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PIRAEUS

Overview

The city of Piraeus, known as Porto Leone in the Middle age, is the third largest city of Greece with an official population of 450000  (Census 2011) and the chief port of the country (cargo traffic and passenger). It is recognized as the top European port and the third largest, worldwide, in terms of passenger transportation (19 000 000 passengers annually)

History – Modern geologists agree with the testimony of a Greek Historian, Stravon, that the city used to be an island, connected to the mainland of Attica, by a low-lying stretch of land, flooded with water of the Kifissos’ river.

The city has already been inhabited in prehistoric times, turning into a great commercial harbour, at the time it became the seaport of Athens, during the Classic era. 

Piraeus suffers a great breakdown in the following years. Development of the city started again, at the time Athens was proclaimed as the capital of the Greek State in 1834. 

Geography – The Piraeus Urban Area, part of the greater Athens Urban Area, is comprised by the city proper and six other suburban municipalities. Piraeus downtown area is only 12 km away from Athens central area. The city is recognized as the physical and historical seaport of Athens. 

A geographical entity, known as the Islands of Saronikos (Aigina, Agkistri, Hydra, Poros, Salamina & Spetses) are situated in a short distance from the city. Piraeus maintains their administration. Regular transport with ferries and flying dolphins is available.

Weather   – Mild weather conditions with extended sessions of sunshine. A rather long autumn, and a mild, short, humid winter. Rain level may be high during October and November. 

Town Planning – Pasalimani, the best known spot, is situated in the southern end of the city. Named in the Ottoman era, for being the port of the Turkish fleet, it is also called Marina or Port of Zea.

Close to Piraeus, in about 1 km distance, Mikrolimano is found. Paralia, between Pasalimani and Mikrolimano is featuring an organized beach and many taverns, clubs and ouzeri. On the opposite side, Piraiki, the coastal path connecting the central port with Marina of Zea, is also full of fishtaverns, and ouzeri

Places to visit

Cave of Aretousa – On the hill of Kastella

Siraggio or Cave of Paraskevas   – Underground gallery in the rocks

Isle of Koumoundouros

Museums

Hellenic Maritime Museum 
Piraeus Archaeological Museum

Electric Railways Museum

Painting and Set Design Museum 

Municipal Art Gallery

Theaters 

Piraeus Municipal Theater 

Piraeus Veakio Theater

Piraeus Menandrio Theater

Suburbs

Aghia Sofia (Maniatika), Agios Basilios, Agios Nilos, Vourla, Vrioni, Gouva,

Dimotiki Agora, Evaggelistria, Zea, Ilektrikos or Lemonadika, Kaminia, Kallipoli

Karvouniarika, Kopi, Kastella, Mikrolimano, Neo Faliro, Xaveri, Paliatzidika,

Papastratos, Piraiki, Pigada, Profitis Ilias,Retsina, Terpsithea, Troumpa, 

Idreika, Freatida, Chatzikiriakio, Psittalia

Churches

Piraeus is home to a large number of churches

Agia Triada Cathedral 

Agios Spyridon church

Agios Nikolaos church

Evaggelistria church

Konstantinos & Eleni church

Agios Dinisios church.

Transport In Piraeus

Arriving to the city 

By road   –   All possible ways are available to reach the city. Bus may be used from central Athens, or driving by car, following the Kifisos Avenue. 

By Railway   – OSE offers regular railway connection from N. Greece. Connecting trains to other cities of the country are also available. 

By Air – Piraeus is in a relatively short drive from the Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”. 

By sea – Connecting ferries and flying dolphins to all Aegean islands, Dodecanese, Crete and to the eastern coast of Peloponnisos are available on a regular basis. No regular connection with other coastal cities of the mainland. 

Departing from the city

By road – A very good network of schedules connecting the city with Athens is available through terminals in different central places.

Travelling by car from the city to Athens and to other northern destinations is also possible and may be realised in a comfortable way, presenting no problems at all.

By Railway – The visitor may pick up the train to move to Athens or other cities, in Northern Greece, following any of the regular schedules by OSE.

By Sea  –  Piraeus is the city-hub for all connections to Aegean islands, Crete, Dodecanese and east coast of Peloponnisos.

By Air  – Piraeus is only 45 km away from the International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”. So this option is quite attractive as it is easy and it only takes a few minutes drive to reach the city. 

Out in Town

Cafeterias – Restaurants  -  A diversity of cafeterias and bars may be found in the greater area of the city and in particular in small narrow streets. 

Most of the fishtaverns and restaurants, renown for their fine cuisine, are lined along Piraiki and Mikrolimano. 

Live Entertainment  -  Fishtaverns is not the only attraction, as the visitor may enjoy good live music in clubs featuring live productions, hosted in deserted store rooms and old industrial plants. 

Following the eastern end of Mikrolimano, music clubs, very popular to youngsters are found. 

Small groups are performing live music, in a large number of taverns and restaurants. 

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