The City of Piraeus may be a suburb of and port for Athens, but it is an ancient and unique city in its own right. Surrounded by the beautiful blue Aegean Sea and many islands, the Port of Piraeus is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. Its Mikrolimano Harbor and Zea Marina offer a picturesque seafront lined with waterfront restaurants, bars, and nightclubs and the wonderful Port of Piraeus promenade where visitors can see the ancient city walls. Visitors to the Port of Piraeus and Athens will find limitless opportunities for sightseeing and amusement. For detailed information, visit the Port of Piraeus' or Athens' tourism websites.
The Port of Piraeus is a sunny city with a semi-arid climate and sparse rain. When rain does fall, it is usually in the winter between October and April. Summers can be uncomfortably hot, especially in July and August. The best time to visit is during the spring or early summer. Average temperatures range from a high of 33 °C (91 °F) in July and August to a low of 6 °C (43 °F) in January.
The Archaeological Museum of Piraeus is small but full of important objects that confirm its historic importance to the nation of Greece and former city-state of Athens. While the National Museum of Athens contains a larger collection, the Port of Piraeus archaeological museum contains artifacts found in the city, at Attica's coastal area, and at the islands of the Saronic Gulf, including articles found at the sea bottom in the area. Visitors will find bronze statues of Apollo and Athena and a wonderful collection of funerary stelae. The Port of Piraeus was home to the mighty Athenian Navy and a center for maritime trade during Athens' Golden Age. Its collection reflects that maritime importance. Among the exhibits is a reconstruction of a foreign merchant's mausoleum and the only existing bronze Kouros.
The Port of Piraeus' Hellenic Maritime Museum near Zea Harbor contains some 2500 items related to Greece's maritime past. Exhibits include many model ships and paintings. Two halls describe marine activities of pre-historic and ancient days. The exhibit for the Byzantine Age contains a large model of a dromon (Byzantine warship) from the peak of that empire's power and a model of a merchant ship from the era based on an actual shipwreck. Another hall focuses on the naval actions during the Greek War of Independence, and another covers merchant ships from the 19th and 20th Centuries including cargo ships, tankers, container ships, cruise liners, and ferry boats. Visitors can learn about Mediterranean shipbuilding and sailing vessels from the last two centuries. The art collection shows the bond of Greek painters with the sea. Finally, one hall contains decorative and historic items from the yacht Christina owned by the late Aristotle Onassis.
The Port of Piraeus' Municipal Theatre at Korai Square, the main square of Piraeus, was constructed in the late 19th Century, and it is one of the most popular public buildings in the city. Remaining much as it was when completed, the horseshoe-shaped hall is in the Italian style with four levels of galleries and capacity to seat 1300 people. The foyer is so large that it has been used as a dance hall and exhibition hall. Today, the Municipal Theatre is a favorite venue for dance, music, and dramatic performances, and it is home to the city's history archives.
Travelers wanting to visit the Port of Piraeus and Athens can find a very long list of scheduled cruises on the Cruise Compete website.
Review and History Port Commerce Cruising and Travel Satellite Map Contact Information
