Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Greek
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2)
Best Time to Visit
Jun–Sep
Typical Duration
7 nights
Price Range
$4,080–$15,660 per person
Port Type
embarkation
Tender Port
No
Gateway to the Greek Islands with access to iconic Cycladic destinations like Delos, Hydra, and Pátmos on intimate expedition cruises.
Cruises that visit Athens
- cruises to Athens
- Athens sailings
- Athens cruises
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 8-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 9-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 10-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 11-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 11-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 12-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
Build Your Day in Athens
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 7:00 PM
Usually about 11 hours ashore
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Embarkation port — worth arriving early
Getting around:
Acropolis of Athens
Definitely worth visiting by anyone who comes to Athens and Greece!
Closed · Opens 8 AM Wed
Parthenon
Definitely a must visit to explore the history of Athens and Greek culture.
Acropolis Museum
A wonderful experience and a must do in Athens
Closed · Opens 9 AM Wed
The Mall Athens
Big mall with a lot of famous shops but also some Greek shops.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Athens National Garden
A mind free experience for all guests in Athens.
Ancient Agora of Athens
Top 3 best attractions on Athens with the acropolis and the stadium.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Wed
Designer Outlet Athens
Only place in Greece with normal prices for good clothes !
Closes soon · 9 PM
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Ruined temple completed under Hadrian
Athens Metro Mall
The shops are affordable, and the top floor offers a nice view.
Closes soon · 9 PM
Varvakios Central Municipal Market
one of the most authentic places you can visit in Athens.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Wed
Philopappos Hill
Serene destination for panoramic views
Archaeological Site of Sounion
A must see if you're a visitor to Greece
Roman Forum of Athens (Roman Agora)
Ruins of an ancient agora with columns
Closed · Opens 8 AM Wed
Karamanlidika
This is certainly the best food in Athens, and perhaps the best in Greece.
Flea Market
A nice place to see the Greek traditional clothes, lots and lots of jewelry!
Open · Closes 10 PM
Temple of Hephaestus
One of several quintessential experiences while in Athens Greece.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Wed
attica DPS
Huge department store (largest in Greece).
Closes soon · 9 PM
Museum of Illusions Athens
if you come in Athens,Greece, you must come and visit this place.
Closed · Opens 11 AM Wed
Couleur Locale
Best aperitif view in all of Athens and the drinks are really good!
360 Cocktail Bar
Great music, vibe and drinks, plus an amazing view of the Acropolis!
Maiandros Restaurant
Fantastic food and service, with the best tzatziki & souvlaki in Athens
Vouliagmeni Lake
The water is around 25 degrees and perfect for a good swim and relaxation.
Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Wed
City Link
Upscale brand shopping but with much better prices than in the US.
Closes soon · 9 PM
Diomidous Botanical Garden
Well kept and lively, with a ton of things to see.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Wed
The Clumsies
A fantastic bar experience and one of the highlights of our time in Athens.
Ατίταμος
Delicious traditional Greek food and fair prices for Athens.
Upupa Epops
Very nice cocktails, excelent service, awesome music
Efcharis restaurant
Mostly typical Greek options - well prepared, fresh and delicious!
LIONDI Traditional Greek Restaurant
We went twice while in Athens, the food was excellent, service even better.
Aspro Alogo - Traditional Greek Food
They have true traditional greek food with the perfect local atmosphere.
Flisvos Park
Sunset overlooking the beach made these playgrounds extra special.
Attic Urban Rooftop
This roof top bar had the best view of the Acropolis and the sunset!
Kerameikos Archaeological Site
Best view of Greece center of the Athens Acropolis
Temporarily closed
MIRONI Restaurant - Greek Kitchen
Fantastic traditional Greek food and an unforgettable atmosphere in Athens!
Areopagus Hill
It's a sight that captures the essence of Greece's rich cultural heritage.
Bandiera
Amazing food and atmosphere, we visited twice while we were in Athens
Psatha Beach
Waters are azure, clean, sparkling and refreshing.
Vouliagmeni Coast
Very good beach not too far from Athens with great water.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Wed
Athens Free Tour - Official | Free Tour Atenas - Oficial
Would recommend this, especially as a first thing to do in Athens.
Brettos
Such a cool bar in Athens with fantastic drinks and a fun atmosphere!
Baba au Rum
Rightfully earned awards, this bar is a must for Athens!
The Traditional
Best traditional tavern in Greece 🇬🇷, Great prices, perfect food.
Astir Beach
Nice lovely Sandy beach hyper clean and private in greece voliagmeni.
Nolan
This restaurant has quickly become our top favorite on our Greece trip.
Melina Mercouri Café
I had feta with honey and Greek coffee and both were really good!
Stoa of Attalos - Museum of the Ancient Agora
The museum offers fascinating artifacts from daily live in ancient Greece.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Wed
Thes ''Greek Creative Cuisine''
The menu leans modern Greek, with creative touches that don’t try too hard.
Closed · Opens 5 PM Wed
Laluk Cafe-Bar
I ordered a cappuccino & eggs with feta and a side salad.
Zen Beach
Shallow water allows easy access for any age.
Krasopoulio tou Kokkora
Good traditional greek cooking without any surprises, and ample portions.
EATERY Bairaktaris Aiolou 29
It’s the best food we’ve had in Greece and at very reasonable rates.
ILIADA
Simple, no frills greek food served with a smile and a warm welcome.
Closes soon · 9 PM
Little Tree Books and Coffee
Amazing cafe near to Acropolis, sitting in the garden
Cookoovaya
The tarama salad was some of the best I tried in Greece.
Hill Athens Restaurant
It is a modern twist to Greek food with a chic yet casual atmosphere.
Thinalos Seafood Restaurant - Θίν'αλος
The Greek salad was the most delicious that we've tried in Athens.
Athens Walks
This is a must-do experience while you are in athens.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Wed
A Little Taste of Home Restaurant
Exceptional food, best meal we had in Athens.
Closed · Opens 1 PM Wed
Tiki Bar Athens
All of the drinks were delicious, particularly the Athen's specials.
KARMINIO - All Day Eatery
The moussaka was delicious, the best I had in Athens.
Varkiza Resort
The beach is clean, the sand is soft and the water is crystal clear.
Coffee Joint
Upon entering the cafe, I got a very warm welcome and a free Greek snack.
Closed · Opens 6 AM Wed
Erechtheion
The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the Athenian Acropolis.
The 7 Jokers Cocktail Bar
Quick and friendly service, delicious cocktails and charming atmosphere.
Opens soon · 9 PM
Geco Athens
A serene oasis in Athens, where you can find quality food
Flint Athens
Great, vibrant atmosphere to enjoy basic Greek food.
The New Era Authentic Greek Cuisine
We had an amazing dinner at The New Era Authentic Greek Cuisine in Athens!
Kimolia Art Cafe
Very nicely decorated and relaxing café with good service and nice drinks.
Aleria Restaurant
The best food, service, and overall dining experience I had in Greece.
Taf Coffee
Clean, great options and one of the best iced coffees I had in Athens.
Closed · Opens 7 AM Wed
Metropolis Roof Garden
The food was amazing, and the view of the Acropolis was simply stunning.
Soil restaurant
If you can book a table here, make it a highlight of your trip to Athens.
Spondi Restaurant
... romantic evening with exquisite Greek wine menu and gourmet food.
CTC Urban Gastronomy
Memorable experience, worths every star, including the Michelin one!
Alysso Restaurant
Delicious food, kind service, Perfect place to go near the Agora of Athens
THE BAR IN FRONT OF THE BAR
The best bar in Athens , with a unique design and Concept .
ΑΝΕΤΟΝ
The octopus appetizer was exceptional—easily the best we’ve had in Greece.
Waterfront of Flisvos
A beach with toilets, showers, and a changing room.
Petite Fleur
The drinking chocolates and the coffees are excellent.
Myller Coffee Shop
One of the better coffees I've had in Greece.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Wed
Herve Restaurant
The entire experience was elevated by the Greek wine pairing for the adults.
Yphes Restaurant Athens
Excellent food and service in centre of Athens.
Atrium Shopping Centre
Really good store and food and the view are amazing
Closes soon · 9 PM
Cerdo Negro 1985
The food was remarkable (try the tasting menu), and the wines were amazing.
Closed · Opens 7 PM Wed
Tudor Hall
The Greek wine pairing was a great choice.
Athens Swimming Cruise
Swimming, drinks, beaches, shopping, food... All amazing!
Closes soon · 9 PM
Mavili Beach
It was even better with the nice sand and the beach pool.
ΑNAMESA CONCEPT STORE
Super cute store with unique items and extremely friendly staff.
Closes soon · 9 PM
Souvenir
It has the largest variety and the best prices we found.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Wed
ATHENS FLEA MARKET
Prices are usually pretty good.
Open · Closes 10 PM
Asados Athens
Perfectly cooked rice, fresh seafood, and amazing flavors in every bite.
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
Athens
is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here —
it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.
About Athens
Athens stands as one of the Mediterranean's most captivating cruise ports, offering travelers an extraordinary blend of ancient history and modern vitality. As the birthplace of Western civilization, this vibrant Greek capital serves as the perfect launching point for unforgettable voyages through the Aegean Sea. Whether you're embarking on your first cruise or returning for another adventure, Athens provides an ideal home port experience with seamless connections to some of the Mediterranean's most enchanting destinations.
As a primary embarkation port, Athens welcomes cruise passengers year-round, with peak activity during the sun-soaked months of June through October. Most cruises departing from here are seven-night itineraries that explore the stunning Greek islands, including the picturesque villages of Hydra, the ancient archaeological sites of Delos, and the spiritual sanctuaries of Pátmos. The port's strategic location makes it easy for passengers to arrive a day or two early to explore the Acropolis, wander through charming neighborhoods, and savor authentic Greek cuisine before boarding their ship.
PONANT Explorations operates regular departures from this historic port, bringing their signature small-ship luxury experience to the region. The port facilities are modern and efficient, with excellent transportation connections to Athens' city center, ensuring a smooth transition from land to sea. Whether you're a history enthusiast, island hopper, or cultural explorer, Athens offers the perfect Mediterranean starting point for your next cruise adventure.
As a primary embarkation port, Athens welcomes cruise passengers year-round, with peak activity during the sun-soaked months of June through October. Most cruises departing from here are seven-night itineraries that explore the stunning Greek islands, including the picturesque villages of Hydra, the ancient archaeological sites of Delos, and the spiritual sanctuaries of Pátmos. The port's strategic location makes it easy for passengers to arrive a day or two early to explore the Acropolis, wander through charming neighborhoods, and savor authentic Greek cuisine before boarding their ship.
PONANT Explorations operates regular departures from this historic port, bringing their signature small-ship luxury experience to the region. The port facilities are modern and efficient, with excellent transportation connections to Athens' city center, ensuring a smooth transition from land to sea. Whether you're a history enthusiast, island hopper, or cultural explorer, Athens offers the perfect Mediterranean starting point for your next cruise adventure.
Cruise Lines at Athens
- PONANT EXPLORATIONS (57 cruises)
- Emerald Cruises (2 cruises)
Cruises Departing From Athens
Cruises Visiting Athens
Ship Schedule at Athens
Athens Location
Other Cruise Ports in Greece
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I see near the Athens GRATH port?
You can visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, and other ancient ruins nearby.
How do I get from the GRATH port to central Athens?
Take a taxi, bus, or ride-share to reach central districts quickly.
When is the best time to visit Athens?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer mild weather.
Is the GRATH port a good base for exploring?
Yes, it provides access to historical sites and the Aegean coast.