Visit Patras
Patras is the third largest city of Greece, and is located on the northern coast of the Peleponnese region by the Gulf of Patras. Patras is one of the major cultural and historical centers of the country and offers a spectacular landscape with the dominating presence of Mount Panachaikon.
Patras is known for the Patras Carnival, a colorful event which is held every spring, and features an elaborate parade.The city was also named as European Cultural Center for the year 2006, and is a popular tourist destination.
Patras is rich in historical and archaeological attractions. Among the most impressive ones are the Roman Odeon and the Castro, the city fortress which can provide some spectacular panoramic views of the city.
To learn about the rich history and culture of the region, you should visit the New Archaeological Museum of Patras, the building for which is a fine example of modern architecture. The museum contains artifacts as old as the 17th century BC.
One of the most important landmarks is the Faro Lighthouse, which is considered to be the symbol of the city. Another very striking presence in the Patras skyline is the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, which is a 2,880 meters long cable-stayed bridge that connects the Peleponnese peninsula with the Greek mainland.
Other important attractions include the Agios Andreas Cathedral, the Apollo Theater, active Turkish hot baths and the Achaia Clauss wine factory to taste the famous wines of Patras, such as the Mavrodafni.
Although Patras is not the best destination for a beach holiday, it doesn’t disappoint people who love to spend some time at the beach whenever they can. Calogria is the nearest worth visiting beach, some 40 km from the city, near the town of Pyrgos.
Your trip to Patras would be most satisfying if you arrive when the Patras Festival is being held, which takes place 40 days before the Orthodox Easter. The Carnival features a colorful parade with huge floats, and involves a lot of celebrations and dancing on the streets. But be careful to make early reservations as the Carnival approaches, as the availability of accommodation can be a problem during the festival.
Map of Patras and places to visit
Patras places to visit
Olympia
Olympia guide
Delphi
Delphi guide