Patras is the capital of the Peloponnese, Western Greece and Ionia, and the third largest city in the country with a population of 195,000 (as of 2021). The city is located on the north-western tip of the Peloponnese Peninsula, on the shore of the Gulf of Patraikos. With the help of an important seaport in Patras, Greece actively conducts trade with Italy, which is of great importance for the development of the country’s economy and culture.
The first stop in the Peloponnese on the way to Olympia from central Greece will be the city of Patras, as travelers must pass the Rion-Andirion bridge. This makes Patras a crowded and lively destination for arrivals and departures, although the city itself with its ancient history and vibrant modernity can offer a lot of informative information and entertainment.
It is worth noting that Patras has a world-famous university that teaches medical, humanitarian and social sciences, which makes the main driving force of the city’s student representatives. From here, there are a lot of young people’s companions – cafes, bars, night clubs, etc. In summer, Patras hosts an international art festival, and in winter (for more than 180 years) – the main carnival of Greece.
Attractions
The city of Patras is a pleasant place with good hotels and a developed tourist infrastructure. The city is divided into Upper and Lower districts. The main attractions are located in the upper part.
Patras Castle
The historical center of the ancient Upper Town is a perfectly preserved old castle, built in the second half of the VI century on the highest point of the Panahaiki hill, on the ruins of the ancient acropolis. Until the 20th century, the building was used as an administrative center, as well as for the defense of the city, withstanding numerous sieges.
Today, the castle has a small theater, and the courtyard has been turned into a public park. The favorable location of one of the most striking sights of Greece allows you to view from its platforms not only Patras, but also the opposite coasts. The views from the castle are well worth the climb up the stairs.
Travelers recommend going to the castle in the morning, wearing comfortable shoes and taking water with you, as there is nowhere to buy it on the spot.
- Address: Frouriou 56, Patra 262 25, Greece.
- The attraction is open to visitors from 8: 30 to 15: 30 in winter, in summer the castle is open for half an hour longer, the day off is Tuesday.
- Admission is free.
Antique Odeon
Another art object of the Upper City is the Odeon. The time of its construction falls on the heyday of the Roman Empire – the second half of the II century AD. The theater has four rows of seats at the bottom and seven at the top. The outer, high wall has five entrances to the stage and side buildings. Access to the backstage area is via two built-in staircases, one on the left side and the other on the right. The ground floor is paved and separated from the stage by a semicircular parapet.
Due to wars, battles and earthquakes, the amphitheater was seriously damaged, the structure was “buried” for a long time under other buildings, but in 1889 the Odeon was accidentally discovered during the construction of a dam.
In 1956, after the restoration of the landmark was completed, the amphitheater gives a good idea of ancient Roman times. Today, the Odeon holds more than 2,000 spectators and serves as a venue for city events.
- The attraction is located next to the Castle of Patras.
- Admission is free.
- Opening hours: 8: 30-15: 30 every day except Tuesdays.
On a note! From the port of Patras ferries go to the Greek island of Ithaca, what is interesting about it find out on this page.
Church of St. Andrew the First-Called
It is a modern large cathedral and one of the main attractions of the city of Patras. The temple is located next to the embankment, half an hour’s drive from the center. Its architecture is truly impressive, as is its interior decoration. The central dome reaches a height of 46 m. At its top is a 5-meter cross, which in turn is surrounded by 12 smaller crosses-they symbolize Jesus and the 12 apostles.
The church houses the relics of St. Andrew the First-Called-under glass in a metal capsule. People constantly come to the church to pray and touch the shrine, but there are no crowds of tourists. On the territory of the attraction there is a holy spring, from which everyone can drink water.
After learning about the patron saint of Patras, many tourists come here on December 13, when its residents celebrate the City Day, which begins with a procession from the temple to the center.
Address: Evmilou 4, Patras 262 22, Greece.
Apollo City Theater
The theater is a historic building designed by the German architect Ernst Zillerthal in 1872. The first performance was Giuseppe Verdi’s “Bal-bal in Masquerades”, which was given on October 10, 1872 by an Italian troupe. Then famous Italian actors performed in the theater with their own shows and productions. And since 1910, the Apollo stage has been dominated by popular troupes from Greece.
The theater is designed for 250 people. During the year, in addition to theatrical performances, musical performances are also held here.
Place of interest address: Plateia Georgiou A 17, Patras 26223, Greece.
Kefalonia — a beautiful Greek island with impressive beaches
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum of Patras was opened in 2009. Its collections include finds from the wider area of Patras and Western Achaia, covering a broad chronological spectrum from 3000 BC to the 4th century AD. Through the exhibitions, local people and tourists can trace their ethnicity and learn about local history, as well as various types of art, from glassware to jewelry and mosaics. Much attention is paid to the social aspect of the life of the city’s residents, in particular the funeral tradition.
In most cases, the most vivid impressions of visitors are caused by mosaics of Romanesque times.
- Where to find a tourist attraction: 38-40 Athinon, Patras 264 42, Greece.
- Opening hours: from 8: 30 to 15: 30, closed on Tuesday.
- Admission fee: 6 euros, free admission for students and children.
What else to see in Patras
Also noteworthy is the beautiful Pharos Lighthouse, located opposite St. Andrew’s Church. Also worth noting is the old Achaia Clauss winery, known throughout Greece, where exclusive wines are stored in the cellars.
For lovers of shopping in Patras, there are a huge number of souvenir shops, antique salons and diverse shops for every taste, which is quite justified for a port city with a vibrant trade and affordable prices.
Weather and climate
The location of the city has made its climate very favorable for tourism-moderate and warm Mediterranean. Anyone who is not a fan of hot weather should come to Patras, where the average annual temperature is +16°C.
Summers here are quite cool, the average monthly temperature is +25-26°C. The hottest months are July and August, on some days the thermometer can rise to +40°C, but this is rare. Winter in Patras is relatively warm, with most precipitation falling in December. The average temperature is +15-16°C. The most” cold ” month is January with a temperature in the region of +10°C.
Patras is not a resort (in the conventional sense), but an administrative and logistics center, but the city has a beach where it is difficult to turn around in the summer months due to the influx of people who want to sunbathe and immerse themselves in the fresh waters of the Ionian Sea. Still, locals prefer to swim on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth.
How to get to Patras
Patras has its own airport, Patras Araxos Airport, located on a military base 50 km south of the city and owned by the Greek Armed Forces. It only accepts charter flights from several European cities. It is much more convenient to fly to the airport in Athens – it and Patras are separated by 250 km, which can be overcome by train, bus or car.
It is logical and romantic to reach the seaport by taking a ferry from the Ionian Islands, and since it is through Patras that Greece “communicates” with Italy, you can choose a ship that departs from Venice, Brindisi, Bari or Ancona (Italian port cities).
