Skip to content
Silver Nova at the Meyer Werft shipyard, 2023, sailing from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece

Cruise Frog guide

Cruises from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece

Piraeus is the port for Athens and one of the Mediterranean's busiest, a home port for Greek islands sailings and a stop on most Eastern Mediterranean routes.

Things to do in Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece

  • The Acropolis and its museumGo at opening time or late in the day to avoid the heat and crowds.
  • Plaka and MonastirakiOld lanes, tavernas and the flea market below the Acropolis.
  • Temple of Poseidon at SounionClifftop ruins over the Aegean, best at sunset.
  • MikrolimanoA little fishing harbour in Piraeus lined with seafood restaurants.
  • National Archaeological MuseumThe finest collection of ancient Greek art.

When to go

  1. Jan: low season
  2. Feb: low season
  3. Mar: shoulder season
  4. Apr: shoulder season
  5. May: high season
  6. Jun: high season
  7. Jul: high season
  8. Aug: high season
  9. Sep: high season
  10. Oct: high season
  11. Nov: shoulder season
  12. Dec: low season

The Greek islands season runs from April to October. July and August are hottest and busiest; May, June and September are the sweet spot.

Flying in and getting to the ship

Moderate transferPiraeus's cruise terminals are about 45 km from Athens International, 45 minutes to an hour by taxi (fixed fares to the port) or the X96 express bus. The metro and suburban rail also reach Piraeus with a change.

Rental cars: Available, but Athens traffic is heavy; taxis and the metro are easier.

The airport for Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece is Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), with 9 lounges to wait in before you board.

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) on Lounge Frog

Ships sailing from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece

All ports
Silver Nova at the Meyer Werft shipyard, 20234.3 ★Silversea CruisesSilver Nova2023 · 54,700 GT · 728 guests · Mediterranean · South AmericaSilver Nova, delivered by Meyer Werft in July 2023, is the first Evolution-class ship and Silversea's largest. Her asymmetrical layout offsets the engine casing to open up wider…Celebrity Infinity at Rhodes, Greece, August 20243.8 ★Celebrity CruisesCelebrity Infinity2001 · 90,940 GT · 2,170 guests · Mediterranean · Canary IslandsCelebrity Infinity, the second Millennium-class ship, was delivered by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in February 2001 and christened in Los Angeles that April. Her early years were…Oosterdam at Princes Wharf, Auckland, January 20133.8 ★Holland America LineOosterdam2003 · 82,305 GT · 1,964 guests · Mediterranean · South AmericaOosterdam is the second of Holland America's four Vista-class ships, launched in 2002 and in service since 2003; her name pairs the Dutch word for east with the fleet's -dam…Rhapsody of the Seas at Argostoli, Greece3.8 ★Royal Caribbean InternationalRhapsody of the Seas1997 · 78,878 GT · 2,040 guests · Mediterranean · CaribbeanRhapsody of the Seas is a Vision-class cruise ship built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, and in service since May 1997, with room for about 2,040 guests at…Wind Surf in the Giudecca Canal, Venice, 20153.7 ★Windstar CruisesWind Surf1990 · 14,745 GT · 342 guests · Mediterranean · CaribbeanWind Surf is a five-masted staysail schooner and Windstar's largest sailing ship, carrying 342 guests on a 187-meter hull that also has electric propulsion motors. She was…Celestyal Discovery at Rhodes, August 20253.0 ★Celestyal CruisesCelestyal Discovery2003 · 42,289 GT · 1,266 guests · MediterraneanCelestyal Discovery was built by Aker MTW in Wismar, Germany, and sailed for AIDA Cruises for 20 years as AIDAaura after entering service in 2003. Celestyal bought her in…Star Flyer under sail, June 20093.0 ★Star ClippersStar Flyer1991 · 2,298 GT · 166 guests · Mediterranean · CaribbeanA four-masted barquentine designed from the start as a cruise ship, Star Flyer was the first vessel of Star Clippers. The Scheepswerven van Langerbrugge yard in Belgium launched…Celestyal Journey off Milos, October 20252.8 ★Celestyal CruisesCelestyal Journey1994 · 55,819 GT · 1,258 guests · MediterraneanCelestyal Journey is the larger of Celestyal's two ships, built by Fincantieri at Monfalcone and completed in 1994 as Holland America Line's Ryndam, a Statendam class ship. She…

Ships that call at Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece

Ships based elsewhere whose Mediterranean sailings regularly stop here, from the lines that call most often. Calls vary by sailing, so check the itinerary.

And 19 more.

Quick answers

Which cruise ships sail from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece?

On Cruise Frog, 8 ships sail from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece: Silver Nova (Silversea Cruises), Celebrity Infinity (Celebrity Cruises), Oosterdam (Holland America Line), Rhapsody of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International), Wind Surf (Windstar Cruises), Celestyal Discovery (Celestyal Cruises), Star Flyer (Star Clippers) and Celestyal Journey (Celestyal Cruises).

Which cruise lines sail from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece?

Silversea Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, Windstar Cruises, Celestyal Cruises and Star Clippers sail from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece.

What is the best-rated ship sailing from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece?

Silver Nova (Silversea Cruises), at 4.3 out of 5 in Cruise Frog's editorial ratings.

Which airport do you fly into for a cruise from Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece?

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH). Lounge Frog lists 9 open lounges there for the wait before boarding.

Related news about Piraeus, Greece and Athens, Greece

All cruise news
  1. 5 things Princess Cruises does well—and 1 it doesn’t

    Five strengths of Princess Cruises, one clear drawback, and the travelers most likely to enjoy its cruise style.

    Cruise lines