Combining the best of the Mediterranean beaches with history and culture, ports around Greece are popular destinations for cruise lines to visit. The capital of Greece, Athens has a huge number of ancient buildings and relics still in tact. Cruisers who call at Athens should visit the Parthenon, the Archaeological Museum where you can see the Mask of Agamemnon as well as the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Then head down to harbour to enjoy some grilled sardines and watch the sun set. Expect to find ancient sites in most ports you visit – Greece was one of the most influential civilisations in the ancient world and once ruled an area that stretched from the Mediterranean through North Africa and the Middle East to Asia. Take as many shore excursions as you can. But if the big city isn’t your thing and you want some rest and relaxation, Mykonos and Santorini, with their crystal clear blue waters and pebbly beaches are a major draw. You can’t go to Greece without experiencing the best of the Mediterranean diet. Local dishes include moussaka, stifado, Greek salad, spanakopti and souvlaki, washed down with a glass of the local resinated wine, retsina.
PLACES TO STAY
Fresh Hotel is in the lively Central Market district and offers sleek interiors, a cocktail bar and a rooftop swimming pool for a very reasonable price. Out of the city, the Astir Palace Bungalows are an exercise in contemporary coastal chic. Each bungalow is decorated in a nautical theme and has a plunge pool and sunken tub, while onsite restaurants include Matsuhisa Athens from the legendary Nobu chef. In Mykonos, the boutique Grace has one of the most beautiful pools in the world, overlooking the ocean, and on neighbouring Santorini the Cosmopolitan Suites is where celebrities stay when they’re in town.
WHERE CAN YOU CRUISE?
Click here for a full list of Greece’s top cruise ports.