Athens Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Dimorsitanos (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; N B, SALVATORE PATACCA, Marina Kiose, Antonio Manuel Antunes Goncalves, Tom · via Google Maps
- Country:
- Greece
- Coordinates:
- 37.9430° N, 23.6469° E
About Athens
Athens serves as a major port call in the Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Islands region, sitting alongside ports such as Alexandria, Corfu, Haifa, and Heraklion. The port city of Piraeus lies eight kilometres southwest of Athens city centre along the Saronic Gulf in the Attica region of Greece, making it an accessible gateway to one of Europe's most historically significant destinations.
Top Attractions Near the Port
Visitors can explore world-renowned ancient sites within a short distance from the port. The Acropolis of Athens (7.6 km away, rated 4.8 out of 5 with 148,733 reviews) stands as the centrepiece, alongside the Parthenon (7.7 km, rated 4.8 with 87,906 reviews). The Acropolis Museum (7.7 km, rated 4.7 with 85,800 reviews) provides deeper context into these monuments, whilst the Ancient Agora of Athens (7.5 km, rated 4.7 with 40,834 reviews) and Temple of Hephaestus (7.5 km, rated 4.8 with 13,030 reviews) offer further archaeological treasures.
Beyond history, the Athens National Garden (8.6 km, rated 4.6 with 44,268 reviews) provides a peaceful retreat, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (8.1 km, rated 4.4 with 31,975 reviews) showcases classical grandeur.
Piraeus is a port city within the Athens urban area, in the Attica region of Greece. It is located eight kilometres (5 mi) southwest of Athens city centre along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf in the Athens Riviera.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Athens on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: david ogalla bruno · via Google Maps Historical landmark
Acropolis of Athens
4.8 (148,733) 7.6 km from port
Ruins of iconic 5th-century B.C. temple complex on Athens' rocky hilltop undergoing restoration.
Near: Parthenon (85 m) · Odeon of Herodes Atticus (131 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- 5 · “Absolutely amazing! Trudeln THE sight to see in all of Greece! I’d definitely recommend visiting! The acropolis is such an…” — Vincenzonzorro
- 5 · “Acropolis, Athens, Greece At last, I stood on the Acropolis, one of the greatest symbols of Western civilization. For more…” — Edward Park然道
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Photo: Alex Chelnokov · via Google Maps Historical landmark
Parthenon
4.8 (87,906) 7.7 km from port
Restored, landmark temple ruins on archaeological site with iconic Doric columns built from 447 BC.
Near: Ancient Temple of Athena (54 m) · Acropolis of Athens (85 m)
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “The jewel of Athens. This ancient monument and ruins will become your navigating waypoint for your time in Athens. You…” — Nicholas Danielson
- 5 · “I always wanted to visit this place because I watched it many times in movies, and believe me, it is…” — Paulus Maximus
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Photo: BlueSky Studios · via Google Maps Museum
Acropolis Museum
4.7 (85,800) 7.7 km from port
Ultramodern glass & steel museum housing ancient artifacts from the Acropolis archaeological site.
Near: LIONDI Traditional Greek Restaurant (88 m) · Acropoli (103 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
- 5 · “Excellent museum. The museum is housed in a modern and impressive building with very interesting architecture in itself. The museum…” — Yonatan Amit
- 5 · “Visiting the Acropolis Museum in Athens was a wonderful experience and definitely a must when visiting the city. 🇬🇷🏛️ The…” — Maha Kassem
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Photo: Sandra Vojvodic · via Google Maps Park and Garden
Athens National Garden
4.6 (44,268) 8.6 km from port
Big historic park with native & exotic plants, plus archeological remains & a children's library.
Near: Athens National Garden Playground (124 m) · Zappeion (134 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
- Toilets
- 5 · “It's a wonderful garden just ahead of the Greek parliament building. It's a great place to be among the trees…” — Buse Telli
- 5 · “Athens National Garden is a large and beautiful park in the heart of the city. It is a peaceful place…” — Euro Traveler
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Museum
Ancient Agora of Athens
4.7 (40,834) 7.5 km from port
Famous landmark featuring the ruins of an ancient Greek gathering place & a museum with artifacts.
Near: Temple of Hephaestus (96 m) · Museum of Illusions Athens (222 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
- 5 · “The ancient agora is one of the most interesting sights in Athens! I’d definitely recommend visiting! Especially the Stoa of…” — Vincenzonzorro
- 5 · “Great visit! You get access to several things to see. Like the the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa of…” — Thomas Bollen
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Historical place
Temple of Olympian Zeus
4.4 (31,975) 8.1 km from port
Vast temple begun in 6th century B.C. on the site of an ancient outdoor sanctuary dedicated to Zeus.
Near: Royal Olympic Hotel (192 m) · Zappeion Garden (264 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- 5 · “The Temple of Olympian Zeus is an impressive historical site and definitely worth seeing while visiting Athens. Its massive columns…” — Mr Reviews
- 5 · “We didn’t go inside because, firstly, more than half of it is currently under renovation, and secondly, it simply wasn’t…” — Nóra Aténe Sebestyén
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Museum
Roman Forum of Athens (Roman Agora)
4.5 (15,184) 7.8 km from port
The remains of this agora built by the Romans from 19-11 B.C. include columns & an octagonal tower.
Near: Holy Church of the All-Great Taxiarchs and the Virgin Mary Gregorousa (61 m) · Hadrian's Library (134 m)
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
- 5 · “A historical site in Greece that's worth visiting if you're also visiting the Acropolis and the Ancient Agora. The entrance…” — Juan José Tapia
- 5 · “Monastiraki is one of Athens’ most vibrant and touristic districts. Located right next to Plaka, it offers a blend of…” — YILMAZ DAGLI
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Historical place
Temple of Hephaestus
4.8 (13,030) 7.5 km from port
Ancient Greek place of worship, built in the Doric style out of marble with bas relief friezes.
Near: Altar of Aphrodite Urania (50 m) · Statue of Theseus (89 m)
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
- 5 · “We visited after visiting the Acropolis and it was definitely a must see. As the best preserved Greek structure we…” — Simon Lafreniere
- 5 · “Clearly visible on a hill on the northwest side of the Agora of Athens stands the Temple of Hephaestus. This…” — Koen
Map of Athens and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Athens
Cruises to Eastern Mediterranean & Greek Islands mostly sail april to October.
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Cruises calling at Athens
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