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Patra is located 216 kilometres west of Athens, on the north-western coast of Peloponnese, at the foot of the Panachaiko mountain and on the coast of the Gulf of Patra.

Driving from Athens take the Korinthos/Patra National Road.

Upon entering Patra (1st exit after the tolls), stay on the right lane that heads to the Centre of Patra, Port.

The distance from Athens to Patra is approximately 216 kilometres.

Upon leaving the Athens International Airport drive along the "Attiki Odos" headed to Elefsina.

Upon exiting the "Attiki Odos" highway you find yourselves on the national road towards Korinthos/Patra.

If you wish to travel by public transport from the Athens International Airport, board the Express Line bus E93 from outside the airport's main building (gates 4-5) and get off at the Kifisos Interurban Bus Station.

Patra is connected to Sterea Ellada by the Rio-Antirio Bridge.

(Distance from Thessaloniki: 490 km)

The New National Road Patra - Korinthos - Athens serves traffic to and from Athens as well as to and from Korinthos, Nafplio, Tripoli, Epidaurus and the rest of the Peloponnese regions.

Special care should be taken when driving along this road because for the greatest part of it there is no barrier separating the two directions.

In Achaia entry and exit junctions for the New National Road are located:

* On the 148th km. (coming from Athens) for Aigeira and Akrata..

* On the 159th Km for Diakofto and Kalavrita.

* On the 172nd km for Aigio.

* On the 182nd km for Loggos.

* On the 206th km for Rio.

The New Patra-Pyrgos National Road leads to Pyrgos, Ancient Olympia, Kyllini (from where you can board the ferry for Kefallonia, Ithaki, Zakynthos) and also to Kalamata.

This road also needs special care because there is no barrier separating the lanes but also because of frequent junctions with local agricultural roads.

Entry/exit junctions for the New Patra -Pyrgos National Road:

* On the 16th km, for the Industrial Area and the Municipality of Vrachnaika.

* On the 20th km, for the Municipality of Olenia.

* On the 23rd km for lower Achaia and the coastal area of Western Achaia.

* On the 30th km for Agios Nikolaos in Spata.

* On the 35.5.th km for Araxos Airport, Metochi and Kalogrias Beach.

The national road "111" connects Achaia with Arkadia (Tripolis) whilst in the Prefecture's interior there is a good road network of asphalt roads to all the villages.

Patra is connected by rail to Athens and Piraeus as well as to Pyrgos and Kalamata.

If you board the train from Piraeus/Kiato (proastiakos) you will need to change at Kiato.

The journey by train from Athens lasts about 3.5-4 hours

The train terminal in Athens is called "Larissa station" (Stathmos Larissis).

A one way ticket costs approximately 10 Euro.

For information about the timetable of the trains that leave from Athens or Patras please visit the official website of Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) http://www.ose.gr/

1. You can use the metro from the Airport to Syntagma. It leaves every half hour.

When you get to Syntagma you change metro line, from blue line to red line and you get down at Larissa Rail Station (Stathmos Larissis)

The ticket costs about 6 euros and you need about 45 minutes to get there.

2. You can use the bus X95 from the Airport to the city center (Syntagma Square) and then you take the metro (red line) to Larissa Rail Station (Stathmos Larissis).

The bus ticket cost about 3,50 euros and you can use the same ticket for the metro. You need about 1 hour for Larissa Rail Station (depends on the traffic)

For more information:

ΟSΕ Athens: 210 5131601, 5297777

ΟSΕ Patra: 2610 639108-9

Patra is connected to almost the entire Greek territory by interurban buses (KTEL).

In Athens the buses depart from the Kifissos Bus Station and the terminal is called KTEL Peloponissou.

From there you can board buses that go directly to Patra every half hour between 05:00 - 22:00.

A one way ticket costs approximately 12 Euro.

If you decide to reach Patras by bus from Athens, you should go from Athens airport to the Athens central long-distance bus station (Kifissos Bus Station).

You may either get a taxi (costs about 30 Euros) or use the X93 express bus line (costs about 3,50 euros).

For more information visit here

Peloponnese KTEL: Kifisou 100, Athens Tel : 210 5124911

Thessalonica KTEL: 2310 595433

Patras KTEL: 2610 623887

The Port of Patra is connected by a number of daily routes to the following cities:

Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, Venice

Kerkira, Igoumenitsa

Zakynthos

Kefallonia

Regular trips by the following companies:

For more information:

Patra Port Authorities: 2610 341002

Patra is served by domestic and international flights by the Araxos Airport, located 45kms from Patra.

There are flights to and from Herakleion (Crete) and Thessalonica as well as International charter flights (especially during the summer months).

Charter flights frequently organised by the following companies:

Araxos National Airport

Tel: 26930-23598, 26930-51524, 26930-51037

BY AIR: There are frequent charter flights from most European countries (see the following table) to Corfu and then directly to Patras by seaplane (40').

Tel. 0030 2610620462

3 flights per day to Patras (http://www.airsealines.com/).

Pandair (England, Holland, Malta, German, Austria )

0030 2661036595

Meander (England,Holland, Belgium, Serbia-Montenegro, Finland, Sweden, Spain,Czech)

0030 2661044953

Interservice (Czech, German, France, Austria, Slovakia)

0030 2661028703

Aviareps (German, England, Belgium, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Finland, France, Switzerland, Italy)

0030 2661022588

You can find more information about Access to Patras, at the following websites:

Patras was first inhabited during the third millennium BC and reached its first peak during the Mycenaean period (1580 - 1100 BC). According to written sources, the city was founded by the conglomeration of different settlements in the area of Arhoe. There, 20 meters under the medieval castle still extant today, lie the ruins of the ancient acropolis, that dates back to the Mycenaean and classical era.

During 5th century BC, Patras was organized politically and in 280 BC played a leading role in the foundation of the Achaean League, a voluntary union of initially four and finally twelve Achaean cities that, parallel to the existing local government system, agreed to a common judicial system, with common currency, weights and units and a common annual assembly, as well as common political and military leadership. (One could say that this confederation was the political ancestor of the European Union, albeit with more advanced unifying actions than EU!). The League became a major power over the following years and defended, though unsuccessfully, the Greek independence war against the Romans in the battle of Corinth in 146 BC.

During the period of Roman rule and because of the destruction of the port of Corinth and the consequent importance it gained as the unique port to Rome, Patras enjoyed special benefits. The city presented a significant development until the end of 3rd century, when, after its partial destruction by an earthquake, it entered a phase of decadence.

During the Byzantine Empire, the city rose and fell, in tune with the historic variations of the Empire and its surrounding area. From 13th century, Patras was occupied in turns by the Franks, the Byzantines, the Turks and the Venetians, alternating between periods of prosperity and total abandon, especially after the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821, until its liberation, in 1928.

After the establishment of the Modern Greek state, the city grew to be a major port to Europe, while its exports, raisins in particular, triggered a phenomenal economic development. Throughout 19th and the beginning of 20th century, Patras was the country's financial and cultural link to Europe and this can be witnessed by a surge in the city's population, an improvement in housing, as well as the pioneering cultural and social institutions and business projects it developed at the time. When raisin exports subsided and the port of Piraeus started to flourish instead, Patras took the second place, gradually transforming into an industrial centre until the 90's and into a transit trade, financial and cultural centre today.

For further information visit the following site: http://www.patras.gr/en/c1/index-c1.asp

About the city

Patras, the third largest city in Greece with a population of 200.000, is a major Mediterranean port and the country's main Gate to the West - a modern financial, commercial and cultural centre. Amongst other places of interest, the city has a wide variety of monuments bearing witness to its long historical journey.

Bits and pieces of its recent history are reflected in Patras' daily life and are easily accessible to the visitor, therefore adding to the city's character and beauty. The arcades in the central streets, the three stairs leading from the contemporary to the upper (old) city, where one can admire the neoclassical buildings, once the mansions of the currant merchants, the many fountains and statues that can be seen on the central squares, as well as the famous English mansions out of Patras dated from the same period - known as "Egglezika"- are the exact elements that combine the city's past with its present.

At the same time, the modern city offers all necessary banking, transportation and accommodation facilities and caters for cultural and entertainment needs. The city hosts a University, an Institution of Higher Technological Education, the Greek Open University(Student's total number: 40.000), several hospitals (University hospital, Regional State hospital, Regional Children's hospital etc.), a regional two-stage theatre, a classical music orchestra, a municipal and many privately owned galleries with numerous seasonal exhibitions, as well as museums, municipal and university libraries, conference centres, stadiums, courts and swimming pools.

In addition, the city has numerous cafes, patisseries, bars, restaurants and live music clubs (all these either in pedestrianized entertainment areas or around the city's numerous large squares), as well as entertainment and cinema complexes and a casino.

The countryside and the beaches nearby are easily accessible. The area around the city is scattered with spots of natural beauty and historical monuments, which render it an ideal destination for eco-tourism and outdoor activities. The countryside and the Gulf of Patras provide the authentic ingredients you can taste in the local cuisine and all that at moderate prices, as Patras is, as far as alimentation and shopping is concerned, one of the cheapest cities in Greece.

For Patras City Guide, please visit
http://www.e-patras.gr/portal/web/common/cityguide

 

The new, majestic Church built in Byzantine style was founded in 1908 by George the 1st and was inaugurated in 1974 by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Patra, Nikodimos.

It is the largest and most artistically significant church in the Balkans and one of the largest in Europe. Its construction was supervised by architect Anastasios Metaxas and following his death in 1937, by architect Georgios Nomikos.

The central cupola is 46 metres tall and is the base for a 5-metre gold-plated cross and twelve smaller ones, symbolizing Christ and his twelve disciples. At least 5,000 can attend sermon within the church.

Roman Odeon

Dated 160 A.C., the Odeon was banked up through the years, was rediscovered in 1889, was restored in 1952 and, since then, has been hosting the performances and concerts of the International Summer Festival (capacity 2.000 people). In its yard, you can see sarcophagus and beautiful mosaics of the Roman period.

Germanou and Sotiriadou street

- Free entrance.Open daily except Monday 08.00-15.00, Tel: 2610-220829

• Aquaduct: 6 km long, Patras' aqueduct extends until the foot of Dassylio hill.

• North Cemetery: dated 1st-2nd century AD.

• Stadium: 300m. long, is still being excavated.

• Nympheon

• Meilichos Bridge: a well-preserved bridge with two brick arches and a base built with carved stones

Constructed by the emperor Justinian over the ruins of Patras' Ancient Acropolis, where a variety of archaeological finds is displayed today. Through the ages, the castle was conquered and reconstructed by the Franks, Constantinos Paleologos, the Venetians and the Turks.

Upper city - Free entrance - Open daily except Monday 08.30-15.00. Tel. 2610-623390

In 1872, Patras obtained its own theatre-opera house, with an Italian stage and a double row of boxes, around the same period when the great capitals of Europe (Paris, Barcelona and Vienna) obtained theirs. Today, it hosts the performances of the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Patras. King George A' sq. Free entrance. Open Monday to Friday, 08:00-13:30. Tel. 2610-273613

Built on the ruins of the ancient temple of Zeus, Pantokratoras is a Byzantine church, which was converted into a mosque during the Turkish occupation. Pantokratoros & Ilias str. Free entrance. Open daily, 08:00-11:00 & 16:30-19:00, tel. 2610-279454

Dated 1500 AD, the Hammam is still in use today. 29, Boukaouri str. Tel. 2610-274627. Entrance fee: 5,00 euros

It was built in 1880 and has been used as a city hall since 1910. Its interior is decorated with the beautiful paintings of Patras' famous painter E. Thomopoulos. 108, Mezonos & Votsi str

On a green hill, eight kilometres South - East of downtown Patra, are the facilities of the ACHAIA CLAUSS winery which stands out as one of the area's most significant tourist sights.

It was founded by Bavarian Gustav Clauss, who came to Patra in 1854, to work for a German raisin exporter. During one of his outings he became acquainted with the area and was enchanted by its natural beauty. He bought a small vineyard so he could produce his own wine, and ended up building the Castle - Winery which stands intact until today. In 1861 he founded the company ACHAIA CLAUSS and the high-quality wines, amongst which is the Patra Mavrodafni, conquered the Greek and the international markets.

The stone buildings, the huge oak barrels, containing century-old mavrodafni, the traditional wine cellar for welcoming visitors and the unique scenery with the magnificent view, attract around 200.000 visitors on an annual basis.

Vests: daily from 09:00 to 17:00

Tel.: 2610325051 to 2610325059

A workshop, where the floats of Patras Carnival and other decorative items are manufactured and preserved in. Petroto, Patras. Open Monday to Friday 08.00-14.00

The first hydroelectric station in Greece is located in the area of Glafkos river and is functioning with its waters. In the photo, you can see the vertical pipeline that starts from the top of the hill and rapidly carries the water down to the electric generators. It is also open to the public as a museum. Glafkos, Patras. Open daily 08.00-14.00

A complex of consecutively constructed buildings, designed by the Danish architect Theofilos Hansen in 1872. It functioned as a municipal hospital for 100 years. Today, it accommodates the cultural centre of the Municipality of Patras

An excellent sample of industrial architecture that was built in 1903 and operated as the city's slaughterhouse until 1998. In 1998 it was renovated and today it consists of a cultural and entertaining venue

Built in 1499, together with the castle of Antirrio by the sultan Vagiazit II, to control the sea passage between the Ionian Sea and the Corinthian Bay, a passage also known as 'Mikra Dardanellia'. The castle was successively occupied by Spain and Genova, reoccupied by the Turks and finally surrendered to the French general Maison, in 1928. Open daily except Monday 08.30-15.00

The longest cable bridge in the world, 2.250m. long, successfully joined Western Greece and was delivered in 2004

Recreation Open Spaces, with a view over the city or the sea

Dassylio, Ipsila Alonia Square, the Lighthouse, King George A΄ Square, the Marina Museums

• New Archaeological Museum: under construction

• Archaeological Museum: exhibits sculptures and mosaics, vessels and jewelry from the Hellenic and roman period.
EVERY DAY EXCEPT MONDAY, 08.30- 15.00,MEZONOS 42, 2610275070, 2610640413

• Museum of History and Ethnology: with arms, paintings and scriptures dated 18th and 19th century.
EVERY DAY EXCEPT MONDAY AND FRIDAY 11.00-13.00,
SQUARE GEORGIOY A', Tel. 2610274962

• Press Museum: books dated 1604, as well as important historic documents and records about Patras and Greece since 1875.
FROM MONDAY UNTIL FRIDAY 09.00-13.00, MEZONOS 200, 2610310488

• Folk Art Museum: with exhibits from everyday life and working habits during the pre-industrial age. FROM MONDAY UNTIL FRIDAY 10.30-13.00, KORYTSAS & MAVROKORDATOY, 2610334713

• Zoological museum of Patras University: with approximately 3.000 stuffed birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and shells.Τel: 2610 969214

• Botanical museum of Patras University: with 90.000 desiccated plants of Greek and European flora. Τel: 2610 969200

+302610996127