Piraeus Ferries

Unlock your adventure to Greece at the incredible port of Piraeus! It's your essential gateway to the stunning nearby islands. Imagine seamless connections and breath-taking scenic journeys – that's what awaits you.

As a bustling hub for both passengers and freight, Piraeus boasts an impressive 147 ferry routes operated by 31 top-tier ferry companies. Get ready for a convenient sailing experience from Piraeus, with schedules perfectly tailored to the seasons, ensuring you always find your ideal departure, no matter the demand, weather, or tourism buzz. Your unforgettable escape begins here!

Piraeus offers wonderful connections to popular routes like Syros - Piraeus, Santorini (Thira) - Piraeus, Paros - Piraeus. You can customize your trip by choosing between a swift high-speed ferry to get there in a flash or a classic vessel for a more scenic, relaxing journey. From quick local hops to leisurely overnight voyages, your island adventure starts here.

Getting to your destination is a breeze with several excellent ferry operators departing regularly from Piraeus. You'll find companies like SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries, Catalina Express ready to whisk you away.

Each offers a variety of onboard amenities to make your journey pleasant, from comfortable seating and delicious food and drink options to private cabins and even vehicle transport.

With a range of ticket options available depending on the company and vessel, there's something to suit everyone, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or on a business trip.

Whether you're dreaming of an exhilarating island-hopping escape, making your way back to the comfort of home, or embarking on a brand-new journey, your perfect voyage begins right here with Piraeus.

Piraeus is exceptionally well-connected to Athens, with the metro Line 1 (Green Line) running directly from central Athens to the port in approximately 20 minutes. For international travelers, Athens International Airport is about 45 minutes away by express bus X96, which operates 24/7, or by combining the airport metro line with Line 1. Regional buses serve Piraeus from throughout Attica, while drivers will find several parking facilities near the port gates. If arriving from other Greek destinations, the national KTEL bus network connects to Piraeus, though it's advisable to confirm which of the port's nine gates your ferry departs from, as the port complex is quite extensive.

Nestled along the Saronic Gulf just 10 kilometers from Athens, Piraeus stands as Greece's most important port and a bustling maritime hub with over 2,500 years of seafaring history. This dynamic coastal city blends ancient harbor heritage with modern urban energy, creating an authentic Greek experience away from typical tourist paths. As your ferry glides into port, you'll be greeted by a working waterfront where fishing boats and super-yachts share the azure waters, setting the stage for an adventure where maritime tradition meets Mediterranean charm.

The ideal time to visit Piraeus falls between late April and early June or September to mid-October when temperatures hover pleasantly between 20-28°C and ferry services operate frequent schedules to most islands. Summer months (July-August) offer reliable connections to even the smallest islands but bring intense heat and crowds as locals and tourists flee to island destinations. Winter sees reduced ferry frequencies to smaller islands, though connections to major destinations remain consistent. Maritime Week in late May celebrates the city's seafaring heritage with boat parades and festivals, while shoulder seasons reward visitors with more authentic local experiences and easier access to waterfront tavernas.

Piraeus serves as the primary launching point for exploring Greece's legendary island groups, with the Saronic Islands being the closest - Aegina can be reached in just 40 minutes, offering ancient temples and pistachio groves. The Cyclades island group beckons with Mykonos and Santorini (3-5 hours by high-speed ferry), where whitewashed villages cascade down volcanic cliffs. For a more authentic experience, the Dodecanese islands like Rhodes and Kos offer rich history and stunning beaches, though the journey takes 8-12 hours. Adventure seekers can embark on the western routes to Cephalonia and Corfu in the Ionian Sea, passing through the historic Corinth Canal and showcasing some of the most scenic maritime passages in the Mediterranean.

While waiting for your ferry connection, Piraeus offers numerous worthwhile experiences, starting with the excellent Archaeological Museum of Piraeus housing bronze statues recovered from the harbor. The picturesque Mikrolimano harbor area teems with seafood tavernas where you can sample fresh catches while watching fishing boats bob in the water. For local shopping, the animated Piraeus Municipal Market offers a sensory feast of Greek specialties, from olives to spices. Take a leisurely stroll along Zea Marina (Pasalimani) where the wealthy park their yachts, and stop at one of the waterfront cafés for traditional Greek coffee and bougatsa pastry. The hillside neighborhood of Kastella rewards visitors with panoramic views of the Saronic Gulf and a more residential glimpse into local life.

Few visitors realize that Piraeus was once an island before sediment filled in the narrow channel separating it from the mainland around 500 BCE. The port's iconic stone lions that once guarded the harbor entrance were actually stolen by Venetians in the 17th century and now stand outside the Venetian Arsenal. During ancient times, the Long Walls of Athens, massive parallel fortifications, connected Athens to Piraeus, ensuring the city could never be cut off from its vital port during sieges. Despite handling over 20 million passengers annually, making it Europe's busiest passenger port, Piraeus maintains several small, hidden beaches where locals swim in the shadow of docked ferries.