Athens, Greece, Cruise Guide:
Must-Know Tips for Piraeus Port!

Updated: July 2025

Written by: Martina, a former cruise line employee

An Athens, Greece, cruise is a highlight of Mediterranean itineraries—bringing you close to iconic ancient sites and vibrant city streets with every ship docking at Piraeus Port.

Keep reading for an Athens overview, or jump straight to:

• Is it worth taking an Athens, Greece, cruise?
• Where do cruise ships dock in Athens?
• How far is Athens from the cruise dock?
• What’s the best transport from Piraeus Port to central Athens?
• What to see and do on the Athens cruise?
• Should I book a shore excursion to Athens or explore independently? 
• All my Athens, Greece, cruise articles

Is it worth taking an Athens, Greece, cruise?

Every Athens, Greece, cruise always sets off a very special atmosphere on board Mediterranean cruise ships… 

From my own experience as a former cruise line employee, I saw how excited everyone gets before arriving in Athens.

Onboard, there’s usually a Greek-themed evening—complete with live music and trivia—and you’ll know you’ve hit the right notes when the crowd erupts at the first chords of "Zorba the Greek"!

More than just lighthearted fun, there’s also a genuine sense of anticipation for Athens’ historical significance. Countless cruisers gather enthusiastically for lectures on the city’s rich history and culture—eager to learn before they explore one of the world’s greatest ancient capitals.

So, is a cruise to Athens, Greece, worth it? Absolutely. From vibrant onboard Greek nights that build camaraderie to insightful history lectures that strengthen appreciation, Athens provides both pleasure and enrichment. It's a destination where fun and interest collide—and one you won't forget.

The cruise dock in Piraeus is quite far from Athens attractions!

Where do cruise ships dock in Athens?

Unfortunately, in Athens, the cruise port is not situated within a stone's throw from all the major sights and attractions you come to see.

The ship will dock in the port of Piraeus, which is considered the suburb of Athens. Piraeus is Athens’s bustling cruise port and the largest in Europe, processing over a million passengers annually.

It features three modern terminals (A, B, and C) with free shuttle service to the terminal building, duty‑free shops, 

That is why an Athens, Greece, cruise is always better enjoyed if you learn about the port of Piraeus and all the Athens transport options ahead of time.

Piraeus cruise port to Athens map

How far is Athens from the cruise dock?

Piraeus Cruise Port lies about 10–13 km (6–8 miles) southwest of central Athens, including major areas like Syntagma Square and the most visited attractions like the Parthenon and its Acropolis.

Expect transport times of:

• 20 to 30 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic and terminal location 
• The X80 express bus runs seasonally and takes up to 60 minutes, including stops
• 20 minutes by metro (but there is up to 30-minute walk to the nearest metro station.)

It is in the Plaka you will experience the colourful and authentic Athens

What’s the best transport from Piraeus Port to central Athens?

There are so many transport options when it comes to getting from Piraeus port to central Athens, where the Acropolis and the old town of Plaka are. You can take...

• A taxi
• Metro train 
• A public bus
• Express bus X80
• A hop-on, hop-off bus
• The cruise line organized shore excursions
• Viator shared shore-excursions from Piraeus into Athens
• Private transfers from Piraeus to Athens
• Viator private tours to Athens

What is the best is up to you really and depends on many factors. That is why I recommend reading my article Athens Transport Tips and making your own informed decision. 

What to see and do on the Athens cruise?

Naturally, the Athens Acropolis and the Athens Parthenon are always at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to Athens, Greece, attractions.

If you will be visiting them independently, buying the skip-the-line entry ticket ahead, online, is a must! Otherwise, you could get stuck in line for 2-4 hours, waiting!

Read Acropolis Greece—Tips and Tricks to find out which Acropolis entrance to go to and how to buy your ticket ahead.

But don’t forget Athens is not just all about the Acropolis! 

Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thissio are neighborhoods nestled beneath the Acropolis and are must-sees for cruise passengers right after the Acropolis!

They are also a living museum that combines history, layers of ancient civilizations, and picturesque neighborhoods. Significant archaeological highlights include:

• Roman Agora: A bustling 1st-century BC marketplace with intact buildings such as the Tower of the Winds, a marble octagonal weather station/meteorological clock decorated with carved wind gods. Nearby are the Athena Archegetis Gate and administrative building ruins.
• The Library of Hadrian, built by Emperor Hadrian in AD 132 just north of Monastiraki Square, was a grand Roman-era cultural complex housing archives, lecture halls, and reading rooms around a central colonnaded courtyard—ruins of which remain visible today

• The Choragic Monument of Lysikrates, located on Tripodon Street, is a well-preserved 335 BC edifice that previously honored theater benefactors.

These streets and neighborhoods are actually my favorite parts of Athens; I'm sure they will be yours too! 

The Monastiraki station is just a stone's throw from the Agora, souvenir shopping, and the restaurants and bars in the Plaka area.

Should I book a shore excursion to Athens or explore independently?

Private tours, particularly through platforms such as Viator, provide unmatched flexibility for cruisers coming to Athens. These tours often include:

• Piraeus port pickup, 
• skip-the-line access to the Acropolis, 
• air-conditioned transportation, 
• and professional historians who provide personalized commentary. 

These trips are fantastic for those with limited time or seeking a customized, hassle-free experience.

That said, visiting Athens independently can deliver a very similar experience—at a fraction of the cost. However, it requires careful navigation and time management.

Limited schedules and potential delays can impact your sightseeing plans.

Without the support of guided tours, there's a risk of missing key sites or returning late to the ship. For first-time visitors, these factors can make independent exploration more complex and time-consuming.

The last time I visited Athens with my husband, he was very grateful he had me, an experienced Athens visitor, by his side. He would have never dared to venture out there by himself, but it all depends if you are travel-wise or not. 

All my Athens, Greece, cruise articles

To make the Athens day work for you, make sure you read my articles: