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Athens (Piraeus)

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Overview: 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 7 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:

Port of Piraeus enquiries

Tel: +30 210 4550229

Email: olpdsx@otenet.gr
www.olp.gr

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 EUR 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 ancient Agora. 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 1-5pm, and all day Sundays. The fleamarket Flea in Aephoustou Street in Monastiraki is well worth a visit. 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