4. Piraeus - Greece

The following morning, we arrived bright and early at the busy Greek port of Piraeus, the gateway to Athens. While most passengers headed off to explore the famous sights of the Greek capital, we decided to do something a little different. Having spent a few days in Athens the previous year, we fancied discovering more of Piraeus itself.

We hopped aboard the little tourist train, which offered an easy and enjoyable way to explore the town. One of our first stops was the enormous marina, where we disembarked to have a wander around. There was certainly no shortage of impressive yachts, many of them looking rather luxurious! Alongside all the boating activity, we spotted people out exercising in rowing boats and gliding across the water on paddleboards.

After taking in the marina and its surroundings, we stopped at Bouboulina Café for a welcome coffee. The café offered lovely views across the nearby beach and along the coastline, making it a relaxing spot to sit for a while and watch the world go by.

                                

Refreshed and ready to explore some more, we made our way through the main shopping area, taking in the local streets and passing the striking Holy Church of the Prophet Elias. It was a pleasant way to see a little more of everyday life in Piraeus, away from the crowds and tourist attractions of Athens.

Eventually, we wandered back towards the marina, where we came across a little Octoberfest event. Well, it would have been rude not to stop! We settled down to enjoy a well-earned beer before making our way back to the ship.

Once aboard the Marella Discovery, we discovered that our departure was taking a little longer than expected while we waited for the local pilot to join the vessel. Rather than minding the delay, we found ourselves a spot on deck and enjoyed watching the constant stream of maritime traffic entering and leaving this busy port. There was always something happening, with ferries, commercial vessels and other boats navigating their way around the harbour.

That evening, we headed to the Show Lounge for the “Six String” country and western show. It proved to be a thoroughly entertaining performance, with plenty of lively music to round off our day in Greece.

Although we had skipped the famous sights of Athens this time, our little adventure around Piraeus had been well worth it. From luxury yachts and coastal coffee stops to a spot of Octoberfest fun, it was another enjoyable day exploring the Mediterranean, with a great evening’s entertainment waiting for us back on board.