The ports of Athens
The capital of Greece, Athens, is a densely populated modern European city with a population of over 4 million inhabitants. To serve this entire population, Athens has two of the most important ports in Greece, one in the west, the port of Piraeus, and one in the east, the port of Rafina. To the southeast, we also find the port in the Lavrio area.
There are smaller ports in the wider Athens area, some for commercial purposes, such as the one in Elefsina, and others for shipbuilding (Perama, Skaramagas) and others available for recreational boats (Glyfada, Alimos, Palaio Faliro, Vouliagmeni).
The port of Piraeus
Piraeus is undoubtedly the largest and busiest port in Greece, serving the majority of Greek islands with daily routes of conventional ships and speedboats, with destinations the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and Crete, as well as the entire Mediterranean.
Commercial and passenger traffic at the port of Piraeus is always heavy, but it increases significantly during the summer season increased due to the large number of Greek and foreign tourists travelling to the Aegean islands.
The distance between Piraeus and the centre of Athens is approximately 10 km, and from Piraeus to Athens airport is about 40 km via the Attica Highway, although there are other longer routes. To get to the port of Piraeus, you can go by car, taxi, train, bus, or metro.
The port of Rafina
In contrast to Piraeus, the port of Rafina, being a smaller port, has significantly less traffic, offering quick and easy access by conventional ships and speedboats to the northern and central islands of the Cyclades, mainly to the islands of Andros, Tinos, and Mykonos, as well as to Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, and Marmari in Euboea.
Another important advantage is that the port of Rafina is located in a strategic location very close to Eleftherios VenizeloEleftherios Venizelos International Airport, just a 25-minute drive away, minimizing the possibility of missing a flight or ferry.
The transfer from Rafina to the airport and vice versa can be made quickly and reliably by taxi, but also by partner transport services – transfer services.
The port of Lavrio
The third largest port in Athens and the wider Attica region is the port of Lavrio. Lavrio is located south and east of Attica and serves some of the islands of the Cyclades, the islands of Kea or Tzia and Kythnos, as well as islands from the wider Aegean region, northeast, such as Agios Efstratios and Lemnos. You can get to Lavrio by road, by car, by taxi, or via the Attica Bus Service.
Why we prefer the port of Rafina
- it is easily accessible by car via the Attica Highway without many traffic lights and stop-and-go traffic
- it serves most areas of Attica
- it serves many ferry connections
- it is very close to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
- passenger traffic is bearable even during the summer months
- service at the port is usually without delays
- it offers open and closed waiting areas
- it is very close to cafes and restaurants
- It is located outside the city, offering more peace and quiet and less pollution and noise
- It is easy to find a taxi right at the port