Patras, known to the locals as Pátra, is one of the major cities of Greece- yet not one of the major tourist destinations. The largest city of the Peloponnese, Patras is the capital of the prefecture of Achaia, and is the country’s second most important port, after Piraeus. It sits bang in the middle of fertile coastal land, which produces wine grapes, fruit and vegetables.

Founded during the time of the Mycenaens, Patras reached its heyday as a Roman city- but lost out later to Constantinople. Occupied first by the Franks and later by the Turks, Patras grew rich from a flourishing silk trade and developed into an important commercial centre, a status it still commands.

Patras is a city of pretty parks and neat squares, but with relatively little in the way of tourist sights. Many tourists, in fact, just stop over at Patras en route to greener pastures. But if you have the time, a little exploring can reveal some interesting sights, like the Ancient Odeion Theatre, now restored and used for cultural performances;  and the Patras Fortress, a triangular 6^th century citadel which has played an important part in the administration and defence of Patras over the ages. Originally built on the site of a ruined acropolis, the fortress was in use till the Second World War. The Gerokomio Monastery, atop a hill overlooking Patras, is one of the oldest in the Peloponnese, and the Archeaological Museum in Olga Square is as good a place as any to get an insight into the history of Achaia. But Patras’ crowning glory is the Cathedral of St Andreas. Named after the apostle, St Andrew, who lived for some time in Patras, the cathedral is an imposing domed structure, rather Byzantine in appearance, although it’s only about a century old.

For those who like the good life, a visit to the Achaia Clauss Winery and a sampling of their famous red dessert wine, Mavrodaphne, can be a great way to round off the trip.  

If you’re coming to the Peloponnese in the end of January, make sure you visit Patras- this is the time when the city hosts one of Europe’s most exuberant and lively carnivals. The Patras Carnival traditionally begins on the 17^th of January, and carries on for 40 days of music, dancing, parades, and even a rather messy `chocolate war’ where folk pelt each other with the gooey stuff.

Patras’ significance as a transport hub means that it’s fairly easy to get to; the city  is connected by ferry, train and road to the rest of Greece and to a number of other cities around Europe. There are ferry connections to Italy (Ancona, Bari and Brindisi) and to most of the islands in this part of the Mediterranean Sea. Daily buses connect Patras to Athens, which is 3 hours away; to Ithaca, Cephalonia, Thessalonica, and Igoumenitsa. There are also regular trains to the major Greek cities, including Athens and Olympia. 

Patras has a number of hotels, both budget as well as upmarket; in addition, there is a hostel at Iroon Polytechniou Str. Eating out options include a range of cafés and tavernas, many of them specialising in authentic Greek seafood cookery.

The Greek National Tourist Organisation has a local office at 110, Iroon Polytechniou Str, Glifada (Tel: 061-653696). The Tourist Police can be contacted at Norman I Polytechniou Str (Tel: 061-452512).

For detailed country and visitor information, see Greece.