PPA - Pasalimani - Castella - Mikrolimano
The Great Coastal Walk
Overview
Have you disembarked from your cruise ship, or are you about to set sail tomorrow and want to experience Piraeus? Are you on holiday in Athens and want to see the port of Athens? Or, are you just staying in Attica and are you in the mood to explore Piraeus where you usually come for fun?
Well, this is a walk that runs through some of the most popular areas of the city and passes by its most important museums - the Archaeological and the Maritime. You can do it by choosing a different starting point. And each time you can stop at a different attraction, take detours, rest on the piers and squares, choose another area to have a coffee and enjoy ouzo with seafood and fresh fish!
We do the full route of 4 km. starting from the PPA (Piraeus Port Authority), passing through Pasalimani and ending in Kastella and Mikrolimano.
Are you coming?
If you start from the point where the cruise ships dock, in a few meters you will come out on Akti Miaouli and walk to Agios Nikolaos (or start from the church). The orthodox neoclassical church was built in the late 19th century to the designs of I. Lazarimou, the architect who designed the Municipal Theatre. Continuing along Charilaou Trikoupis Street you will find Alkiviadou Street where the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus is located. In the open-air area you will be impressed by the ancient theatre of Zeus.
The exhibits in the halls cover important moments in the history of Piraeus, the municipalities of Attica and the islands of the Saronic Gulf from the Mycenaean to the Roman era.
Then you go out to the sea and the cosmopolitan Pasalimani. Enjoy the open horizon, the moored boats rocking on the piers, the sight of people coming and going or sitting in the cafes and restaurants - an almost festive atmosphere that prevails no matter what time you come!
We recommend you to stop at the Zea Marina to see the Maritime Museum of Greece. In its ten consecutive halls you will learn a lot about the maritime tradition and see parts of the Konmeio wall that protected the ports of Piraeus in ancient times.
Time for coffee at the marina? Or, should you continue, pass by the place called Skalakia, opposite which the Piraeus Clock rises and take a break for coffee and rest at Kanari Square or Alexandra Square? In the centre of the latter is a work of contemporary art, an impressive arch with the title "Fire Flying", dedicated to the memory of the 353,000 Greeks of Pontus, victims of the Genocide.
Shortly after, you will find yourself at Votsalakia beach (or Apollo Beach). Here Piraeus residents and visitors come to swim, stroll and play sports on the seaside courts all year round. If it's summer, you'll take a dip here. Otherwise, continue on to the famous Kastella with its 19th century neoclassical houses and fantastic views. It is built on the hill of Prophet Elias. At the top is the homonymous church and the Veakeio Theatre. Although you will ...encounter several stairs and uphill alleys during your tour, the discoveries will be many and will compensate you!
The King Pavlos Avenue, which passes under Kastella, is an excellent vantage point for views and walks - especially at sunset. From there, going downhill to Navarchou Votsi you will find yourself on ... an island in the Aegean Sea: The famous Mikrolimano, which has been redeveloped and made even more beautiful. The enclosed bay with the moored boats, the cafes and restaurants, the people coming and going in the big esplanade and the neighborhoods that crown it, has nothing to envy from the picturesque island ports.
And this is where this walk ends. You have already met some of the many faces of Piraeus. More walks await you, in the city centre and in Piraeus. So keep your strength up and depending on your mood choose the next one. It will definitely be exciting!
