
24 hours in Piraeus
- Melina Merkouri
important commercial, cultural and industrial center. Piraeus is a city with an ancient history, which acquired great power and development over the centuries. Picturesque yet cosmopolitan, multicultural and welcoming, modern and exciting, Piraeus is vibrant, full of surprises and waiting for you to discover: in Piraeus both days and nights seem magical, and there is no better way to get to know Piraeus than by staying in the heart of the city at our brand new luxury hotel, Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port!
Strategically located next to the port and the Departure Gates E7 & E8, leaving to the Cycladic Islands, Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port offers another irresistible advantage: Access on foot to the most important points of interest of this lively city! So after enjoying the excellent breakfast at the hotel’s wonderful bar restaurant, the “Amber Cellar”, we will embark on our tour of Piraeus.
The heartbeat of a port city, such as Piraeus, always beats at its market. That’s where one should start their tour. Very close to the hotel, on Gounari Street and the pedestrian streets and arcades that cross it, is the Piraeus hub of commerce. Numerous outlets offer the finest in food. Rare herbs and spices, cured meats, cheese from small producers and fresh fish arrive from every corner of Greece and beyond.
Just a stone’s throw away, you can take a stroll to see the imposing Tower of Piraeus. It is the second tallest building in Greece, with 22 floors and rising 88 meters above the sea. Built in the early 1970s, it remained closed for decades and just reopened, housing business offices and shops on the ground floor.
Next, you could pay a visit to the Piraeus Archaeological Museum, so as to get a representative picture of the city’s history. Some particularly rare finds are exhibited there, such as the museum’s famous bronze statues and the oldest surviving cast statue, a kouros dedicated to God Apollo.
Next stop is the Port of Zea, or “Pasalimani” as the locals love to call it by using its old name. It’s one of the three large natural ports of Piraeus and one of the best locations for a walk in front of a marina filled with impressive yachts and sailboats. An emblematic landmark of the area is the “Clock”, a tall obelisk with a four-sided clock on top, which was installed in 1940 and has been the typical meeting point in Piraeus. Right next door, at Kanari square, one could stop for a cup of coffee at “Belle Amie”, an all-day hangout in a wonderful neoclassical mansion with a beautiful outdoor area.
It’s getting close to noon and the suggestions for lunch are innumerable… Very close to Mitsis N’U’ Piraeus Port, “Eidikon”, the last authentic old style “bakalo-taverna” (a cross between a delicatessen and a tavern) frequented by Rebetes, the lovers of old traditional bouzouki music. Very close by, on Hatzikyriakou Street, there are countless intriguing options for lunching such as “Ilia’s” fish-tavern, “Yperoceanion”, or “Margaro”, the picturesque fish tavern that serves only three courses and has been praised by the New York Times.
The impressive ISAP (Electric Railway Station) at the north-eastern corner of the harbor may also worth a visit. It is an extraordinary building with a large arched dome dating from 1928-29. The electric railway was the only public means in the city until the metro stations were opened. Next, we may pass by the Orthodox church of Agios Spyridon, the Patron Saint of Piraeus, which is the center of all the religious activities of the city and was founded in 1863 on the ruins of old churches of the 10th century. Further Roman and Byzantine finds recently came to light.
It’s shopping time, and walking by Vasileos Georgiou, Grigorios Lambrakis and Iroon Polytechniou avenues, as well as Sotiros Dios and Tsamadou streets, you will come across some of the most interesting shops. You will be naturally led to Korai Square, and will be given an excellent opportunity to stop for coffee and traditional sweets. You should try “Stani”, the oldest (est. in 1933) dairy-confectionery of Piraeus, which serves traditional sweets with pure ingredients, such as rice pudding, baklava, galaktomboureko, ice cream and sheep’s yogurt.
Take a tour to the Ancient Gate, the archaeological site which, illuminated at night, offers an impressive sight. It was built in 411 BC and is located to the west of the ancient port of Kantharos (the current port of Piraeus) and was one of the two entrances into the fortified city. In antiquity, the gate was used exclusively by military forces.
If you love football, you may visit the “Georgios Karaiskakis” stadium, home of the Olympic Fans’ Association of Piraeus or simply Olympiakos, the city’s football team. If there is a match on, you can buy a ticket to watch the “Legend” – as the team’s friends call Olympiakos – compete, or visit the team’s museum that operates on the premises.
As the sun begins to set and the city lights come on, one of the
most beautiful walks is on the hill above Mikrolimano (one more of Piraeus’ beautiful bays), where Kastella, the most beautiful district of
Piraeus is located, with its two-story imposing neoclassical mansions. Admire the view while sipping a cocktail at ‘Don Quixote’ and move on…
You may check the shows playing in the city’s architectural gem, the Piraeus Municipal Theatre, the country’s leading surviving 19th-century Greek theater building. During the summer, you may also attend interesting cultural events, concerts or captivating performances in Veakeio, the open-air theater of Piraeus, which was built according to
the design standards of ancient Greek theaters.
For other cities, 23:00 might be late for dinner, but not for Piraeus: We would recommend the picturesque Mikrolimano, where you can choose from a variety of excellent options, such as the luxurious “Varoulko”, a Michelin star renowned restaurant, the classic “Durabeis”, a fish-tavern known for its “celebrity” clientele, the atmospheric “Jimmy’s Fish” for lobster pasta, or the famous “Papaioannou” restaurant. For something with a more “musical” taste and within walking distance from the hotel, you could try “Kerveros”. It’s the local tavern with live rebetiko and folk music.
Let’s start with a cocktail at “Che” the bar with its colorful garden reminiscent of a Latin American square, or at a classic hangout such as “Istioploikos” which, as it is “suspended” over the sea, transports you to an Aegean island. The elegant “ Rock Fellas Excelsior” with its rich spirits list will introduce you to the global trend of fine drinking.
The night is still young in Piraeus and fun may continue at the lively “Cartel” club, at “Le Clique Night Club” or at “Aristotle Piraeus” where you may enjoy DJ sets or live Greek music.
If you still want to go on partying, there are still options in Piraeus! You may continue at “Frederica”, “Beluga art” or “Agioneri Piraeus”, where well-known Greek artists perform live. The party goes on until dawn!
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the bustling port of Piraeus, the day’s adventures meld into cherished memories. From the early morning hustle at the fish markets to the serene sunset views from the ancient ruins, Piraeus has revealed its vibrant soul in just 24 hours.