ESSENCE OF THE SEA - PIRAEUS TOUR

Brief description:
In just a few moments you have experienced the commotion of Piraeus Port, crossed the central square and reached the Pasalimani. There, you have surely earned a nice cold coffee...

Starting point:
Piraeus Metro Station

Ending point:
Pasalimani or Kastella / Mikrolimano

Approach distance:
1.250 m for Pasalimani + 1.000 - 1.500 m for Kastella (optionally with trolley).

Ideal time:
Workday morning or Saturday.


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Course:
The first part of this journey definitely consists of a lot of noise and traffic, especially if it is during the summer time – where traffic at the port of Piraeus is very high. One might say that there are no certain peak hours…they just go on and on.

Getting there on the electric rail train to Piraeus Station you get out onto Kallimasioti Coast and head left along the coast. Continuing, the road changes it name to Poseidonos Coast and at the triple crossroad you encounter, leave the coast and follow Vasileos Georgiou the 1st Avenue.

At nearly the beginning of the avenue, as you go uphill, you will find the beautiful church of Agia Triada on your left, while further up you reach the Public Theater of Piraeus.

At this point you are at the crossroad of Vasileos Georgiou the 1st Avenue and Iroon Polytechniou and in front of you Korai Square, the central square of Piraeus. If you stand with your back to the Public Theater you come face to face with the area that you walk across and are actually heading in the direction of the Pasalimani (Marina Zeas).

Cross Korai Square diagonally and follow it ten meters to Karaiskou Street, turn left to get down to the commercial sidewalk on the road of Sotiros Dios until you meet Grigoriou Lambraki Street.

This advised course is easier during traffic as are the following two interesting choices:

Α) Go down Vasileos Georgiou the 1st Avenue in the same direction (southeast) and turn right at G. Lambraki.

Β) Move along Iroon Polytechniou Avenue with the Public Theater behind you and turn left on Bouboulinas Street, which you will follow until you meet G. Lambraki.

Whatever course you took, you found G. Lambraki Street and in front you is the sea. This is the area with a wide variety of restaurants and cafés in all directions.

The road that follows the coast is called Moutsopoulou Coast and offers itself up for walks and relaxation next to the anchored boats. If you like your journey so far, get ready for more, because the best has yet to come! Standing with your back to G. Lambraki, you see all of the Pasalimani, where a gulf is formed.

On your left, as you continue down Moutsoupoulou, you find the beautiful western area of Kastella with its lovely view of the Saronic Gulf and graphic spots – high above the sea. Following Moutsopoulou Coast (which later changes names to Kountouriotou Coast), look toward the sea and, when you think you are high enough, make the Swimming Pool of the Municipality of Piraeus (about 1.100 meters) your main goal for a stop or to return.

If you are used to walking (or if you took the trolley…) you can go ahead on the same road (which is now called Vasileos Pavlou Avenue) until the moment you first see on your right hand side the Stadium of Peace and Friendship in a large, closed stadium (about 1.600 meters away from the Pasalimani). Then, you can head down towards the sea and find the Mikrolimano – a graphic, small port with fish tavern as well as bars and cafés – highly popular amongst the Greek youth.

Wellness

BUDDHALAND CENTER
Centrally located, Buddhaland offers all three programs of the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT), the General Programme and the Foundation Programme... more
GADALA ORIENTAL DANCE STUDIO
The studio is owned by the Greek-Egyptian choreographer/dance teacher, Gadala. Member of The Middle Eastern Dance World Organization (M.E.D.W.OR.).... more
CRYSTALOTHERAPY
Visit this special cave in the center of Athens and reap the rewards of the energy properties of salt therapy.... more
NYSY STUDIOS
Their well trained teachers and body therapists invite you to explore a variety of classes and find your own style... more
YIANNIS
Specializing in male hair cuts... more

Shopping

HOTEL SHOP (Hotel Grande Bretagne)
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. the Gift Shop of the most famous and luxurious hotel in Athens... more
SWISSCORNER
Center of Swiss watches for women\\\'s and men\\\'s.... more
VLASTARIS ANTIQUES
Established in 1975, Vlastaris Antiques is a member of the Hellenic Association of Antiquarians and Art Dealers. Its inventory consists... more
ROYAL ORIENTAL CARPET
Make a treasure hunt out of it and discover this basement store in the most ancient area of the city... more
NEWSSTAND & ELEFTHEROUDAKIS
Simply the largest (and possibly oldest) bookstore in Greece, offering everything except the kitchen sink in an 8-story building. Deepen... more

Entertainment

DEXAMENI
This classic, beautiful outdoor cinema has a bar with tables for its customer’s pleasure and regularly screens international films. Summer... more
AIGLI VILLAGE COOL
Beautiful outdoor cinema with balcony and tables. Summer Venue.... more
CINE PARIS
This outdoor venue allows you to view one of the season´s box office hits, directly under the gaze of the... more
ALEXANDRA
A cinema hall in the city center that provides discount tickets for senior citizens and students. Early bookings can be... more
EMBASSY NOVA ODEON
The Embassy is a classic cinema hall that often screens movies from all over the world for real film connoisseurs.... more

Nightlife

JAZZ IN JAZZ
The proprietor of Jazz In Jazz has traveled the world, collecting mementos from some of the greatest jazz personalities and... more
USE BAR
Small bar playing mainly black music. Absolute hip hangout, open from nine in the morning for coffee and cold sandwiches,... more
POP
Small bar with the best indie sounds in the city, clean drinks and fanatic regulars.... more
AIR LOUNGE BAR (Fresh Hotel)
The swimming pool area on the 9th Floor of the Fresh Hotel is where you will find the “Air Lounge”... more
ALEXANDERS BAR (Hotel Grande Bretagne)
Voted by Forbes magazine as the Best Hotel Bar in the world, Alexander’s Bar’s trademark fixture is the famous 18th... more