The stadium has a long history, as it dates back to 1895. It was then a cycling track and was used in the 1896 Olympic Games. In the 1920s it was also used as a football stadium and in 1960 it was renovated to be used for track and field events. In the old “Georgios Karaiskakis” top athletics competitions and UEFA European competition finals took place. It bears the name of a great Greek fighter, who was killed near the site of the stadium during the Greek Revolution in 1821. It was demolished in 2003 and the new “Georgios Karaiskakis” was opened in 2004. It is one of the most modern stadiums in Greece and Europe. Its capacity is 32,115 seats. It has a museum of Olympiacos FC, shops and restaurants. Nearby you will find places to eat. It is about 7 km from the center of Athens.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO STADIO «GEORGIOS KARAISKAKIS»
*** BUS: 040, 101, 130, 218, 420, Α1, Β1.
*** TRAIN: Green Line 1 (Faliro Station)
*** SUBURBAN: 2A, 3B
PIRAEUS: THE LARGEST PORT OF GREECE
Piraeus is the largest commercial hub of the country by sea. It is the largest port and one of the most historic cities. Historians say that there was an island during the Quaternary period of history and the first inhabitants appeared around three millennia BC. It is located just 9 km. away from the center of Athens. The Greek capital is a historical monument in itself. The first historical references were made thousands of years BC. It is the city where the first Olympic Games took place. Browse its bustling alleys, explore its glamorous history, try the awesome Greek cuisine and enjoy every step you take in one of the most beautiful and historic capitals on the planet. Democracy was born in Ancient Athens. It is a journey of experience that will fascinate you at every step and every visit to a museum or archaeological site.
Currency: Euro
Calling Code: +30
Nearest airports from city center: Athens Airport (33km), Kalamata Airport (283km), Thessaloniki Airport (521km).
TOP – 10 SIGHTSEEING (PIRAEUS and ATHENS)
*** ACROPOLIS AND PARTHENON
When you hear about Athens, the image from that particular spot immediately comes to your mind like a photograph. The rocky hill of the Acropolis was inhabited 3 thousand years BC. There is also the Parthenon, the temple built in honor of the goddess Athena in the middle of the 5th century BC.
*** PANATHENAIC STADIUM ( Vasileos Konstantinou Ave., Athens 116 35)
It is the legacy of ancient sports. The modern Olympic Games of 1896 were revived there and it is a world heritage monument. It was opened in 566 BC. and the first renovation took place in 1896. At that time it had a capacity of 80,000 spectators.
*** ACROPOLIS MUSEUM (15 Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens 117 42)
It was opened in 2009 and there you will have the opportunity to see exhibits and finds from the archaeological site of the Acropolis. Over 10,000 exhibits you will find inside the museum.
*** NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM (44 28th of October, Athens 106 82)
It is considered one of the most important museums in the world. There you will find exhibits covering all the cultures of Greece over thousands of centuries, from the prehistoric era to the Roman period.
*** ANCIENT AGORA OF ATHENS (Athens 105 55)
It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. This specific area was the economic, administrative and educational center of Ancient Athens. See the Temple of Hephaestus and many more important points of the History of the Greek capital.
*** TEMPLE OF OLYMPIAN ZEUS (Athens 105 57)
It began to be built in the 6th century BC, but was completed in 131 AD. During the Roman period it had been plundered and its materials had been used for other constructions of the city. Next to it is the Arch of Hadrian.
*** ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF PIRAEUS (Char. Trikoupi 31, Piraeus 185 36)
If you want to know everything about Piraeus from ancient times to the present day, then visit this particular museum.
*** NAVAL MUSEUM OF GREECE (Akti Themistokleou, Piraeus 185 37)
Piraeus means Olympiacos FC and port. Port means sea and sailors! Visit the largest Naval Museum in Greece to see the history of the country’s Navy from prehistoric times to the present day.
*** PLAKA
The neighborhood built on a hill will give you a special color in your walks. The small shops, outdoor cafes and taverns, but also the smiling people will enchant you. And all this happens in the shadow of the Acropolis.
*** LYCABETTUS
If you want to see Athens from above, then climb the hill and enjoy the wonderful view. Many marriage proposals have been made at this point.
ΤΗINGS TO DO
*** Walk to Freattyda, Piraiki and Prophet Ilias in Piraeus to be enchanted by the scenery.
*** Be sure to visit the Roman Agora of Athens.
*** Visit Theater of Dionysus . This specific space has been linked to the genesis and development of ancient drama and theater in general. It is considered the world’s first theater!
*** If you have free time visit Museum of Cycladic Art. Youwill find objects from the ancient cultures of the Cyclades and Cyprus. Periodical exhibitions are also held.
*** Odeon of Herodes Atticus! If he has a theater performance or concert on the days you will be in Athens, then don’t miss it. It is a unique experience.
*** The National Garden is also a nice place to take your walk.
*** In Syntagma Square you will see the Hellenic Parliament.
*** The National Gallery is an important place for art lovers.
*** Benaki Museum of Greek Culture is another important museum.
*** The Byzantine and Christian Museum is another must-see.
*** The War Museum is worth your visit.
*** The Numismatic Museum, which is housed in the mansion of the archaeologist Eric Schliman, is also a very nice experience.
*** If you are a fan of the Olympic Games, then visit the Olympic Museum of Athens.
*** The National Museum of Contemporary Art is also worth your attention.
*** If you want to see a different Athens, then go to the beaches and visit Glyfada and Vouliagmeni.
*** Athens has several beaches for your baths, such as at Akti Vouliagmeni and Alimos.
*** The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is worth visiting
FOOD AND DRINK
Piraeus and Athens are culinary paradises. Of course you will find restaurants with Asian, American, African, European and Latin American cuisine. But you must definitely try the traditional dishes. The village salad and the souvlaki with pita are the hallmarks of traditional Greek cuisine. Try gyros, burgers, pastitsio, moussaka, lettuce dolmades, bean salad, dolmades, calamari, octopus, fish, tzatziki, cheese pie and spinach pie. You can also try yuvarlakia, garritsa, trachanas, peas, beans, okra, stuffed and yuvetsi. For sweets, try galaktobourek, kadaifi, loukumades, kourabiedes, melomakarona, baklava, rice milk, tsoureki, halva, pasteli and diples. For drinks you can drink wine, beer, ouzo and tsipouro. It has wonderful restaurants and traditional taverns. Also visit food stalls.
WHERE TO STAY
Piraeus and Athens have many hotels for all budgets. Both in the city center and several kilometers outside the center, you will find hotels and apartments at good prices.
FUN AND SHOPPING
*** The Municipal Theater of Piraeus is one of the best places in the city to enjoy a concert or a theater performance.
*** Walk through the Monastiraki and Thisio districts, one of the most central and busiest parts of the city. We would recommend you to sit there for food, coffee or drink.
*** The Psirri district is also a great spot in the city to have fun.
*** The Concert Hall is a place of culture for concerts and performances. It is worth visiting if there is a show that interests you.
*** The most central street in Athens for your shopping is Ermou.
*** Attica, The Department Store – City Link is one of the most important places for your shopping.
*** Atrium Shopping Center is yet another place for your shopping.
*** Athens Metro Mall is also another place to do your shopping.
*** Agora Athens is in Monastiraki and has many shops for clothes and antiques.
*** Smart Park and Mc Arthur Glen is discount village for your shopping.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The most beautiful way to get around the city is on foot, by train, by metro or by bus.
CITIES NEAR PIRAEUS
Major cities close to Piraeus are Athens (3km), Korinthos (67km), Chalkida (79km), Livadeia (141km), Tripoli (158km), Patra (210km), Sparta (212km), Kalamata (239km), Volos (320km), Trikala (334km), Larisa (354km).
