This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Piraeus, Greece, is a port town just a few miles away from Athens. The city itself doesn't require any more than a quick day trip, but it does play an important role for travelers who would like to go between Athens and the Greek Islands. Stay in a hostel in Piraeus, Greece, the night before or after you set out on a ferry.
To get to Piraeus, you should fly into Athens. You can choose to book a Piraeus, Greece hostel or one in Athens (which has more of a choice of hostels). You can take the metro between the airport, Athens, and Piraeus. While there is an extra metro fee for trips to and from the airport, going between Piraeus and Athens only requires the normal metro ticket. You can also get to the intercity train system from the metro if you plan to travel through more of mainland Greece. Buses are an available option as well.
Piraeus has a taste of a little of everything Greek. You can shop the markets; purchase some baklava from a bakery; and enjoy authentic cuisine at a cafe, bar, or restaurant. Relax in a grassy park or peek inside one of the ornate Greek Orthodox churches. You'll likely even spot a few of the feral cats that seem to have taken over Greece.
However, most visitors to Piraeus are there for the ferries and ships. There are dozens of Greek island excursions from which to choose, and Piraeus is a major hub for most of them. Planning and purchasing your ferry ticket ahead of time tends to have the best outcome, but if you fancy a spur-of-the-moment trip, Piraeus has several ferry companies with brick-and-mortar locations where you can buy a ticket. If you have time before your ferry leaves, take the opportunity to walk down the immense port area. You'll be amazed at how Piraeus can be your pathway to virtually anywhere in Greece.
