A romantic stroll in the city center around its cobbled streets will reveal many neoclassic buildings, reminders of the city’s glorious past in the 19th century. The city was once the biggest in Greece (for a few years between the Greek War of Independence and the transfer of the country’s capital from Nafplion to Athens) and for about 70 years the second biggest in the beginning of the 20th century. The city is dominated by its Port. Today there are to ports: the old one for travelling by ferries to the Islands and the new one for travelling to Italy. In the 19th century the Port of Patras was a major maritime trading center, exporting mainly raisins with high demand in Europe for wine production. This period of economic prosperity marked the city’s image. Patras wine is still eponymous.
In the west side of the city center worth mentioning is the imposing orthodox Cathedral of Saint Andrew, one of the biggest churches in the Balkans, hosting parts of the Saint’s remains (transferred back to the city, after 500 years, from Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome in 1964, by Pope Paul VI, as a gesture of good will towards the Eastern Orthodox Church). Being the patron of the town, a catholic and an evangelical church are also dedicated to him. Churches in Greece are open from morning to night.
As Patras hosts the State University of Patras, with many faculties except law school, its students from all over Greece give a flair in the nightlife of the old part of the town (Old City), which extends on a hill reachable by 192 steps leading to the Medieval Castle. The view from the castle is stunning. The site is open every day (except Tuesday) until 15:00 and the admission is free. In the summer, nightlife moves to the bars and restaurants along the beaches of Rio, on the left and right side of the bridge. People also go there for a swim until late at night.
Nowadays the biggest landmark of Patras is the 2.380-meter long Rio-Antirrio Bridge (officially “Charilaos Trikoupis” Bridge), one of the world's longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges. It crosses the Gulf of Patras, linking the suburb of Rio on the Peloponnese peninsula to Antirrio, on the Greek mainland, by road (tolls 14,70 euros – one way). It opened one day before the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics, on 12 August 2004, and was used to transport the Olympic flame. Its view day and night is impressive.
Roundtrips
Because of its ideal location, Patras can be used as a base for exploring Peloponnese by car, a geographic region which combines nature, culture, adventure, good food and endless beaches. Most of the best sandy beaches in Greece are in the West and Southwest of this peninsula.
Some interesting sights of Peloponnese are :
• Smaller picturesque coastal cities, like the historic/touristic Nafplio/Nafplion (first capital of Greece), to the east of Patras, with its Venetian castle and the island of Bourtzi in front of it or Kalamata, to the South, a modern city, with its very long promenade, pebble beaches, crystal-clear waters, cafes and restaurants.
• Important archeological sites and museums, like Ancient Olympia (birthplace of the Olympic games) or Mykines/Mycenae (one of the major centers of ancient Greek civilization - close to Nafplio).
• The lonely standing-between-mountains Temple of Apollo Epikourios (3 hours trip from Patras - the last 1hour is a curvy route - but you will be fascinated to face a well-preserved mid- to late-5th century BC Temple, similar to the Parthenon of Athens).
• Μedieval/byzantine castle cities like Mystras (ruines of palaces, churches, monasteries - not inhabited) or the fortress of Monemvasia (a touristic destination of extraordinary beauty - inhabited) to the South
• The regions of Pylos (with the nearby Palace of King Nestor, described in Homer's Odyssey and Iliad) and Gialova (with its Natura, its “golden beaches” named Divari and the most photographed Voidokilia Beach).
Ionian Islands
With its old Port, Patras is connected frequently by ferry with some of the famous and green Ionian Islands (Korfu, Kefalonia, Ithaca).
The nearest islands to Patras are Zakynthos (Zante) and Lefkada.
They are both small beautiful islands and can be visited in 2-3 days.
• Zakynthos is an about 1hour drive from Patras to the Port of Kyllini (east of Peloponnese) and then you travel by ferry for about 1,5 hour (+ 1/2 hour for embarquement). Many ferries come and go during the day. On the sandy beaches, in the south of the island, sea turtles nest their eggs.
• Lefkada is a 2,5-hour drive from Patras and is reachable by car. You first have to cross the Rio-Αntirrio Bridge paying tolls 14,70 euros (one way). The biggest part of the route is on motorway (tolls). No ferry needed. A small floating bridge makes the access to the island possible. The island is lovely and the beaches are equally so.
• Cephalonia and Ithaca, are a bit further away (in terms of duration of the journey), but they reward visitors with stunning views, amazing scenery and azure blue waters. They both can be reached directly via ferry, either from the old port of Patras (which is recommended) or from the Port of Kyllini (to the South). Cephalonia is the bigger island and if want to see the whole of it you have to drive partly on narrow streets οn mountains. Ithaca is smaller, a quiet green island, ideal for relaxation. Boats offer day trips from the one island to the other.
