Overview Athens is the capital of Greece, is the largest city in Greece, and is one of the oldest cities in recorded history (at over 3,000 years old). It has always been a popular destination to visit while on vacation, and is one of the most visited cities in the world.
A melting pot of many styles of architecture, while in Athens you'll see styles including Greco-Roman, Neo-Classical and modern.
Athens has a typical Mediterranean climate. Spring and fall are usually considered the best times for sightseeing in this area, while summers can be very hot (with an average high temperature in July of 92.3°F). The city centre seems to get a high amount of fog.
Destinations The following destinations can be visited on a cruise leaving from Athens. Greece (via Piraeus):
Asia
Mediterranean
Transatlantic Cruises
Currency The official currency is the Euro. ATM machines are available, but make sure you use one that works with the card you're using.
Language The official language is Greek. Quite a few people will speak some English though.
Tourist Attractions The most famous tourist attraction in the Athens area is the Parthenon on the Acropolis, a temple built for the Greek goddess Athena. It's considered to be one of the most important remaining buildings that date back to ancient Greece.
Omonia Square, the oldest square in Athens, is home to many hotels, fast food restaurants, and a train station. Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens, located near the Greek Parliament and some of the most desirable hotels in Athens. Very popular with tourists, this area houses many upscale retail stores and fashion shops.
Lycabettus is a chic, upscale area in Athens. This is one of the most popular shopping areas in the city. Various restaurants, cafes, bars, museums and galleries are located nearby as well. This area is also a good option for those seeking a healthy taste of Greece's nightlife.
Being such a historic city, there is a great focus on art, culture and theater in Athens. As such, Athens has over 148 theatrical stages in it, the most of any city in Europe. Perhaps the most famous of them is the Herodes Atticus Theater, a stone theatre built in 161 AD. Another popular venue is Athens Concert Hall, located on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, featuring world-famous artists year-round.
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens, located on Patission Street, has the world's greatest collection of Greek art. There are many other museums in the area, including the Byzantine Museum and the Benaki Museum.
The Old Parliament building, located on Stadiou Street, is now the National Historic Building of Greece. This building is home to various historical items, some of which date back to the 15th century. The current Parliament building used to be the palace of the Greek monarchs, from the late 1800's until the early 1900's. It is surrounded by the National Garden of Athens, a peaceful area.
Port Location Cruise ships dock in the Port of Piraeus, located only 7 miles from Athens. The port is in the center of Piraeus. An easy way to get from Piraeus to the city center of Athens (without luggage) is via train. It's a short taxi ride from the port to the metro station.
The Athens Airport (ATH) is located about 40 minutes via taxi, or 45 minutes to 1 hour via bus, from the Port of Piraeus. All driving times are estimates, subject to road and traffic conditions.
Taxis are available at the airport to take you to the pier. If you decide to travel via taxi, be sure not to let the taxi driver take advantage of you by lying about the price. Another option is to purchase ground transfers through the cruise line.
