Piraeus
Piraeus is Athens's main ferry port, and the place to eat seafood by the water before an early boat.
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Piraeus is the port of Athens, on the Saronic Gulf in Attica, Greece. It is a working harbor first, with ferry gates, container terminals and fishing boats along the waterfront. Many island ferries to the Cyclades, Crete and the Saronic islands leave from here, so travelers often pass through the port. Metro Line 1 runs from Piraeus station into central Athens.
Piraeus suits a short, practical stop: a night before an early boat, or a seafood dinner by the water. Mikrolimano, a small harbor just east of the port, has seafood tavernas along its edge. Zea Marina, a yacht marina with cafés, sits along the same coastal walk. Plan a few hours for a meal, or one night if you need to catch a ferry at dawn. Staying in Athens and riding the metro in is the other option; your departure time decides.
Piraeus in five
- Know your gate before you arrivePiraeus is spread over many gates along a long waterfront, and they are far apart. Your ticket shows the gate or the berth; check it, then allow a margin to walk or take a shuttle.Getting around Greece
- Arrive well before departureAllow at least an hour before sailing, more in July and August. Wind can delay or cancel boats, so keep your onward flight flexible.Insurance
- Reach Piraeus by metro, tram or the airport busThe metro links the port with Athens and the airport, and an airport express bus also runs. Allow about an hour from the airport and more with luggage.
- Sleep in Piraeus only for early boatsHotels near the port suit a dawn sailing, but most travelers prefer Athens for sights and nights. Marina areas such as Zea and Mikrolimano have restaurants.Athens
- Book high-season ferries online, earlyFast boats and popular routes sell out for July and August. Buy tickets before you arrive, and keep a copy offline.
Need to know
- Airport
- Athens International (ATH), about an hour from the port by metro or bus
- Getting there
- Metro and tram from central Athens; the airport bus runs to the port
- Getting around
- Walking, taxis and shuttle buses between gates
- Best base
- Piraeus center or Zea marina for early boats; Athens otherwise
- Time needed
- A few hours for the port; a night if you have a dawn ferry
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Cool, wetJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Cool, wetFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, windMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wind
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Spring, calmAprilClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, calm
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm, openMayClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, open
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Hot, peakJuneClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, peak
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low25°Hot, very busyJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, very busy
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Hot, very busyAugustClear
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, very busy
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Mild, calmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°RainNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in Piraeus, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Piraeus
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 60%
Piraeus
10:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°16°60%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Tue22°16°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed21°16°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°13°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri15°11°3%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat16°8°5%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun16°6°5%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 07:57 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–AugAthens Epidaurus FestivalAthens, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Athensabout 25–30 min by metroThe Acropolis, museums and the old neighborhoods.Read the guide
- Saronic Gulf Islandsabout 1–2 hours by boatHydra, Aegina and Poros are the closest island days.Read the guide
- Serifosabout 2.5–5 hours by ferryA Cycladic island on the western route; better overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Piraeus
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Rules for Piraeus, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you travel.Source
- Non-EU visitors may be registered at the Greek border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check current EES guidance from the European Commission before you travel.
- Buy a ticket before boarding the Athens metro, tram or bus, and validate it at the machine. Check current fares at oasa.gr.Source
- Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in Greece. Keep your hotel address and insurance details with you.
Plan around Piraeus
The capital, a short ride from the port
Read the guideSaronic Gulf IslandsAegina, Hydra and Poros, a short boat ride away
Read the guideCycladesIsland group reached from Piraeus by ferry
Read the guideSerifosQuiet Cycladic island on the western ferry route
Read the guideAll of GreeceAthens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideGetting around GreeceFerries, buses and trains in one place
Read the guidePiraeus FAQ
Is Piraeus worth visiting?
As a stop on the way to the islands, yes. It has a working harbor, marinas and seafood, but few major sights. Most travelers see Athens first and use Piraeus for departures.
How far is Piraeus from Athens?
About 10 km, around 25–30 minutes by metro from central Athens. The airport is farther, about an hour by metro or bus.
Should you stay in Piraeus or Athens before a ferry?
Stay in Athens unless your sailing is at dawn. Piraeus is practical but quieter, and Athens has more places to eat and see.
Which gate do ferries leave from?
It depends on the route and the company, and the gate can change. Check your ticket, then confirm at the port or with the operator on the day.
What if my ferry is cancelled?
Contact the company or agent, and ask about the next sailing or a refund. Strong winds can cancel boats in summer, so keep your onward flight flexible and consider cover.