Piraeus vacation packages

How to Reach Piraeus

• Transfer Time: A taxi from Athens International Airport will get you to Piraeus in about 40 minutes. The X96 bus service takes double the time, while the metro (Line 3) lands in the middle, reaching Piraeus in around 1 hour.

• Price: Taking a taxi to Piraeus costs about $54–$75 depending on the time of day. A one-way Express Bus Lines ticket is a budget-friendly $6, with a Metro Airport Ticket costing $10.

Best Time to Visit Piraeus

The best time for your Piraeus vacations depends on your interests: relaxing on the Athens Riviera, watching a football game at Karaiskakis Stadium, or exploring the city's small ancient ruins.

• March to May offers comfortably warm temperatures between 61 to 77°F and is generally sunny. These months are great for sightseeing and outdoor activities, despite the occasional spring showers.

• June to August sees the type of weather that draws beachgoers: temperatures in the low 90s, 11 to 12 hours of daily sunshine, and minimal rainfall.

• September to November is perfect if you prefer to avoid peak season crowds. September is pleasantly warm at 84°F, but temperatures drop to between 75–64°F in October and November.

• December to February is cool rather than cold, with January temperatures bottoming out around 55°F, but keep an anorak handy as rain is common during these months.

Practical Information

• Spoken Languages: Greek is the official language, but many Greeks speak English. It's a good idea to download a translation app on your phone just in case.

• Currency: Greece uses the euro.

• Getting Around: Bus, trolleybus, metro, and suburban railway networks cover most neighborhoods and connect Piraeus to other parts of Athens. Single tickets cost approximately $1.30 and are valid for 90 minutes on most Athens Urban Transport Organisation modes of transport. The Daily Ticket is valid for 24 hours and costs $4.50.

• Electricity and Plug Types: The standard voltage is 230V 50Hz. Plugs are two-pin Type C and F.

• Time Zone: Greece operates on Eastern European Time, which is 2 hours ahead of GMT (3 hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time).

• Required Travel Documentation: U.S. citizens need a valid passport (issued less than 10 years before the entry date and valid for at least 3 months after the departure date) but don't need a visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Best things to do in Piraeus

Piraeus isn’t just Athens' main port – it’s a vibrant destination with its own allure, complete with history, culture, and fun activities. From breathtaking viewpoints to historic landmarks, Piraeus offers something for every type of traveler on vacations to this captivating city.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Church of the Prophet Elias: Situated atop Kastella Hill, this Byzantine-style church is worth a visit for its stunning views over Piraeus and the Saronic Gulf.

• Cross of Piraeus: Located on the Peiraiki seafront, this simple yet striking cross offers magnificent seaside views.

The best districts

• Marina Zea (Pasalimani): More than luxury yachts and a trendy café scene, this upscale area features traces of ancient Greek and Roman fortifications.

• Mikrolimano: Known for its culinary delights, this scenic harbor is perfect for enjoying a meal with a view.

Parks and gardens

• Grove of the Prophet Elias: Piraeus may lack ample green space, but this shady park with a children’s playground is a welcome haven.

• Tinaneios Garden (Themistokleous Square): Nestled between the Holy Trinity and Saint Spyridon, this landscaped square offers a small urban oasis.

Museums

• Archaeological Museum of Piraeus: With the Ancient Theatre of Zea in its backyard and an impressive bronze collection, this museum is a must-see.

• Hellenic Maritime Museum: Celebrate Greece's nautical history with exhibits ranging from model ships and naval instruments to maps and paintings.

Historical monuments

• The Long Walls of Athens: These ancient fortifications once connected Athens to Piraeus, providing safe passage. Though only fragments remain, they serve as a powerful reminder of the city’s strategic importance in ancient times.

• Municipal Theatre of Piraeus: A cultural landmark for over a century, this neoclassical building hosts top-notch theater, music, and dance performances.

Day trips in the area

• Saronic Islands: Accessible from Piraeus, the Saronic Islands range from the charm of Aegina to the allure of Spetses. Each island offers its own unique appeal.

• Athens: Just a 30-minute metro ride from Piraeus, Athens is a treasure trove of ancient sites, vibrant dining, and an eclectic arts scene.

Activities for families in Piraeus

Piraeus is a great choice for family vacations, blending seaside and urban attractions.

• Playgrounds: In addition to the Piraeus Municipal Playground on Kastella Hill, there are playgrounds at Terpsitheas Square and the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

• Interactive museums: The Electric Railway Museum, with its rail exhibits and a wooden train car, promises to entertain young rail enthusiasts.

• Amusement parks: Allou! Fun Park in Agios Ioannis Rentis is a short drive away and a lively option if kids tire of sightseeing.

• Cinemas: Cine Votsalakia, located by its namesake beach, features summer screenings under the stars.

• Family-friendly beaches: About 10 km down the coast, Akti tou Iliou is ideal for families, with an inflatable water park and rentals for pedal boats, SUPs, and canoes.

• Football matches: For soccer fans, Karaiskakis Stadium hosts Olympiacos games, known for their electric atmosphere.

Free things to do in Piraeus

Enjoy Piraeus on a budget with activities like scenic walks and festival events.

• Museums: Free admission to all state-owned museums and archaeological sites is available on select dates, including the first Sunday of each month from November to March.

• Annual festivals and free events: Sea Days in late May and early June celebrate Piraeus’ maritime heritage with over 100 events, including art exhibitions, concerts, and guided tours.

• Explore Piraeus on foot: Discover Piraeus through an unplanned walk to sites like the remnants of the Zea Ship Sheds and the Alphitopolis Stoa, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife and art galleries.

• Beaches: As the start of the Athens Riviera, Piraeus boasts Freatida, Votsalakia, and Riviera, the city’s nearest beaches.

Local dishes in Piraeus

One of the joys of vacations in Piraeus is sampling the local cuisine as you move from one neighborhood to another: indulging in Greek deli products around Tsamadou Street, savoring scrumptious seafood tapas in Peiraiki, and enjoying high-quality dining in Mikrolimano.

Some typical dishes

• Moussaka: Greece's iconic casserole of béchamel-topped ground meat and eggplant is served almost everywhere.

• Horiatiki salad: At its simplest, this salad consists of cucumbers, red onions, and tomatoes, with various optional additions like feta cheese, olives, and peppers.

Meze dishes

• Marinated anchovies (Gavros Marinatos): This simple dish includes anchovies marinated in olive oil, lemon, and oregano.

• Vinaigrette octopus (Htapodi Ksydato): Octopus is the star of this dish, needing nothing more than a simple vinaigrette.

Meat dishes

• Meat pie (Kreatotourta): A staple on the Easter table, this traditional pie commonly features lamb, cheese, Staka, and mint.

• Slow-cooked lamb (Ofto Kleftiko): Tempting lamb slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot with potatoes and aromatic herbs.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Shrimp pasta (Garidomakaronada): Essentially pasta with fresh shrimp.

• Fisherman's soup (Kakavia): There’s no fixed recipe for this traditional soup; the only rule is to cook the fish whole.

Street food

• Sesame bread rings (Koulouria): Best described as a bagel, these Greek sesame-seed bread rings are easily found at street stands.

• Souvlaki: Bite-size grilled meat on a stick, simple yet delicious.

Sweets and desserts

• Honey doughnuts (Loukoumades): Coated in honey syrup, these cinnamon-flavored fried doughnut balls provide a sweet delight.

• Custard dessert (Galaktoboureko): Sweet and sticky, this syrup-drenched filo-custard dessert is a must-try.

Local drinks

• Ouzo: Enjoying a glass of this strong, anise-flavored alcoholic beverage is practically a rite of passage for vacationers.

• Retsina: Greece's traditional pine resin wine has faced criticism, but a new wave of winemakers in the Attica region is working to improve its reputation.