Athens cruise: where to stay night before

[marp109]

We have one night in Athens before our Seabourn cruise. Are we better off staying near/in Piraeus where ship leaves from, the airport when we arrive, or in Athens? Help, please:)

[CintiPam]

I definitely would stay in downtown Athens to at least enjoy dinner and a walk in this lovely historic area. About a 40-minute taxi ride from the airport and only 20 minutes the next morning to the cruise ship terminal.

 

The airport has a nice Sofitel as an alternative, but why not enjoy an evening in Athens. There are some fun restaurants to enjoy and pleasant pedestrian-only streets.

 

Definitely do not consider Piraeus; very ugly with nothing much to see there. It's only a 20-minute taxi ride from central Athens, so there is absolutely no upside to staying there.

[MercedMike]

We love the Parthenon hotel (http://www.airotel.gr/index.asp?a_id=323) in Athens! It is perfectly located only half a block from the Antiquities Promenade to the Acropolis, the Metro station, and the wonderful Plaka's Gate area full of delightful restaurants. It is clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced.

 

Check our report on the Antiquities Promenade at

http://www.bully4.us/athens.html

 

I recommend making arrangements with Greek Taxi (http://*****) for your transfer from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the port. They are reliable and friendly, the price is reasonable, and it is so easy to do it that way.

 

Have a GREAT cruise!

[mfantasia]

Stay in Athens, we stayed in the Athens Gate Hotel and it was perfect. Check tripadvisor and you will see the wonderful reviews. Room is small, as most of the European hotels but the bathroom has a very nice size. Service is great and location unbeatable. And the view form the restaurant is amazing. Breakfast is included in the price.

 

The Hotel arranged the taxi to the Port, we left early, around 2:00 PM and the price wasn't bad. The trip was less than 30 minutes.

[Hlitner]

We agree with the other posts that you should stay in Athens. Assuming you are not totally jet lagged, this will give you some time to explore town and have a nice dinner (we like a restaurant on the edge of the Plaka called Daphne's). Since you are cruising with Seabourn we would assume you like going first class so we would recommend the Grande Bretagne Hotel which has a perfect location right on Syntagma Square and is truly the grand hotel of Athens.

 

Hank

[marp109]

Thank you all for your input. will definitely not stay by the port or airport but rather in Athens. We booked the cruise this AM and leave in May so I have time to build up anticipation but not so much that it seems forever.

[itsjb1]

We agree with the other posts that you should stay in Athens. Assuming you are not totally jet lagged, this will give you some time to explore town and have a nice dinner (we like a restaurant on the edge of the Plaka called Daphne's). Since you are cruising with Seabourn we would assume you like going first class so we would recommend the Grande Bretagne Hotel which has a perfect location right on Syntagma Square and is truly the grand hotel of Athens.

 

Hank

 

Totally agree. We spent 3 days at the GB pre cruise in 2007. A classy old world hotel, in a great area.

[sonogram]

We stayed at Athens Gate Hotel in October. Clean hotel in good location you can walk to restaurants and shopping. Rooftop restaurant used for breakfast and drinks in the evening with spectacular views.