Lying to the southwest of the city, it became the main port of the naval power of Athens in the early 5th century B.C., when the harbor installations and the fortifications were built following the proposal of the great statesman Themistocles. The “Porto di Leone” of the middle ages came into new life when Athens became the capital city of Greece. The port of Piraeus has developed into a major port of the Mediterranean sea and vital sector of the Greek economy, since most of the Greek shipping companies are based there. The central port is now used by the ferries running to the Aegean islands and also by cruise ships, whereas the Zea port is a modern yacht harbor and the Microlimano a picturesque fishing port renowned for its sea food restaurants and night life.
