Key initiatives are reshaping Piraeus into a must-see urban destination, one that combines entertainment and luxury with ecology and history.
Piraeus is a gateway between antiquity and modernity, grandness and modesty, industry and artistry. The transformation it has been undergoing in the last few years is gradually turning this city into an urban paradise, a destination that visitors can lose themselves in and emerge with a smile and breathtaking stories. Let’s explore how Piraeus has changed and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
A Green and Welcoming New Look for Piraeus
Piraeus is becoming more accessible and pleasing to the eye while taking steps to reduce pollution. The storefronts along Mikrolimano, also known as Mounichia Port and Koumoundourou Coast, were cleared of pergolas. A pedestrian zone has been built along the coastline, 400 metres in length, making the area a low-traffic neighbourhood. This is just a small part of the revitalization efforts for Mikrolimano. 15,600 m2 of it is being overhauled for the benefit of pedestrians and cyclists. Moreover, visitors can look forward to clear views and easier access to ancient sites such as the Cononian walls, their majesty enhanced by lighting.
Attractions are evolving and multiplying at a rapid pace as Piraeus continues to turn domestic and international heads.
Past and Present Changes to Attractions and Transport
hanks to a 2016 auction, DIMAND won and redeveloped the former facilities of Papastratos, a tobacco producer. Over these three blocks, DIMAND endowed the city with the Piraeus Port Plaza, an investment of €116 million completed in 2020. It’s a building complex of 82,885 m2, intended for office, retail, cultural, and tourism spaces. But it also features above-ground parking with Parksmart certification, the first in Greece. In fact, the whole complex is LEED Gold and Platinum approved. The initiative combats climate change by incorporating energy-efficient features like natural lighting, advanced technologies, and intelligent automation for optimized power consumption and occupant comfort.
Among several other projects, DIMAND is also responsible for the renovation of the Piraeus Tower, standing at 88 metres tall and promising a vast range of office spaces, shops, restaurants, and even a gym, all overlooking the Athenian Riviera. Its estimated completion date is the first quarter of 2024, and it will be the country’s first bioclimatic high riser.
Here’s another noteworthy upgrade to Piraeus. The SILO building, once used to store grain and then abandoned, will be turned into a unique Museum of Maritime Antiquities, expected to feature at least 2,000 relics of Greece’s underwater and maritime history, from bronze statues and naval tools to the original research diaries of Jacques-Yves Cousteau from the late 1970s. It should be ready for visitors by 2025. In the meantime, underwater research continues into sites such as the seven-room public building on Salamina’s eastern coast, discovered in 2022.
Visitors diving deeper into the city’s artistic pulse are in for a delightful surprise.
The Stone Warehouse (Petrini Apothiki) was also restored and repurposed. The Piraeus Port Authority got a new historical archives centre and passenger terminal, while one space became a museum of ancient Greek technology and another a gallery and small venue for hire.
Besides revamped buildings, Piraeus is getting new roads and improved public transport. The most ambitious project underway is the creation of a tunnel between Salamina and Piraeus, reducing the normally arduous journey to a mere five minutes. Then there is the Athens Metro extension of line three by 7.6 km, adding six new stops between Agia Marina and Piraeus. With several already in use, this line, which starts at Athens Airport, promises a smooth and direct link for travellers visiting Piraeus. Hopping onto a ferry or cruise from there is already very simple.
In an effort to make Piraeus as easy to navigate as possible, the tram system is getting an upgrade of its own. Specifically, the line connecting the centre of Piraeus with Hatzikyriakio and Freatida is being extended with an additional 10 stops.
New Hospitality Opportunities Set to Enrich Piraeus
Enso Hotel Piraeus was one more of DIMAND’s projects. This time it transformed an old structure into a modern 58-room hotel. And this is far from the only initiative reinventing Greek hospitality and boosting the value of Piraeus as a top tourism destination. Another impressive achievement came from Mitsis Group. While rebranding itself and constantly looking for innovative ways to make visitors feel welcome, it replaced an abandoned office building with a four-star hotel: Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port. Situated right next to three terminals of one of the largest ports in the world, it features 103 spacious rooms and services that ensure the most tranquil stay possible.
Not only that but spring of 2024 is supposed to come with a new Hampton by Hilton hotel on Kastella Hill, a landmark famous for its beautiful architecture and view of the Saronic Gulf. 83 rooms and high-end Hilton luxuries are in the works. Other four-star hotels to consider when visiting Piraeus include The Port Square Hotel and The Alex Monte Kastella. For more affordable but still comfortable accommodation look into providers like Gallery Suites & Residences and Phidias Piraeus Hotel. All of these options promise cosy rooms and a great night’s sleep, as well as easy access to local amenities and the stunning Athenian Riviera.
A Gateway Between Antiquity and Modernity, Grandness and Modesty, Industry and Artistry.
Old and New Experiences Not to Miss
If you’re interested in a day of shopping while touring the city, keep the Piraeus Retail Park in mind. Completed in 2022, courtesy of Ten Brinke Hellas, it offers 14 chain stores to pick from. Do you prefer something more traditional? Make sure you explore the streets of Piraeus. The neighbourhoods of Keratsini and Drapetsona are popular for their variety of sights, shops, fooderies, and landmarks.
When it comes to attractions that reshaped Piraeus, its museums are among the places you must not overlook. Besides the Museum of Maritime Antiquities mentioned above, your itinerary should include the Hellas Liberty. It is a WWII ship that was turned into a floating museum and opened to the public in 2010. Since then, it still sits in the port and offers a unique history lesson about the war and Greece’s naval background, as well as what it was like to live and work on a ship of this type.
The Archaeological Museum of Pireaus is another great choice. Its collection transports you to ancient Piraeus, one of the most important naval and trading centres of the East Mediterranean. The museum’s exhibits range from the Mycenaean to the Roman era. Interestingly, the Municipality of Piraeus announced in 2022 that it plans to create a very special museum in an old train station: the House of Rebetiko, a music genre often referred to as the blues of Greece. If this museum is made a reality, visitors will get to immerse themselves in the history, culture, and moving melodies of the rebetiko.
Other must-see landmarks are the Municipal Theatre and Gallery, but visitors diving deeper into the city’s artistic pulse are in for a delightful surprise. Near the port are several established and newer spaces for art lovers, such as Pirée, The Intermission, and galleries Rodeo, Enia, DL, and Carwan. There truly is no shortage of inspiration in Piraeus. This fact is becoming increasingly clear with each innovation that showcases the city’s complex and refreshing character.
Many more attractions can make your holiday or business trip to Piraeus special. Whether you enjoy exploring medieval churches and war-time ruins, sailing to the islands, tasting local cuisine, or indulging in the Greek nightlife, you’ll be more than happy with the range of available options. And such attractions are evolving and multiplying at a rapid pace as Piraeus continues to turn domestic and international heads. The revitalization plans up to 2025 are sure to transform the city into an ecological and cultural marvel, while attracting even more excited visitors.
