The busiest June ever

Santorini will be busy this June

This month, Greek cruise ports are going to welcome more cruise ships than every other June. In fact, June's traffic in ports may be comparable to last year's July.

Cruise traffic might become quite inconvenient on small islands like Mykonos or Santorini. You will be among the myriads who will be walking around the small villages, searching for the right spot to take a good snapshot. You must face it though; we are in high season and those islands are among the world's most popular destinations.

Beaches in Greece are less crowded in June than in July and August. In case you go ashore on your own, don't underestimate the probability of being seduced by one or two of them on your way. Carrying or wearing your swimming suit is always advisable on Greek islands.

At Piraeus/Athens there are no such problems. On some weekdays you may see more than 5 or 6 large cruise ships docking along with yours. Don't panic though; the Port Authority has recently added shuttle buses to the port exit, while the Hop on - Hop off buses now make a stop there. Life has become easier than ever for cruise passengers visiting Athens.

The HoHo buses now take you from the cruise port to the center of Athens

If you happen to be at Syntagma Square, you will find out that many people have set up their tents there. This is the epicenter of the huge peaceful -spanish style- protests that take place every night at many different squares in Greece. If you walk between the tents and the stands, you will hear people talking about  the current debt crisis. Of course, you don't know Greek, but you will certainly feel the vibes of a place that is being closely watched by everybody in the World.

Going HoHo in Athens: Dos and Dont's for cruise travelers

The Athens Hop on Hop Off red line

This summer season Athens has effectively reorganized some of its tourist infrastructure. One serious change affecting cruise travelers is getting the Hop on - Hop Off bus lines from the Piraeus cruise terminal. In theory, that means you can hop on an open air bus in the morning, go to the center of Athens for sightseeing and return to Piraeus with one single ticket.

So, is this the best way to get to Athens? Well, that's not a simple answer. Several practical factors have to be taken into account: Traffic conditions in both Piraeus and Athens, travel cost and proximity of bus stops to the top attractions.

Traffic: The port of Piraeus is not far from the center of Athens, but that distance may appear longer in the morning due to heavy traffic in rush hours. For cruise travelers, time is valuable in Athens, as they need to get the most out of the city in only a few hours.

The bus ride to the center is scheduled to last 30 minutes, but in case you come across lots of traffic your trip may be extended. The same goes for your return trip that has to start a little bit earlier in order to be sure that you will be back to your ship on time.

The red and yellow bus station

Cost: The Athens City Tour (yellow bus) costs 15 euros p.p. (8 euros for children) while the Athens Sightseeing Tour (red bus) costs 22 euros (9 euros for children). Supposedly you are a family of 4, it may cost you between 50-70 euros aller-retour, while a taxi may cost you 30-40 euros for the same trip. In addition, catching the 853 bus (to Piraeus metro station) and then metro line 1 (to central Athens) will cost you only 2,80 p.p. aller-retour. Compared to the low cost of the metro, the HoHo is not a saver at all.

Proximity to top attractions: Most of the  main sights of Athens are situated in a pedestrianized area, so the HoHo buses can't get close enough. Furthermore, antiquities and tourist attractions around Acropolis are within walking distance. You will probably not need any other transportation before you head back to the ship.

The yellow HoHo at Syntagma Square

A joyful, relaxing ride with no worries of planning ahead

In case you are not in a hurry to catch all the action in Athens, the HoHo offers a pleasant ride. It passes through Marina Zeas (Passalimani) and Mikrolimano, two picturesque little ports filled with yachts, cafes and taverns. You can hop off there for a promenade by the sea and then hop on again heading to Athens. 

Kids, who are not usually in a rush, would love to sit on the top deck and watch Piraeus and Athens from above, while grownups won't have to worry about searching for bus or metro tickets, changing metro lines, etc. 

Solo travelers, couples and families with children with no budget worries and no rush to reach Athens quickly are now offered a third alternative to get to Acropolis and  its surroundings. The HoHo bus fills a gap serving that special category of cruisers.

'Mariner of the Seas' at the port of Piraeus

On Saturday, May 14th, Royal Carribean's 'Mariner' made its stop at the port of Piraeus. It was a sunny day, the hottest so far in Athens. 

Cruisinggreece was there!

Relaxing by the sea at Marina Zeas

''Marina Zeas (Passalimani)''

It’s true, the port of Piraeus does not seem to meet your expectations concerning Athens. It’s full of ships, the traffic in the streets is heavy and noise comes from everywhere. However, in short distance from the dock you may discover a totally different picture.

In case you have already seen the whole picture of Athens in a previous trip, or want to return early to your ship in order to catch the delicious lunch served on-board, you may choose a relaxing visit to Marina Zeas (Passalimani). Time there runs slowly and people just seat by the sea watching the yachts and drinking their frappe*. Endless restaurants, tavernas, cafes and shops are situated upon the seafront, creating the perfect setting of relaxation.

There are two ways to go there from the cruise dock. If you feel like having a promenade, you can always walk to Marina Zeas (1,5 km / 1 mile). Otherwise, you can take a taxi for only 3,20 euros (ask for the price in advance) and get there easier. There is no convenient bus line towards this direction. Nevertheless, sharing a taxi between 3 or more people will be cheaper than taking the bus and it will save you effort from searching for bus tickets.

Marina Zeas is also reachable by the Hop On - Hop Off buses which start their journey near the cruise port. If you get on the HoHo, you can also make a stop at Mikrolimano, a few hundred meters after Marina Zeas. You can get off the bus there and walk down to the little port to have a fish or meat meal in one of the seaside tavernas. 

Meat lovers should not miss the opportunity to eat at "Vosporos", a seaside tavern serving traditional dishes originating from Istanbul (Constantinople). Make this stop preferably on your way back from Athens by the Hop On - Hop Off Bus, as this route connects the port of Piraeus to the center of Athens.

Another option could be Profitis Elias on top of the Kastella Hill, where you will get an amazing panoramic view of Faliron Bay and the city of Athens from the open-air cafeteria.There you can drink your Greek coffee* or taste Greek pastries. You might need to call a taxi (tel.no.18188) though to get you back to the dock.

* See Glossary in alphabetical order

From the Port of Piraeus to the legendary Acropolis

At last you are reaching one of the busiest ports of the Mediterranean, Piraeus. You are about to disembark at the Athens Metropolitan area, only a few kilometers away from Acropolis. 

Athens is a lively city with numerous things to do. Still, you will be there for only a few hours, so you will need good navigation tips in order to get the best out of your day. Shore excursions are offered plenty by all cruise lines, thus you need to focus on what you really want to see and do in a city of nearly 4,5 million inhabitants. Otherwise, you can always skip the organized tours and trust your adventurous instincts, spending your time ashore solely following your will.

''The Parthenon''

Shore excursions: Well, if you are a first timer, you have no other choice than going for the legendary Acropolis. The Parthenon is standing on top of a hill in the centre of Athens for 2.500 years awaiting for the myriads of visitors to flock. However, since 2009, the symbol of classicism has a strong partner, the Acropolis Museum, located a few hundred meters away from the famous rock of Parthenon in a beautiful pedestrian area. Most of the packages combine these two, making life easier.

Of course, you won’t leave central Athens before stopping at Plaka, next to the Acropolis area. This is where the old city of Athens lies full of taverns and souvenir shops. There, you may be given the chance to buy some memorabilia and perhaps grab a souvlaki* before you are asked back to your coach.

''Plaka''

In case you have been to Athens before and have wandered around Acropolis and Plaka, you are given a good alternative. You may choose the Cape Sounion tour and enjoy the scenic view of the Saronic Gulf before you reach the temple of Poseidon, built in the 5^th century BC. However, keep in mind that this tour involves a three-hour aller-retour bus drive. In case of heavy traffic, which is not an unusual phenomenon in Athens, you will be left little time to walk on the steps where ancient Greeks used to pay their tribute to their God of the Seas.

''Cape Sounion''

Shore excursions undeniably cover your basic needs regarding your visit to Athens. Acropolis, its Museum, Plaka and Cape Sounion are included in the packages on offer and your guides will make their best to show you around. However, you should keep in mind that getting stuck with your coach in traffic is always a possibility that will cost you some of your valuable time ashore.

"Getting from the cruise port to the metro station of Piraeus"

Ashore alone: At a first glance, Piraeus seems like a chaotic place. That’s true, it’s a messy situation, but luckily there is nothing worth seeing in that port. You need a taxi ride to the nearest Metro station near the main port. Have in mind that taxis in the cruise dock sometimes aim at taking you directly to Acropolis, not to the nearest metro station. Clarify your destination before getting in. 
Otherwise, you can wait for bus no. 853 just outside the port -after you have grabbed a ticket at the nearest kiosk- that will leave just outside the Metro station.
By grabbing Metro Line 1* you will be driven to Thiseio or Monastiraki station. Getting off at Thiseio you can reach the entrance of Parthenon in 15-20 minutes having walked around the rock of Acropolis in a beautiful pedestrian area.
However, If you are in a hurry to catch all the glimpse of classicism in a day, you 'd better follow one of the first two options.

"From Thiseion station to the Acropolis and the Museum"

There is now also an alternative way to reach the center of Athens. The Hop on - Hop off buses (the yellow line costs 15 euros p.p. -8 euros for children- while the red one costs 22 euros p.p.-9 euros for children) stop just outside the cruise port giving you the chance to reach Athens passing through the seaside zone of Piraeus (aka Marina Zeas and Mikrolimano). The ride is beautiful but if you are in a hurry to catch up all the action around Akropolis and Plaka you should know that HOHO buses in Athens are not traffic free. Bear also in mind that major sights in the center of Athens are situated in a pedestrianized area, so buses cannot provide you any help to move around there.
However, if you have already been in Athens, the yellow or red open air buses give you the chance to see the city from a different perspective.
In case you want to skip Acropolis and go straight to the action, you may stop at Monastiraki station and then wander around the small streets of Plaka, the old town. Endless souvenir shops, taverns and crowded cafeterias are situated up the hillside of Acropolis. There, you can enjoy a coffee –you can order a frappe* or a Greek coffee*-, eat a souvlaki*, or stay longer to have a moussaka* along with tzatziki* and other Greek specialties.

''Moussaka''

It’ s no secret that going ashore by yourself, leaving the option of organized tours behind, as in many port destinations, saves you money and gives you freedom of choice. Safety conditions in the city are very good, but you should keep in mind that pickpockets tend to get some extras in metro stations and other queues. Most Greeks, especially those of young age, speak English so you can count on them in case you get disorientated or want some further info.

You may also discover that the streets are full of those yellow colored cars that we call taxis. They stop everywhere if they carry no passengers. All you have to do is ‘wave your hand’. They will be your saviors that will get you right to your cruise ship if you happen to realize you are late and have to get onboard timely before she sails. However, before getting in, ask for the final price. Some taxi drivers in Athens have a bad habit of overcharging tourists.Metro is by far the best way to move to and from the centre of the city. Getting a bus should be your last resort, when there is no other option to get to your destination.

*See glossary in alphabetical order.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Ιs tourism in Greece affected by the sovereign debt crisis?

Τhe debt crisis of Greece has already affected the lives of Greeks. Severe wage and pensions cuts, more and higher taxes, rise of job losses. The labor cost in the private sector has already dropped about 6% since March 2010, but that doesn’t necessarily mean lower prices of services. However, if you have been to Greece in the past few years, you may now notice a tiny drop in the prices of fast food meals and drinks.

Despite some social unrest concerning the government measures, security conditions in Athens remain very good, except for some scheduled protests in the centre of the city that usually don’t affect public transport and tourism. 

- Why do cruise companies not choose Piraeus as their home port for cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean?

The Greek government needs to make some legal adjustments and improve Piraeus port infrastructure in order to make it a cruise hub. Efforts are concentrated on making Piraeus an attractive home port for major cruise companies by 2012.

- Have the revolts in North Africa affected the wider region in terms of cruise visitors?

Not at all. All cruise companies have rescheduled their itineraries, replacing destinations of Egypt with others of Greece (Chania, Heraklion, Rhodes), Turkey and Cyprus (Limassol).

- Which is the best season for taking a cruise trip in Greece?

If you can never get enough of sunbathing and exotic beaches, you should get on-board in the summer (June – September). However, spring and autumn cruises may be cheaper and let you enjoy the islands being less crowded. Weather is usually your ally during these periods as it rarely rains and temperatures are ideal for walks and tours.