Greek Islands Cruises: Best Cruise Port Destinations in Greece

In this article, you can learn everything about Greece as a popular cruise destination and discover what to do in each of the following ports of call in Greece if you’re there for a short visit.

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When considering traveling by cruise to Greece, there are so many destinations to visit that you need to make sure you choose a cruise stopping at ports with your top attractions.

In this post, get to know the best cruise port destinations in Greece and learn what to see and what to expect in each port of call!

Cruise Ports in Greece

There are certain areas in Greece that you don’t want to miss out on! It’s beautiful architecture, delicious foods, and sightseeing wonders like the Parthenon, Olympia, the Minoan Palace of Knossos, and many religious attractions.

When going all out, you’ve got to make sure your cruise is tailored to your personal liking. The best way to start is to check which ports you will be arriving at and what things you can see over there!

Port of Heraklion (Crete)

The Port of Heraklion, on the island of Crete, is definitely a good tourist destination that should make it on your list while visiting Greece.

The area has been inhabited for more than 10,000 years; therefore, there are lots of things you don’t want to miss on the island. The port itself is large and can accommodate several cruise ships at a time.

If you happen to dock far away from the terminal building, there are shuttle buses that can transport you.

The port is located outside of the Ancient City Walls, next to the Venetian Harbor and Marina. From here it’s fairly easy to reach the Central Bus Station and catch a bus to explore Crete’s west coast.

>> If you’re spending a few days in town, check the best things to do in Heraklion.

One of the most popular attractions in this port is the Minoan Palace of Knossos. This palace is the fabled location of the Minotaur’s Labyrinth and is over 3,700 years old. To reach the actual location, you will need to take a taxi or catch a public bus, because it’s just under four miles away from the port.

Knossos was first excavated about a century ago, and it’s the most impressive of the four Minoan palaces that have been unearthed on the island. The best way to visit Knossos is by booking an organized tour like this one that also includes skip-the-line access.

From the harbor, you will be able to connect to 25th August Street, the main pedestrian street in Heraklion, lined with neoclassical buildings such as the Loggia.

It will lead you to Lion Square, adorned with the beautiful Morosini Fountain featuring, you got it, lion statues.

The water fountain dates back to the 17th century, and it’s Heraklion’s main meeting point both for locals and visitors. Lion Square is a good place to grab some Bougatsa, a typical Greek breakfast pastry.

Port of Katakolon (West Peloponnese)

Unlike Heraklion, Katakolon is a small port. In fact, larger cruise ships cannot dock here but will anchor nearby and bring passengers ashore by way of tender boats.

The main reason to stop at Katakolon is to visit Olympia. Departing from this port can visit some of the most popular Greek islands: Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Ithaca, and Lefkada.

Otherwise, once ashore, you can take a bus to Olympia. The Olympia Old Stadium is where the original Olympic Games took place in 776 BC.

The stadium itself could hold 20,000 spectators in its day.

In the 6th century, earthquakes and floods damaged Olympia, but the archaeological site gives you a peek into what this historical location once looked like.

The Olympia Archaeological Museum is one of the largest in Greece and includes artifacts and bronze statues from the prehistoric, Archaic, and Classical periods.  

> Click here to find accommodation near Olympia.

Port of Kerkyra (Corfu)

The Port of Corfu (Kerkyra, in Greek) is small but modern, as well as the main ferry connection between Italy and Greece. It can handle large and small cruise ships, but it can get very busy. The port is located less than a two-mile walk from the center of the city and its attractions.

Near the entrance to the city, you will see Neo Frourio, or the New Fort, towering over the landscape. Construction on the fort started in 1572, and it was built in stages until its completion in 1645. Within the fort is the modern headquarters of the Naval Station of Corfu.

On your way out of the city, you can stop for a stroll around Spianada Square, the largest and busiest square on the island.

There, you can admire the lovely Venetian architecture, monuments, and a fountain. Close by is Palaio Frourio or the Old Fort, another important Venetian fortress.

The Antivouniotissa Museum and Church are popular tourist destinations while stopping in Corfu. The museum contains religious artifacts and works of art from the Cretan and early Heptanese schools.

The Byzantine church is the oldest in Kerkyra, dating back to the 15th century.

Another religious location is the St. Spyridon Cathedral, with a bell tower that is the highest in the Ionian Islands and houses relics of the saint himself. The cathedral is from the 1580s and is one of the most famous churches in Corfu.

Lastly, don’t forget to stop by the Archaeological Museum of Corfu. The museum was inaugurated in 1967. Here, you can learn about the island itself and the inhabitants from the Prehistoric Era to late antiquity.

Once in Corfu, it’ll be easy to cruise around the smaller islands of the Ionian Sea, such as Paxos & Antipaxos.

> Click here to find accommodation in Corfu.

Port of Mykonos

When cruising Greece, Mykonos is a place you don’t want to miss. Depending on the weather and season, your ship may dock at the port or anchor in the bay and bring you in by tender boat to the old harbor, which is closer to the city center than the new port.

Nearby is Míkra Venetía, the “Little Venice” of Mykonos. With a row of homes built directly on the sea’s edge.

These have been transformed into bars and art galleries, with superb views of the windmills at sunset. It is a charming and quaint place to tour and take in artistic architecture.

Mykonos is home to Panagia Paraportiani, the most famous church in the area. The name literally means “Our Lady of the Side Gate” in Greek. Construction was started in 1425 and finished in the 17th century.

The church is stunningly smooth and whitewashed. It actually consists of five individual churches that are joined together, four at the base and the fifth on top.

> Click here to find accommodation in Mykonos.

Port of Patmos

Patmos is another small cruise port. Smaller ships can dock, and larger ones will anchor in the bay area. The island is part of the Dodecanese cluster, and most of the attractions are located in the Chora (main town) of Patmos.

It’s a bit of a walk up the hill, but you can also take a bus. The island itself is about 22 square miles and has a tranquil lifestyle and beautiful beaches.

The chora has lovely, quaint white buildings adorned with flowers and light blue doorways. It’s a great place to enjoy the views of Skala, the town by the port

Patmos is an island where religious tourism flourishes. In 95 AD, the Roman emperor Domitian exiled St. John the Evangelist as a result of anti-Christian persecution. St. John came to live on this Greek island within the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse.

It is said that he saw visions and heard God’s voice dictate the Apocalypse through a cleft in the rock. This is where he wrote the Book of Revelation. You can actually visit the cave and see the mystic location.

Make a point to also visit the Monastery of St. John, an impressive fortified religious complex built in the 11th century to honor the saint.

> Click here to find accommodation in Patmos.

Port of Athens (Piraeus)

If Greek architecture is your thing, then stopping at this port is a must-do. This is a large, busy port with two cruise terminals and lots of docking space for ferries.

There are a few museums you could actually visit in Piraeus (such as the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus).

However, reaching the center of Athens (about seven miles away) is well worth it. A few meters from the port, you can catch the metro and be in Athens in about 20 minutes.

You may recall the Parthenon from your art or history classes. This is the most famous monument in Athens. It sits atop a high table mountain, the Acropolis, towering over 500 ft above the surrounding area.

The Parthenon is a Greek temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena. Construction on the temple started in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at its peak of power. In the Acropolis, it’s possible to check temples that are the epitome of fine Greek architecture.

The Parthenon is one of the finest structures of all. The fact that it is still standing today is a testament to the workmanship of the craftsmen who built it.

Within the Acropolis, don’t forget to check the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, the Theater of Dionysus, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Also check the Ancient Agora, the main building for the administration, and the justice system of Athenian democracy. It’s home to an impressive Stoa and one of Greece’s best-preserved temples.

Right in front of the Acropolis, you can also visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It’s dedicated to the Greek god Zeus and is the largest temple in Greece. Stop at the National Archaeological Museum to see a collection of ancient Greek art.

Check out this affordable Acropolis Monuments & Parthenon Walking Tour with the Optional Acropolis Museum Entrance. It offers access to some of the most important ancient landmarks in the city.

To have a better idea of the things you can see in the Acropolis, check out both this mythological tour and this one-day tour. If you’re staying overnight, here’s a list of places you might want to check at night in town.

> Click here to find accommodation in Athens.

Port of Rhodes

At the port of Rhodes, you dock fairly close to the city center and the local attractions. As you come into port, you can view the entrance to the old harbor where the Colossus once stood.

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Colossus was a huge statue of the Greek sun-god Helios.

It was erected in 280 BC and was said to have towered 108 ft high, about the same height as the Statue of Liberty. An earthquake brought it down in 226 BC.

Less famous destinations in Rhodes include the medieval fortress walls (from the 14th century), the Mosque of Suleiman, dedicated to the Turkish Sultan in 1522, and the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes.

The original palace was constructed in the 14th century but was destroyed in 1856. The Italians then rebuilt it in medieval style as a vacation home for King Vittorio Emanuele.

Are you looking for more things to do in Rhodes? Check this Rhodes Easy & Lazy Private Tour to see the best of the island at your own pace and at a very affordable fee.

> Click here to find accommodation in Rhodes.

Port of Santorini

This is a tiny port where cruise ships can’t dock. They will anchor near the cliffs of Fira, giving passengers a spectacular view of the Caldera of Santorini.

Once ashore, you can explore the town of Fira or make an excursion to Oia. In Fira, you can visit the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, which is a modern construction from the 19th century. The Cathedral was rebuilt after Santorini’s famous earthquake in 1956.

You can also check the Museum of Prehistoric Fira. It features a large collection of prehistoric art, cultural items, vases from the 7th and 6th centuries BC, and other archaeological finds. 

> Click here to find accommodation in Santorini or discover the best rental homes on the island.

What’s the Best Time of the Year to Cruise to Greece

Optimal weather in Greece varies from the mainland to the islands, but in general, the best times of the year to visit are April through mid-June, and September to mid-October. This goes without saying, but the further south you go, the milder the climate you will find.

Winters in Greece get cold, rainy, and sometimes snowy, mostly on the mainland. Summers can reach blistering hot temperatures that most people will not enjoy.

Besides, the central months of August and July are jam-packed with tourists. If you can only travel during those months, make peace with the fact that you’ll find crowds. Add some patience to your packing list, and you’ll be fine.

No matter when you go, be prepared for warm weather, a few chilly nights (if not in the peak season), and some rain if you travel in winter. Whenever traveling by sea, be ready to protect your electronics from the moist and salty sea air.

Regular vs Luxury Cruises

Perhaps you are on a budget, or maybe this trip has been in the making as an all-out bucket list extravaganza.

Deciding what luxuries you want and how much you want to spend will affect the quality of your trip.

• Do you want a plain cabin, or do you want a suite?
• Are you up for a white glove service or can you navigate your own trip plans?
• Would you like all of your drinks, shore excursions, and gratuities to be included?

While regular cruises can cost half the price of luxury cruises or less, if you plan to enjoy a full bar every day, eat lobsters till you burst, and provide adequate tips to service people, you may end up paying closer to the luxury cruise price range anyway. 

If you are an inexperienced cruiser, opting for the help of a cruise line travel agent can take a lot of the headache of planning your trip out of the equation. After all, taking a cruise shouldn’t be stressful; it should be the most relaxing and fun vacation yet!

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Cruise Ports in Greece