Patras is the third largest urban conglomeration of Greece, (after Athens/Piraeus and Thessaloniki). It is the capital of the Prefecture of Achaia on the Peloponnese and the western gateway into the country, thanks to numerous ferry connections with Italy.
The Patras metropolitan area is a conurbation of nearly 200,000 inhabitants. The core settlement has a history spanning four millennia. In the Roman period it had become a cosmopolitan centre of the eastern Mediterranean whilst, according to Christian tradition, it was also the place of Saint Andrew's martyrdom. Dubbed Greece's Gate to the West, Patras is a commercial hub, while its busy port is a nodal point for trade and communication with Italy and the rest of Western Europe.
The city has two public universities and one Technological Institute, hosting a large student population and rendering Patras a major scientific centre with a field of excellence in technological education. The Rio-Antirio bridge connects Patras' easternmost suburb of Rio to the town of Antirrio, connecting the Peloponnese peninsula with mainland Greece. Every spring, the city hosts one of Europe's largest and most colourful carnivals; notable features of the Patras Carnival include its mammoth-sized satirical floats and extravagant balls and parades, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors in a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with relatively cool yet humid summers and rather mild winters. Patras is also famous for supporting an indigenous cultural scene active mainly in the performing arts and modern urban literature; it was European Capital of Culture 2006.
PLACE TO VISIT
Psilalonia Square or Psila Alwnia (Greek: Plateia Psilaonion) is one of Patras's most popular squares. The square is located 1.5 km from downtown Patras, 135 km (old: about 16 km) west of Corinth, 218 km (old: 239 km) west of Athens, 96 km (old: 100 km) northeast of Pyrgos, 143 km northwest of Tripoli and 76 km northwest of Kalavryta. Psilalonia Square has an entrance by the northwest with Gounari Street
The impressive Rio-Antirio bridge.
The Roman Odeon.
The Achaia Clauss wine factory.
St. Andrews Church: Inside this church, which was built in the 20th century, are preserved the remains of St. Andrew the Apostle. These are located in a small chapel to the back right of the church as you face the front. The remains of his X-shaped cross are kept behind it.
The Castro, which offers a good view of the city.
The Faro (Lighthouse) which is the symbol of the city.
The Apolllo Theatre, situated at the central square of King George A.
The Turkish hot baths (Hammam) which are still in use.
some very attractive leafy squares with terrace cafes.
HOW TO REACH
By air - Patras' own airport is located on the military base of Araxos (IATA code: GPA), some 50 kilometres to the south, but this receives only seasonal charter flights from various locations in Europe. For regular flights, Patras is served by Athens International Airport, some 250 kilometres to the west.
A startup floatplane company, Air Sea Lines, operating DHC 6 de Havilland Twin Otters, has set up a seasonal base at the Patras marina, linking the city with several Ionian Islands and the city of Ioannina in Epirus. Onwards services from Corfu run to Brindisi in Italy.
By boat - Patras is linked by ferry to the Italian ports of (south to north) Brindisi, Bari, Ancona and Venice, with numerous sailings daily year-round. Service to Trieste has been discontinued.
For the ferry form Ancona to Patra you will e.g. pay for a single person about 40€ winter/60€ summer. Local ferry services offer daily sailings from Patras to the Ionian Islands. Corfu is served by the International ferries on their way to and from Italy.
By road - Patras, located in the northeastern corner of the Peloponnese is connected to Athens by road via Corinth on the 8a National Road (corresponding to the E65 and E94 European Routes. To the south, Patras is connected by road to Amalias, Pyrgos and Olympia and further to Kalamata. The construction of a new bridge linking Rion (on the Peloponnese) to Antirrion (on the Central Greek mainland) has been in operation since 2004 and carries the E55 European route, linking Patras with points in Central Greece and Epirus (and onward to Albania) including the port of Igoumenitsa.
By train - A narrow gauge train line runs through Patras southwards to Olympia and Kalamata and westwards to Athens and the port of Pireas. the Slow Train to Athens costs about 5 € and it takes you there in 4,5 hours.
By bus - Near to the port and main station lies the intercity bus station
