Summary
Historically significant, Piraeus served as the naval port of Athens, with the contemporary city situating itself within the same metropolitan area, easily reachable via the Metro from the capital. This coastal city features two natural harbors enclosed by modern structures, with the Bay of Zea housing remnants of ancient shipyards alongside luxurious yachts. Visitors can explore the archaeological ruins located next to these upscale vessels.
The Archaeological Museum in Piraeus stands out as a premier institution, showcasing ancient relics including a theatre’s remains and exquisite bronze sculptures recovered from the waters off Piraeus in 1959. As a pivotal port for the Aegean Islands, Piraeus offers numerous day trip opportunities through high-speed hydrofoil services to nearby destinations such as Aphaia, Hydra, and Seriphos.
Here are the top attractions in Piraeus:
1. Archaeological Museum
Located just off the western shore of the Bay of Zea, the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus houses artifacts ranging from Mycenaean to Roman times, excavated from various sites throughout the city and Attica’s coastline.
Adjacent to the museum, the ruins of the Hellenistic Theatre of Zea, constructed in the 2nd century BC, were uncovered in the 1880s.
Inside the museum, exhibitions address topics including the port’s commercial and military functions, domestic life across multiple eras, religious practices, and the evolution of funerary art during the Roman period.
The highlight of the museum can be found in exhibition rooms three and four, where visitors encounter bronze sculptures recovered near Piraeus’ harbor in 1959. Notable pieces include the Piraeus Athena, Piraeus Artemis, both from the 4th century BC, and the archaic Piraeus Apollo, crafted in the 6th century BC.
2. Bay of Zea (Paşalimanı)
This bay, a prominent natural harbor, represents the second largest of Piraeus’s three ports.
If time permits, a leisurely stroll along the harbor entrance is recommended, framed by swaying palm trees and quaint attractions.
At the narrow inlet, one may observe remnants of Piraeus’s ancient fortifications and foundations where Athens’ triremes were historically constructed.
As you venture further into the harbor, you will appreciate Piraeus’s modern skyline juxtaposed with luxurious yachts.
During Ottoman times, Bay of Zea was a favored bathing spot for pashas and their harems, leading to the locality’s name, Paşalimanı.
3. Mikrolimano
Mikrolimano’s harbor features a near-perfect oval shape, with only a narrow entrance on its eastern side.
Historically, this harbor was Athens’ primary naval port, dedicated to the goddess Artemis (Mounichia) and supported over 80 ship sheds, which today house upscale seafood restaurants.
During the Byzantine era, it was known as Fanari due to a lighthouse (fanos) located at the harbor’s mouth, a name that continues into the present.
A scenic view of terraced houses ascends the hillside of Kastella, while luxury yachts sail in the harbor below.
Mikrolimano serves as a premier dining location for both tourists and affluent locals, who savor meals against the backdrop of luxurious vessels and hillside vistas.
4. Athens
Although administratively separate, Piraeus is conveniently connected to the core of Athens via Line 1 of the Metro.
For a glimpse into ancient history, the Acropolis and Ancient Agora, along with their collection of monuments, lie within proximity.
Comfortable and practical footwear is advisable, as many historic sites require considerable walking and navigating slippery marble terrain.
At the Acropolis Museum, one can admire genuine friezes from the Parthenon and the famed caryatids of the Erechtheion.
The Agora represents the birthplace of democracy in the 5th century BC, providing context for pondering historical figures such as Plato and Socrates.
The Theatre of Dionysus, where the works of Sophocles and Euripides were first performed during the ancient Dionysia theatre competition, adds to the allure of Athens’s cultural legacy.
5. Kastella
In stark contrast to Piraeus’ congested streets, the Kastella neighborhood, situated north and west of Mikrolimano, exudes charm and tranquility.
This picturesque district features elegant mansions dating back to the 19th century, highlighting its affluent history.
As visitors ascend streets such as Falireos, Irakleous, Vasileos Pavlou, and Foskolou, they can enjoy panoramic views of the sea and cityscape.
Nearby olive groves and pines near the Church of the Prophet Elias offer views stretching to the coastal town of Vouliagmeni, approximately 30 kilometers to the southeast.
Historically, in 1821, this hill became a battleground as forces led by the prominent revolutionary leader Georgios Karaiskakis faced an Ottoman siege.
6. Electric Railway Museum of Piraeus
Founded in 2005, this museum stemmed from the dedication of Manolis Fotopoulos, a former employee of Athens–Piraeus Electric Railways.
Since retirement in 1995, Fotopoulos devoted a decade to collecting exhibit items from antique shops, warehouses, and various locations throughout the city.
The collection encompasses uniforms, photographs, newspaper articles, and literature, while the railway company later contributed rolling stock, wagons, and signaling equipment.
Located at Piraeus Station, the museum boasts over 2,000 artifacts along with 3,000 books, posters, and photographs available for exploration.
7. Agia Triada (Church of the Holy Trinity)
The original Church of the Holy Trinity in Piraeus was established in 1839 but was entirely destroyed during the bombings of 1944. Following the war, a new church was constructed on V. Georgios and Ethnikis Antistaseos streets, consecrated in the mid-1960s.
Although modern in design, Agia Triada merits attention due to its impressive size.
Architects employed concrete to create visibility of the dome and its Christ Pantocrator depiction from all floor areas.
This central mosaic features the 12 apostles, while the church’s walls display vibrant icons and biblical scenes rendered in mosaic form.
8. Trouba
The vibrant district of Trouba serves as Piraeus’s nightlife hub, boasting a rich and varied history.
From the 1940s to the 1970s, Trouba operated as a red-light district marked by cabarets and brothels, notably featuring in the 1960 Greek-American film “Never on Sunday,” centered on the life of a prostitute.
The film’s lead actress, Melina Mercouri, earned the Best Actress award at Cannes, and the movie received an Academy Award for Best Song.
Although initially struggling with reputation issues, Trouba has successfully transformed, now filled with cafes, bars, and nightclubs, creating a lively atmosphere in a compact area.
9. Hellenic Maritime Museum
Situated by Zea harbor, the Hellenic Maritime Museum stands as Greece’s largest maritime museum.
Founded in 1949 by the city’s leading citizens and naval officers, the museum chronicles Greece’s maritime history from prehistory through to the Balkan Wars and World War II.
Among the notable exhibits are sections of the sea wall constructed by Athenian commander Conon at the close of the 5th century BC, and remnants of the Neosokoi, ancient ship sheds where powerful triremes were built and maintained.
One of the museum’s ten rooms is dedicated to maritime artwork from the 19th and 20th centuries, featuring genuine maps of Greek waters and beyond, tracing back to the 1500s.
10. Olympiacos F.C.
Piraeus is home to Greece’s most successful football club, Olympiacos F.C.
Since its establishment in 1925, Olympiacos, known as the “Thrylos” (Legend), has achieved 44 league titles, 27 Greek Cups, and four Greek Super Cups.
To illustrate the team’s dominance, other clubs collectively have garnered only 37 league titles.
The club plays its home matches at the Karaiskakis Stadium, which can accommodate 32,115 spectators and originally served as the velodrome for the 1896 Olympics, receiving its last renovation in 2004 when it began hosting Greek national team matches.
If visiting during the summer, even if a match is not accessible, one can explore the museum filled with memorabilia detailing the team’s rich history and illustrious players, such as Rivaldo, Giovanni, and Darko Kovačević.
11. Sotiros Dios
The pedestrianized Sotiros Dios street meanders through Piraeus’s primary commercial zone, encompassed by towering buildings.
This street features well-known international brands like Zara, Accessorize, Replay, Nike, Marks & Spencer, Super Dry, and numerous others.
Local shops, alongside a host of cafes, bakeries, bars, and restaurants, create a vibrant marketplace atmosphere.
Moreover, parallel Vasileos Georgiou Avenue is lined with jewellers, while one block away, Tsamadou street offers a variety of family-run bookstores, arcades, and upscale shopping centers.
12. Island Trips
Ferry services depart regularly from the Port of Piraeus to over 20 Greek islands. For an efficient day trip or a simple overnight stay, several nearby options are available.
The closest major island, Aegina, boasts enchanting ancient structures, including the Temple of Aphaia from the 6th century BC and Kolona, featuring a Temple of Apollo from a similar era.
Aegina is also known for its shallow, family-friendly beaches as well as the intriguing ghost village of Paleochora.
Ferries operate throughout the day, with hydrofoils facilitating travel in just half an hour.
Further afield, the Cycladic Islands of Serifos (approximately two and a half hours away) and beautiful Hydra (around 90 minutes), which prohibits car traffic, are appealing options for visitors.
13. Museum Battleship Averof
With favorable traffic conditions, the Museum Battleship Averof can be reached in under 15 minutes, moored in the Faliro harbor.
Named after the Georgios Averof, this armored cruiser is the only remaining ship of its kind still afloat.
Launched in 1910, the vessel served as the flagship of Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis during the First Balkan War (1912-1913), aiding in establishing Greek naval dominance over the Ottoman Empire in the Aegean. It further participated in the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) and subsequently in World War II, escaping the Greek fleet to Egypt following the German invasion.
Visitors have access to four decks, including the engine room, officers’ quarters, crew quarters, mess area, and chapel, featuring various artifacts such as weapons, maps, uniforms, medals, and archival photographs.
14. Fish and Seafood
For those craving seafood, Piraeus is typically the foremost choice, despite potentially steep prices.
The daily catch from various Greek locales arrives directly at the port, ensuring freshness for numerous restaurants throughout the city.
Mikrolimano serves as the prime destination, bustling with eateries where restaurateurs strive for patronage.
To ensure budget-friendly options, consider dining in Chatzikiriakio, a neighborhood located southeast of the port by the naval academy, or in Kastella, positioned above the harbor.
Recommended dishes include fried red mullet (barbounia), fried anchovies (gavros tiganitos), sardines on grilled Greek sourdough (as an appetizer), or grilled whole bass (lavraki) marinated in lemon.
15. Votsalakia
Votsalakia, situated between Zea and Mikrolimano, boasts the largest beach in Piraeus.
While its rocky nature may not be ideal for swimming, visitors can enjoy a scenic walk along the shoreline, with views of Athens’ southern suburbs framed by mountainous backdrops.
The beach is regularly maintained during summer, attracting crowds due to its proximity to Kastella.
A small island lies just a few meters off the coast, accompanied by five-a-side football and beach volleyball courts located adjacent to the water, all behind protective fencing.
Additionally, Votsalakia is easily accessible from nearby bars and restaurants.
