Cruise destinations in focus Athens

One of the most popular cruises around is the Mediterranean cruise and one of the most popular destinations of such a cruise is Greece, a port call that allows cruise passengers to tour some of the islands, explore this rich and ancient culture and visit the fabled Greek capital of Athens.

Athens doesn’t just have a fascinating history as the birthplace of democracy and civilisation, it also offers incredible architecture, many wonderful tourist attractions and a superb port.

Most visitors want to take in the Acropolis, which is classed as one of the seven modern wonders of the world with its white marble pillars against a beautiful blue sky. On the same mountainside you can visit the Theatre of Dionysos and the Temple of Olympian Zeus and then wander through the ancient buildings below the Acropolis, an area of winding streets, bright buildings and fantastic photo opportunities, especially around the Agora, the old marketplace.

But modern Greece has plenty to offer too – the national gardens are a green oasis very popular with cruise passengers and contain and excellent botanical Museum as well as an on-site café that is one of the best kept secrets in Athens. Also popular are the many museums in the city that deal with art, from the Benaki which has an internationally famous collection of modern art through to the Museum of Greek Folk Art.

The port area is studded with cafes and bars that welcome tourists and offer very good seafood at reasonable prices – squid is the most popular dish with visitors but ask your waiter what he recommends from the day’s catch, as this can range from shark to sardines and will be prepared in a traditional manner.