Patra

The Capital of Carnival

Welcome to Patras – the city where entertainment, history, and culture create a wonderful destination for all ages and tastes! Discover all the things you didn’t know about the city by walking around. Start your tour from Saint Nicholas Street, the most famous street in Patras, which begins from the Upper Town and ends at the Saint Nicholas Pier. The 192 steps of the street (from the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city) serve as a “boundary” between the modern center and the Old Town, which is built around the Castle.

Wander through the narrow alleys with impressive neoclassical buildings and old aristocratic country villas with colorful facades or walk along the fortress walls. Then, head up to the Castle to admire the parts that have been preserved (the main gate, the walls, the octagonal towers, and a small theater) and relax while enjoying a romantic sunset from the ramparts.

City Tour
A walk in the “Dasylio” (wooded hill), next to the fortress, will rejuvenate you! Climb to the top, where you’ll find the municipal refreshment stand, and enjoy your coffee with a panoramic view of the city, the port, and the bay. Patras is also famous for its lively squares, which are bustling with activity throughout the day. In the evening, this is where the pulse of nightlife beats! Take a stroll through Georgiou I Square, Olga Square, or Psila Alonia, admire their neoclassical buildings, or relax at one of the countless cafes, ouzeries, and restaurants!

Significant attractions in the city include the Church of Saint Andrew on the homonymous coastal street, a true architectural masterpiece with unique frescoes. The central dome, 46 meters high, can be seen even from the port!

The “Apollon” Municipal Theater at Georgiou Square, a miniature of Milan’s La Scala, is bound to impress you! Designed in 1872 by Chiller, it was one of the first opera theaters in Europe, and today it houses the Patras Municipal and Regional Theater (DIPETHE Patras). Don’t miss visiting the Roman Odeon behind the 25th March Square in the Upper Town, which is even older than the Herodes Atticus Odeon. Also, discover interesting museums in the city, such as the New Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Press, and more. If you’re a romantic soul, look for the Lighthouse (a faithful replica of the old one), the symbol of Patras, across from the Church of Saint Andrew.

As you leave the city behind, visit the ACHAIA CLAUSS winery. Situated on a lush hill 8 km southeast of the city center, its facilities stand out as one of the most important tourist attractions in the area. Tour the stone buildings, discover where the large oak carved barrels of mavrodaphne wine from a century ago are stored, and learn what enchanted Bavarian Gustave Klaus to decide to make his wine here!

Don’t miss a visit to the “Dymaios Wall,” the only fortified Mycenaean acropolis in Western Greece. Discover an unknown archaeological treasure just 35 km from the city of Patras. Wander through the impregnable wall, said to have been built by the mythological hero Hercules, and admire the remarkable masonry with imposing towers and monumental gates!