious that there are exactly the same objects: it is possible that the ancient Greeks they mass-produced them for subsequent export to Rome (and many ships with a similar cargo sank in the harbor). Also noteworthy are some ancient musical instruments, stone burial stelae and statues. And one huge gravestone from the Black Sea island of Istros looks more like a temple in miniature. And in the courtyard behind the museum, during excavations, archaeologists even discovered a small theater, but outsiders are not allowed.

Going down to Zeya Marina (other name: Pasalimani), you can admire the chic floating palaces anchored here. Nearby on Akti Themistocleous in the Naval Museum (Tuesday-Friday 9:00-14:00, Saturday 09:30-14:00) you can get acquainted with the Greek nautical and naval heritage and look at ship models and models of ancient triremes and other ships. The institution, to be sure, is not for everyone, but the exhibits will interest not only specialists, but also boys. The boats in Mikrolimano look more modest than those in See, but the harbor itself is more beautiful, and there are many cafes on the promenade where you can sit and admire the sea.

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