Athens (Piraeus), Greece, View of city and Acropolis — View of Athens with the Acropolis in the background

Best Things To Do In Athens, Greece, On Your Cruise Vacation

Make the Most of Athens

By Claire Heginbotham | Published on July 19, 2023

The history, cultural artifacts, and language of Athens, Greece, transport you back to a time when gods roamed the earth, the wine flowed and casual conversation leaned toward philosophy, mathematics and art.

There is no shortage of things to do in Athens on a Greece vacation. The Greek capital has a history of more than 3,400 years to entertain you. Once home to Plato, the "father of Western philosophy," the birthplace of the first democracy, and the first higher education institution in the West, Athens never ceases to impress. The striking mix of marbled buildings built centuries ago and the bustling modern city makes Athens a place where the old doesn't just meet the new — it crashes together in one giant melting pot of history and culture.

Explore The Largest Port In Greece

Part of the Saronic Gulf, the cruise port of Piraeus was the main port of Athens and one of the oldest ports of ancient times. It was built when the city of Piraeus was founded in the early fifth century B.C. and is now one of the largest ports in Europe. This is your gateway to Athens' most popular attractions and its surrounding islands.

Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Mikrolimano Harbour — Mikrolimano harbour in Greece

Piraeus is one of the largest passenger ports in Europe.

You might think that the only things you will find in Piraeus cruise port are the terminal buildings and travelers; in reality, Piraeus is a bustling city with plenty to explore. When I arrived, I ensured I was wearing my comfiest walking shoes and set out to discover what hidden gems the port had to offer. Here's my recommended itinerary for exploring the port:

First up, wander over to the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, which has artifacts that date back thousands of years to the beginning of a distinctive Greek culture.
Next door to this museum is the impressive ruins of the Ancient Theatre of Zea, which were excavated almost 200 years ago. It's humbling to realize that 19th-century archeologists found these ruins!
Not too far away is another museum I highly recommend if you're interested in anything ocean-related, the Hellenic Maritime Museum. Its wall is home to an engaging collection of books, maps, flags and weaponry.
Lastly, if you're on your way back to your cruise ship, stop at Mandragoras Spice Market — a locally owned collection of shops overflowing with spices and traditional Greek foodie delights.

A quick tip: If you want to follow this route, consider taking a 90-minute walking tour from cruise port Terminal A. Once finished, it's a short walk to the metro. Catch the free shuttle buses to the train station to explore the port after the city. The trip from Athens to Piraeus' port takes around 45 minutes.

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Soak up Athens on your Greek Isles cruise.

Dive Deep Into The History Of Greece

Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Acropolis and Pathenon — View of the Parthenon atop the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens, Greece, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As a frequent traveler, I find that nothing has the gravitas of a temple. Athens contains three of the most important temples in Greece and, luckily for busy cruise travelers, they're all on one hill: the Acropolis.

To visit the Acropolis, you must purchase a ticket online or in person, or go with a tour guide. I recommend buying your ticket online, entering at the side gate, and visiting in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. You can easily spend hours here looking over the city, but most groups plan for two to three hours to see all three temples and the surrounding area.

Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Parthenon — View of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece

The Parthenon is dedicated to the goddess Athena.

The Parthenon is perhaps one of the best things to do in Greece. It dominates the hillside of the Acropolis and was the chief shrine of Athena, a goddess, and patron of Athens. The exterior is built entirely of marble and, surprisingly, for such a blocky structure, contains no straight lines. So genius was ancient Greece's desire for visual harmony that the building was constructed with bowed and angled lines to create the optical illusion of a perfectly perpendicular structure.

Erechtheion temple with Caryatid Porch, Athens, Greece.

The Caryatid Porch of the Erechtheion temple.

The Erechtheion was built to house religious rituals and the many shrines over the ground it covered. One of the most exciting things about the Erechtheion is its complex architecture that is spread over uneven terrain. The east side of the temple was dedicated to Athena, and the west side to Poseidon Erechtheus (a patron saint). On Erechtheus's side was a rock that bore the marks of being struck with Poseidon's trident during a contest with Athena. The temple also contained a sacred olive tree said to be gifted by Athena to the people of Greece. The fact that you can tour this ancient place today is amazing, and it's definitely worth adding to your list of things to do in Athens.

Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

Athena Nike is the smallest temple on the Acropolis.

Perhaps the most underrated temple, the Temple of Athena Nike is dedicated to the worship of Athena and the goddess of victory, Nike, who was worshiped here in times of war. This is the smallest temple on the Acropolis hill and lies next to the impressive Propylaea gateway. This little temple is unique in many ways compared to its neighbors. Most notable is the smaller ratio of the column size to the building. Modern architects theorize the larger columns were designed to keep harmony with the giant columns of the Propylaea gateway. Visiting this temple requires a bit of a climb but is worth it once you get to the top.

The Greek origin of the word Agora means "to congregate," and there were two places in the city center that were dedicated hot spots for public speaking, administration and commerce: Ancient Agora and Roman Agora.

Ancient Agora of Athens is mostly an archeological site today, but your first visit is not just about the views. It's about standing on the same ground as Sophocles, Socrates, Protagoras and other great philosophers and politicians. Here, governance and culture were discussed, argued and improved. I highly recommend walking on to the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved temples in Greece.

Ancient Agora is mostly a ruin today.

Just next to the Ancient Agora is the Roman Agora, a building funded by Augustus and Julius Caesar. The Roman Agora was an open-air courtyard marketplace once full of shops. Nearby is Hadrian's Library, constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian in his rebuilding of Athens. Back in 132 C.E., when the building was erected, libraries were used as administrative hubs and places of learning. Today, some of the entrance facade and the walls are still standing, giving you a brief peek into what it might have been like to attend an ancient Roman lecture here.

The Horologion of Athens (Tower of the Winds), Greece

This was once Roman Agora's "Tower of the Winds" where they made weather predictions.

Venture Into The City Of Athens

On an Athens vacation, history and culture are the main draw. That said, there's so much to do beyond that on day trips from Athens. Athens is pleasant all year round, and if you visit Athens in the summer as I did, you can expect some seriously high temperatures in the 90-degree zone, so be prepared to wear loose and breezy clothes. That said, you may need to take a break from sightseeing in the heat to pop into some shops and cafes.

You don't even need to enjoy shopping to enjoy the many marketplaces of Athens — there's a beautiful variety of street food, coffee shops and casual luncheons. Head to these vibing marketplaces for a few hours of indulgence, sipping on ouzo (a potent liquor fondly referred to as "mother's milk" by Greeks), enjoying the best tzatziki, olives, and wines you've ever tasted, and browsing all kinds of souvenirs.

Greece Crete Ceramic Dishes Local Shopping

A small antique shop packed to the brim is a common sight in Monastiraki.

One of the most fascinating travel facts about Greece relates to the Monastiraki neighborhood. This neighborhood has been inhabited for 6,000 consecutive years. Visit the quaint Church of the Pantanassa, one of the oldest churches in Greece and just one minute away from Monastiraki station. If you're lucky enough to be in Athens on a Sunday and love bargain hunting, don't miss the Monastiraki flea market.

Church of the Pantanassa at Monastiraki square in Athens, Greece.

The Church of the Pantanassa on a quiet sunny day.

The Plaka lies on top of ancient Athens' residential quarters and is packed with stores perfect for souvenir shopping. It's a bit more upmarket than Monastiraki and is an easy place to spend a warm afternoon devouring plate after plate of mezze (Greek tapas). If you pass by the Plaka during lunch, you'll find so many restaurants and taverns serving the best traditional food. I loved most the tight and twisting alleys of the Plaka, which were lined with old-school cafés and bright pink bougainvillea flowers.

Plaka,an old historical neighbourhood of Athens, clustered around the northern and eastern slopes of the Acropolis,known as the "Neighbourhood of the Gods"

At the fringe of the Plaka is Syntagma Square. The name translates to "Constitution Square," and it houses the Hellenic Parliament building, which foreign visitors can visit for free. One of the top attractions is the ceremonial changing of the guards in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These sentinels are considered the elite of the elite and wear an army uniform reminiscent of soldiers in the late 1800s.

Stay In Athens For A Few Days

In a packed port-of-call itinerary, you have to be a master of logistics! Athens day trips deserve a few days of your time, so it's best to stay in Athens before or after your cruise to get the full experience. With a few extra days, you can see more of the National Archaeological Museum. Of more than 11,000 exhibits, only five collections are permanent. This is a great place to escape the summer heat and spend a few hours soaking up the enormously rich history of Greece.

Written By
CLAIRE HEGINBOTHAM

Claire Heginbotham is a professional copywriter and adventure traveler. Over the last five years, she's published work with Royal Caribbean, Gaijinpot, Kuroko Tours, and many more. She's traveled to hundreds of bespoke Asian destinations where the unknown flourishes.

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