Page 88 - ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL 2024

ATHENS RIVIERA JOURNAL
escape ˝ATTRACTIONS ARE
EVOLVING AND

MULTIPLYING AT A

RAPID PACE AS PIRAEUS
features above-ground parking with Parksmart certification, the first Port Square Hotel and The Alex Monte Kastella. For more affordable
in Greece. In fact, the whole complex is LEED Gold and Platinum but still comfortable accommodation look into providers like Gallery CONTINUES TO TURN
approved. The initiative combats climate change by incorporating Suites & Residences and Phidias Piraeus Hotel.
energy-efficient features like natural lighting, advanced technologies, All of these options promise cosy rooms and a great night’s sleep, as DOMESTIC AND
and intelligent automation for optimized power consumption and well as easy access to local amenities and the stunning Athenian Riviera.
occupant comfort. INTERNATIONAL HEADS.˝
Among several other projects, DIMAND is also responsible for the old and new experiences not to miss
renovation of the Piraeus Tower, standing at 88 metres tall and prom- If you’re interested in a day of shopping while touring the city, keep
ising a vast range of office spaces, shops, restaurants, and even a gym, the Piraeus Retail Park in mind. Completed in 2022, courtesy of Ten
all overlooking the Athenian Riviera. Its estimated completion date Brinke Hellas, it offers 14 chain stores to pick from.
is the first quarter of 2024, and it will be the country’s first biocli- Do you prefer something more traditional? Make sure you explore the
matic high riser. streets of Piraeus. The neighbourhoods of Keratsini and Drapetsona
Here’s another noteworthy upgrade to Piraeus. The SILO building, are popular for their variety of sights, shops, fooderies, and landmarks.
once used to store grain and then abandoned, will be turned into a When it comes to attractions that reshaped Piraeus, its museums
unique Museum of Maritime Antiquities, expected to feature at least are among the places you must not overlook. Besides the Museum
2,000 relics of Greece’s underwater and maritime history, from bronze of Maritime Antiquities mentioned above, your itinerary should
statues and naval tools to the original research diaries of Jacques-Yves include the Hellas Liberty. It is a WWII ship that was turned into
Cousteau from the late 1970s. It should be ready for visitors by 2025. a floating museum and opened to the public in 2010. Since then, it
In the meantime, underwater research continues into sites such as the still sits in the port and offers a unique history lesson about the war
seven-room public building on Salamina’s eastern coast, discovered and Greece’s naval background, as well as what it was like to live and
in 2022. work on a ship of this type.
The Stone Warehouse (Petrini Apothiki) was also restored and repur- The Archaeological Museum of Pireaus is another great choice. Its
posed. The Piraeus Port Authority got a new historical archives centre collection transports you to ancient Piraeus, one of the most important
and passenger terminal, while one space became a museum of ancient naval and trading centres of the East Mediterranean. The museum’s
Greek technology and another a gallery and small venue for hire. exhibits range from the Mycenaean to the Roman era.
Besides revamped buildings, Piraeus is getting new roads and im- Interestingly, the Municipality of Piraeus announced in 2022 that it
proved public transport. The most ambitious project underway is plans to create a very special museum in an old train station: the House
the creation of a tunnel between Salamina and Piraeus, reducing the of Rebetiko, a music genre often referred to as the blues of Greece. If
normally arduous journey to a mere five minutes. this museum is made a reality, visitors will get to immerse themselves
Then there is the Athens Metro extension of line three by 7.6 km, in the history, culture, and moving melodies of the rebetiko. >
adding six new stops between Agia Marina and Piraeus. With several
already in use, this line, which starts at Athens Airport, promises a
smooth and direct link for travellers visiting Piraeus. Hopping onto
a ferry or cruise from there is already very simple.
In an effort to make Piraeus as easy to navigate as possible, the tram
system is getting an upgrade of its own. Specifically, the line connect-
ing the centre of Piraeus with Hatzikyriakio and Freatida is being ex-
tended with an additional 10 stops.
The Piraeus Tower
new hospitality opportunities set to enrich marks a bright
piraeus commercial and
ecological future
Enso Hotel Piraeus was one more of DIMAND’s projects. This time for Greece, but the
it transformed an old structure into a modern 58-room hotel. And cultural heritage
this is far from the only initiative reinventing Greek hospitality and of Piraeus, evident
boosting the value of Piraeus as a top tourism destination. in its seafaring,
Another impressive achievement came from Mitsis Group. While architecture, and
rebranding itself and constantly looking for innovative ways to make coastal lifestyle, are
still held dear.
visitors feel welcome, it replaced an abandoned office building with a PHOTO: NIKOS DANIILIDIS, 3D: KONSTANTINOS KOUDOUNIS, ISTOCK BY GETTY IMAGES
four-star hotel: Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port. Situated right next to three
terminals of one of the largest ports in the world, it features 103 spa-
cious rooms and services that ensure the most tranquil stay possible.
Not only that but spring of 2024 is supposed to come with a new
Hampton by Hilton hotel on Kastella Hill, a landmark famous for
its beautiful architecture and view of the Saronic Gulf. 83 rooms and
high-end Hilton luxuries are in the works.
Other four-star hotels to consider when visiting Piraeus include The

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