How to Explore Piraiki, Piraeus’ Coastline Walkway

Nestled along the picturesque Piraeus coastline lies Piraiki, a charming district renowned for its tranquil ambiance, scenic pedestrian walkway, and seafood dishes.  Although Piraeus is known as Europe's largest passenger port and where the ferries to the Greek islands depart, it is also a seaside community of merchants, fishermen, and old world charms.  According to locals, Piraeus is all about the water, so it comes as no surprise that the area boasts a stunning promenade with uninterrupted views of the sea.  

The charming pedestrian path offers seaside walks with viewpoints and rocky coves to explore.  It’s also rich in history and vestiges of ancient defensive structures are still visible.  The area is complemented by fish taverns known for their mouthwatering seafood dishes.  Although we’ve been told these eateries are bustling during weekends and holidays, during a beautiful Saturday morning in February we found it to be quite peaceful.

We started this walk in the morning with our dog, but the sunsets are also rumored to be incredible!

How to Get to Piraiki

It’s easy to get to Piraeus from Athens via metro.  However, I would take the quick & cheap taxi ride from the Piraeus metro stop to the start of the Peiraiki so you don’t add an extra hour to your walk - trust me you’ll want to save the walk for the coastline.

Where to Begin

The walking path is referred to by locals as the “Piraiki.”  Although it starts from the Chatzikyriakeio neighborhood (example: restaurant Akti in Google maps) and ends at Mikrolimano Marina, I recommend starting from the Chapel of Agios Nikolaos to shave off some of the extra walk and jump to the good stuff.  

As you walk along the shoreline, soak up the gentle sea breeze and admire the rugged cliffs and rocky coves that dot the landscape.  You’ll see colorful fishing boats bobbing gently in the harbor, a testament to the area's maritime heritage.  Actually, watching the sailboats cruise out of the harbor was one of my favorite things I’ve done in Athens!  It just goes to show that some of the most beautiful things in this world are free.

The whole walk without stopping too much should take about 1.5 hours one way.

Along the way, you’ll pass several sets of stairs that lead down to the rocks and the water.  It’s almost otherworldly and I encourage you to stop at least once to explore and take in the salty, windy air.  Our pup had a blast launching over the rocks! 

Where to Stop for Food

After walking for about 45 minutes, you’ll approach Zeas Marina and see tavernas and beach clubs lining the street.  In winter, the tavernas in February open between 12-1 PM, so plan accordingly.  This is a great place to stop at one of the several tavernas for lunch. These quaint eateries, with their rustic charm and warm hospitality, offer an array of fresh seafood dishes like grilled octopus, fried calamari, mussels, or traditional Greek fish souvlaki.

Imerovigli restaurant/ouzeri is a good example of a taverna with lots of seafood options coming straight from the boats of their partner fishermen.  They are an ouzeri which means they serve mainly seafood meze (small plates) that are a perfect match for ouzo (Greek liquor). They follow the traditional islander ways of cooking and use pure Greek raw materials.  Order the shrimp wrapped in filo pastry, octopus croquettes, tomato fritters, or stuffed sardines.  Go here for the food.

Pisina Marina Zeas is a good option if you’re in the mood for a beach club.  It has upscale and reasonably priced patio dining with a pool and views of mega yachts.  Go here for the ambiance.

Funny story time:  Our dog Havana was getting very tired after walking so we needed to stop for lunch.  Because the taverna's opened at 12:30, we walked up to Pisina Beach Club and decided this was our last chance before we would taxi back. The only trouble was that this looked too upscale to allow dogs.  I asked a server if they would by chance allow ours at the patio tables outside by the pool and dock. The server looked at me like I was crazy and said “bring your dog in here right now and sit wherever you guys want - indoor or not!”  Shocked, I looked at him and asked how I could get her from the sidewalk to the back patio and he again looked at me and said “...you just go get your dog and you walk with her right through this dining room.”  Havana ended up chilling by the pool, looking at mega yachts, and getting loved on by the staff.  We can’t wait to come back in pool season and enjoy the brunch waffles that looked to die for!

Keep Walking to Mikrolimano

Now that you’re refreshed, continue your exploration of Piraiki's coastal treasures.  Keep walking to Mikrolimano, another small harbor, for coffee at one of the many cafes or restaurants.

Istioploikos (Piraeus Sailing Club) in Mikrolimano is a classic favorite and has a lovely view of the water and the yachts berthed in the marina.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can take a dip in the clear waters of the beaches that are next door.  Otherwise, soak in the views one last time before heading home.

As the day draws to a close, reflect on the sights, flavors, and sounds of Piraiki, Piraeus’ coastal gem!