PiraeusAthens · Greece

All About Piraeus

Lying approximately eight kilometers southwest of the capital on the Athens Riviera, Piraeus is Greece’s largest port. Founded 500 years before the common era, Piraeus was once protected by fortified walls running up to the Acropolis. It went from hosting almost 400 ancient battleships and their allied staff to becoming nearly abandoned during the Ottoman rule in Greece. It wasn’t until the nineteenth century when Athens became the capital of modern Greece that Piraeus once again began to shine.

This port helps link the Greek mainland to destinations in the Saronic Gulf, Cyclades, North Aegean, and the Dodecanese. Simply use the Ferryscanner website to search and book affordable ferry tickets to see the ferry options available from Piraeus.
 

Routes and Ferries to Piraeus

There are many ferry companies handling the various routes from Piraeus, so here is a general overview of the prices (for one adult passenger on foot).

Ferry tickets to Piraeus from Agistri in the Saronic Gulf, and vice versa, cost around €13 per person. The sailing lasts just under an hour at 55 minutes in length, and there are between three and five sailings in either direction per day. This makes Agistri one of the quickest and easiest Greek islands to reach from Piraeus. The journey to nearby Aegina takes just 15 minutes longer, for the same price. Operated by Blue Star Ferries, there are up to seven departures and arrivals per day.

Slightly further away, there are several different island destinations in the Cyclades that can be reached from Piraeus, and therefore Athens. The journey to the picturesque island of Kythnos is scheduled to last 3 hours, with prices averaging €23.50 per person. Usually, these departures happen once every two days.

There is one departure a day from Piraeus to Paros, and two daily departures to both Mykonos and Naxos. Run by the ferry company Aegean Flying Dolphins, tickets cost €33 and the journey to Paros normally lasts four hours and 15 minutes. Journeys to Mykonos or Naxos take just one more hour but cost the same as those to Paros. They are operated by ANES Ferries (to Mykonos) and Saronic Ferries (to Naxos).

Greece’s largest island, Crete, can easily be reached from the port of Piraeus. The ferries that run on this route anchor in Chania twice a day, after a sea voyage with Aegeon Pelagos lasting approximately 9 hours. Tickets for this trip will cost €37.

Lastly, there are also two different ferries that depart from Piraeus for the North Aegean islands. Lesvos (or Lesbos) can be reached in around 13 hours, with tickets priced at €44. It takes just 30 minutes more to reach Chios, although tickets for this port are actually slightly cheaper at €39. There is one sailing per day in either direction to both islands.
 

The Port Area

The outer harbors that come together to form Piraeus make up the largest passenger port in Europe and the second-largest in the world. On average, 20 million people pass through here every year. Apart from the arrival and departure point for ferry companies, there are also some other smaller areas where you can enjoy the wonderful waterfront setting.

Marina Zeas

The broad bay of Marina Zeas (or Pasalimani) is home to a lineup of fancy yachts, lively cafés, restaurants, and mainstream bars. A stroll along the promenade will take you to the Hellenic Maritime Museum and the Hellenic Naval Academy.

Mikrolimano

Literally meaning ‘little port’, Mikrolimano has an island-like vibe that is popular with Athenians for its fresh fish taverns and fishing boat vistas. It even boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant for those seeking a unique fine dining experience.

Kastella

The hillside neighborhood of Kastella in the background boasts colorful turn-of-the-century buildings and a climb up its steep stairways to the Profitis Ilias church will reveal stunning views of the Saronic Gulf and Athenian Riviera.

Peiraiki and Hadzykyriakion

Take the coastal road around the Peiraiki peninsula to enjoy views of Salamina and beyond. A popular fishing haunt, you will get a real taste of local life in this area with tempting little eateries beckoning you to take a seat as you watch the sunset.
 

Gates of Piraeus

The port of Piraeus has 12 gates from which all the ships depart. Please note that although ferries usually depart from the gates mentioned below, there are times when the gate may change depending on traffic at the port. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check your ticket or ask the port authority to be sure.

Gate E1

Ferries from Piraeus to the Dodecanese islands such as Rhodes and Kos, typically depart from gate E1.

Gate E2

Ferries from Piraeus to the islands of Chios and Lesvos depart from gate E2, while ferries to Samos and Ikaria depart from gates E2, E9, and E10. Ferries to Heraklion and Chania, Crete depart from both gates E2 and E3.

Gate E3

If you are driving on the ferry to Crete or Kythira, keep in mind that gate E3 is the vehicle entrance.

Gate E4

When disembarking the ferry from Kythira, gate E4 is where you will exit with your vehicle.

Gate E5

At gate E5 you can find the main bus terminal as well as the pedestrian entrance and bridge.

Gate E6

Ferries that travel to the Cyclades (Paros, Mykonos, Santorini, etc.) will depart from gates E6, E7, E9, and E10. Additionally, ferries to Rethymno will depart from Gates E6 and E7.

Gate E7

At gate E7 you can find more ferries traveling to the Cyclades islands and to Rethymno, Crete.

Gate E8

Ferries from Piraeus to the Argo-Saronic islands depart from gate E8. Throughout the year, there are frequent ferry connections to these nearby destinations.

Gate E9

Ferries to the Cyclades islands as well as to Samos and Ikaria can be found at gate E9.

Gate E10

Even more ferries to the Cyclades, Samos, and Ikaria will leave from gate E10.

Gate E11

Cruise Terminal A

Gate E12

Cruise Terminal B
 

Best Beaches

Depending on your schedule, these beaches near Piraeus can be a pleasurable way to spend a few hours before or after your ferry trip.

Votsalakia Beach

Situated within the city’s Kastella district, Votsalakia Beach isn’t the quietest place to lay down a towel. It does however have an excellent array of facilities, including restaurants and cafés set just back from the pebbles.

Voula Beach

Less than 20 kilometers southeast of Piraeus lies Voula Beach. Popular with teens and those in their twenties, it has something of a party atmosphere, especially during the summer months. A Blue Flag award for cleanliness makes it a great place for a swim too.

Glyfada Beach

Glyfada Beach is one of the closest sandy beaches to the center of Piraeus. Often busy, it has the feel of a resort, since it has areas of public and private beach. Water sports rentals are an added bonus to the eat and drink options here.
 

Places To Visit

Don’t just idle away the day sipping ouzo. There is plenty to see in Piraeus, from archaeological remains of its maritime past to modern sporting venues and cultural exhibitions.

The Archaeological Museum of Piraeus

A glimpse into the area’s history can be found here, which houses exhibits and findings dating back to the 8th century BC. Explore Greek civilization under one roof starting with the Mycean and Minoan, right up to the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Marvel at the bronze statues and a huge marble lion as well as discovering the remains of the ancient theatre of Zea.

Kastella

The Kastella neighborhood becomes a favorite part of the city for many visitors. Climbing over the hills, its streets are filled with grand nineteenth-century mansions, while their summits provide spectacular views back towards the port.

Battleship Averof

The last of its kind, the Battleship Averof is an armored cruiser turned floating museum that was the Greek navy’s flagship for many years. Facing battle on more than one occasion, today’s visitors are able to take in four of its decks, including the kitchens and officers’ quarters.

The Hellenic Maritime Museum

A true treasure trove for those interested in naval history, the Hellenic Maritime Museum was originally founded in 1949 and moved to its present location in 1969. Here, you can chart Greece’s naval past from antiquity up to the present, with miniature vessels, naval instruments and weapons, wonderful paintings, maps, and photos, as well as items belonging to the private collection of Aristotle Onassis from his personal yacht.

Electric Railway Museum

Pop into this charming little museum, which tells the story of the lifeline of the Piraeus to Athens railway system. Tucked inside the Piraeus station, the museum is the personal project of an ex-employee who has scoured the city for old switches, machinery, and railway paraphernalia, as well as an original wooden train wagon.
 

Things To Do

While people from all over the city come to Piraeus to travel by ferry, there are also many additional things to do in the area. Whether you have just come here to explore, or you have some time to kill before your boat departs, here are a few ideas of things to do.

Municipal Theatre of Piraeus

Take in a show at this landmark theatre, which is an architectural gem in Korai Square. Built in the 1890s, the neoclassical theatre underwent extensive refurbishment about a decade ago and features an impressive portico of four Corinthian columns and an Italian-style auditorium that can house an audience of up to 1,300 people.

Shopping

Piraeus is a shopper’s paradise, with the pedestrian street of Sotiros Dios offering everything from large international fashion chain stores to lovely little boutiques and jewelry stores for those with more discerning tastes. The Sunday morning Flea Market nearby the Piraeus metro station sells everything from clothes to household items and is a great place to practice your haggling skills.

Ancient ruins

When the Athenian general Themistocles chose Piraeus as the best location for the city-state’s fleet, he built strong walls to help defend it around 461-455 BC. You can still see traces of the ancient ‘Long Walls’ as they are called if you make a right at the train station and head up to the hill of Kastraki. Stop at the ruins of the Eetionian Gate to admire two partial round towers and enjoy the magnificent views below.

Sporting events

If you are into sports, visit the impressive Peace and Friendship Stadium (or SEF), which is a multi-purpose indoor arena located just on the edge of the city, overlooking the coast. Home to the famous Olympiakos football team, the center also organizes major European and World sporting events in track and field, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, fencing, boxing, gymnastics, and more.
 

Transportation Around Piraeus

You are never far away from the action in Piraeus and can explore the center of Athens and the surrounding areas with great ease. Railway transport to Piraeus is centered around two buildings which together are known as Piraeus station. Located close to the port, the southernmost building is the terminus for Line 1 (green) of the Athens Metro. This line will take you to Omonia Square in Athens, while the Monastiraki stop is closer to Plaka.

You can also take the A1 bus or jump into a taxi to SEF and from there hop on the tram for a wonderful coastal ride to the neighboring suburbs of Faliron, Kalamaki, and Glyfada. You will find a price list for the taxis posted at the port area, but keep in mind that these may differ depending on the traffic and time of day.