Piraeus was by far the lowlight of our trip. Maybe the biggest problem were our own – somehow romanticized – expectations: We dreamed up a picturesque harbor town, streets lined with historic buildings and a prestigious Mediterranean promenade with little shops and restaurants. And even its website highlights the "fascinating and ancient history", describes the port-city as "vibrant, with sights worth seeing". None of that is really the case though.

The truth is: Piraeus can be quite nice – but leave the piers where the world’s biggest cruise ships dock and the marina behind and you will find yourself in a world that can be both desolate and intimidating. Yes, parts of Athens and its suburbs are rundown, too. However, Piraeus is on a completely different level. It lacks the vibe, the energy that makes Athens so special, that shows everybody that its people are not just suffering from the economic crisis, but that they are ready to try something new.

And the city of Piraeus’ solution? Building a new high-speed train link to the center of Athens so people arriving via ship can skip Piraeus entirely – does not sound as if the port’s situation is getting better anytime soon.

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