Piraeus is one of the oldest ports in the Mediterranean. Today is the first port in Europe in passenger traffic up to 20 million annually and the country's main port, providing full services to cruise ships. It has two fully equipped passenger terminals, such as: air-conditioned spaces, passenger and baggage control systems, check-in services, free transportation of passengers by bus, application of the security code ISPS, catering, souvenir shops, free wireless internet, information point, hop on/hop off buses, bank exchange, duty free etc.
Piraeus is the main port of Athens and the gateway of culture and tourism. The cruise passengers by using the subway can be in Athens in about 30 minutes, where in a few hours they can browse monument of world cultural heritage, including the Acropolis and its New Museum, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Pnika and the Roman Forum. Nearby they can walk in some of the most picturesque and colorful districs in Athens, as Plaka, Monastiraki and Thission. Also in Piraeus they can visit the Archaeological and Navy Museum, the recently renovated Municipal theatre and the wonderful small coves of Marina Zea and Mikrolimano.
The cruise passengers except of great historical monuments can visit a lot of interest museums, like the Archaeological, the Byzantine and Christian museum, the National Gallery with its Sculpture section and the Benaki Museum in Kolonaki and Pireos Str.
Other cultural points is, the Frysira Museum in Plaka, Herakleidon Museum in Thissio and Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Acropolis area. The mulitcenter of art TAF in Monastiraki, the Theocharakis Foundation for fine art and music in Syntagma offer special cultural experience. In the heart of Athens the visitors can walk in Syntagma square, Ermou Street, Zappeio, Kolonaki Square, Lykabettus and Filopappou area, for shopping, coffee or just enjoyment.
Many shore excursions are offered from Athens and Piraeus
Nearby destinations are the Cape of Sounio where is the Temple of Poseidon, the Marathon monument where the famous battle of Marathon took place, Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, Epidavros with its famous ancient theatre, and Delfi, the centre of ancient wolrd.The islands of Agrosaronikos , like Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses are accessible from Piraeus port in some time.
