Piraeus is one of the largest and vital municipalities of the country. The name comes from the word “beyond” in the sense of distant or opposite. Since ancient times, this district has been the major seaport of Athens due to its three large ports. The harbor city had its peak during ancient times but gradually degenerated during Roman times up to the Byzantine, Frankish and Ottoman periods and, as a consequence, became an almost insignificant port.
However, after the establishment of the Modern Greek State and the city of Athens officially becoming the capital of Greece, its growth and development was very impressive.
In 1834 the architects Kleanthis and Shaubert designed the city of Piraeus. The traditional urban outline and architectural identity of the town are still evident in the center and several buildings have been preserved from the mid 1990’s onwards.
Today, it is a major industrial and commercial center, covering most needs and requirements of the entire country and is considered the most historical and influential focal point of Greece, in conjunction with Athens. Piraeus constantly tries to combine the everyday commerce activities of a large port with the traditional urban way of life. There is a great variety and diversity to be seen throughout the regions, it is a large municipality that meets urban neighborhoods with modern apartments, solely business oriented areas but also districts that are rather underdeveloped due to low economic resources of its residents.
Particularity: The architectural development of the historical center of Piraeus is of great interest. All groups of buildings, residencies, the impressive mansions, shops, office buildings, manufacturers, factories and hotels, as well as the public buildings of the city, demonstrate a variety of structural resolutions.
Transportation: Piraeus is served by 51 bus lines, 3 trolley lines, the train (starting point and terminal), the Metro, the suburban railway and the national KTEL bus line.
Nature: The Terpsitheas Square and the area surrounding the Peace and Friendship Stadium.
Market: One the largest markets in the country, serving the port city, all of the western suburbs and the islands of the Saronic Gulf. The market is wide-ranging and offers almost everything from groceries and provisions to vehicles and fits all budgets.
Average property purchase and rental rates: Prices in Piraeus have vast differences depending on the specific region and range from EUROS 400 to 7,000 per square meter for purchase and from EUROS 4.00 to 16.00 per square meter for rent and the rates are highly influenced by the location and the view which the specific property offers.
Culture/Entertainment: Cinemas, theaters, galleries, restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs, music venues, rooms of mystery.
Spots: The Ancient Walls, the Sideboard of Philonos, Roman Antiquities, Terpsithea, Pasalimani, which is a beautiful part for walking around, the Karaiskaki Stadium, Peiraiki, Siraggio, also known as the cave of Paraskeva, the Cave of Aretoussa, Kastella, Mikrolimano, the islet of Koumoundourou, the Nautical Museum of Greece, the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, the Electric Railway Museum, the Museum of Painting and Scenography, the Municipal Art Gallery of Piraeus, the Piraeus Municipal Theater, the Veakeio Theatre of Piraeus, the Menandrion Theater of Piraeus Theatre and the cathedrals of Mitropolis and Peiraios.
