Athens in 12 hours

Posted by Brian (Littleton, CO, USA) on 08/04/08 08:42 AM

I realize it's a travesty, but my wife and I will have only 12 hours in Athens (early October 2008) as part of a cruise of the Mediterranean. We've not been able to find a tour that can accommodate our schedule (noon to midnight, docked in Piraeus) and the 2 sights we wanted to get in: the Acropolis and the Archeological Museum.

My big question is, do you think this is doable? Has anyone taken public transport/metro from the Acropolis area to the museum? It appears to be about 30 minutes away by car/train, so we're a little concerned that if we get to the Acropolis around 1:30pm, assuming we can make our way to the museum, we might not have enough time to enjoy it..

If you had 12 hours in Athens, and in all likelihood were not planning on returning to Greece anytime in the next 20 years, would you spend your time elsewhere?

Thanks for the help!

Brian

Posted by Alan

Brighton, UK

08/04/08 09:51 AM

1421 posts

Brian

Possible, but you'll probably need to be fairly quick in the museum.

From Piraeus take the metro to Viktorias. This takes about 30 minutes and metros are every 10 minutes or so. As you come up the steps from the metro carry straight on (Viktorias Square is behind you) for a minute and then turn right onto the main road (Patission). The Archaeological Museum is about 5 minutes down this road on the other side.

After the museum retrace your steps to the station and take the metro to Thisseon. Turn right out of the station and walk round the back of the Acropolis, before turning left up to the main entrance.

You should have time to eat in Plaka before returning to either Monastiraki or Thisseon metro station to return to Piraeus.

This map gives the relative position of places

http://www.cretetravel.com/Athens/Athens_mini_guide/Athens_map.htm

Walking from the Archaeological Museum to the Acropolis is also fairly easy. Around a 30 minute walk which takes you through the centre of Athens.

Depending on your exact dates the new Acropolis Museum may be open. The latest word is that it will open in mid-October. If it is I would skip the Archaeological Museum and go to the Acropolis Museum instead.

Have a good trip

Alan

Posted by Lee

Camarillo, California

08/04/08 10:21 AM

3149 posts

Unless you arrive on the weekend, you have plenty of time to see both, and DON'T skip the National Archaeological Musem for any reason.

From the cruise port of Piraeus take the Green Line Suburban Train to the Viktoria Metro Station. Walk the short distance to the National Archaeological Museum. Return to the Metro Station and take the Green Line Train back to the Monastiraki Metro Station. Follow the signs and walk up the Acropolis to the Parthenon. Return to the Monastiraki Metro Station and take the Green Line back to the port.

National Archaeological Museum Visitor's Hours: Tue-Fri: 8am-7pm, Mon:12:30pm-7pm, Sat, Sun & Holidays: 8:30am-3pm

Parthenon Visitor's Hours: 8:00am-7:30pm daily.

Posted by Brian OP

Littleton, CO, USA

08/05/08 08:38 AM

3 posts

Thanks to all for their suggestions. We're arriving on a Friday, so I think we'll hop a cab to the Piraeus metro, head to the Arch Museum, metro back to the Acropolis, dinner in the Plaka, then metro back to the ship before midnight. This should maximize our brief stay.

Thanks again!

Posted by Lee

Camarillo, California

08/05/08 09:26 AM

3149 posts

I know you'll be doing a lot of walking later on, but you can just walk to the Metro Station from your cruise ship dock. I think it's only about 1/4 mile. There may even be a shuttle bus, although I don't know for sure.