Athens: Discover the Cradle of Civilisation
No Greece cruise is complete without a visit to Athens (from Piraeus) where our modern civilisation began.
From Piraeus to The Parthenon and the 'Plaka' Athens is a 'Must-See'“Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts and eloquence” so wrote Milton in his poem Paradise Regained, and Athens truly is a city of ‘art and eloquence’.
Your Greece cruise really begins to take shape when your MSC cruise ship docks in the port of Piraeus. If you're not heading straight for Athens you could do worse than opt for a seafood lunch at one of the many excellent harbourside restaurants. And, don't be put off from ordering a glass of wine because you once tried Retsina and didn't like it, the pine barrels used to make Retsina make it something of challenge for Northern Europeans, but Greece has many excellent wines that are well worth trying. Naturally the fish is as fresh and delicious as anything in the Med'. Athens is dominated by the flat-topped hill of the Acropolis site of the Parthenon, one of the most famous classical monuments in the world. Even today it's simple perfection represents one of architecture's outstanding moments. A Greece cruise will introduce you to the unique charm that is Athens. It may be choked with traffic and burdened with a mountain of debt but its lively character will seduce you and the thousands of other visitors who flock here every year! Street markets, vine-covered taverns, souvenir stalls and ancient monuments are all part of Athens, making it a unique cruise destination. A tour of the historic sites is a must here; choose from the Acropolis, Parthenon and archaeological museum or admire the views and ancient temples in old Cape Sounion. For those who prefer a gentler itinerary, our panoramic tour of Athens takes in the main sights with photo opportunities from the comfort of your coach. Cruise passengers that really wish to immerse themselves in ancient Greek history can step back in time during our ‘voyage to ancient Greece’, which includes an un-missable stop at the brand new Acropolis Museum. You can then return to the ship with a suitable souvenir to remember your holiday by, as well as a lasting sense of wonder. |
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Directions
MSC ships dock in the Port of Piraeus roughly seven miles from Athens and about 30 minutes from Athens’s International airport. Piraeus has been the Port of Athens for more than 2500 years, feeding the capital city with ships filled with traders, goods, pilgrims, and now, tourists. It is an easy walk into Piraeus from the cruise ship terminal. It is about a 20 minute walk to the train station where one can take a direct train to the foot of the Acropolis in the hart of the Plaka district. Terminal Address: 23 Aristidou Street City; Piraeus (Athens Port) 185 31
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PIR02 - PLAKA, ACROPOLIS & ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM - (approximate 6 hours) - 2012
Every touristic itinerary to Athens must include a visit to the Acropolis, the rocky hill that rises 80 metres above the city, in the Attica basin. The symbol of Athens is the Parthenon which evolved from a church to a mosque; you can discover the sights of Athens during our coach-based city sightseeing tour. We will have time to visit the National Archaeological Museum, one of the largest and most important museums of ancient Greek art. Explore the historic district of Athens, Plaka, which is a picturesque area designed in Neoclassical style. Return to the ship. Please note: the tour includes a long, sometimes challenging walk on even uneven ground so not recommended for guests with mobility problems. This tour is not scheduled for guests onboard MSC Armonia and MSC Melody.
Price per person Starting from: £62.00 Adults £43.00 Children
PIR02WI - PLAKA, ACROPOLIS & ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM (approximately 6 hours) - 2011/2012 Every touristic itinerary to Athens must include a visit to the Acropolis, the rocky hill that rises 80 metres above the city, in the Attica basin. The symbol of Athens is the Parthenon which evolved from a church to a mosque; you can discover the sights of Athens during our coach-based city sightseeing tour. We will have time to visit the National Archaeological Museum, one of the largest and most important museums of ancient Greek art. Explore the historic district of Athens, Plaka, which is a picturesque area designed in Neoclassical style. Return to the ship.
Please note: the tour includes a long, sometimes challenging walk on even uneven ground so not recommended for Guests with mobility problems. This tour is not scheduled for Guests onboard MSC Magnifica.
Price per person Starting from: £62.00 Adults £43.00 Children
PIR03 - CORINTH CANAL BY BOAT - (approximate 5,5 hours) - 2012
Leave the port and enjoy a 1.5-hour drive to the 6 km-long Corinth Canal for a short stop where we are likely to see ships passing through this narrow waterway. We will transfer to a small boat for our trip along the canal which separates mainland Greece from the Peloponnese Peninsula. Snack included during the sail boat tour.
Please note: this excursion is for calls until the end of October 2012. This tour is not foreseen for guests onboard MSC Lirica.
Please note: this excursion is for calls until the end of October 2012. This tour is not foreseen for guests onboard MSC Lirica.
Price per person Starting from: £54.00 Adults £38.00 Children
PIR04 - ATHENS & ACROPOLIS - (approximate 4,5 hours) - 2012 Comprehensive sightseeing tour through the main streets and squares of this historic town. Visit the imposing Acropolis which towers 80 metres above the town and which has been the symbol of Athens for thousands of years. Brief stop for souvenir shopping before returning to the ship.
Please note: the tour includes long walk with some uneven ground so is not recommended for guests with mobility problems
Price per person Starting from: £56.00 Adults £39.00 Children
PIR04WI - ATHENS & ACROPOLIS - (approximate 4,5 hours) - 2011/2012 Comprehensive sightseeing tour through the main streets and squares of this historic town. Visit the imposing Acropolis which towers 80 metres above the town and which has been the symbol of Athens for thousands of years. Brief stop for souvenir shopping before returning to the ship.
Please note: the tour includes long walk with some uneven ground so is not recommended for Guests with mobility problems. This tour is not foreseen for the call by MSC Magnifica on 25 December 2011.
Price per person Starting from: £56.00 Adults £39.00 Children
PIR08 - PANORAMIC TOUR OF ATHENS (3,5 hours) - 2012
This excursion is ideal for those unable to climb the steps to the Acropolis but who wish to gain an overall impression of Greece’s capital city. We will meet our guide at the port and board the bus for an excursion that covers the key attractions. As we drive from Piraeus to Athens, our guide will point out the main ancient and modern sites including Hadrian’s arch, the statue of Lord Byron, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our tour will continue past the National Gardens, the Panathinion Stadium, the Academy, the University and the National Library. You will be able to see the Acropolis from a distance and we will break to take photographs before proceeding to Plaka where you will have free time. Please note: exterior visits only of the sites.
Price per person Starting from: £28.00 Adults £20.00 Children
PIR08WI - PANORAMIC TOUR OF ATHENS (3,5 hours) - 2011/2012 This excursion is ideal for those unable to climb the steps to the Acropolis but who wish to gain an overall impression of Greeces capital city. We will meet our guide at the port and board the bus for an excursion that covers the key attractions. As we drive from Piraeus to Athens, our guide will point out the main ancient and modern sites including Hadrians arch, the statue of Lord Byron, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our tour will continue past the National Gardens, the Panathinion Stadium, the Academy, the University and the National Library. You will be able to see the Acropolis from a distance and will stop in Plaka for free time. Note: exterior visits only of the sitesPrice per person Starting from: £28.00 Adults £20.00 Children
PIR09 - A VOYAGE TO ANCIENT GREECE - (5,5 hours) - 2012 Meet your guide at the port and board the bus for a sightseeing tour through the main streets and squares of this historically important city. After reaching Athens city centre, we will arrive at the famous Acropolis which towers imposingly 80 metres above the city; for thousands of years the Acropolis has been symbol of Athens and our tour will enable you to view the other masterpieces from Greece’s “Golden Age”. Prepare yourself to climb to the top of the Acropolis Hill (150 steps) to view the Erectheum, the Temple of Wingless Victory and the symbol of the Greek nation: the Parthenon. The temple is dedicated to the patron goddess of Athens, Athena, and is the largest and most impressive temple of all Greece. We will continue the tour through the Acropolis pedestrian zone to the recently refurbished new Acropolis Museum. Here we will enjoy a full 1,5 hours in the museum, where you can admire the statues, sculptures and marbles of the Parthenon with time for souvenir shopping before returning to the ship.
Please note: the tour includes a long walk on uneven ground and is not recommended for guests with mobility problems. This tour is not foreseen on the following calls: 12.03.2012 (MSC Melody) and 19.11.2012 (MSC Lirica).
Price per person Starting from: £65.00 Adults £46.00 Children
PIR09WI - A VOYAGE TO ANCIENT GREECE - (5,5 hours) - 2011 Meet your guide at the port and board the bus for a sightseeing tour through the main streets and squares of this historically important city. After reaching Athens city centre, we will arrive at the famous Acropolis which towers imposingly 80 metres above the city; for thousands of years the Acropolis has been symbol of Athens and our tour will enable you to view the other masterpieces from Greece’s “Golden Age”. Prepare yourself to climb to the top of the Acropolis Hill (150 steps) to view the Erectheum, the Temple of Wingless Victory and the symbol of the Greek nation: the Parthenon. The temple is dedicated to the patron goddess of Athens, Athena, and is the largest and most impressive temple of all Greece. We will continue the tour through the Acropolis pedestrian zone to the recently refurbished new Acropolis Museum. Here we will enjoy a full 1,5 hours in the museum, where you can admire the statues, sculptures and marbles of the Parthenon with time for souvenir shopping before returning to the ship.
Please note: the tour includes a long walk on uneven ground and is not recommended for Guests with mobility problems. This tour is not foreseen for the call by MSC Magnifica on 25 December 2011.
Price per person Starting from: £65.00 Adults £46.00 Children
The excursions in the programme above are intended to provide MSC Guests with an idea of the different tours that can be arranged in each port of call; this programme is merely a guide and confirmation of each excursion and its description and prices will be made during your cruise. Full information can be found in the onboard Tour Magazine
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