The smell of the sea pervades Piraeus. Island-hoppers looking for a comfortable bed for an overnight stay before boarding an early-morning ferry will find the best places to stay in Piraeus the perfect choice. However this age-old seafaring community is more than just just a jumping-off point for the Aegean islands. Yes, hundreds of ferries depart day and night, but it has been the seaport of Athens since antiquity and so has its own history and a proudly independent identity – symbolised by the marble Lion of Piraeus that stands outside the town hall - waits to be discovered.

Flickr user Jeffrey

Waterfront cafes line the quayside at Zea Marina, where plutocrats moor their gleaming yachts and hydrofoils zoom to nearby Hydra, Aegina, Poros and Spetses. Athenians visit specially to dine at the very expensive fish restaurants at Mikrolimano, the tiny fishing harbour east of the main port, and there are unpretentious, less expensive eateries serving meze, ouzo, seafood and souvlaki in the heart of Piraeus.

The Best hotels in Piraeus, Athens

For a pre-ferry stay

• Piraeus City Hotel is perfect for those seeking a comfortable nights stay just steps from the port, and you can watch the ferries come and go from balcony rooms and the rooftop restaurant.

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