Parthenon, Athens © GNTO

Athens is a mandatory stop-over on most Mediterranean cruise itineraries, containing some of Europe's great sights and wonderful year-round weather.
The city is bustling, gritty and chaotic, and consequently not to everyone's liking. The key to enjoying the experience is to outsource the driving to a guide, and to read up as much about Greek history as you can to make the historical sites come alive.

Cruise ships dock at Megas Limani harbour within the Port of Piraeus, located seven miles (11km) from central Athens. Be wary of pickpockets around the port area. Shuttle buses take passengers from the berths to the international terminal. There one can find shops, tourist information, and a metro connection to central Athens.

Contact

Tel: 210 4550229

Transport

The international passenger terminal connects directly to Metro Line 1 which feeds into the centre of Athens. Buy a 24 hour metro/bus pass for around €3. Metered taxis are also plentiful - it is essential to agree on a fee in advance though. Both options are preferable to walking through the grungy suburbs of Piraeus. To help you get back to the port, show this text to a local and they will point you to the embarkation area: Ðáñáêáëþ, èá Þèåëá íá ðÜù óôï êåíôñéêü ëéìÜíé ôïõ ÐåéñáéÜ, óôçí ðýëç Å11.

Attractions

Piraeus is not really worth exploring although the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, close to the harbour, is well worth a visit, with an excellent cross-section of the area's millennia of history. Then grab a taxi and a tranquilizer, and head into Athens itself where you can visit several outstanding attractions on a single busy day-trip: the Parthenon atop the Acropolis, old town Plaka, Constitution Square and the ancient Agora are all splendid.

Restaurants

Daphne's - celebrated Greek restaurant in the centre of Athens

Vlassis - take your cue from the locals who flock here for the souvlaki

Spondi - by consensus the best restaurant in Greece

Best Dish

Dolmadakia (meat or rice rolled in grapevine leaves)

Shopping

There is a decent open-air market in Piraeus, but most cruise visitors head to the Plaka District where every worthy shop and Greek souvenir can be found. Be warned that shops close for siesta between 1pm and 5pm on week days, and all day on Sundays. The fleamarket Flea in Aephoustou Street in Monastiraki is well worth a visit and the Central Market at Athinais Street presents a vibrant glimpse into authentic Athens life.

Best Buy

Olive oil, ouzo, leather items

Excursions

Take a sightseeing tour of the city and avoid navigating the traffic yourself

Enjoy a half-day trip to Delphi and catch some wisdom from the Oracle

Sip ouzo and try mezedes on Constitution Square