Athens port 2days/overnight

[emsachs]

We are on Celebrity Reflection in September and we have an overnight stop in Athens. Any must do's for the one evening we have in port?

Maybe have a great dinner in town? Any recommendations?

Anything else we should not miss?

We will have a 2nd day to tour as well..any suggestions besides the Acropolis/usual sites that we plan to do on Day 1?

Originally we were supposed to go to Istanbul, our first choice, but oh well, we will make the most of our night in Athens.

Thanks for help everyone as always.

E

[cruisemom42]

See this post (currently just a couple below yours ;)) for some ideas on what to do with your extra time: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2305236

 

For evening, I'd look for a nice rooftop restaurant with a view of the Acropolis for dinner, then walk around the Plaka a bit. Athens has a very different feel in the evening than during the day.

 

If you really want a memorable splurge, go and have a cocktail first at the rooftop bar of the Grande Bretagne hotel -- which also has an excellent view. Look around the lobby area; it's a wonderful historic hotel.

[Beanb41]

We are in Athens overnight on the Constellation in April. We have an Athens by night excursion booked. We have a daylight trip also booked for earlier in the day . but this trip is to see the Acropolis and other places lit up at night. After the tour a meal at a local tavern is included. Meal includes wine,beer and soft drinks. Cost of the tour is 18 Euros and the meal an additional 25 euros.

[emsachs]

An "Athens by Night" tour sounds like something we might be interested in.

Did you book with a different tour company? Celebrity does not have this tour listed for us. In fact, our tours seem pretty limitted for many ports. For example, only 1 tour is listed for Day 2 in Athens. (Depart at 5pm) Is this because our cruise is a ways away?? (Sept 2016)

Edited January 25, 2016 by emsachs

[cruisemom42]

Since they switched your ports (from Istanbul to Athens), they may not have finalized arrangements for all the Athens tours yet.

 

On the other hand, you really do not need a tour to see Athens. There are several convenient ways to get to the historic area from the port (only about 20 minutes), and once there it is pedestrianized and most sites are walkable from a central point -- including the Acropolis, Agora, Plaka, Acropolis Museum, Temple of Olympean Zeus, Theatre of Dionysus, etc.

[Beanb41]

An "Athens by Night" tour sounds like something we might be interested in.

Did you book with a different tour company? Celebrity does not have this tour listed for us. In fact, our tours seem pretty limitted for many ports. For example, only 1 tour is listed for Day 2 in Athens. (Depart at 5pm) Is this because our cruise is a ways away?? (Sept 2016)

 

We have booked privately and are using greeceathenstours.com Time will tell if our decision was the right one

[dabear]

We where in Athens overnight on the Connie last October. We did the hoho bus which has a pick up stop at the cruise port right and the ticket was good for 2 days. Some pax also took the bus to a restaurant at a local seaside restaurant at night & took a cab home.

In addition to the sites mentioned by cruisemom42, also consider the original olympic stadium, union square and across the street is the tomb of the unknown soldier with the changing of the guard.

Edited January 26, 2016 by dabear

[emsachs]

Thanks very much for everyone's replies. Very helpful and appreciated as usual.