landmark
Acropolis of Athens
Ancient hilltop citadel containing the remains of several historically significant buildings of classical Greece.
8 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeGreeceAttica
Piraeus
Attica, Greece · Europe
About Piraeus
Piraeus works well as a base: 10 minutes from Korydallós, 20km from Lake Vouliagmeni.
Piraeus is in Attica, Greece, with about 160,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Korydallós, about 5 km away.
Piraeus ( py-REE-əs, pirr-AY-əs; Greek: Πειραιάς Peiraiás [pireˈas]; Ancient Greek and Katharevousa: Πειραιεύς Peiraieús, Ancient: [peːrai̯eús], Katharevousa: [pireˈefs]) is a port city within the Athens urban area ("Greater Athens"), in the Attica region of Greece. It is located eight kilometres (5 mi) southwest ofRead more
Athens city centre along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf in the Athens Riviera.
The municipality of Piraeus and four other suburban municipalities form the regional unit of Piraeus, sometimes called the Greater Piraeus area, with a total population of 448,051. At the 2021 census, Piraeus had a population of 168,151 people, making it the fourth largest municipality in Greece and the second largest (after the municipality of Athens) within the Athens urban area.
Piraeus has a long recorded history, dating back to ancient Greece. The city was founded in the early 5th century BC, when plans to make it the new port of Athens were implemented: A prototype harbour was constructed, which resulted in concentrating in one location all the import and transit trade of Athens, along with the navy's base. During the Golden Age of Athens, the Long Walls were constructed to fortify the route from the main settlement to the port (Piraeus). During the classical period, the naval base in Piraeus had 372 trireme shipsheds. Beginning in the 3rd century B.C., Piraeus went into a period of cumulative decline. However, it began growing once again in the 19th century, after Athens was made the capital of Greece. Today Piraeus is a large city bustling with activity. It is a huge marine and commercial-industrial centre, and home to Greece's largest harbour.
The port of Piraeus is the chief port in Greece, the 5th largest passenger port in Europe and the 24th largest passenger port in the world serving about 4.37 million passengers annually in 2020. With a throughput of 5.44 million TEUs, Piraeus is among the busiest ten ports in Europe in terms of container traffic, and is the busiest container port in the Eastern Mediterranean. The city hosted events in both the 1896 and 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens. The University of Piraeus is one of the largest universities in Greece, and includes the country's second-oldest business school, as well as the oldest academic department dedicated to the study of finance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Piraeus?
Within an hour or so of Piraeus: Acropolis of Athens (8 km), Acropolis Museum (8 km), Plaka (8 km), Monastiraki Square (8 km).
Are there any good drives near Piraeus?
The nearest famous roads are Athens Riviera Coastal Road and Galaxidi.
Where is Piraeus?
Piraeus is in Attica, Greece, about 5 km from Korydallós.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 163,688
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Greece
- Region
- Attica
- Timezone
- Europe/Athens
- Coordinates
- 37.9420, 23.6462
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Greece
Tourist police (English-speaking): 171.
Full driving guide for GreeceTags
Worth the detour from Piraeus
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Acropolis Museum
A stunning modern museum at the foot of the Acropolis showcasing the surviving treasures of ancient Athens.
8 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Plaka
The picturesque oldest neighborhood of Athens nestled at the foot of the Acropolis, with neoclassical buildings and winding pedestrian streets.
8 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Monastiraki Square
A vibrant Athenian square at the base of the Acropolis known for its flea market, street food, and eclectic blend of ancient and modern.
8 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Parthenon
Magnificent 5th-century BC temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, the pinnacle of ancient Greek architecture.
8 km · about 15 min drive
restaurant
Diporto
A signless basement taverna below a warehouse on Sokratous Street by Athens's central market, serving since 1887. No menu, just chickpea soup, fried fish and retsina from barrels, at shared tables through two little doors.
8 km · about 15 min drive
museum
Hellenic Motor Museum
Private collection of over 300 cars from 1895 to modern supercars in central Athens.
9 km · about 15 min drive
natural wonder
Lake Vouliagmeni
A thermal mineral lake near Athens fed by underground hot springs, set in a collapsed cave surrounded by lush vegetation.
20 km · about 25 min drive
Driving roads near Piraeus
2 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- 20 kmAthens Riviera Coastal RoadSun-soaked coastal avenue tracing the Saronic Gulf from Athens through Vouliagmeni and Varkiza to Cape Sounion, with beach clubs, sea cliffs and a temple-at-sunset finale.
Driving in Greece
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.88/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€7.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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