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Port of Piraeus
Ferries, from Athens to the islands, leave daily from the port of
Piraeus.
Piraeus is the main shipping and ferry port for Athens. It lies about
10 km. to the south west of Athens.
From Piraeus you can go in almost every inhabited island in the Aegean
Sea, as well as to other Mediterranean ports. In Piraeus port is a
very large number of regular ferries, hydrofoils and "flying
dolphins" which connect the capital with the maritime Greece.
From here you can catch ferries to Cyprus, Turkey, Israel and Egypt
as well as and cruisers for the same destinations. To get to Piraeus
you can take a bus from the centre of Athens or the subway.
Attica has two smaller ports, the port of Rafina which connect some
Cycladic islands to mainland Greece and the port of Lavrio. Rafina
is to the east of Athens across Attica. To get to Rafina is a one
hour bus ride. The bus leaves from a spot to the north of central
Athens. Lavrio, is to the south-east of Attica, close to Sounio, and
there is very often bus connection from the centre of Athens.
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Piraeus is the main port of Athens, the place you will go anyway to
get your ferry boat or the hydrofoils and the super fast catamarans
to the Greek islands. There are plenty of hotels around the water
front area as well in the area of Zea (Pasalimani ) one of the most
beautiful Yacht marinas in Athens.
 Near
by is the naval museum and within 15 minutes walk you are at Faliron
Stadium. The best way getting to Piraeus is by the metro, it takes
you right at the front of Piraeus harbor. All the Ferry boats to the
Greek islands live now from Akti Tzelepi, Akti Kondili and Akti Poseidonos.
From Akti Poseidonos you can get the small ferries to the Saronic
islands, from the other two locations to all the major Greek islands.
You have to know that inside the port, there is free bus transfer
service. Especially if you travel to Dodecanese and Crete you may
take the bus from the main gate which is opposite of the Peloponnese
rail way station or you can enter from the other gate exactly opposite
to the main station of the metro.
All the way around the sea front there are numerous banks, foreign
exchange offices and various shops boutiques,restaurants, fast food
and cafeterias.
There are also interesting sites to visit in Piraeus, such as the
naval museum and the ruins of the Ancient wall of Themistocles in
Zea.Also one can go to Piraiki and enjoy the panorama of the whole
Athens coast line, dining at one of the numerous fish restaurants,
visit Kastela and Mikrolimano.
Piraeus has been the port of Athens since antiquity. Lying at the
innermost point of the Saronic Gulf, from ancient times to the present,
its destiny and function have been determined by location.
Piraeus is a principal Meditenanean port, with brisk commercial traffic
and a wealth of industry. Also, is full of night spots with picturesque
tavernas overlooking the sea and cultural events. Beyond the port,
the most impressive spots are the hill 0f Profitis llias and Kastela
district. Piraeus' small natural harbors - Mikrolimano, Pasalimani,
Zea, Freatida and Hatzikiriakeio - are attractions in themselves.
Piraeus, is the last station on the metro Line 1. Buses travel
to Piraeus from central Athens - Syntagma and Omonia square. It's
also the terminal for the Peloponnese Railway.
Piraeus Station is directly opposite the port. The first image is
of enormous ferries. The main road is lined with a multitude of ferry
booking offices, shipping companies and associated shipping businesses.
There are different gates associated with different destinations -
all written in Greek and English.
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Hydrofoil
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Hydrofoil Services in Greece
Hydrofoil services have become very popular in recent years in Greece.
The Hydrofoils (or Flying Dolphins) serve many Greek Islands in
the summer months. In general the journey time is half that of the
ferry boat. The tickets are generally priced at about double the
normal ferry boat rate. Be sure to book in advance as seats are
often not available during peak periods. Also note that when there
are high winds or bad weather, services are stopped by the local
port authority.
One of the joys of Greece is island-hopping and both ferry and flying
dolphins allow the freedom of traveling to and from the Greek islands
and mainland. Ferries or hydrofoil are a good bet to get from one
island to another and provided one is careful about one's itinerary
(some of the smaller and more remote islands do not have daily ferries)
it is one of the best and most carefree ways to travel in Greece.
Services to Italy leave from Patras, three and a half hours west
of Athens and Igoumenitsa, in northwestern Greece. Weekly services
go to Cyprus and Israel from Piraeus. Boats to Turkey leave only
from the Greek Islands.
Port taxes are included in ticket prices and vary according to the
destination.
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