klb saw things this way:
Overall
3
Crowded, crowded, crowded, but, yes, it's historic, August 12, 2013
Reviewer: klb
Pros: Ancient history, Parthenon
Cons: Crowds are horrible
First time in Greece, I knew Athens is a popular spot. When tour groups are in town, though, whoa! it's suffocating. The lines at the Parthenon were outrageous and it's like being herded like cattle. It's smart to be part of a group or with a guide so that you don't have to wait for tickets at Acropolis. The line can be 30-45 minutes long. It's hot in summer, be sure to bring an umbrella and water. Got back on the ship and was talking with a fellow cruiser. Both of us agreed we'd never go back to Athens again, having seen the Parthenon and museum.
geekguy1 saw things this way:
Overall
4
Another must-see port of call, December 16, 2010
Reviewer: geekguy1
Pros: Many worthwhile sites to visit
Cons: Crowds, traffic
In Athens, we used Paul Kalomiris, owner of www.GreekTaxi.gr. Paul responded quickly to our emails and provided an excellent running commentary (in near-perfect English) as we drove through Athens to the various sites. Licensed guides are required for the Acropolis, but we hooked up with one and got information overload. The guidebook Paul provided would probably have been all we needed for a good overview of the site, which is really what we wanted. Paul was good about watching the time and got us back to the ship without any time concerns. Athens, as a city, has a lot to recommend it. The Acropolis is the main focus for tourists, and is certainly worth an extended visit, considering how much there is to see and do at that site alone. Related to that is another important site, the New Acropolis Museum, which contains many artifacts from the Acropolis (replaced, on-site, by reproductions such as the friezes from the Parthenon). The museums construction, however, left a lot of open space inside, so it can be gone through perhaps quicker than one might expect. There are good descriptions in English and a recommended short movie (subtitled and English) talking about the Parthenon and Acropolis. The ticket for the Acropolis includes many other sites in Athens (although the museum is an additional 5 E), and includes something like an additional 10-12 sites including Hadrians Library, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, and the Temple of Zeus.
snadolski saw things this way:
Overall
4
Good facilities for docking, September 14, 2010
Reviewer: snadolski
Pros: Easy shore access
Cons: Very busy
Several ships were in port at the same time so it was very busy. Finding the right pier on return to the ship was easy as long as you remembered where to go. Taxi driver had no problem.
tcambron saw things this way:
Overall
4
Ancient city with tons of history, September 14, 2010
Reviewer: tcambron
Pros: Lots to see and do
Cons: Long trip from the port
We took the train into Athens from the port city of Piraeus. Then we walked around Athens. As we had been there before, we did not go to the Acropolis. We walked to the House of Parliament where we saw the Evzonoi, the Presidential Guards. Their uniforms were very ornate and they walked lifting their legs very high and stiff-legged. We went to a little taverna (restaurant) and got a Greek salad and a cup of Greek coffee. The salad was good and very fresh. The coffee was in a tiny cup and very strong. The bottom half inch was all fine grounds. We then walked through the Plaka, the old shopping district. It was a nice but a very tiring day.
