barefootbeach

Hi,
We're in Athens for an all-day cruise stop from 8a to 11pm! We last visited about 15 years ago (for 3 nights) so have seen the major tourist sites. What should we see now? I'm thinking of the new Acropolis Museum...and walking around the Anafiotika neighborhood...but what else should we do...walk...see... Any favorite restaurants...shops? Should we eat dinner in Piraeus or get back on the ship? I know Greeks typically dine around 10p...which is too late for us and returning to the ship.

P.S. I also considered taking the fast boat to Aegina and touring that island for the day. Comments/

Heimdall

Definitely go to the Acropolis Museum. I've heard good things about the food tour offered by Athens-Walks:
http://www.athens-walks.com/#!athens-food-tour

parosblue

If you are on a cruise, I imagine you will be stopping at a few islands. Why give up your only day in Athens to go somewhere else? Not that going to Aegina is a bad idea, but you already have made a lovely plan for a day....definitely go see the new Acropolis Museum. Walk around the Acropolis - go pay homage to the Parthenon. If it is a beautiful day, we would sit outside at a taverna to people watch, have a beer and a salad. We like relaxing at Ydria on Adrianou.

Tommmo

There's a very good restaurant right in the museum too.....

barefootbeach

Thanks to you all for your suggestions...I like the idea about the food tour...will check that out.
We have already visited the Acropolis and the Parthenon...but since it's been about 15 years, I don't think it's overkill to see them again. And, now there's the new museum!
We're actually only going to Corfu (and Olympia) on this cruise, but on our previous trip we stayed on Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete and visited Delphi...so I'm excited to see an Ionian island.

mariha2912

Mainly the entrance to the Acropolis costs 12 euro and will also get you to the ancient agora, the museum of the Ancient Agora, the roman agora, the temple of Olympian Zeus, Kerameikos, and Dionysus Theater. I think having visited so long ago a repeat visit is not a bad idea, but if you do not wish to climb up to Parthenon, you may want to visit the surrounding sites. Many people seem to focus on Parthenon only...
Acropolis Museum is a must in my opinion, but if you are into museums in general you can head to National Archeological Museum too. NAM hosts all kind of stuff from many different eras and areas, for example you may see Akrotiri wall paintings from Santorini or Mechanism and other finds of Antikythira shipwreck or the Artemision sculptures and much much more...Its website is poor and doesn't reflect the greatness of exibits, but here it is to give you an idea: http://www.namuseum.gr/wellcome-en.html

Not for everyone, but I want to mention one more museum that is one of my favorites and often over-looked: The Numismatic museum. Building was built by Ernst Ziller upon Heinrich Schliemann's request as Schliemann's residence and was called Iliou Melathron (Palace of Troy) at the time (this name is still in use by many). It is an interesting building with features that reveal a lot about Schliemann's personality and there is a pleasant garden cafe too to stretch your legs and soak in the ambaince. Collections of the museum are interesting even to those not familiar or keen on coins. The images, the material and other features of coins reflect wider economic, geographic and historical matters and you learn interesting stuff. Numismatic Museum's website is a decent enough, so here you'll find more info: http://www.nma.gr/index_en.htm

I know that most people will not follow my advice, but Piraeus, away from the port area is a very pleasant city. You can always head there for an early dinner, maybe on Mikrolimano harbour or Marina Zeas/Pasalimani areas... There is a very worthy archeological museum too near Zea, and a small naval history one too.

barefootbeach

Thank you mariha2912 for all your detailed information. We actually did see the National Archeological Museum on our previous trip, but i'll look into the Numismatic Museum.

I've looked into Heimdall's suggestion of Athens Walks and am booking the Ancient Hills 4 hr walking tour of Anafiotika, Benaki Museum and Philopappou hill. They look like a very good tour company. Afterwards, we'll visit the Acropolis Museum, do a little shopping (any suggestions?) and head back to Piraeus....I like the idea of an early dinner there....any suggestions?

I really appreciate all of your ideas!

mariha2912

Here are a few options, of course no time for everything...
On Mikrolimano there are many options. If you are into really good fish food, there are two all time famous fish taverns going strong for decades : Papaioannou and Dourabeis.
I guess bu your previous visits you know that fish is pricey and charged by kilo in Greece. Always ask a big fish to be weighted and clarify the price so you avoid unpleasant surprises on the bill! If you are not into fish, personaly I like Vosporos , offering many Greek Constantinopole ans in general Asia Minor dishes along with the usual tavern fares.
Mikrolimano is not a cheap area to have a buisiness and this reflects on prices, but I find those 3 places good value for money and views are very rewarding.
You can take metro from Athens center to Piraeus but disembark on Faliro station. You 'll cross Posidonos avenue towards SEF stadium and then it is about 15 minutes walk to Mikrolimano. From Mirolimano you can always walk through Kastela to Pasalimani-Marina Zeas, but it is a long walk of 45 minutes and part of it is along a busy car street, so I think it is a bit too much...
If you want to go on Mikrolimano, you can always get a bus from Athens center, but I suggest the following: Take metro till Faliro stop, then there is a bus stop by the taxi rank. Either you could take a taxi either you could get a bus to Piraeus to VENIZELOU or DIMOTIKO THEATRO stop. (A1,B1,040, 232,217, 218...) It is a 5 minutes walk to Town Hall building and you can admir the renovated neoclassical Piraeus Municipal Theater on the way. You'll see one of the main inland squares of Piraeus where locals have their coffe, chat and shopping. From Town hall at the inland cornet of the square starts Sotiros Dios pedestrian street.You walk further 5 minutes till the end of the pedestrian street and 1 minute walk on your right is Marina Zeas (you'll see the landmark Piraeus clock and a further bunch of cafeterias on the left). While on harbor you could get a walk on the left facing the sea(Kastela/Mikrolimano direction) where you'll find many kebab and pizza places and a Haagen-Dazs ice cream place or more likely walk on the right towards the marina. There is a great meat place, American Collection BBQ, but outside tables are by the busy street, so you may want to keep walking further away. -before BBQ there is mu favorite souvlaki place btw, Kali Pita- There are lots of burger and souvlaki options , on same side of street, 10 minutes walk away you'll find Chatzis tavern, a very decent one, still by busy street but with a vineyard covered patio that is decent enough. Or more likely you may want to reach harbor/marina level itsself and long along the pathway. At the very end of the marina you'll find Pisina (=Swimming Pool). It is a posh bar-restaurant with a swimming pool on the outside area, a very busy place with great views. A bit overpriced and often too noisey, but you really can not beat the views and although most other places offer only coffee and snacks, Pisina has a menu with many proper eating options.
Actually walking further along the coast line from Marina Zeas, you'll rich Freattida/Piraiki on 30-45 further minutes walk, but I think this might be a bit too much... Using metro all the way to Piraeus port you can then get bus 904 that runs a circular route through Piraeus center, Kallipoli and Piraiki and disembark to Kalampaka or Piraiki bus stops. Depending on traffic this is a 40 minutes bus ride though. On Piraiki there are great views and a weird rocky terrain and many unpretentious simple taverns. I like To Akri (offering mostly fish and other food with a twist of Kasos island,Dodecannese cuisine) and the all time popular Ta Vrahia tis Piraikis. Rather smaller fish often here, ideal places for meze and ouzo. Piraiki is quiet place on weekdays, it can be a zoo with screaming kids on weekends though.
You can use a public transport or even walk to the port, but I suggest a taxi just for peace of mind. It is wise to seek assistance from a waiter to call it for you, or which direction to wave one. The easiest place to walk to the port from is Zea, but it is a long way to the cruise port. I often walk from Zea or Town hall to ferry port/metro station, no more than 20 minutes walk, but if you are not familiar with the area or your ship is docked far away, it can be an one hour walk then! No need to get anxious on that, thus advice for a taxi.

Enjoy your trip!!!

mariha2912

That should read "If you want to go on PASALIMANI/ ZEA (TOURKOLIMANO), you can always get a bus from Athens center, but I suggest the following: Take metro till Faliro stop, then there is a bus stop by the taxi rank. Either you could take a taxi either you could get a bus to Piraeus to VENIZELOU or DIMOTIKO THEATRO stop. (A1,B1,040, 232,217, 218...) "

tarquin

One shopping recommendation, apart from the usual sponges - Ilias Lalaounis jewelry. I was given a gold bracelet almost twenty years ago and have worn it every day. The archaic design rings are fabulous too.

There is also a jewelry museum south of the acropolis which I have not visited.

clausar

tarquin....
now this is an excellent recommendation, but might be too expensive...
You were given a gold bracelet, means that it was a gift and you didn't buy it?

barefootbeach

mariha2912, my goodness, you have given me a wealth of information. I'll copy this and take along.

Thanks for the Lalaounis jewelry recom tarquin....I remember them from my last trip but I think their prices may be more than my "souvenir" budget allows!