Cruise from Athens – the essential guide

Set sail on the ultimate Greek adventure with a cruise from Athens. It’s the perfect way to explore the stunning Greek Islands and Mediterranean coast without the hassle of constant travel or repacking.

Before you board, make the most of your time in this vibrant capital with our essential 2-day Athens guide. Discover top sights, enjoy authentic local experiences, and plan unforgettable day trips to historic gems like Olympia or Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. Plus, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting to the Port of Piraeus with ease.

Athens – the vibrant capital of Greece

Athens is a city where ancient history meets everyday life. While it’s known for iconic sights like the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Hadrian’s Arch, there’s much more to enjoy. You’ll find great food, welcoming neighborhoods, and a relaxed pace that makes exploring easy.

The city is walkable, with a mix of wide avenues and smaller side streets that are simple to navigate. This makes it perfect for discovering local cafes and shops before heading to the port of Piraeus for your cruise.

Transport options to and from Athens International Airport

Here are the transport options you have to get from Athens International Airport – officially called Athens Eleftherios Venizelos – to your city center hotel:

Airport Shuttle Buses

If you are traveling on a budget and want to save money, Athens has an excellent bus system, which can take you anywhere in the city center. The bus is the cheapest option, but the trip can take up to 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions in Athens.

Syntagma Square is the most central stop in the city. Purchase tickets at the airport. Alternatively, buy them onboard the bus, but you will need cash. The fare is 6 euros per person and half price for children under 18.

Taxi or Uber

A taxi or Uber (bookable through the Uber app) will cost you about €40-€50 and takes approximately 40 minutes. This is the most expensive option; however, you don’t have to carry your luggage and get door-to-door service straight to your hotel. If you are four people traveling together, this will be the most convenient option and offer good value for money.

Take a taxi from the official rank outside the arrivals terminal. It’s signposted. Never take a cab from someone who approaches you and offers you a ride.

Metro

Another alternative is the metro station from the airport to Syntagma Square in the center.

The trains depart the airport train station frequently. Follow the signs to the train station, which is adjacent to the airport and reached by an elevated walkway. A single ticket costs €10 per person. Be aware of pickpockets during your stay, particularly around the central train station, Athens-Larisa station, and avoid this area in the evenings.

Private transfer

A private transfer from the airport to the center of Athens will cost around 40 eur (approx. $50) per person. It’s an ideal choice if you want door-to-door service after a long flight. Book a private transfer before you leave home.

Where to stay in Athens

Hotel options in Athens are endless, making it difficult to choose the perfect one. We have narrowed it down and picked some of our favorites to help you. We have included top-rated hotels and more affordable ones, so there is something for everyone.

We prefer to stay in downtown Athens, near Acropolis Hill. You will be close to the main attractions, the best shopping streets, many bars, cafes, and restaurants, and all the public transport options available.

The areas to focus on for the best hotels in Athens are listed below, together with some of favorite hotel choices from cruise travelers like you:

Acropoli, Monastiraki, and Plaka

• Divani Palace Acropolis
• Plaka Hotel
• Lotus Center Apartments
• Attalos Hotel
• Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel
• Ergon House Athens

Click here to search and book hotels in Acropoli, Monastiraki, or Plaka

Syntagma

• Electra Metropolis Athens
• Athens Capital Center
• The Zillers Athens

Click here to search and book hotels in Syntagma

Kolonaki

• The Modernist Athens
• Coco-Mat Athens
• St. George Lycabettus

Click here to search and book hotels in Kolonaki

Hotels in Piraeus, near the port

• The Port Square Hotel
• WYZ Piraeus
• The Alex Monte Kastella

Click here to search and book hotels in Piraeus

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Two days in the city before you cruise from Athens

Here are the best ways to spend two days in this extraordinary city, starting with the iconic Acropolis.

Day 1: Classic Athens – the essential sights

The Acropolis in Athens is one of the most famous attractions in Greece and was once a fortress that saw many battles over its long history. Start early and walk to this UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by some of the most iconic buildings in Greece.

We highly recommend either starting or finishing your day at the Acropolis. This way you have a better chance of beating the heat and the crowds.

Parthenon Temple, Erechtheion, and The Temple of Athena Nike

The Acropolis, or high city, was once a place of worship and was crowned by the famous Parthenon Temple. At its creation in the 5th century BC, Athens was the icon of the golden age. The temple was dedicated to the virgin goddess Athena. 

Walk the pathways of the Parthenon, then make your way to the north side of the Acropolis to Erechtheion, famous for its Porch of Caryatids. These are the six beautiful columns depicting maidens carved in intricate detail in marble. Pass through the imposing entrance, and you will find yourself in the ruined center of one of ancient Greece’s most important religious sites.

After visiting Erechtheion, walk towards the Temple of Athena Nike. This temple was built 500 years before the Parthenon and is central to Athenian history. It was dedicated to Athena Nike (Athena Victorious), a goddess who helped Athens win their war against Sparta. She was seen as a protector of both democracy and civilisation.

From the Theatre of Dionysos and Odeon of Herodes Atticus to Areopagus

While in the Acropolis, you will see two theaters: the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

The Theatre of Dionysus contains a stage with seats for 12000 people. Five rows of seats were believed to be divided into three sections on each side of the central aisle.

The Odeon has stunning views over Athens and can be used as a theater today.

About a 20-minute walk from the Acropolis, you will find a hill covered in stone seats, the Areopagus. It was the site of the first democratic parliament in Athens; Areopagus offers fantastic views, especially at sunset. It can be a bit of a climb, and the stones can get slippery, so wear good walking shoes!

Hadrian’s Library and Monastiraki Square

From the Areopagus, we walked 20 minutes to Hadrian’s Library. The Library, built in AD132 by the Roman emperor himself, was a gift to Athens. The streets of the Areopagus are dusty and hot and lined with street sellers and shops selling all kinds of souvenirs.

Just a short walk from Hadrian’s Library is Monastiraki Square. This popular tourist destination is home to the historic Monastiraki Flea Market. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants around here. The central transport hub of Monastiraki Square metro station is nearby.

As with most areas in Athens, be extra vigilant regarding pickpockets. They are very clever, and you don’t want to be targeted. If you have luggage with you, for example, when first arriving in the city, we advise traveling by taxi instead.

From the Acropolis Museum to an evening in Plaka

End your sightseeing day with a visit to the Acropolis Museum. Surrounded by crumbling neo-classical buildings and sizzling souvlaki stands, the Acropolis Museum is a must-see.

The museum houses all the artefacts found on the Acropolis and has great interactive exhibitions. To avoid a long wait, book tickets to the Acropolis Museum website before you leave home.

By now, you’ll be hungry. Walk into Plaka, the historic heart of Athens, and choose one of the many traditional Greek taverns serving good food. The Plaka neighborhood has a village feeling and is a busy, colorful place with plenty of eateries and local craft shops.

You will find a mix of new tiny boutique hotels where abandoned buildings once stood. Where once stood dusty, grubby Plaka eateries, there are now trendy cocktail bars and casual dining venues with shady outdoor seating areas.

➡️ Discover our top guided tours and excursions in Athens here!

Day 2: Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon

On your second day, get out of the city and visit Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon.

We recommend booking a guided tour with a trusted supplier. That way, you get transport picked up directly from your central Athens hotel and a local guide who will teach you the historical significance of the sights you are about to see.

The drive to Cape Sounion takes just over an hour. Have your camera ready for fantastic coastline views along the Attic Peninsula. Perched on the headland are the remains of the Temple of Poseidon. You will have plenty of time to walk around the site if you book a half-day tour. And you’ll be back in the center of Athens for a late lunch.

Beat the heat with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour or rent a bike

Athens can be very hot in the summer, with immense crowds and long queues. If you visit in high season, we strongly advise starting early in the morning to beat the high temperatures and groups, but also consider booking the hop-on/hop-off bus.

Use your bus ticket to explore the area of Athens that you didn’t see on your first day. The bus route will take you around most of the major sights. You can choose your itinerary at your own pace. And you will not be so exhausted.

Alternatively, renting bicycles is another fun way to cover more distance than walking, and there are plenty of good bike paths. Better still, bike with a guide. This way, you get a guided tour of the local life in Athens and the top tourist attractions.

Syntagma Square, The Old Royal Palace & National Garden

Enjoy a walk following the path through the National Garden. You’ll come across the ancient Roman Bath, and from there, you will see the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch. The gardens close at 7 pm, but then you can head to Syntagma Square, just a short walk away. Syntagma Square sits below the Old Royal Palace, which houses the Hellenic Parliament.

The surrounding area has many cafes and restaurants to enjoy a souvlaki meal. Finish the evening with a quick visit to Le Greche for a double scoop of gelato or an Ekmek kataifi dessert!

➡️ Discover our top guided tours and excursions in Athens here!

How to get to the Port of Piraeus for your cruise from Athens

The Port of Piraeus is located about 15 km southwest of central Athens. To reach your cruise from Athens from your central hotel, you have the following options:

• Taxi: The average cost of a taxi is about 30 euros. The journey takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic and road works. Your hotel can help you book a cab to the port. Book this in advance when you first check in. Show your driver the number of the port terminal you need to reach (this information is on your cruise ticket) and the name of your cruise line so they can get you as close as possible to your departure point.
• Private Transfer: If you are more than four people, pre-booking a private transfer could be cost-effective before you leave home. You can share the cost, as this is the most expensive way to get from Athens city center to the port. Inform your driver of your pickup hotel and which port terminal your ship leaves from (this information is on your cruise ticket). And give them the name of your cruise line so they get you as close as possible to your departure point.
• Metro: For about 2 euros per person, a train will take you from the Athens center to the port. Get on at Syntagma metro station. The journey time to the metro station at Port of Piraeus is about 20 minutes. When you arrive at the port metro stop, take a taxi to the cruise ship terminal (the walk is about 25 minutes, which is very long if you have a lot of luggage).
• Bus: Express buses go straight from the center of Athens, Syntagma, to the port. The journey is about 40 minutes or longer; buses go every 30 minutes. Hop on the X80 bus for 4 euros and climb off at the cruise port. It’s a cost-effective way to get to and from the port to central Athens, but also our least favored option as the buses can get crowded and stop very frequently along the way.

Check our our preferred partner for transportation in Athens.

Santorini, Mykonos, and beyond: planning the best island experience

Starting your cruise from Athens sets the stage for an unforgettable trip through Greece. From famous islands like Santorini and Mykonos to quieter, less-traveled spots, knowing what to expect can help you make the most of every stop.

Santorini and Mykonos are stunning – there’s a reason they’re on nearly every cruise itinerary. But here’s something I always like to share with fellow travelers: while these islands are bucket-list-worthy, they can also be incredibly crowded. It’s hard to picture it until you’re there, trying to navigate narrow alleys in Oia or queuing for a table with thousands of others arriving on the same day.

Take Santorini, for example – an island of around 25,000 residents that welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors in 2023. You can see the challenge. In response, the local government introduced a €20 arrival fee for cruise passengers and capped the number of daily arrivals to help manage the strain. This fee has also been put in place if you are visiting the port of Mykonos. It’s a necessary step to preserve what makes these islands so magical, but it also means your visit may feel rushed and packed, especially during peak season.

If you’re after something more relaxed, consider Zakynthos or Antipaxos. These islands are just as breathtaking – crystal-clear waters, laid-back beach towns, and some of the best local food I’ve ever had.

They aren’t typically on the big cruise ship routes, but some of the more intimate, luxury cruise lines include them. And if you’re planning a bit of extra time in Greece, you can visit Zakynthos via ferry from Kyllini (which you can reach by road from Athens), and Antipaxos as a day trip from Corfu.

➡️ Discover our top tours and excursions to the best Greek isles here!

These places give you a completely different experience – less hustle, more heart. For many travelers I’ve spoken with, these hidden gems end up being the highlight of the trip.

Need a great hotel in Athens before you set sail? Check out our handpicked hotel recommendations. And if you’re heading to Santorini, I’ve written a guide on how to visit without a shore excursion – with everything I wish I’d known my first time there.

Wherever you go, travel smart and enjoy every moment.