The Greek port city of Piraeus delights with its magical panoramas, monuments of ancient culture and well-developed tourist services.
The city of Piraeus is located in the western part of Attica on the Aegean Sea, just a few kilometers from Athens. The history of Greece's largest port goes back centuries. Piraeus gained its status as a major transportation hub during the heyday of ancient Greece. This was due to the presence of three natural harbors. The Central Firth, Zea and Microlimani are the picturesque spots that today attract tourists from all over the world.
Ships and huge liners sail daily from the Central Bay. This is the beginning of exciting cruises around the Mediterranean. Romantic adventures to the most beautiful islands in the Aegean are memorable. Secluded coves with emerald waters and endless beaches are a paradise for couples in love.
Zeya Pier is a mooring place for luxury yachts and expensive sailing vessels. The dazzling glow of snow-white glossy boards can be seen from afar. Here you can always rent a motor boat or a speedboat "flying dolphin".
The port city of Piraeus has many traditional paved streets full of greenery. Flowering shrubs and fruit trees grow right on the sidewalks. Between the firths lies one of the best beaches of Athens, Votsalakia. It is considered a great place for family vacations: clean sandy coast, equipment for outdoor activities, cafes, bars and even an outdoor swimming pool.
The town is famous for its taverns and restaurants. The guests are offered exquisite dishes from the freshest seafood: octopus and lobsters, grilled fish, royal shrimps with sauce and much more. Microlimano Bay establishments are especially popular. The terraces of the cafes offer gorgeous views of the bay during the day and at sunset.
Complement the impression of the piers with a tour of the most exquisite area of the city. From the hill of Profiti Ilias, where it is located, you have the best views of the city and the Saronic Gulf. Castella is the brightest part not only of Piraeus, but also of the whole of Attica. But it's not just the stunning panoramas that will surprise you. The colorful neighborhood epitomizes traditional Greek life: neoclassical architecture, continental cuisine, and labyrinthine narrow streets.
As part of the cultural program, be sure to visit the Archaeological Museum. Some artifacts from its halls were found in Attica, while others were raised from the bottom of the sea. The bronze statues of Greek gods are of particular interest. Near the museum are the ruins of the theater Zea, built in the II century BC.
In the Maritime Museum entire collections and individual exhibits are on display. They tell about the history of seafaring from the Ancient Greece up to now. But the partaking in the Greek culture doesn't end there. You can visit the George Averof Ship Museum, the City Art Gallery and the Railway Museum. Art lovers can visit the Piraeus City Theater or the open-air theater of Veakeio in Kastello.
Spending time in Piraeus, it is impossible not to fall under the charm of this small town. Looking at the colorful sea, breathing in the cool air, is endless. The spirit of antiquity is preserved in numerous monuments and cultural heritage sites. But the developed infrastructure, modern architecture and high level of service have made the city one of the main tourist spots in Greece.
Piraeus hosts annually the Ecocinema film festival (February) and the sea and rock festival (summer). On the way to the city is the best amusement park in Greece, Allou Fun Park.
The easiest way to get here is by underground transport; there is a metro station (Piraeus) in the city. Buses depart regularly from Syntagma and Omonia squares.
