The center of the city
So, what are we doing today in Piraeus? Let's take a stroll in the city center! The options are limitless: shopping, sightseeing, coffee, food, drinks, walks. However, Piraeus is not just any metropolis. It combines the atmosphere of past decades that left their mark on small shops, narrow streets, traditional cafes, antique shops, and food markets. And the modern city with its glamorous shops, hotels, multipurpose spaces, pedestrian streets, squares, and iconic contemporary buildings.
Let's put the puzzle together!
On Iroon Politechniou Street stands the most impressive building in the city, the Municipal Theater. It is one of the most important theaters in Greece, a true architectural gem of neoclassical style. It was founded in 1884 based on the plans of architect I. Lazarimos. On performance nights, the theater comes alive and beautifully lit welcomes the audience. Get a ticket and along with the show, admire its equally impressive interior!
Crossing the street, you will find yourself in Korai Square with the brand-new metro station and the Municipality of Piraeus. Near the square, you will find the church of Saints Constantine and Helen, one of the largest in Piraeus, built between 1879-1883 according to the designs of Ioannis Lazarimos.
At 29 Filonos Street, it's worth entering the neoclassical building of the old Post Office dating back to the early 20th century. Here houses the Municipal Art Gallery. In its rich collection, among other things, there are 837 paintings by well-known contemporary Greek painters and contemporary artists. In the same street rises the Catholic Church of Saint Paul. It was inaugurated in 1840 and designed by the famous architect Eduard Schaubert.
From Iroon Politechniou Avenue, you can take a stroll in the parks of Terpsithea. In this neighborhood is the area of Troumba. Its center is on Notara Street and the neighboring streets Filonos and Kolokotroni. Its name was known throughout Greece from the early 20th century for the brothels, opium dens, bars, and cabarets, frequented mainly by sailors and workers from the industries. It was the "sinful neighborhood" of Piraeus for which many have been written, inspiring scenarios for popular Greek films of the '50s and '60s. Today, Troumba is an upgraded area with hotels, shipping company offices, modern restaurants, coffee bars, and clubs. Concerts, events, and street parties, some of which are organized as part of the Sea Days, take place here.
The shops in the city center are many and sell everything! Most of them can be found on the pedestrian street of Sotiros Dios and on perpendicular streets such as Kolokotroni, Karaïskou, Alkiviadou, Ypsilantou, Praxitelous. Iroon Politechniou, Vasileos Georgiou, Gregoriou Lambraki have many famous stores, mixed with more affordable boutiques. On Filonos, you will find several budget-friendly accessory shops. If you are looking for jewelry stores and old religious icons, these shops are concentrated on Vasileos Georgiou. On Tsamadou, apart from clothing and accessory stores, there are bookstores, travel goods stores, sweets, dried fruits, and more.
The food markets of Piraeus have their roots in the early 20th century and maintain their characteristic atmosphere. Today, traditional shops coexist with delicatessens, offering a wide variety of exceptional products from Greece and abroad. Walk along the streets of Lykourgou, Demosthenous, Tsamadou, Karoli Dimitriou, D. Gounari, and the surrounding streets with shops selling fruits, vegetables, meats, cold cuts, and cheeses. Fish markets traditionally have their honor, as do butcher shops and cheese shops. Several old grocery stores have evolved into shops with a variety of exquisite products—some even have tables for you to taste on the spot whatever piques your appetite. And the herb market flourishes, offering hundreds of Greek aromatic herbs and tea varieties from around the world.
As for food, street food, coffee, and entertainment... have an appetite! You will find them in front of you as you take your walks, and they will impress you with their variety, quality, style, thematic decorations, and menus inspired by various countries around the world.
Location
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